CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

Neysa stacked several blankets in a corner of the room. She, along with Mr. Penna, positioned themselves on the blankets so that their backs leaned against the wall. Eve flopped down, stomach first, facing them, on her own stack.

"Okay, Mr. Penna, every thing's put away. This time you can't stop until after you get to my part."

Mr. Penna's eyes twinkled. "Do not worry, Evangeline. I will finish my story this time."

Mr. Penna paused a moment as if to remember where he had left off, then started in with the rest of his story.

"Several months after our return to Moenia, I saw a surge in the number of lacarna that entered into the city. With them came stories of bandits that had chased them out of the human villages, forcing them into the protection of the capital. Not only did this tax our inspection and registry system, but it became a challenge to find places for them to stay. At first, we found empty houses for them, putting five or six in each. When those ran out, we invited human citizens to come and hire them as help with the condition they also board them. Unfortunately, the process was not well thought out. Before long, it turned into an auction house."

Mr. Penna shook his head. A slight tremor shot through his body.

"I despised the auction house, but knew of little I could do. The bandit attacks gave us little choice, or so I first believed. Then, one day, Neysa came into the processing center. When I saw her, I wondered why the bandits would bother with a lacarnian village on the outskirts of the forest. I wanted to talk to her and find out what happened, but one of the other inspectors got to her before I could, sending her to the holding area to await her turn in the auction.

"That night I had trouble sleeping as I wondered why Neysa was in Moenia. The next morning I informed my superior I could not be at my post due to an illness. I then slipped off to the auction house.

"I knew what went on at the auction house, but I had never been there myself. It broke my heart to actually see lacarnians sold to the highest bidder with no regards to age or family members. When they brought Neysa out, a chill ran down my spine. I decided immediately to buy her, despite the disapproval I would receive from the Protectors. I owed her that much for the kindness she had shown Peter and me.

"The deal done, I took Neysa straight home and questioned her. She told me that bandits had indeed attacked the village. She noted a few strange things though. First, they were very well armed, odd for thieves who spend most of their time in hiding. Second, they took nothing, instead burning the village to the ground. Third, guards from the Protectors arrived to escort the lacarnians to Moenia, even those that wanted to rejoin the villages in the forest.

"My talk with Neysa made me suspicious. From that point on, I paid very close attention to the lacarnians I processed. To my growing concern, more and more of them had the appearance of those that lived near or in the forest. Mystified as to why bandits would attack the forest lacarna who held nothing valuable, I began to keep a separate log of those I processed, hoping I might find something to piece the puzzle together.

"Then, one day, the Protectors escorted an unusual group of lacarna into the city. The physical features, typical of the forest lacarna, were much more p.r.o.nounced. Some appeared more beast than human, almost as if a panther decided one day it would walk on two legs instead of four. Upon inspection, I also found them to have fully functional claws that could easily strip flesh from bone, far from the fragile, worthless ones I was used to seeing.

"Having not seen lacarnians such as these before, I could only conclude that they must have come from deep within the forest. A little girl I saw standing in line confirmed my conclusion. I recognized her in an instant as the lacarnian girl I had seen in the forest village. Sadly, the two adults from that day were not anywhere in sight.

"The stories of bandit attacks no longer made sense. A group of bandits could never penetrate so deeply into the forest. If somehow they did, the lacarna could easily drive them off. No, it would have taken a large, organized force to drive them out.

"Whatever the truth, I knew these forest lacarnians could not stay in the city. They could never adjust to such life, and I feared the humans would mistreat them for their beastlike appearance. Without thinking it through, I falsified the records of any I processed, marking them as clawless and having come from human villages. I hoped if I made them less of a threat I would have an easier time getting them out of the city, though I knew not how. In case I formed a plan, I made duplicates of their papers for my own possession, keeping their true ident.i.ty in my personal logs.

"That night, the image of the little lacarnian girl haunted my sleep. I woke the next morning with the determination to get her out of the city one way or another, even though it would draw suspicion on me for buying yet another lacarnian.

I left for the auction house and arrived to find the place filled with people, making it difficult to move around. At some point, I found myself stuck behind a young couple discussing their anger with the treatment of the lacarna. Curious, I introduced myself and asked why they had come. They informed me they came to the city to adopt a child as they could not bear any of their own. The orphanage; however, had only a few children, none of which the caretakers would allow the couple to take. The two lived in a tiny village across the dead lands, a place the caretakers deemed too dangerous for the children. On their way out of the city they saw the crowd at the auction house and slipped in to see the commotion.

"With the auction starting, I took a chance at the opportunity before me. I mentioned to the couple that, on occasion, a lacarnian child would be sold and the Protectors had no rules as to who could buy them. I a.s.sured them that such a child would thrive in the outlands, more so than any human child.

"The idea of purchasing a child in an auction appalled them. For a moment, I thought the lady would hit me for making such a suggestion. Their reaction left me no doubt that they would treat a lacarnian with the care and respect your people deserved.

"Desperate not to let them go, I explained how they could give a child a much better life in their village. I told them of the mistreatment the lacarna often faced in Moenia. I even offered to give them the money to make the purchase.

"No matter my tactic, I could not convince them. The man pushed me aside to leave, but his wife stopped him. The auctioneers had brought out the little girl. I could almost see their hearts break at the sight of her. The poor thing was ragged and scared. When the bidding started, I offered my money pouch to them. They hesitated at first, but, as they watched, some brute of a man took the high bid. With one last nudge from me, the man grabbed my pouch and bid until he won.

"After the sale, I went straight home and began writing letters to every acquaintance I had outside of Moenia. I told them of the auctions and of what I knew of the lacarna people. I offered to help finance any that would come. I also made counterfeit ownership papers of those I found homes for, in case I misjudged someone's character.

"Less than a month later, Peter, clearly on edge, appeared at my home late at night. He stated that in two days he would take his son and leave Moenia for good. He asked if I would join him. In answer, I told him everything I had done, arguing that I could not leave with so many lacarnians to help. Upon hearing my tale, he said, with no uncertainty, that I must leave. He warned that, because of our friendship, the Protectors would be watching me closely. If they found out what I was doing, they would arrest me.

"I could see the fear and worry in Peter's face. Though the decision tore at me, in the end I could not let my safety add to his troubles. We left two days later."

A look of joy filled Mr. Penna's face. "I have long held that the Creators left this world centuries ago; yet I cannot believe that mere coincidence brought us to the same village where the couple had taken the little lacarnian girl."

Mr. Penna starred directly into Eve's eyes. "That, my little lacarnian, is why I have your pape-"

Eve launched herself at Mr. Penna, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thank you!"

Mr. Penna returned Eve's hug. "You do not need to thank me, but you are welcome, nonetheless."

Eve sat back down. "Did your friends come? Did they take anyone else from the auctions?"

Mr. Penna nodded. "Yes, and I believe it is time to track them down. The Protectors have put their plans into motion. I only hope that I have not waited too long."

Neysa wiped a few stray tears from her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I am not certain of anything, but more and more pieces seem to be coming together; Peter leaving suddenly eleven years ago, the bandit attacks, Tyco's arrival at the village, his sudden desire to bring Maxwell here and the disappearance of the diggers when Tyco realized they had found out about Maxwell. I think all these things are somehow related to those lacarnians brought to the city years ago."

"So what's the plan, Chiros?"

"Tomorrow, I will take Maxwell around the city as promised, ending at Melody's church. I will return here tomorrow night to prepare. Neysa, I want us to leave the following morning."

Eve crossed her arms. "Max and I can't come?"

Mr. Penna shook his head. "The Protectors have their own plans for Maxwell. I a.s.sume you will be going with him."

"If they let me. Tyco wasn't thrilled I came this far."

"I am sure they will not be happy with your presence; I am sure that means you will only be that much more determined to go."

Eve tucked her head down sheepishly. "Maybe."

Mr. Penna chuckled. "I thought as much. That is why I want Neysa to take you shopping tomorrow. You will need to be prepared for whatever lies ahead."

Mr. Penna stood. "When you two have finished shopping, head over to the church. I have a feeling Melody will have more information for us. For now, go get some rest."

"Yes, Chiros." Neysa got to her feet. "Come along, Eve."

Eve jumped to her feet, giving Mr. Penna another hug before following Neysa. "Right behind you."

Early the next morning, Eve and Neysa left for the market. "Now, Eve, be sure to stay next to me. They know to leave me well alone, but an unfamiliar face would be fair game."

"Who are They'?"

"Protectors, their cronies and general slime. On the south side of the city you'll be fine. Until then, stay close."

The two made their way south out of the gate, the guards eyeing them suspiciously as they did so. They received the same stares by many other humans along their route to the center of Moenia. As the streets grew more and more crowded, Neysa stuck out her hand.

"Take hold, I don't want to lose you."

Eve crossed her arms, pouting. "I'm not a child, I won't get lost."

Neysa smiled. "I have no doubt of your abilities to take care of yourself outside of these walls, but the city is far different than your little village. Now, take my hand before someone grabs you."

Eve took note of all of the humans around them, one even b.u.mping her as he pa.s.sed. I guess it wouldn't hurt, just in case. She took Neysa's hand without any further resistance.

The market offered a wholly new experience for Eve, one she was quickly ready to be done with. The streets were so crowed they had to push people out of the way to get anywhere. Every now and again she saw a human hara.s.sing some of the younger lacarnians. Eve gripped Neysa's hand tighter.

The booths Eve first saw had lacarnians working at them, but they were carefully watched by humans who sat in the back, eying all the customers. Few lacarna stopped at these booths, instead heading for the booths on the south side of the market. Here, either the humans worked with the lacarna or lacarnians ran the booths entirely. Neysa had them stop at several of these booths, insisting Eve needed clothing more appropriate for traveling. A final, small booth on the very outskirts of the market, finally provided a few things that both Neysa and she agreed on. None too soon for Eve, they left the market, walking farther south.

"So what did you think of the market, Eve?"

"Awful. I hated the crowd, the noise and the smell."

Neysa laughed. "That pretty much sums things up. Now you know how lucky you had it growing up in a small village. Don't worry, you'll like the next place a lot better."

"Oh? Where are we going?"

"We're going to the Church of the Immortals where we'll meet up with Melody and, later, Mr. Penna and Max."

"The Church of the Immortals? What's it like?"

Neysa thought for a moment then shook her head. "I can't really explain it. You will just have to wait." Then Neysa giggled. "Oh, and you can let go of my hand now if you want."

Eve blushed, letting go. Oops, I forgot I'm not with mother. I'm not used to so many humans. I hope Neysa is right about the next place. I can't let Max see me like this.

Farther south, the two stepped through an ancient archway separating the city from a beautiful garden. Several humans, dressed like Melody, along with lacarnians, tended a wide variety of plants and flowers. An overwhelming feeling of peace washed over Eve.

What is this place?

Smiling, Eve turned to Neysa. "Can I?"

Neysa laughed, "We have a little time. Go on little one."

Eve ran down one of the garden's paths to explore the plants, pa.s.sing an elderly lady headed towards Neysa along the way.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

Max slowly awakened from a deep sleep, unsure of his surroundings. He sat up and let the room come into focus.

Oh yeah, we stayed with the Children of the Immortals. Max yawned. Boy, Eve's story lasted a long time, but wow. No wonder Mr. Penna always treated her so nice.

Max turned to wake Eve, but she was gone and her bed made. Where did she go? Why is it so light in here? Uh oh.

Max swung his feet over the edge of his bed and then into his boots. Well, at least I stayed dressed.

Max hopped off the bed, grabbed his things and ran for the door. At the entryway, he nearly collided with Melody.

"It's about time, Max. We're running late."

"I know, I know. I'm ready though." Max lifted his arms and spun around. "See, already dressed."

Melody scoffed. "More like you never changed in the first place. You look like you were wadded up and thrown in a corner. Oh well, no time now."

Melody grabbed Max by the arm, pulling him through the meeting hall and out into the garden. "Eve, I've got him."

"Okay!"

Max heard Eve's reply, but did not see her until a second later when she popped out of a big patch of purple flowers by the far wall. Spotting Max and Melody, she bounded over to them with a big grin on her face.

"I like this place."

Melody brushed a few flower petals off Eve's head. "It likes you too, more than most lacarnians."

Max's eyebrows arched. "What do you mean by that?"

"It has to do with what I told you back in the cave."

"The cave?"

Melody sighed. "I'll explain again later. For now, we need to hurry to the west gate."

"We? I think Eve and I can find it ourselves. You don't need to go along."

Melody simply winked as she led them to the archway that marked the boundary of the garden. A pair of backpacks and a small waist pack leaned against the wall next to the arch. Eve grabbed the waist pack and pointed at one of the backpacks.

"That one's yours Max. I figured you would sleep in, so I packed it for you."

Max lifted the backpack, finding it heavier than he expected. "What all did you put in here?"

"Only the things you might need..." She trailed off waiting until Max slipped on the pack. "...and some of my stuff as well, since I only have the waist pack." She smiled devilishly. "Maybe that'll help you learn to get out of bed on time."

Melody interrupted Max before he had a chance to argue. "Come on you two, we're late."

Max didn't move, noticing Melody put on the other backpack. "Where are you going, Melody?"

"With you, of course."

"With us? Why?"

"Lady Metis has a message for an artifact collector in Calix. Since you two are going that way, she instructed me to join you. Safety in numbers, after all."