Bemused, Max studied the white and brown mouse still entrapped by Eve's tail. "So, what are you going to do with your furry little friend?"

Eve lifted her tail over her shoulder and dropped the mouse into her hands. "Mmm, don't know. Maybe I'll keep her as a pet."

"A cat keeping a mouse as a pet?" Max shook his head in disbelief. "You know, everyone already thinks you're crazy. Do you really want to add this as well?"

Eve turned her nose up and smirked. "They only think that because I hang around with you."

"Hey, now..."

Eve had a talent for interrupting Max at times like this. She pointed ahead of them. "Looks like Tyco is out and waiting for us."

"Hey, don't go changing the subject."

Eve ignored him. "Looks like someone else is there with him. Wonder who it is?"

Max followed Eve's gaze and saw Tyco standing in front of his house speaking with a stranger. "Don't know. Guess we'll find out. Let's go."

Max picked up his pace while Eve lingered behind, a wry smile on her face. "Okay, okay." She gently put the mouse into her shirt pocket. Eve turned her ears forward and followed after Max. With the wind blowing towards her she could faintly hear the conversation between Tyco and the stranger.

The stranger, who wore a dull gray cloak with the hood pulled up over his head, nodded in their direction and leaned over to Tyco. "That him?"

Tyco glanced up at her and Max. "That's him."

Eve saw the stranger spit out a piece of a foul substance that he was chewing. "Who's the stray?"

"The cafe owner bought her years ago. From what I've gathered, she's the one that hid Maxwell the night the bandits killed his father. They're close friends."

Eve could see the disgust form on the stranger's face. She started to tense up, but stopped herself when the stranger focused in her direction.

"Will she be a problem?"

"She might want to go along."

The stranger's mouth formed a brief, crooked smile. "Humph. I suppose we could accommodate her." The smile disappeared. "You know what to do, then?"

Tyco nodded to the stranger. "Yes, I've got it."

"Then I'll get things ready. I'll see you in a week."

"I'll have him there."

The stranger walked to the side of the house and mounted a large black stallion tied there. Eve and Max climbed over the fence that separated the field from Tyco's house as the stranger rode off. Maxwell walked up to Tyco.

"Who was that?"

"A messenger."

Eve watched the stranger ride out of sight. "The horse was beautiful, but he gave me the creeps."

Tyco nodded. "Riding across the south end of the dead lands can do that to a person."

Eve shook her head. "I don't know, he seemed like he belongs in the dead lands to me."

Tyco glared at Eve, but she still faced in the direction of the departed stranger.

"It is none of your concern, lacarnian."

Eve turned towards Tyco, an inaudible growl emitted from her chest. Max, able to sense the low growls after years of friendship, changed the subject.

"So, what are we practicing today?"

Tyco broke his gaze from Eve and smiled. "Nothing new today Max, instead I want to a.s.sess what you've already learned. Go get the practice swords and meet me in the circle for a match."

Tyco moved toward a large circle drawn in chalk not far from his house. Max faced Eve. "I know Tyco doesn't like you much, but you usually put up with him a little better than that."

Eve looked over at Tyco. He was standing close enough that he might overhear her, so she kept to a whisper. "We don't know much about Tyco, and I think that stranger is trouble."

"Tyco is a Protector. He's not going to harm us."

"Max, there are things you don't..."

Tyco shouted at Max from inside the circle. "Maxwell, we're wasting daylight."

"Coming, Tyco." Max leaned over to Eve. "I'm sure it's fine. If I'm wrong, you can tear the messenger to shreds later. Deal?"

Eve huffed. "Fine."

Max laughed and ran into the house where he grabbed the wooden swords that Tyco and he used for training. He rushed back out and over to the large circle. Eve walked over to the fence next to the field and seated herself on the top bar. She tried to put aside the conversation between Tyco and the stranger. She enjoyed watching Max fight and did not want to be distracted; however, her thoughts still wandered.

The villagers knew little about Tyco. They guessed that he was in his late thirty's. He stood six feet tall with broad shoulders and well-built muscles. His skin was weathered a bit, and his hands had the beginnings of permanent calluses.

He had arrived alone in the village a few years back. He had retired from the Protectors after a back injury prevented him from performing the rigorous usual duties of service. The villagers, having expected him to be like Max's father, invited him to stay in the village. However, his gruff demeanor and lack of interest in Swift.w.a.ter's affairs soon disappoited the villagers, but he did prove to be helpful in repairing houses, carts and the like. He also ventured to the woods a couple of days ride to the east to gather supplies.

Tyco's arrival had thrilled Max. Until that time, he had no one to teach him proper fighting techniques. When Max had first asked, Mr. Penna forbade the training; however, after several months of Max's begging, he finally allowed it. Tyco had jumped at the chance to mentor him.

Tyco started by first a.s.sessing Max's natural abilities to best determine his fighting style. After a good bit of trial and error, Tyco discovered that Max fought best with only light leather armor while carrying two short blades. Max had speed, but not much strength. Tyco, on the other hand, had strength to spare. His weapon of choice was a two-handed long sword. Though slower to maneuver, the weapon's length provided a good block to Max's two swords and also allowed Tyco to deliver powerful blows.

Over the past two years, Max's skill had improved greatly. He now at least presented a challenge to Tyco. Tyco; however, never ran out of new tricks. The increased volume and frequency of clashing swords broke Eve free of her thoughts and she focused on the fight. It appeared Max had held his ground so far. Eve knew that would change at any moment. She had studied Tyco enough during these sessions that she could predict his movements better than Max. She wished she could have a go at Tyco, but, for now she watched Max try his best.

Max swung at Tyco with his right sword; with his left held in defense. Tyco angled his blade to block Max's. The two wooden blades made contact with a loud thunk. Tyco pushed forward with his sword which shoved Max's back and also blocked his left sword. Max hesitated for a moment, his lack of experience leaving him unsure of how to get out of this situation. Tyco took the advantage and placed his right foot behind Max's leg. With another further shove he tripped Max and sent him to the ground. Max blinked a couple of times from the jolt and found the tip of Tyco's wooden sword at his throat.

"Well done, Max. You did better than I had hoped."

Tyco tossed the wooden sword to the side and extended his hand to Max. Max grabbed Tyco's hand and let Tyco pull him up.

"There's still a little daylight left, teach me that move you just used."

"Sorry, Max, I have to get ready to leave in the morning."

"Oh, are you going to the forest for supplies?"

"No, to Protector Headquarters in Moenia."

Eve joined the two. "The messenger, right?"

Tyco nodded. "He said training has grown lax and Lord Avram has requested my input to correct the problem."

Eve's ears twitched, the earlier conversation coming back to her. "Why, after three years, have they requested your help?"

"I've been sending them information on my training with Max. I guess they liked what I've accomplished. It's a shame you can't come along, Max, so I can show them how well it's worked."

Eve saw Max's eyes light up at the thought of a chance to go to Protector Headquarters. She cut off his next question. "It's too dangerous, Max. The dead lands take a week to cross and it's filled with Bandits."

Eve saw Tyco smile and knew he had set her up. She grabbed the end of her tail in nervousness as he closed the trap. "The dead lands are dangerous, unless you follow the northern route along the river. Up there the Protectors have several small, armed camps along the way making pa.s.sage much safer."

Eve could feel the excitement building in Max. She tried one other thing even though she had a feeling Tyco was ready for it. "Mr. Penna won't let you go, Max."

Max groaned. "You're probably right, Eve."

Tyco acted like he was thinking hard for a moment, but Eve could tell he had been ready for that objection too. "Mr. Penna could be a bit of a challenge, Max. I know his weakness though. If you really want to come with me, I think I can persuade him."

"You'd do that, Tyco?"

Tyco clasped Max on his shoulder. "You would be helping me by going. Let's go see what we can do."

As the two headed back towards Mr. Penna's house, Tyco shot Eve a crooked smile, the sight of which made her feel sick to her stomach. She followed after them, hoping to come up with another idea to stop Max from going. When they reached the house, they found Mr. Penna in his study.

"Nose buried in a book as usual, I see."

Mr. Penna eyed Tyco over the top of his book. "Good evening, Tyco." Mr. Penna smiled at Eve. "A very good evening to you, Miss Evangeline."

Eve shifted her weight from one foot to the other, still trying to think of what she could do. "Good evening, Mr. Penna."

Mr. Penna noted Eve's discomfort, marked his place in the book, and set it down. "So what brings you three here?"

"I need to go to Protector Headquarters to oversee their training. Max would like to go with me. I would like that as well. It would allow me to show the results of certain training techniques first hand."

Mr. Penna scratched at his short beard. "I'm not sure that's a good idea. It would take a few weeks, at least. I do not think Maxwell is ready, not to mention delaying his studies for that long of a time."

"I can a.s.sure you, Mr. Penna, that the road along the river is quite safe. Besides, Max has come a long way in his training, which is the very reason I would like to take him. He's not to be easily trifled with. As for his studies," a wry smile formed on Tyco's face, "as you well know, he's not going to find a better library than the one in the capital. Maybe there's something we could pick up for you?"

"Training and a real fight are two different animals." Eve started to relax. "On the other hand, the library at Moenia has a lot of literature I would like to have here in the village, and I suppose the boy does need to at least see the city."

Eve's heart raced. She hadn't thought he would even consider letting Max go. If I tell Mr. Penna of the messenger's conversation with Tyco, surely Mr. Penna will stop Max. Eve twisted her tail in her hands, ignoring the pain. But I can't let Tyco know I heard the conversation. Maybe...

"Tyco, did the stranger who delivered the message say how long you would be gone? He rode off into the dead lands before we could reach you."

Eve saw Tyco's eye twitch and knew she had thrown him off.

"No, Evangeline, he did not, but I don't think we would be long."

Mr. Penna studied Eve carefully. With his attention on her, she stared right at Mr. Penna and took a risk. "You said you told the Protectors about Max's training already didnt you? Wouldn't the messenger have asked for Max specifically if they wanted to see him?"

Mr. Penna stroked his beard. "Hmm, so you told them about Max. Well, I suppose they will be eager to see him. Perhaps he should indeed go."

Eve barely kept herself from falling over. How did he miss my hint?

Mr. Penna smiled. "He may go, and so will I."

Eve sighed knowing he had caught her hint after all.

She smirked at the lost expression forming on Tyco's face due to this unforeseen complication. He tried his best to recover.

"Mr. Penna, that's not really necessary."

"Nonsense, Tyco, someone needs to keep the boy focused."

"But, Mr. Penna, we will be riding pretty hard for most of the trip."

"Oh, I'll keep up fine."

Eve tried not to laugh when Tyco, sighing, resigned to Mr. Penna's decision. "Okay then, I'll see you at the stables at first light. Good evening to you, Mr. Penna, Max."

Eve watched in satisfaction as Tyco left. She would have liked it better for Max not to go at all, but with Mr. Penna along, not much could happen. She looked back at Mr. Penna and found him studying her once again.

"Evangeline, my dear, I a.s.sume you will be joining us."

Eve froze. Max turned to her. "Of course you are, right?"

Eve looked back and forth between the two, her ears quivering. I can't go back to Moenia, not with Max. Besides, he'll be safe with Mr. Penna. Won't he? "I...I don't want to go."

"Ahh, come on, Eve. You are the one always wanting a new adventure, after all. Besides, it'd be a lot more fun with you."

Eve shook her head and backed towards the study door. "No, no, I don't think I want to. Mrs. Ta.s.si wouldn't let me anyway."

"Are you sure, Eve?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Well...good night." Eve turned and ran out of the house.

Max stared after Eve. "What got in to her?"

Mr. Penna stood and placed a hand on Max's shoulder. "Moenia is a very different place from our little village, Maxwell. You will find that out for yourself soon enough. Well, we both better start packing. The sun's already set and we have an early start tomorrow."

Max ran to his room to begin packing. I finally get to see Protector Headquarters, but I wish Eve was coming with us. We've done everything together. Maybe she didn't want to be around Tyco that long. He was rather mean to her today, more so than usual, but she usually ignores him. I guess I'll have to tell her about it when I get back. I can't pa.s.s this up, it's another step closer to dad.

After finishing packing, Max lay late into the night with dreams of standing with other Protectors, ready to respond to anyone in need of help.