~ Galina of Morwea Woods ~
by J A Bard

Chapter 1

The Draft

Standing beside the kitchen table Connie watched as her mother went through the contents of her backpack, checking off everything the letter listed to bring and nothing more. The dim light overhead showed deep lines of weariness and dark circles around her mother's eyes. Connie suspected the lack of sleep was not just due to her leaving but also in part with Kel's departure. By snippets of conversations she overheard among the men folk, her brother was married to someone outside of the Brethren's control and would not return.

Connie was not surprised her brother left. He never got along with their father. When he returned from the draft their arguments became louder. Why he or anyone returned from the draft to live with the Brethren was something Connie did not understand. She often thought that if the draft had been in effect during her mother's youth she would not have returned and married father.

Her mother gestured she was finished and Connie repacked her bag. Her eyes darted over to her mother. She wore her usual expressionless face, making it difficult to know where she was, though Connie suspected it never was here.

Her father and his friends followed the Traditional Ways, or that's what the Brethren referred to it as. Females had no rights under Brethren rules but under the Realm they had.

The Realm required all children at the age of sixteen to register for the Draft. It meant even girls would leave home for two years and if they did return to their childhood home, they would be old enough in the eyes of the Realm to have a say in their future.

"Give me a hug and hurry to the bus. I don't want you late."

Awkwardly she gave her mother a hug and then quickly stepped back embarrassed at the feelings it evoked, and confused by the images that flashed in her mind's eye. Connie hefted the light pack onto her back and followed her mother to the front gate of the compound. The morning sun's light had not reached over the compound's wall, leaving most of the walkways in shadows. Once out the gate she ran the five blocks to the bus stop eager to get away.

Over thirty children she recognized from her school were already waiting. None wore new clothes as the letter stated. They would all be clothed at their assignments on arrival. A few of them had a weeping parent near them. The children looked embarrassed at the attention; though Connie knew they were scared and glad their parents or parent was there to say goodbye.

Smiling to herself, Connie thought the draft came at a good time in her life. Father had recently arranged her marriage with Londol's only son, Jhef. She hated him and his meanness. Since their engagement, when he could, he would knock her onto the ground or into a wall. If he wanted to scare her, he did. Her reports to her mother of his treatment brought a tired comment that some boys his age did that, it was just his way of showing he was interested in her. If he was bothersome then she should avoid him, she said. At least at school, he was punished if he touched her.

Worried, Connie looked around hoping Jhef was not in this group. Jhef bragged his uncle was going to get him in the Tailshire Draft House, where the odds of being posted in a castle were higher. While many of her classmates saw posting in a castle romantic, Connie saw living within castle walls just an extension of living among the Brethren. Mentally, she envisioned being stationed somewhere that would allow her to look all around her as far as her eyes could see without any walls or buildings getting in the way. Such places existed because it was on the computer.

Connie found a space on the grassy slope where parents respectfully let their children gather without their near presence. Stories where told of what the kids heard about the draft from relatives. Connie felt some of the stories were outlandish. The dark haired Lili who was in some of her classes at school, recounted a story of her mother's friend who never returned. She was kidnapped by the dark ones in Morwea Woods, she whispered. Some of the kids looked frightened, some ghoulishly enthralled, and others not believing a word of it. Connie glanced at the parents who may have overheard the story. None seemed alarmed. Did that mean it didn't happen or that it was not so bad to be kidnapped by the people of Morwea Woods? Connie wished she had access to the school computer. There she could look up Morwea Woods.

"I see the bus!" someone shouted.

Chatter abruptly stopped and then resumed in excited pitches. Connie jumped up, clutching her pack to her chest and ran down the slope, angling away from the elbowing crowd. At the curb Connie heard someone announce the bus rounded the corner.

It happened quickly; the door to the bus stopped right in front of her and opened; then kids behind her pushed her into the bus. Out of nervousness she sat in the first seat available, and near the window, barely looking at who was already seated on the aisle. Children from another stop were scattered about the seats. Flushed with excitement, her eyes rose to watch familiar schoolmates climb into the bus. When the last climbed aboard the chaperone began calling names. From the mirror above the driver's seat Connie studied the children behind her. Her eyes fell on a sullen looking Jhef in the back whose expression turned into a scowl when her name was called.

Shifting slightly, she sat further down in her seat, but she was not able to escape Jhef's reflection. When the bus began its journey Jhef rose from his seat and began a swaying progress up the bus studying each passenger. Connie could feel her face heat up with embarrassment from what she imaged would be his badgering of the girl next to her to give up her seat. She felt his presence but did not look up.

"Hey, you," Jhef's said in a low and menacing tone. "Get out of my seat."

"Says you," the girl next to her answered in a loud disdainful voice. "Go back to your own seat."

Voices of those around them rose at Jhef's demand.

Jhef grabbed the balance bar while shifting his position as the bus took a turn and the weight of his pack pulled him to the side. His cheeks reddened and his eyes slited as he tried to look mean while off balance. "You're sitting next to my betrothed, and no one sits next to her but me?unless I say so," he said grandly.

The bus picked up speed, and Jhef bounced into the pole, bruising his lip and chin. That further eroded whatever effect he was attempting to have on her seat partner, because Connie heard her giggle.

He nearly sat on the boy across the aisle but a push had him back on his feet.

"Get off me, Jhef," the boy muttered.

"Get back to where you were," another told him.

"Shut up, Jhef and go back to your corner," another commented.

"Jhef! Stop making trouble or I will personally have you assigned to gallows watch for two years," the chaperone threatened over the other voices.

Jhef moved back to his seat, but not without giving Connie a threatening glower which she caught in the mirror. He would have said something but more voices rose, yelling at him to stop causing trouble. Connie had not realized he gained such a bad reputation at school. She breathed a sigh of relief when he was back in his own seat.

"He's going to have a fat lip by noon," her seatmate said.

Connie grinned back at the friendly girl.

"His pack is too heavy so he must have more than what the letter said to bring," the girl chatted. "He's going to get the worst ever posting for not following directions."

"Just as long as we don't end up in the same place," Connie retorted.

"If he tells them you're engaged you may be posted where he ends up. My brother and his girlfriend did." And then she giggled. "Only by the time they were finished with their duty, they hated each other."

"Well, I already despise him."

"I'm Marian." Marian held out her hand to Connie who looked at it surprised.

"You shake it. Like this." Marian demonstrated.

"I'm Connie," she returned, mimicking Marian's gesture.

"In some of the cities they say hello and shake hands, in some, if the man or woman is bold, instead of shaking the other person's hand, they kiss it on the back like this," she demonstrated on her own hand. "That can be so romantic if you like the person. In some cities there's no touching at all. They bow slightly forward from the waist, standing up or sitting down." Marian gave her another smile.

"Do you travel a lot? What bus stop did they pick you up at?" Connie asked excited at being next to someone that knew so much.

"Edenhill. Your fiancé tried to get on a bus that left for Tailshire from Edenhill but that was reservation only."

"He thinks Tailshire posting will get him into a castle."

"Some parents register their kids at a draft house in wealthy neighborhoods days from theirs because they think it will give them a good posting through the lottery," Marian shared. "It doesn't really matter where you register, you know? I have five brothers that went through the draft and they all registered in different places and the lottery placed them in a castle. Figure that. My parents work for the Milan Trading Company, so we travel and spend a lot of time in castles. No big deal. Have you traveled much?"

"No. My father doesn't believe womenfolk should leave the house. He won't even let my mother shop for groceries outside of the compound. If I didn't have to go to public school I wouldn't know what was outside that prison."

Marian's eyes darkened for a moment, then she smiled. "Do you want to hear of some of the places I've seen?"

"Yes." Connie felt her heart beat faster at the offer of a worldly person sharing her life with someone like her.

For the duration of the ride Marian recounted stories of lands and people Connie knew a little about from her readings in the library, but were brought to life from a first hand recounting and the gossip that went with it.

After two breaks for everyone to stretch their legs and use restroom facilities the bus arrived at its destination by noon. Connie and Marian were the first off the bus. Each was handed a number and pointed to go in opposite directions. By the numbers, odds went left and evens went right, and here they parted company, too quickly to say more than goodbye.

Connie followed the brick path through a garden. The biggest flowers she had ever seen in real life; and there were so many of them, crowded their neighbors for space in the sun. Intermingled with the large flowers were long furry sticks, some arching higher than the fence wall. Her eyes widened when she realized that eyes blinked at her through the fur. At the end of her path was a small open aired building, and as she neared it she could see other paths led to it. Turning her head slightly she could see a small kitten basking in the sun on top of a rock. Taking a deep breath she was momentarily distracted with the fragrance the sun-heated flowers gave off. The clearing of a throat reminded her she was here for serious business. A young attendant was waiting at the bottom of the steps. He gestured her to hurry.

Her hesitation was slight as she could hear her fellow bus riders close behind her. She took the steps two at a time, eager to experience the world, mentally signaling that she was open to whatever came her way.

An old white haired figure was bent over a ledger, running a finger down the rows of names and making a notation. This ledger was by far larger than her fathers. Next to the figure was a young woman whose uniform was foreign to Connie?but any uniform not of Warner's County Sheriff was. She was at a computer typing in information the elder read to her.

The elder looked up at her and smiled. "Good afternoon to you. Welcome. You are the first for the day. That means you'll be lucky. Are you nervous?"

Connie nodded.

"That's healthy. Let me see your right hand," the old voice briskly directed.

Connie presented her hand. The elder turned it this way and that, looking carefully for something, and then gestured for the other. Once inspected she wrote something down and then ordered, "Stick out your tongue."

Surprised, Connie complied without hesitation.

"Healthy. Hold this and then give it back to me. Okay. Go out that way and around the pond to the blue building. Your posting number is one. May your service to the Realm be rewarding."

"Thank you, Elder," Connie said. She shifted the pack on her back, and hurried down the path the elder indicated. More flowers and a large pond with waterfowl was on her left. A croak and plop had her stopping for a moment. Water flowed from the top of a rock formation, dropping down to different levels and each level had something going on. Though she wanted to study it more closely, she did not think loitering around to satisfy her curiosity was allowed.

The blue building was around the corner and the double glassed doors were wide open. Attendants were waiting near the doors waving her to move forward. Inside was a raised table with twelve busy adults sitting at computers. It felt like another group had passed through recently.

"Take this packet and sit over to the left. Your lunch will be brought to you. The buses to take you to your assignment will arrive after lunch."

She was given a glass of water, soup, a sandwich, and directions on how to get to the toilet facilities. Connie quickly tucked her packet in a pocket of her pack and concentrated on her lunch. Others joined her at the table, and muted voices began to fill the room as those on her bus and others began to arrive and sat to eat. Connie hurried through her lunch not wanting to run into Jhef. Finished Connie hefted her pack and made her way to the toilet. While she washed her hands a young girl dressed in nice clothes caught her eye in the mirror and then glanced back at her hands she was washing. She was breathtakingly beautiful. For a moment Connie's heart stopped. Tilting her head a little she tried to understand why she thought that.

"Hi, I'm Rachel," the girl introduced as they left the facilities together.

"I'm Connie."

"I see you've drawn number one. That's at the Castle Omwell."

"How do you know that?"

"It's posted on the wall. Didn't you see?"

"No."

"Come. I'll show you."

On the wall under different postings were numbers and above it where the number would post the holder. Connie had Castle Omwell.

"You'll find life a bit?hum." Rachel's lips curled up into a funny smile.

"What?"

"Well, the upper class has this attitude of being so much better than you. They teach you manners which you need to remember or you'll be punished. Not beaten or anything like that. If that happens there will be the devil to pay. But they'll embarrass you and that is the worst.

"You have to know the pecking order, that is who is more important than another, and it's not always who you think it is. It's who really has the power. Then you can't say anything bad about anyone, and you have to say nice things about some of the most horrid people, but?it's so much fun. You'll get to hear all the latest gossip of the Realm first, and know why or who is getting done in." She laughed at Connie's expression. "Not killed, just snubbed. Castle Omwell is the Queen's summer residence. They have the Royal Summer Festival there. Royalty from all over the world visits."

Connie looked at her number with mixed feelings. This was not what she had in mind as seeing the world. "Where's yours?" she remembered to ask.

"The Tower of Glenhollow. Guard duty. Nothing happens out there. It's on the other side of the Realm and isolated. It's on the Wall of Morwea near the marsh."

"What does a guard do?"

"I would image as a guard you have to learn to fight, learn about the wall, sleep out there in the wilderness, ride or drive, and other things. It's the army. My own family won't recognize me when I return."

"I wouldn't mind training as a guard. To learn to fight and not have to worry about someone beating me up. I wouldn't mind learning that at all."

Rachel looked at her surprised but let the comment go. "Well, I would rather be in a castle. I imagine dressing in fine clothes, with layers of rich cloth, and eating foods that the royalty dine on daily." She gave a sigh. "You are truly lucky."

"What if I don't have any fine clothes? I have only what they asked that I bring."

"Your mentor is to provide you with everything. You will look fine dressed up and powder on your face. Why, when you return, your family won't recognize you. If you want to, you'll be able to catch yourself a fine man to start a family and if not, you should be able to start your own business or work for someone. Working in the castle will give you all sorts of opportunities."

Connie touched her face. She then realized why Rachel looked so different?not at all like a girl but almost a woman. Her face was painted. Her father would not permit such practice in his house. It was going to be a wasted two years for her.

"Why are you looking so unhappy? You have a fine posting," Rachel reassured her concerned.

"I don't want to paint my face or wear clothing I'm afraid I'll tear if I move wrong. I would rather be sent far away to some tower where I can go out and see things and if I get dirty not worry about upsetting someone."

Rachel laughed. "Well, this is really a joke. You have what I would like and I have what you would like."

The two regarded each other for a long moment.

"Are you thinking what I am?" Rachel whispered.

"Trading places?" Connie whispered back.

Rachel nodded.

"Can we do it?"

"I read everything there is on the draft and don't recall anything mentioned about swapping postings, and there's nothing in these papers with my name. How about yours?"

Connie looked through the two sheets. "No. It doesn't say anything about who these belong to." She looked around her and then at Rachel. "Shall we?"

Quickly papers were exchanged. The two looked around again to see if anyone noticed. The hall was full and many of the youth were wandering around chattering and saying good bye to school friends.

"Oh, great. Here comes Jhef," Connie muttered. She dared not look around like she wanted to hide.

"There you are," he informed her arrogantly, pushing two boys aside.

"Hey, watch it, you oaf," one of the boys said.

Jhef paid them no attention but marched inches from Connie. "Where are they sending you?"

"Go away, Jhef!" she told him fiercely, stepping back.

"Shut your mouth, girl. When we're married I'll lock you in the cellar with no food. See how you like that."

Rachel's eyebrows rose while her mouth dropped. Now she knew why Connie wanted to learn to fight.

Marian arrived just then and inserted herself between Connie and Jhef. "Get lost before I call the guard."

Jhef looked at the two girls that were staring hard at him. He thought of grabbing Connie's arm but the two strangers closed ranks, blocking him from Connie. "I'll remember this," Jhef promised before leaving.

Marian shook her head as he disappeared into the crowd. "I checked him out, just to be sure he wasn't going to end up anywhere near you, Connie. Have no fear. He's so far inland that only a tourist would visit."

"Thanks for checking," Connie said.

"No problem. He drew Closhire County. I visited there a few years ago. It's farming country with few roads and a lot of open land. Not many shops and little transportation. I'm afraid he'll be working real hard in the lifting and cleaning end." She nodded to Rachel. "Hi. My name's Marian."

"I'm Rachel. You better learn all you can at the tower, Connie," Rachel said. "Maybe you'll be good enough to become a soldier in the Royal Regiment."

Connie snorted at the idea, and then asked. "Women are in the Royal Regiment?"

"Tower? I thought you drew Castle Omwell like me," Marian said.

Connie and Rachel's eyes grew large and quickly looked around them least the remark be overheard.

Marian giggled. "There's nothing wrong with exchanging. My older brother traded to get sent to the Queen's Winery, in the mountains. He thought he would get to taste the wine. Instead he ended up being a footman for the parties and they were very strict about any of the help getting drunk."

A gong sounded. They turned to the stage where four officials were standing.

"Attention, attention, attention," a voice intoned.

One of the officials stepped forward. "By the color of this paper," he held up a sheet attached to the packet, "you will board a bus marked with that color. Present your papers, destination, and name to the attendant before stepping aboard. Good journey in your adventure, and may you all profit from your experiences."

The hall filled with noise from hurried good byes and shouts of directions.

"Come this way," Marian shouted over the din.

Outside the building away from the outflow of youth the three exchanged heartfelt hugs.

"Write us," Marian said to Connie. "Every posting encourages their draftees to write so that they don't feel alone. You know the name of the castle," Connie nodded, "just look under trainees. Marian, Merchant's Daughter and," she looked at Rachel.

"Rachel from Goodhew."

Connie nodded. "Connie from Hollbo."

"I want to hear you beating up everyone that talks mean to you," Rachel said.

"Then she's always going to have to worry about someone that thinks they're better. When you're new, it's best not stand out unless the others are really dullards. This is your chance to see what's beyond your family and meet all sorts of people." Marian grinned. "Who knows, you may decide not to return home to marry that bully."

"Hollbo will not be my home, and for sure I'm not going to marry him," Connie said. "And I'll write. You two don't forget to write me."

"I will. You sure this exchange is okay?"

"I'm sure," Connie told her firmly.



* * *

Chapter 2

The Tower



The bus weaved through poor towns, grand estates, and along a stretch of land that looked dry and abandoned for a long time. Jewel, the attendant on the bus, made sure the right people got off at each stop, everyone ate on time, and at the periodic rest stops, used the facilities and were back on the bus in a timely manner. She informed her passengers about the lands they were driving through, and what place it played in the Realm, both politically and financially. It was something Connie did not learn in school.

On the fifth day of her journey Connie was sore from sitting but not unhappy with the trip. There were four of them left. Argu was going to work on a horse farm, and she had never seen a horse up close before. Warrant was going to work at the Castle Amanet where medicinal herbs were harvested for the Royal Family. He was a bookworm that had never dug in anything that was not a book. Frail Havo was going to Nordbold Tower, one day from Glenhollow Tower, to train as a guard like Connie.

Away from her father's influence she felt no restrictions to talk to the boys and laugh out loud about how little they knew of what was beyond their own towns. When they marveled at how in five days the weather could change so much, Jewel explained that they were getting into the higher elevations. It was supposed to be gradual so that anyone not accustomed to the heights would not become ill. None of them knew what that meant.

Jewel shared with the four of them her own experience in the draft. She gave them pointers and suggestions in how to cope for the first year of getting the worse jobs until a new draftee arrived. She explained how to act when in doubt, who to see if someone wronged them, and how the chain of command worked in all business and military structures of the Realm.

Connie was the last to be dropped off.

Staring out at the land that went on forever she noticed there was only a scattering of brush. It was Lear Desert where stories of great wealth in hidden cities beneath the desert sands were told in children's stories. Adults heard the stories of people found dead in the desert in search of the cities, with either a drawn map clutched in their boney hand or small sacks of jewels found in their rags.

Her eyes drooped closed and she dreamed of walking in a desert city. It was full of life and noise. She did not know who she was, but when she walked through the street shops the vendors and patrons shouted greetings and jokes to her. She felt good and proud as?

Connie blinked tired eyes open at an unfamiliar sound. Glancing out the window she noted they were driving by farmland with tall grass planted in neat rows.

A buzz sounded. The bus driver glanced at Jewel who was napping. "Call comin' in, Ma'am."

Jewel's slumped position sat up straighter. The buzz sounded again. She tapped the device on her belt and touched something in her ear. She spoke softly to whoever was calling then leaned over to speak with the driver.

"Gil, change of destination. Our draftee is being picked up by Goldwah Tower." She glanced at Connie. "We have a change for your posting, Connie. Tower Goldwah has requested your number and permission was granted."

"Think she's replacing that troublesome lad?" Gil asked as he slowed the bus to make a turn onto another highway.

"Probably." She glanced at Connie to explain. "If a draftee is not working out well where they were posted, then they're reassigned to a post more compatible with the draftee's needs. There are many who believe that the draft is the best way to turn a troublesome child into a productive citizen of the Realm, but there are some that are rotten to the core and there isn't any resource available but prison for them. The draft system tries to lessen that number. I've seen more successes than failures, so it looks to be a right enough system.

"Captain Sahem will be your leader at Goldwah. You'll like him." Jewel then proceeded to tell Connie stories about the captain when he was younger and in officer's training at the Academy of the Royal Regimental Corps. Connie wondered if he would mind knowing someone knew so much about him.

The road they were on went through hilly country where there was white stuff on everything. Gil had to turn the heater on for a while. Then they were winding down a hill and back up a less steep one when at the top she got a glimpse of the Wall of Morwea. It wound to the left and right and out of sight, far away into a mist. As they approached their destination Connie was astounded as the wall became massive, filling up her view.

"Quite impressive, no?" Jewel asked.

Connie nodded her head. She had witnessed the building of a wall around the Brethren's compound and that had been a grand undertaking, considering how high they wanted it. That wall was nowhere near the greatness of this one. She tried to understand the enormity of the construction of it.

Stepping out of the bus, Jewel had her walk around for a few moments, explaining that after traveling for so long, she was going to feel like she was still moving even when she was sitting. She also explained that the elevation was higher than what Connie was accustomed to and she would have to get used to it or she would get ill. Connie accepted what Jewel said, having no previous experience to compare it with.

Jewel escorted Connie into a building that butted up against the brick wall. Up this close both the building and the wall were so high when she tipped her head back to see the top of either, she nearly fell backward. Her breath she noted came out in white puffs. She laughed and another white puff formed.

Inside the building, after a blink, Connie's eyes adjusted to the darkened interior. It was chilly but not as cold as outside. She could feel there were a lot of stories to be told here but it would not be something she was interested in trying her hand at. Jewel walked her to the end of a long hall, into an office and within that room was a closed door with Captain Sahem's name on it. Jewel tapped on it twice.

"Come," a deep voice commanded.

A uniformed officer was standing before an opened window, looking out on a yard where Connie could hear yelling and grunts coming from. The officer chuckled and turned to his visitors.

"Captain Sahem, this is your new recruit, Draftee Connie. Connie this is Captain Sahem."

He accepted the papers from Jewel, laying them on his desk. He walked around Connie and stopped in front of her.

"Can you look at me?"

Connie took a deep breath while her eyes slid past his in embarrassment.

"Draftee Connie, please sit. Thank you, Jewel for your delivery. Go in good health."

"Good years for you both," Jewel said and left.

Connie rested her backpack beside her and carefully sat in the chair, clasping her hands before her with her feet firmly planted on the floor and legs together, she waited.

Captain Sahem leaned against his desk and studied her in silence. He looked for poise and to see what she would do with the silence, understanding why her face was red at his asking her to look at him directly. His intent was to begin desensitizing her to her culture's taboos, and teach her the military rules of behavior, and the safety they would provide her, instilling with it self confidence. When he thought she endured his stare long enough he sat behind his desk to began the verbal interview.

"Draftee Connie, what do you hope to gain from training here?"

"I don't know anything besides housework so any further training will be a gain."

"Tell me about your home life. Starting with the beginning of your day," he said.

Connie was surprised and for a moment lifted her eyes to see his, then lowered them and started her story, picking a school day since she felt that was more interesting than weekends where her days started earlier and lasted longer. When she finished, her eyes met his briefly and then she looked back down at her hands.

"Let me tell you what to expect here," the captain said.

Connie's head lifted. In public school she was taught to look at her teachers whatever gender they were, when a lesson that did not require writing was given.

The captain was pleased to see that she was not totally dominated by culture rules and had a spark of intelligence behind the dark eyes.

"Eleven hours of your time will be studying. Seven hours is time in barracks, and eight for sleep. Men and women barrack or quarter in separate sides of the building and there is no visiting. Women on the left and men to the right. In the center is the social and eating hall and is open at all times and that is where both men and women mix. You'll bunk with Kendra and Kiku, third story. There are twelve guards per shift, which makes up a squad. Your squad leader is Sergeant Major Bessie of Wolf Pack. A platoon, that's loosely thirty six people, serves each of the towers. Our job is to patrol our assigned part of the wall, and that implies soldiers that are ready for anything anytime. Your training will cover physical as well as classroom lessons. There's a map in the social hall that you'll need to memorize. SgtMaj Bessie will go over that with you as well as the rules of this compound." He paused when he heard the rumbling of his stomach, followed by Connie's.

"Any question or reply to me will be ended with "captain, "sir", or "Captain Sahem"'

"Yes, Captain Sahem," she replied promptly. It was not much different from her father's house.

"Other officers and NCOs?NCOs are squad leaders, should also be addressed with their rank designation. Sergeant Major Bessie is leader of Wolf Pack Squad, Sergeant Elroy is leader of Horse Squad, and Sergeant Mac is leader of Raven Squad. Not all Sergeants are squad leaders. As you'll notice, uniforms have a rank designation for non officers, that's NCOs, here," he tapped his arm, "and officers on the collar." He touched his collar. "Lieutenant Hellene is my second in command and on vacation or she would be going over this with you." He smiled and gave Connie the impression he did not mind doing something she normally did. "At each tower there is a captain, lieutenant and three squad leaders, usually sergeants. You're a draftee until you put on your uniform. Then, you're PR until I deem a higher rank is deserved." He waited for a few moments, noting she was relaxed with the information he was rattling off, guessing she had a good memory for details.

"If anyone asks or orders you to do something that you think unwise or unsafe, or you just have some kind of an issue with, for the first month, you can object to doing it, but you'll be called before your higher ups to state why. If none of them agree with you and you want to stand by your decision, it will come before me.

"After a month, you should have an idea of how things are run here and what and when to object to something. We are military and when an order is given by a trained field officer, that would be the NCOs or higher, to disobey or linger before carrying it out, is a serious offense. It is expected and required of you to follow orders immediately or as soon as you safely can. That being said let's get something to eat."

Connie naturally fell behind the captain as all females were last in line in her father's house. On the short walk to the hall Connie wondered what she was going to do if there were any adult males in the hall. At school she didn't have the problem since they were all about the same age and girls tended to sit together?besides that was school.

The captain stepped into a room that opened up into a spacious area, larger than what she was accustomed to. Uniformed men and women were scattered throughout the room. Some were in small groups appearing to be studying and others were eating. The age groups varied and Connie noted to her discomfort that genders of various ages intermixed.

Some of the soldiers looked up and the captain merely nodded as he led the way to a counter where he rang a bell.

"Cook! You have two hungry soldiers up front," the captain called.

"Alright, alright," a voice answered irritably. An older woman came bustling out of the kitchen area to the counter. "Well, this must be an honor," the elder mocked. "Let me go shine some silverware. It's been a long time since you've taken time to bring yourself for mid-meal, Captain. What's the occasion?"

"I'm hungry," the captain said.

"Eh? More like your aide is occupied elsewhere. What'll it be? And don't pick something Lt. Hellene is going to berate me for as not good for you," she reminded the captain.

"I want everything she doesn't let me eat. We're both on a vacation," he said. "No need to tell her, she'll expect it."

Surprisingly enough, the cook gave him exactly what he asked for, then turned to Connie.

"Well, you're new," the cook stated the obvious of Connie. "What shift?" When she did not respond quick enough she added. "Are you mute?"

Connie swallowed in surprise. "No." Since Cook was wearing all white with food stains on it she was unsure how to address her.

"Cook, you're taking up valuable chow time," the captain broke in. "Give her a midday meal. She needs to get used to your cooking." He glanced at Connie. "Eat slowly. You have to let your stomach get used to the food."

"Hey," Cook objected. "My food sticks to the ribs just like good soldier food. You can march for days on one of my meals."

"So you say. I'm glad we haven't had to prove that, Cook."

The captain led the way to a table. "Cook is just Cook. She's never told us her real name," Captain Sahem explained.

Connie was beginning to worry that he was going to sit with her alone. However, he stopped at one of the tables that six others were seated who had their meal in various stages of consumption.

"Wolf Pack, make some space," he ordered. "This is your new member, Connie."

The captain introduced Connie to everyone at the table. During her meal she ate with her eyes focused on her tray; her way of coping with eating in a mixed atmosphere. To her horror the captain left her with the group.

"So, Connie, where are you from?" one woman asked politely.

Connie swallowed something she did not recognize, and worried it would get caught in her throat. Clearing her throat she mumbled her place of birth.

"We're not going to kill you," one of the males said.

"Moron," one of his companions said to him, adding an elbow into his side.

Connie was familiar with boys play and nonsensical things they would say to each other. This she could handle.

"Wait until after a week of running the trail," one of the others joked. "Then you'll wish you were dead."

"So, where are you from?" the woman persisted.

"Commonwealth of Hollbo." Connie forced herself to lift her eyes to meet that of the woman. She was surprised to note she was not that much older than she was.

A shadow appeared over their table. "Corporal Kendra. Sergeant Major Bessie wants you to present the newbie to Ward for dress."

"Thanks, Private Lio. Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

He gave a grunt and headed to the beverage dispenser.

"He had to get a new uniform fitted," one of the men laughed. "He was repelling over the wall and got his pants caught on something. Ripped them right off him. He was lucky it was night so no one could see his skinny white legs, but it sure is cold that time of the morning."

The others laughed, adding comments about bodies that Connie was not familiar with. They were speaking another language.

"Come on, Connie. Grab your pack and we'll go. Without a uniform you're just a newbie. Once you get a uniform, you'll be a PR with a badge of the tower and a scarf of our troop. Private Turi, can you dump our trays?"

"No, problem, Kendra. Come on, Jov. Maybe with your new promotion you can wangle us another desert."

As Connie followed Kendra she overheard Jov snort in disbelief.

"The rank of lance corporal doesn't earn anything except extra duty, like babysitting your sorry self."

"So, what's in Hollbo that makes you so shy?" Kendra asked as they stepped into the hall.

"Shy?" Connie laughed at that. "In school my teachers would disagree with you."

"Well, then, are you afraid and that's why you didn't want to talk?"

Connie glanced at Kendra who she was now alongside. It took her a good five strides to think about it. "No. In my father's house, males and females don't sit together, and females don't speak unless given permission."

"Ah." For a few moments Kendra was quiet with only their footsteps echoing in the hall. Kendra pulled open a door and gestured for Connie to proceed her down the stairs. "Are you a member of the Brethren?"

"Women are not members of anything. Only males can be Brethren," she quoted. Given the choice, I wouldn't join under any condition. Something told her she should not be making such quick decisions. Stubbornly she refused to listen to the caution.

"I see. Well, this is the military. It's okay to eat with the men, your fellow soldiers," she stressed in a light tone. "Besides, most of the guys are not considered legally men. Just what do you do if you meet a man?" She suddenly realized that maybe SgtMaj Bessie would be having a problem.

"Well, if I were a woman, I would not be allowed to be in his presence. But since I'm still a girl I don't know." She frowned as she thought about it.

"Would it be a horrible thing if you put aside those beliefs for the time you're here? I mean, what's going to happen if you just treated everyone by rank and you can speak with anyone? Let me take that back. There are some people here that you don't want to speak to."

Connie was going to ask who but they arrived at the Ward. There was a large sign above the door that announced it was the Commissary.

"Corporal Kendra. It's about time. What did you do, stop and chat?" An older woman with a tape measure draped over her neck impatiently gestured to Connie. "Well, come on. I don't have all day. Looks about a size twelve alright. We've got plenty of clothes for her right off the rack but there's always something that isn't quite right."

A tall woman, sitting comfortably in a chair near a rack of uniforms stood up. The arm of her uniform had stripes that she recalled Captain Sahem had indicated as someone that was her ranking officer. "Corporal Kendra, see that her pack is taken to her bunk. She'll be bunking with you and Kiku."

"Yes, Sergeant Major."

Sergeant Major, Connie repeated mentally to imprint it where she seldom forgot things.

"Don't let Auntie Em here scare you, Connie. I'm Sergeant Major Bessie. I'm your troop leader and everything else that is important in your life for the first six months of your training, and your life for the rest of the two years."

While Auntie Em measured and altered her uniform and pulled out other clothing she would be taking with her, SgtMaj Bessie explained what six months of training with her was to accomplish. It sounded exhausting but Connie felt excited. For the first time in her life she began to see herself beyond the life her father had planned for her.

After she was fitted with two uniforms and had a lot more clothes piled in her arms than she had at her father's house she was marched to her new sleeping area. Her pack was sitting on one of the beds where folded sheets, blanket, and a pillow waited for someone to put them to use. SgtMaj carried some of the new clothing and shoes. She showed her where and how to store her clothing and then how to make up her bed.

Before leaving, SgtMaj set up an account for her on the room's computer, showed her how to send letters to anyone around the Realm, and gave her a class assignment. The program that the SgtMaj pulled up was filled in with her name so when she signed on it came right up with her daily lessons. The first lesson was information about the tower, its purpose, what was required of her as a PR, and the rules of hierarchy. It had hand signals, light signals, and more than what she thought she could handle in a day. But in a week, she was determined to have it all memorized.

It was hours later that her two roommates showed up, Kendra and Kiku. Both came in chatting and laughing, their clothing muddied and in disarray.

"Hi, Connie. How're your lessons going?" Kendra asked.

"Fine. There's a lot to remember though."

"Always. Hi, I'm Kiku, Connie, your other roommate. Lance Corporal Kiku when we're on duty."

"Hi, Kiku. You're from the Ankor lands." Connie's eyes opened wide and her thoughts went to all sorts of questions she had on Ankor. She had always wanted to meet one of the inhabitants from the white lands of the northern realm. Her introduction to their culture was through a school project.

"Well, my ancestors are. But I'm from the capitol Arhat in Lai Province. It's known as the Queen's Winter Quarters. QWQ for short."

"Is that where the waterfall of Guang Lo is located?" she asked, becoming more excited. "I've seen pictures of it in the winter time, a frozen sheet of ice."

Kiku gave a short laugh. "To tell you the truth, in my sixteen years, I've only heard about it freezing over like that. I've never seen it and my elder siblings haven't either. Grandfather says he did once."

"We have twenty minutes before dinner so I'm going to clean up. We dress in brown kakis," Kendra informed her. "If you need help, we'll show you how to get your gear together and make inspection."

* * *



Connie walked uncomfortably in her new clothing. It was not just because they were stiff with newness, but also because she had never worn clothing that boys and men wore. Sitting in front of a computer was different than walking in them. Kendra had explained the pants were more practical weather wise as well as due to bugs. Exposed skin encouraged bug bites. She also pointed out that running in long skirts was dangerous.

Kiku joked about any exposed skin around the boys and men due to over active hormones would be a problem, but Connie failed to understand. Catching the two women roll their eyes over her head, Connie promised herself she would add that to her list of research.

*.*.*

Chapter 3

A Full Plate

The next morning bright and early Connie was shaken awake. It seemed she had just fallen asleep. The unfamiliar noises and sounds kept her from sleeping deeply.

"This is what you'll be wearing," Kiku said as she and Kendra laid out her morning clothing including underwear.

"This is how you layer yourself." Kiku dressed quickly. Her bare legs were shocking for Connie to see.

"Put the long pants over your shorts if you find it too revealing," Kendra told her.

"You wear so little?" Connie asked worried.

"When it gets hot, wearing long pants when running is not comfortable."

"These are running shoes," Kiku said as she tied Connie's shoes.

"Shoes just for running?"

The two women chuckled.

"I remember when I asked the same myself. I was more into the dress shoes young women wore as they prepared to be rich princess. Imagine my horror at having to get dirty."

"You have changed," Kendra agreed with Kiku.

The other two were already dressed and Connie only had her shorts and pants on. Kendra handed her a shirt and light coat while Kiku stepped back and looked her over.

"Alright. You're presentable. Let's get."

Eight people were already standing at ready with their backpacks resting at their feet when Kendra, Kiku, and Connie arrived. It was so cold white puffs of air were coming from everyone's lips as they exhaled. Lance Corporal Amoke rolled a cart onto the area and stopped before each person, handing them a water bottle and a heavy rock.

Kiku and Kendra grinned at Connie's puzzled expression at the rocks. Connie followed the example of her neighbors, and stored the rock in her empty backpack and water bottle to the side pouch.

SgtMaj Bessie walked into the area returning Corporal Amoke's salute.

"Wolf Pack ready for inspection, SgtMaj Bessie," Amoke said.

"Alright, listen up Wolf Pack. We have a new member, PR Connie. I doubt she'll be able to keep up so we're borrowing Chavi to make sure she doesn't get lost." SgtMaj Bessie snapped her fingers.

Connie turned her head at something golden that moved to her left. A long legged dog trotted up to the troop leader and sat down, looking up at SgtMaj Bessie as if waiting for instructions.

"PR Connie. This is Chavi. She hasn't lost a soldier yet. If you lose us on the run, have no fear. Chavi will bring you back to barracks safe and sound."

Bessie began her inspection. Soldiers readjusted their equipment or tugged on clothing as she gave pointers.

"Alright Wolf Pack. About face. Let's do some warm ups and then get on the trail. Spread out, arms right, arms left."

Connie did her best to follow and nearly collapsed before any serious sweat was broke. Stubbornly she kept up even if she was off count.

"Let's move on out, Wolf Pack. Double time to the trail. Corporal Kendra, you have the honors today as leader of the pack."

They had not gotten out of sight of the tower when Connie found a distance between her and her troop to be more than what she knew she could catch up even if she were to run flat out. SgtMaj Bessie dropped back to her side.

"Don't run it," she suggested. "Walk. I don't expect you to run the mile when you look like you've never exercised before. Besides, we're at higher levels and it's better you not run until you get used to the elevation. Your face is red enough from the exercises we just completed. Will you be okay alone?" She wanted to be sure she was not going to traumatize the city draftee on her first time out. "Take a breather. Stop right here and catch your breath."

"Yes?SgtMaj?.Bessie," she gasped.

"Good. See you back at the tower." She then sped off to catch up with the others.

Connie had never had a pet before nor had she ever gotten this close to one. She and Chavi stared at each other for a few moments then Chavi started off down the trail at a loose lope, stopping abruptly to sniff at something. By the time Connie was even with her, Chavi was off again. As Connie walked she studied Chavi. Its pauses to sniff along the way kept them near each other; however, with its long legs it did not take it long to be ahead of her. Connie's eyes wandered over the path and what was around them. Bugs hovered over plants and grass. Connie wrinkled her nose, remembering her mother's minders to not let the bugs in the house. Sounds from the wildlife began to be noticed. Chirping, chittering, peeps, and other noises she could not describe filled her ears. Breathing in deep she picked up scents she remembered from her mother's garden and plenty of new scents. Movement was all around her in the moving of plants, birds flitting from tree to tree, and a variety of creatures that scurried away from the trail as she walked. This was life!

A dislodge rock in the path brought her attention back to where she was walking. It was a well used path and could very well have been a road wide enough for two people to walk abreast. Her new shoes were stiff and loud as they plopped down, even to her ears. Excited at spotting a familiar herb her mother grew for her meals, she leaned down to pinch a leaf, sniffing deeply the essence of the leaf. They were not as hearty as her mother's were, but they probably didn't receive as much care.

Further up ahead, Connie spotted the golden dog investigating something in the rocks. Chavi had her nose buried in some brush growing between the rocks. She snorted and stepped back then thrust her face back into the plants. Curious, Connie climbed over the rocks to see what had her so curious.

"What's this?" she asked softly as tiny fur balls mewed plaintively. Chavi looked at her and her jaws quivered, however Connie had no idea what that meant. Chavi licked the tiny creatures, getting more cries from them.

Connie looked around for its mother and spotted a cloud of flies hovering over a spot on the other side of the path in tall brush. Reluctantly she moved forward to see what she did not want to see. As she drew closer she put an arm over her face to not gag. Chavi moved alongside of her. As they approached, small animals eating something turned to glare at them and then resumed their snatching at bits of flesh. Chavi growled low in her throat and lowered herself nearly to the ground.

"Ugh," Connie muttered as she backed up. Turning, she returned to the small furred creatures in the sheltered brush. "I wonder why whatever killed her didn't go after them."

Connie squatted near them, looking down at the five bodies wondering what she should do. In school a teacher spoke of the law of the wild but somehow Connie could not just leave the little ones to die if that was their parent. She stared, frowning at them, trying to figure a way to care for something she didn't know what they were and it was only her first day at the tower. Asking for favors may not be well received.

"What are you doing?" a voice demanded behind her.

Connie turned quickly and Chavi turned also, pressing against her leg, growling loudly. The young man was not wearing a uniform, but Connie remembered she had seen him the previous day in the mess hall.

"Just looking?"

"Lagging behind are ya? A PR with no guts, huh?" he taunted. Then he heard the hungry mewing. "What do you have back there? Get out of the way, newbie."

Connie fought with her upbringing that men were to be obeyed quickly and without question to her new understanding of rules at the tower. He was not in uniform so she figured he had no say over her. Though frightened, she stood her ground.

He grabbed her from the side the dog was not on and pushed her into Chavi, moving them both out of the way. With the heavy rock in her pack she stumbled off balance.

"Arg. Damn chadie kits!" He looked around and spotted the flies. He laughed as if it was funny. "Well that's just too bad they lost their mama. Another lost litter isn't any big deal. You better get after your pack, PR or you'll be out here in the dark. Scary things happen after dark." He lowered his voice as if trying to scare her. "A city girl like you should know that people disappear in the woods after dark, sometimes in the light too." His expression changed quickly. "Now scram!"

Chavi's growls turned into snarls but the boy did not take them seriously.

"What are you going to do to them?" she asked, falling back against one of the rocks.

"Maybe I'll pick one of them up by the tail and fling it over towards the swarm. End the little beasts suffering. It'll be my good deed for the day."

"No!"

"And who's going to stop me, newbie," he jeered, stepping closer to her with a threatening gesture. "That mutt?"

Connie noticed that he kept her between him and Chavi.

"I will," a voice from behind them had the two jumping.

"What are you doing, following me?" the guard demanded. "You get promoted and think it's your duty or something?"

"You do need a babysitter but I'll pass on the job," the stranger commented.

Both were too intent on staring the other down to notice that Connie slid by the angry man and knelt down to reassure one of the creatures that was crying piteously.

"Don't touch them," her rescuer told her in a soft voice.

The other laughed without mirth. "You're going to eat your words, Hadid. That stupid newbie touched them."

"Get back to barracks, Private Trey. I'll be checking on your time back," he told him tersely.

"You can't order me back. This is my free time," he sneered.

"You left barracks without authorization, private, and by the backdoor. Any more insubordinations and you'll be so low in rank you'll be taking orders from this newbie. Chavi, from now on, you can bite him if he threatens you. Now double time it back to barracks, private."

The order to Chavi had Trey looking worriedly at Chavi who advanced two steps toward him. He backed up and glared at Hadid.

While the two played power games, Connie's hands sought the tiniest one and though she didn't pick it up, she let her hand rest above it, giving some warmth to it.

Trey left but not in any hurry. Hadad lifted his pocket communicator and spoke to someone then turned to Connie.

"I'm Sgt Hadad of Raven Squad" he introduced.

Connie squinted up at him, the sun shinning in her eyes. "Sgt. Hadad," she acknowledged. "I'm?PR Connie."

He squatted next to Connie and studied the nesting then glanced at the swarm of flies. "Well, PR Connie, it looks like we've got another poacher kill, leaving the kits to die. And right at our front door," he finished grimly.

"Poachers? But, don't they take the body or sell what the capture?"

"Not chadies. Poachers, chadies, ringwolds, hyachts, and wolfs compete for the same thing. Poachers thin out the population of their competitors during birthing season when their most vulnerable. They kill off the parents and leave the little ones as bait to the other animals of prey."

"Are you going to let them die?" Connie asked concerned.

Hadad blinked at her surprised. "Do you know how to care for them?"

"No." She studied the young man, as he considered the small mewlings, his brow wrinkled in thought. She liked his calm demeanor.

"Well," he glanced at Chavi who was patiently waiting. "We need to transport them back to barracks to the captain. He may have you taking care of them until the conservationists pick them up."

Connie was watching his expressions and guessed it was a lot more complicated then what he was saying.

"I can handle it," she told him assuredly.

"You wait here and I'll get something to carry them in. You can't be carrying them in your pack," he told her as she pulled her pack out. "They're too fragile for that and you don't want them to get too used to your scent. Chavi, guard the PR and the kits," he ordered the dog. "Oh, and here." He handed her a stick he pulled out of a slit along his pant leg. "Here is the on/off switch. Just point it at whoever is attacking you. It sends a shock into them. Careful you don't shoot yourself or Chavi, and don't let them steal it from you. It numbs for ten seconds, the amount of time it would normally take you to run away or tie up your attacker."

"What if it's something big?" she asked.

"It knows how much of a charge to send." With that said, he was gone.

Connie glanced at Chavi. "I can handle it," she assured the dog. "I'll go on the computer and from the wildlife library I'll get the information I need."

The expression on the dogs face was not one of confidence.

"I don't think I did all that well on my first day out," she reflected aloud.

She sat comfortably with her back against the rock, letting the sun warm her face. Occasionally she would glance over at the nesting's occupants. While she sat still she was entertained with various visitors that were either ignoring her or did not know of her presence. Squirrels, small creatures she had read about, ran about making their noises, while different colored birds landed for a few moments before hopping or flying away. Chavi lay very still with only her eyes moving to watch things Connie could see and things she could not. When Chavi stared at something that Connie could not detect, she would become very still and try to figure out just what it was that Chavi found so interesting. Only once did she growl and it was a short one. Connie sniffed the air trying to pick up something that may have set Chavi's protective streak up. There was nothing she could pinpoint.

* * *

"Wake up, Connie," a voice spoke softly.

Connie's eyes blinked open to darkness and it was very cold. Startled she glanced around her. A light shinning on the path was coming toward her. Chavi was leaning against her, keeping them both warm.

"Sorry it took so long. We had to contact the Conservationists and let them know another chadie's been killed. Then they insisted on sending someone to remove the survivors from here, but they had no one available after keeping me waiting for hours. I see you're not afraid of the dark. That's good." Hadid had a light on his cap that lit up the area they were in.

Tiny voices set up a loud chorus for a meal.

"I brought some nursing milk." Hadid leaned down and laid a covered box beside her. "We'll put them in here. The Ward had one in the supply room and it took us a while to find it. Someone's been moving stuff around." He laughed at this. "I'll tell you, Auntie Em was cursing up a storm that someone was messing with her stores. There's going to be repercussions, I'll tell you. That woman is more territorial than a mother bear of her cubs." While he chatted he was setting up the box. Pushing buttons and a timer then adjusting some other knobs on the outside of the box. "This rescue box comes with a heartbeat, warmth, nipples for them to nurse off of when they're hungry, and it purrs to them. It will fit the entire nesting. We need to come into as little contact as we can with them. Lift the nesting at these two sides, they're the strongest."

The kits voices broke the night's stillness. The water she had been giving them held them for a while but by their cries it was not enough. Before shutting the lid over them Connie and Hadid watched as they all weakly crawled to the teats, smelling something better than water.

"When we get back, you need to report to the Watch. I informed your group leader where you were. Since you didn't do any training today you're being assigned to Horse Squad for this shift working the tower. You'll be working with Corporal Abasi. He'll teach you about the Watch duty, so keep sharp. Don't let him push you around. If you feel uncomfortable with anything he says or does, speak up. Do you think you can do that?" Sgt. Hadid remembered in briefing that the newest member came from a very sheltered background where females were kept in confinement. Considering the type of person Abasi was, he was curious why their CO assigned her to be with him in a trainee position.

"He?" she asked.

Hadid gestured for her to pick up the other end of the box, which was heavy with the clutch of kits. Sgt. Hadid glanced in the dark at her. "There are cameras and sound recording in the watch towers and all along the wall, in the corridors, and in the rooms. It's for security reasons."

Connie could see the tower lights as they neared the barracks. In silence her thoughts were on working with Corporal Abasi. Her stomach churned at the prospect of being alone with a male older than her. She glanced at Hadid, suddenly realizing that he was male, and she was alone with him. The thought that she had broken many of the rules of her father's house gave her a sudden glimpse into herself. She did it without thought. Maybe she had the chance her mother had not, or did she just not take it?

* * *



"Alright, go about getting yourself dressed in your uniform," Corporal Abasi, told her briskly. "The chadie kits are sleeping now, and won't be needing you to worry them." He made to go near the box but Chavi's lips curled up in a silent snarl, and Abasi quickly backed away.

"Report back here when you're ready. Don't take all night either." Corporal Abasi was looking at Chavi when he said that.

Connie's photographic memory helped her find her way to her quarters. She quickly showered and dressed in her duty uniform and ran back to the Watch Tower. Panting, she ran up the stairs to the watch room and waited to catch her breath before tapping twice as she had seen Sgt. Hadid do.

"That was quick, PR. Very good. Step in. I'm not going to bite." He laughed mockingly, giving Connie an uncomfortable feeling. "You need to check up on those kits." He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder at the box and Chavi.

Connie could hear the mewing.

"I didn't get a chance to look up how to care for them. Do you know?" she asked hesitantly.

He looked like he was going to say something but clamped his mouth into a scowl. He jerked his head to the computer in the corner of the tower room. "If you can find anything on the computer, have at it."

For the next forty-five minutes Connie took notes as over seventy-five sites had information on chadies, both captured, and wild, while Abasi made comments that were not helpful, and made her extremely nervous with his nearness.

"You finished yet? You don't need to make a report, you know. The Conservation Corps is going to send the damn rangers, their messengers."

Connie glanced at him, catching a jealous tone in his voice. He was wearing a scowl on his face that looked like it was his permanent expression.

She logged off the computer and rose from her seat, standing with her back to the wall to inspect the tower closer. There was a lower area, where she was at, that had a small area with a panel of blinking lights, screens, and a computer desk for filling out reports, by the looks of it. Two steps up, was a room that was surrounded by glass, looking out into the darkness. With the lights on, they could easily be seen by anyone outside where as, they could not see what was outside.

That did not make sense to her.

"We've got visitors. See those glasses, hand them to me." Abasi snapped his fingers impatiently.

Surprised at how he knew they had visitors, Connie unhooked the glasses and stepped up to hand them to him. It was a long ten minutes as Abasi studied something southward. Finally he backed from the window, and handed the glasses back to Connie.

"Go ahead and take a look."

Holding the glasses to her eyes, she looked out to a different world. She could not understand what she was seeing.

"Down!" Abasi pulled her down as something bright hit the window exploding with a loud bang and bright lights. A second shot quickly followed, rattling the room. Chavi growled, and the mewlings blended in with the sirens that went off.

"Idiots."

Frightened Connie glanced up at Abasi, catching something different in his tone. She then became aware of Abasi grip around her. "I'm alright," she told him, stiffening from the closeness.

"I'm protecting you," he informed her with a smirk, but pulled away.

"From what?" she asked distrustfully.

Abasi gave her a smile that she did not like the looks of. "Not afraid to stick up for yourself. That's good to have around here. Some lad may take advantage of you, you being innocent and all. Not been touched, I'll bet. When you get your first pass to see the nearby backwater town, I'll show you around."

"No thank you."

"Hey, I'm being nice. No need to act like you're being insulted."

Footsteps pounding up the stairs alerted them that someone was coming up.

"Clear the stairs, Sergeant Major coming up!" a voice boomed up the stairwell.

Abasi looked nervous. "Nothing happened, newbie, and don't say anything did or I'll make your life miserable."

"Says you," she boldly challenged.

"What's going on?" demanded SgtMaj Bessie. Behind her was MstSgt Elroy of the Horse Troop who looked as angry as SgtMaj Bessie.

"Who authorized that night shooting?" MstSgt Elroy demanded.

Corporal Abasi stood stiffly at attention and Connie did the same.

"I was told it had been cleared, MstSgt Elroy," he replied.

"Who authorized it and who set it up?" SgtMaj Bessie demanded.

"I don't know sergeants. I just got the word and?" he gulped.

By then the mewlings became too noisy to ignore. Both sergeants glanced at the box.

"You had all that noise going on around the kits?" MstSgt Elroy asked. "Consider yourself on report. Tomorrow you'll be on dump duty. You're to only leave your bunk for your troop muster and dump assignment. Dismissed."

"I was following orders, Sergeant!"

"Whose?" MstSgt Elroy demanded. "Unless it was the Captain, I'm the only one that you should have cleared that with."

There was a slight pause, "Well the captain did say we were to?well?" He gulped at the glares from the sergeants.

"That's a pitiful interpretation of the captain's comment and you darn well know that," MstSgt Elroy said. "That was a hazing and the only one that hazes a new recruit is her or his squad."

Connie was shaking from the energy in the tower, and from her fear of what was going to happen to her.

"SP on duty, escort Abasi to his bunk. He's to wear an ankle bracelet. You're dismissed. Double time it to your barracks."

They could hear his boots clunking down the stairs. SgtMaj Bessie turned Connie.

"PR Connie, are you okay?"

"Yes, SgtMaj Bessie."

"What happened?"

Connie took a deep breath and let it out. Still she felt overwhelmed. "Corporal Abasi was looking out the window and gave me the glasses to look out while he went to the phone to call someone. He yelled 'down' and then?" Her face burned with embarrassment. "I heard a lot of noise and then it was over."

"Not much into detail," MstSgt Elroy commented.

SgtMaj Bessie gave a glance to Elroy and whatever was conveyed had him turning slightly red.

"I need to get someone to cover the tower," MstSgt Elroy mumbled.

"I'll cover the 2nd watch with PR Connie," SgtMaj Bessie informed him.

"Offer accept, SgtMaj. Our password is 'woodsmen.'" Elroy turned and left the tower.

SgtMaj Bessie glanced at Connie, and then gestured to a chair in front of the computer. "There's a program that gives you what the duties of the Watch are. Go ahead and take a look. I'll keep an eye on what's going on while you do that."

Bessie picked up the discarded glasses and shut the room light off with the only light on near the computer. She put in an ear comm and began speaking. By the conversation, Connie thought she was checking up on people.

After twenty minutes of going down the list of dos and don'ts Connie realized reading on the job was not permitted and 'watch' was exactly what the job entailed. There were scans to run, results to study, and one person was to be looking out the windows with the long range night vision glasses at all times and in the dark, while the other person checked in with the guards posted along the wall.

Finished reading she watched SgtMaj Bessie study lights that were now blinking on the wall.

"Did anyone touch any of these buttons while you were here?" SgtMaj Bessie asked.

"I don't know. I was reading about caring for chadie's."

"Was he doing something other than just standing?"

"He was fiddling with something. But I didn't look."

"Look next time. This is the military. You must be cognizant at all times of the people around you. You need to know what your partner is doing and you need to know why. Our lives depend on you and your teammates to be aware. I'll make available to you some watch reports written up in the past that are considered first rate to study. There is one type of duty that you can't get distracted by your mates, but here in the tower it isn't. Meanwhile, let's start with how you perform watch."

For the next few hours Connie's thoughts were on protocol and disciple by repetition, how to read scans, what to look for on the monitors, and how to check in with the spotters on the wall. She also now understood what she was seeing in the night vision goggles. At the end of her watch SgtMaj helped Connie carry the rescue box to the mess hall where Cook was waiting with the right mix of formula for the chadie kits.

"Now mind that you watch the food level. These little ones will be empting them faster than I can make a batch up of their special milk formula if those Conservation agents don't show up soon."

Connie had the distinct feeling that Cook was purring to the kits as she patted the box gently. "I'll take good care of them, Cook." She lifted the box with SgtMaj lifting the other end and they both headed out into the hall. Cook had packed a small sack of food for Connie since she had missed a meal.

SgtMaj did not have to knock on the door to Connie's quarters. Apparently her roommates were anxiously waiting for her with the door opened.

"SgtMaj Bessie, you could have called one of us. We would have helped carry the chadie kits," Kiku said.

The two made room for Chavi who had every intention on continuing her guard position of the kits.

"I'll leave you in your bunkmate's hands," SgtMaj told Connie. "Good night."

As soon as the door closed behind SgtMaj Bessie the two girls quickly sat on Connie's bed, looking at her expectantly.

"So, tell us how you rescued the kits," Kendra told her, not wanting to wait any longer.

"I didn't really rescue them. Chavi did." Chavi looked at her with an expression Connie could not read.

"Chavi?" Kiku looked at the dog.

"That's something she would do," Kendra said. "She rescued a wolf cub."

Both women rolled their eyes at that memory.

"I remember."

"We had a battle royal with the Conservationists because we wanted to keep it as our mascot. We lost the argument but every now and then we see a lone wolf watching us from the trails. SgtMaj Bessie doesn't want us to think it's our cub but?" Kendra shared a knowing glance with Kiku, not finishing the sentence.

"So what happened with you and Sgt Hadad of the Ravens? We heard you two got into it with dirt bag Trey," Kiku said.

"He was threatening to toss the kits to the wild animals," Connie reported upset once more.

"He said that!" Kendra hissed angrily.

"So, he threatened the kits. You aren't starting at the beginning," Kiku said. "Start at the part where we left you on the run."

Connie gave an inward sigh. She rushed though the story because she was tired. Both girls let her get away with only telling that story and not what all the recent noise was about because her yawns became too many to ignore.

* * *

Chapter 4

Rangers of Lewah

It was too early for Connie, but she was used to going to bed tired and getting up still tired. The kits mewing woke her. Showering quickly, and dressing for morning drills before her two bunkmates were awake, Connie hurried down the hall to the mess to get milk for the kits.

Cook was waiting for her. Instead of filling the container Connie had, she handed Connie a new one.

"I'll wash it out and make sure it's ready for the next refill. How are they doing?"

"They're hungry." She suddenly grinned. "I'm surprised anyone can sleep through the racket they're making."

The door swung open and SgtMaj Bessie walked in. She looked pleased at seeing Connie.

"Good morning PR Connie, Cook. Bring the chadie box and your roommates to the Central Room," SgtMaj Bessie said.

"Yes, SgtMaj," Connie said.

Returning to her room she found the other two up and getting dressed. "SgtMaj Bessie wants us to report to the Central Room with the chadie box."

"Did she say why?" Kendra asked.

"No."

"Sounds like no running this morning," Kiku said.

"Yes, but that also means we may be getting dumping duty since those other two are now off it."

"Abasi is doing that," Connie said.

"Ah," Kendra said rolling her eyes over to Kiku.

"So, what happened in the tower that he was sent to dump duty?" Kiku asked.

Connie looked uncomfortable, not wanting to talk about something she did not understand fully.

"Another time. We have to get going. If it's something good, we don't want to overshadow it with being late."

Kiku picked up one side of the box with Kendra at the other end. It gave Connie an opportunity to rest her hand on top of the box while the three unhurriedly made it to the Central Hall.

Bessie was typing something on one of the computers when the three entered.

"All right wolf cubs, I want you Kendra and Kiku to go over tower duty for Connie. Then the three of you will work the tower today. Keep the kits near where you can keep an eye on them."

"SgtMaj, does this mean no running?"

"Does that disappoint you, Kiku?"

"No, SgtMaj, running is my favorite sport. I just want to know if we would have to work in exercise time."

"You're very lucky I have a soft side this early in the morning and will let you get away with that whopping story. You can eat before you start or after, but no eating while training. Get to it," Bessie ordered.

"Yes, SgtMaj," the three chorused

"Why does she not mind you lying?" Connie asked as Kendra led them to one of the computers in a corner.

"Because everyone knows Kiku hates running," Kendra said.

"When I first got here and SgtMaj asked us what we hated the most, those were the first jobs we got for the next six months."

"I'll remember that," Connie said seriously.

"It doesn't matter if you tell her or not. She'll find your weak spot and gleefully pound on it. Pretty soon, you end up liking it better than whatever else she can think up." Kendra looked over at Kiku. Both women were smiling as if it were not something that concerned them.

"How can you not be bothered by that?" Connie asked.

"Because there's always something worst that could happen and once you get what you feared or hated the most out of the way, or become familiar with handling it, the rest is not so bad."

"So, we start with basics," Kendra said, returning their attention to their lesson.

"We'll study an hour, get something to eat and do another hour. By then we'll be ready for duty," Kiku said, looking at Connie as if she had any say in their plans.



* * *



"Come," the captain responded from the tap on his door.

"Captain, you had your evening meal yet?" Bessie stuck her head in his office. Stepping in at his beckon she held up a bakery bag from Emma's Shop.

"Yes, thank you Sergeant Major, but if that's pastry from Emma's Shop, I have room," Captain Sahem said.

"The pastry is compliments from Cook. She went into town for some supplies and loaded up on sweet things from Emma's Shop."

"I'll stop by and give her my thanks. I okayed your change for Kendra and Kiku to work the tower with Connie for the next four days. Was there a reason you moved assignments around?"

"I wanted Connie to see what a team looks like working the tower. It means we're short on the wall but the weather visibility will be good until the end of the week, so we should get away with it. She's a fast learner for someone that's led a sheltered life."

"Not that sheltered if she went to public school in a city."

"In a week I'll have a profile on her so we can seriously work on her weaknesses."

"She's turned this place upside down and she doesn't even know it," the captain said.

"I think she's picking up on that, but with all the adjusting she's having to do, no telling how this all is effecting her. She's friendly enough but I can feel she's not all that trusting."

"Did you find out whose idea it was to haze her?" he asked. Carefully, he pulled out his pastry, not wanting to break it until he took his first bite.

"Who else but those three dead beats, and they admitted to it as if it were nothing. They've been here a year and they're not picking up anything or they're refusing to. What are we going to do with them?"

Thoughtfully he chewed a bite of the pastry. "The last few months they've stepped up their antics. At the rate they're going, they'll be finishing off their draft in prison and with added time. We'll let the electronic security monitor them for now, but keep an eye out for anything that doesn't look or feel right."

"Are you getting that feeling again?"

"It never left."

"When is Lt. Hellene getting back?"

"Why?"

"If someone is planning an attack, this would be a good time."

"I'm thinking it's not yet because it's not just around our area. The surprise raids on poacher camps these last two months coincide with our misfits acting out behavior."

"Last night I had to recalibrate the communications and unscramble signals. It's so lame a thing to do but, maybe not. I was thinking we should have a drill to keep some people off balance and the get the others used to the excitement."

The captain nodded. "Let me get something planned that isn't going to be giving too much away on our defenses. I think it's time we go to a new plan so we're not predictable. And I'll be changing the hours of the shifts."

"Did you read PR Connie's files yet?"

"Yes, why?"

"Looks like she switched assignments with someone else," Bessie said. "Why do you think she would rather be here than in a castle wearing fine dresses, to say nothing of eating rich food. Culture or intimidation?"

The captain smiled. "I think she had her own reasons."

"Are you going to say anything to her about the switch?" Bessie asked.

"It's part of the program. Adapt, learn new skills, and see the world. That reminds me, what about Laif's move to his new residence?"

"I think it finally dawned on him that he's in trouble. His new squad is tougher and more determined to make something good of their second chance. Do you remember Mka? Well, he reupped and is working on becoming a WO. He's married now and has a young boy."

"Mka? I had serious doubts about him."

"Falling in love changes people."

"Yes, it does. But there are some people that are too unstable for any positive change to last."

"I hope you're wrong with Mka, Captain."

"Me too, because him and Laif in the same place is scary. What's taking so long in getting a deeper background on Laif's family?"

"I made the same remark to the clerk in the hall of records yesterday, but didn't get much more information than the request is still being processed."

"Suspicious, that, no?"

"It is, Captain. Taking your encouragement to find out all I can through whatever means, I sent a dispatch via a ranger that was passing through."

The captain smiled. "That will cause an eyebrow lift with uncle."

"Hopefully, I didn't set any alarms off that will bring the Queen's Regiment to our door. Well, I best be getting to the hall and check up on my newbie."

He leaned back in his chair thinking. Of course it would set alarms off with the commander of the Queen's Regiment, his uncle, and Bessie's great uncle. They were a military family. Since a child he had always wanted to do things himself rather than ask family members for help. Bessie was his younger sister's child. Bessie did not look like his side of the family. She had her father's looks which in females, would blossom into a beautiful woman.

* * *



When Bessie entered the social hall, Birk and Hassel were holding everyone's attention with one of their tricks. PR Connie was watching with rapt attention. Her eyes were squinting and Bessie wondered if her eyes would need attending. She made a mental note to take her for a physical at the end of the week when she would have time.

"So, you think you have them fooled?" Bessie asked the two cousins when the performance was finished.

"Sergeant Major," the group greeted.

"Greetings, Wolf Pack. Turi, can you explain what they did?"

"No, Sergeant Major. It looked like magic to me," he returned with a wide grin. Someone new might think that he really believed it, but he had taught the trick to the two cousins.

"Likely story, Turi. Any of you?"

Connie hesitated. She remembered in school sometimes the person with the answers was not welcomed.

"PR Connie. How do you think Privates Birk and Hassel pulled this off?"

"Sergeant Major, I would think to give away the secret would take away the fun the others will have figuring it out," she said.

"You're right. Does this mean you know?"

"I believe so."

"Okay. I'll be your partner. Let's see if you can replicate it." SgtMajor Bessie took Birk's part and Connie Hassel's part. It was not done as smoothly but most of the on lookers still could not figure out how they were fooled.

"Well, PR Connie, it's time to feed the kits. The rest of you lot, get to your studies."

Connie hurried back to a room the cook set aside for the kits to be in when Connie was busy. No one could enter without the cook noticing and she was protective of her territory as a mother bear of her cave, to say nothing of Chavi's presence.

Connie gently cooed to the kits, holding her hand above them to give them some warmth from her. It must have worked because her hand became warm and the kits curled into tiny fur balls and went to sleep full from feeding.

"Singing a clutch of chadie kits to sleep marks them for life," a soft voice informed her. Connie's head jerked up and Chavi's tail wagged slowly.

As the woman entered the room Connie could feel something different about her. Her clothing was a style she had seen before.

"Marks them how?" Connie asked.

"Chadie kits are impressed with what they hear the first days of life. You're singing in a language not their own."

"Why would that be bad?"

"They'll be looking for that song when they're distressed." Then the woman smiled. "I'll have to see if I can make a good impersonation of that child's lullaby, including the off keys."

"It's just sound."

"And rhythm, and tone. I'm Ranger Morra, by the way. Times are changing if a city girl takes to rescuing chadie kits." The woman's eyes were a slate gray that gleamed with luminosity when she smiled. Connie was taken by her.

Captain Sahem entered the small room with another woman. She had a close resemblance to Ranger Morra.

"Have you the kits, Morra?"

"I was waiting for your arrival, Captain Leah."

Connie had braced to a salute when Captain Sahem entered and relaxed when he returned it. Her eyes moved back to study Captain Leah. She not only resembled Morra, but had the same clothing and feel. It was as if there was something more to these women and it had Connie curious because it was not something that could be seen.

So these are rangers, she thought.

"It's time for you to turn over the responsibility of the chadie kits to the Rangers of Leweh. They will raise them until it's time to release them into the wilds."

"Yes, Captain."

"Pass the container to Ranger Morra and in your heart let them go," Captain Leah softly directed.

Connie wondered what she meant by that. Looking down at the container she felt a sigh escape her at the thought of the little ones leaving her care. She had not realized they had come to mean so much to her.

"Nature created a bond between you and the kits to insure they would survive. Now you must let go, and allow me to take over their care," Ranger Morra said.

Connie could feel sluggishness in her thought processes, and everything slowed down. Her total focus was on the kits, feeling their breath and hunger.

"Do you believe that I will care for them as precious beings?"

Dragging her eyes from the box of kits, Connie struggled to focus on Ranger Morra's face. For a moment she thought she was looking at something else. With an effort Connie nodded her head.

A cold nose nudged her hand. Connie blinked a few times and cleared her throat. "Yes, Ranger Morra. You are better suited than I to help them live in the wild." A sudden pang at the memory of how she found their mother came to her in a vivid image.

"It will not happen to them if we can help it," Captain Leah assured her.

Connie nodded. "Thank you. I am sure you will protect them."

Ranger Morra nodded and lifted the container effortlessly. There were others dressed as them waiting outside the door. They all left quietly.

"How do you feel?" her captain asked.

"Better, knowing that they will be taken care of, Captain."

Chavi gave a noisy yawn and trotted out the door.

"Most people the chadie's bond to can't part with them. It's like giving up one's baby to a stranger."

Connie laughed in disbelief. "I spent a lot of time with my sister when she was an infant and I would have gladly let someone else take care of her. It wasn't like that at all."

"Wolf Pack has muster later tonight. Go get some sleep."

Connie saluted him and ran upstairs to her cot.

* * *

At eleven Connie was standing before her sergeant major alongside of her team members with her toes on an imaginary line that the sergeant major saw clearly.

SgtMaj walked the line and looked them over.

"Alright Wolf Pack. Everyone is accounted for. Listen up for assignments."

Crisply she read off who was to be where and who they were paired with.

She came to stand in front of Connie. "PR Connie, you'll be with me running messages between the watch towers. If any of you feel anything is off, call it in." The sergeant major looked over everyone as she said this, reinforcing what they should already know. "Trust your gut, and your senses. You haven't worked the late shift for a while so stay sharp. Sometimes a smell, a sound, a shadow gives us an unconscious message that may take a long time to make sense of, but the turning in your gut or a nagging suspicion is there. That's all that's needed. Report it and wait for support. Never investigate something suspicious alone."

"What's on the other side of the wall that we're keeping out, Sergeant Major?" Connie asked.

"The wall is to protect the Realm's citizens from themselves." She turned away, letting Connie know she had considered the subject closed. Connie thought of asking Hassel more about why the Realm's citizens were a danger to themselves. He knew a lot of things.

"Alright, everyone, get to your posts." When the quad cleared Bessie turned to Connie. "I want to make sure you learn how to ride an air cart without falling off or landing in a tree."

"Air cart? As in fly?"

"Does this mean you've never ridden one?"

"I would be in a lot of trouble if father knew, but I rode Maylee's around the back playground when no one was looking, but not very fast or high."

Bessie led her to an adjacent building to the tower which was a mixture of stalls for horses and storage for equipment and more than a dozen flyers. The other guards along the gate had already taken off to relieve their fellow guards from Raven Squad. It was Horse Squad that would relieve them in the early morning hours, giving them five hours on the wall.

Bessie selected a four seater shinny flyer that looked too clean for being used. She started the engine and checked the controls before engaging the see-through plating that enclosed them.

"We'll be riding higher than the wall so put your safety harness on." SgtMaj Bessie demonstrated how to put it on. "If you should get thrown it has locators," she touched two places the locators were, "and in the back and chest here, a canopy will open if you're high enough to make sure you land safely. The harness will keep you in the air cart for as long as it's safe. Once it senses the air cart is unsafe, it will either eject you, shooting you up and out, or it will release and you can safely exit the craft."

Bessie handed Connie a pair of night goggles. After securing hers she checked to see that Connie's were on correctly.

"I've never seen anyone wear one of these harnesses," Connie said.

"Civies aren't the brightest in preventive practices. Are you ready?"

Connie nodded and they were instantly out of the building and up in the air moving perpendicular until eye level with the tower. Connie was grateful for both the harness and firmness of her seat.

"That's the signal we're looking for. It's telling us that changing of the guard has taken place. The code changes at irregular times. Do you know when we changed it last?"

Connie nodded. "Today at dinner."

"We aim to be secretive about it, not letting anyone but our squad know what it'll be. As each squad member switches with her or his replacement, verbal updates are given, and the logs from the two previous shifts are read. Nothing goes unreported."

They flew along the wall, getting a signal from each guard in position.

Her training in the tower with SgtMaj Bessie, Kiku and Kendra, paid off when she was able to translate the fast moving terrain below them. The focus helped her take her mind off how fast they were flying above the wall. After an hour they neared the point where Tower Istobel took over the inspection of the wall. There was another air cart waiting for them, resting in the wide walkway of the wall. Bessie cut their speed as they neared, coming to a smooth rest next to the other air cart.

"Sergeant Major Bessie, is that you ridding that air cart? And so late at night. It must be getting boring in your tower." A young uniformed woman stood tall outside of her air cart. Sitting inside the cart was a girl who didn't look older then twelve.

"Sergeant Aida of Tower Istobel," SgtMaj acknowledged. "This is PR Connie, she arrived the other day. I wanted to make sure she learns not to spend much time here with idle gossip from your tower guards."

Sergeant Aida laughed. "Ensign Neda, this is Sergeant Major Bessie of Wolf Pack and PR Connie. The Ensign is wisely thinking about moving from the Queen's Navy to the Queen's Regiment. I'm taking her on a sightseeing tour. I intend on showing her how much more exciting it is to be on land than water."

Sergeant Aida paused before adding. "So you got rid of that trouble maker, Laif. I was hoping to show Ensign Neda what trouble looked like."

"Are you a detective too Sergeant Aida?" Sergeant Bessie mocked.

"I wouldn't want to reach beyond my rating, SgtMajor, but it's basic logic. You weren't due for a new draftee until next year and Wolf Pack usually has the day watch. I hope the reasons why you're changing your patrols are passed on to my captain so we can take the same safety measures if it's necessary."

Sergeant Major Bessie grinned. "You'll have Laif on your other side. Britton Tower is his new home. If Captain Ohin can't get him to see the error of his ways then no one can."

Sergeant Aida laughed. "My uncle has him? Seems he's going to be needing more than rough terrain to keep his charges in line. That boy is real trouble. Maybe now the poacher activity will go down with those four separated."

"I would feel better if all four were in prison," Bessie admitted.

The ensign suddenly stood and Connie could feel a change of energy from her slight form. Standing up she looked older. Sergeant Aida stepped into her air cart as if that was a signal that the conversation was at an end.

"Nice to meet you both. And you PR Connie, be ever vigilant," Ensign Neda said.

The air cart lifted and flew into the forest.

"Why are they heading into the forest?" Connie asked.

"Looking for trouble. Three months ago the first shift from Tower Istobel spotted smoke within the forest. By the time they arrived to look at it closer, it was a full out forest fire. Tower Istobel and a team of fireguards put it out. It fell to Tower Goldwah to cover both stretches of the wall while Tower Istobel's troops worked the fire. It was a good exercise that pinpointed weak spots in our coverage, but troublesome that someone would set a fire to draw guards from the wall. We changed the duty shifts to keep anyone interested in illegal activity unsure when it's safe to not be seen. Usually guards are tired at the end of their shifts, looking for their replacements not trouble."

Connie held on tight as the sergeant major made swoops down and up, back and forth around the wall and trees.

"I'm making it difficult for a sniper to get a fix on us. I hope your stomach isn't too unsettled because, we'll be flying like this for a while."

Connie clamped her jaw tight and focused on the scope studying the hot spots of life in the forest. She almost had her stomach forgotten until she opened her mouth to report and had to gulp a few times.

"We have four sets of people along the wall," Bessie told her. "Two have camps. One is wandering in the neutral zone along the wall. Call it in."

Connie called it in and as they circled further out they spotted a van parked in one of the public rest areas. Bessie took pictures and verbally added her observations to their tower controller, and the local forest ranger station. Rather than head back to the wall, Bessie headed further inland, following a cleared swath of ground that in the dark was easier to see in the viewer. Bessie ceased her wild flying as there was not enough room to move around.

"Ranger station Winter Rose to night patrol, come in."

"This is night patrol, go ahead," Bessie answered.

"The number of campers you gave is the number that have registered with us. Two camping vehicles. None should be in the restricted areas. Over."

"Thanks for the read, Winter Rose. Out. See this swath of cleared area, PR Connie? This is a fire road. It's unlawful for civilians to travel it; therefore it's a restricted area. Usually poachers like to use it because they can get to areas of the forest that are deeper into the woods that a day hiker can't reach. Poachers kill off wildlife for profit not caring if it's a mother with a litter. Usually we let the forest rangers do their own policing but for the last four months we've had more than the usual unlawful visitors."

"What do they do with what they kill?"

"Sell the skins or if they capture the young, sell them to circuses or to wealthy families that have their own private zoo."

"SgtMaj, I have dozens of hot spots moving!"

Bessie gave a quick glance at the screen. "Looks like birds. I wonder what's going on over in that part of the woods?"

"This is Winter Rose, calling patrol, come in."

"They must be picking up on it too. RYLAC, go ahead Winter Rose," Bessie said.

"See anything else of interest? Over."

"Birds are moving from some of the treetops southward," Bessie said.

"RC. Watch your flutter. Just got a call from Sergeant Aida that she and her passenger were shot at over the gulch. Got a squad of eager raccoons surrounding that area now. Safe hunting. Out."

"RYLAC, thanks for the heads up. Out." Sergeant glanced at her attentive pupil that was studying the scope, and dutifully reporting to the tower about the bird movement.

When Connie paused in her transmitting their status, she asked, "What is RYLAC and RC?"

"'RYLAC' is 'read you loud and clear' that's to let the ranger station know that danger is out and about. RC is 'ranger caution'. For birds to move at night is usual. Since poachers know that, it's assumed that the disturbance is a distraction; therefore, the leaders of the rangers have to decide whether to treat it as a distraction or a major event taking place. Any more questions?"

"What are raccoons?"

"Rangers who haven't been on the job more than two years." She steered the air cart to the left slowing down to look at something along the wall. "While we were sidetracked, someone could have been looking for a weak spot along our wall. Remember we said there's an energy buffer around the wall?"

Bessie bounced the air cart against the energy barrier that prevented anyone from crossing over the wall by air cart. "See how strong it is. Not a bit of drop in energy when we came in contact with it."

"Hassel said it would be impossible to breech the wall without an alarm going off."

"Do you believe that?" Bessie asked.

"I believe that anything is possible, and nothing is certain."

"Good philosophy. We tested the barrier along the wall by bumping the energy envelope. Right now, we're going to do a visual inspection."

Bessie swooped to the ground where she brought the air cart to a stop. "Here is where you get your first experience of investigating in a check point in the dark. We have a water well for wild animals along this trail." She pulled out of her pocket a device. She strapped it on Connie's wrist. "Smell the water for unusual smells and put your wrist over the water and press this button. Amber means it's contaminated. Green is okay. Dip your finger in the water and drop it on the face, that's why it's cupped. Press the button again and it will test the water. I'll keep you in sight. This means you're okay." She showed her a hand sign. "This means you found something. This means come back. Watch where you place your feet. Besides animal droppings you may fall into an illegal trap. Let's see how much of what you read makes sense."

"Yes, SgtMaj." Connie readjusted her goggles more out of comfort than necessity, and looked around her. Her nose was picking up the rich smells of a forest, the damp trees, brush, and pungent animal scents to warn other animals off. Through her goggles she could see clear outlines of darker shadows with small living creatures creating a brighter spot in her view. As she moved, she realized her footsteps were loud causing a lot of movement in the brush around her. The ground dipped down sharply. Carefully she made her way down the slope, keeping her knees bent and her head moving side to side, and keeping an eye on the ground before her. She found the well off the side of the path. It did not take long to take her readings. The water was safe. Suddenly to her right she saw a movement that was too quick for her to identify. It soundlessly disappeared further into the brush. Her hand went up automatically and signed to her sergeant. She was startled at the speed SgtMaj Bessie was beside her and without any noise.

"Report," Bessie whispered.

"I saw something move there. It was as big as Chevi."

"Go back to the air cart. Can you fly it?"

"Yes, SgtMaj." As long as she was not expected to fly like Bessie did, she believed she could handle it.

"If I call you, fly low and slow."

With her heart pounding, fearful of leaving her sergeant yet worried about being alone if danger was near, Connie jogged back to the air cart, nearly tripping when the ground level changed.

What if the SgtMaj could not call out to her? Remembering the emergency beacon on her coat, she touched it to reassure herself it was there.

Stumbling again she reached out to touch the wall for balance. An energy hummed through her fingers and up her arm. Her momentum in falling allowed her to break contact. Panting from fear and physical exertion she laid for only a second before getting up. Readjusting her goggles she forced herself to move with more caution to the flyer.



The sergeant moved into the thick foliage.

"You need to trim this stuff back," a voice complained, "and train your guards to not make so much noise."

They both heard an "ouch" and someone falling, a short slide and then quiet. Then steps as Connie resumed her trek up the slope.

"She's a city girl and new; however, she did see you, which means you must be slipping. Why are you out here?"

"A dalin is missing. We've heard that the number of poachers have increased on this side of the wall so I've come to see if they might have captured him."

"The only oddity is a van at the turnout along the fire road. The campers we spotted are the number registered with the ranger station."

"A van? Did you get how many vans registered at the station?"

"Two. This one wasn't where it should be. But campers don't always end up where they say they're going to camp for various reasons. Who's missing?"

"Yerik."

Bessie thought about that for a few moments, knowing Yerik worked both sides of the wall. "Yerik is always scouting for poachers. Are you sure he's not hot on someone's trail?"

"He was due for a check in a day ago. He doesn't miss rendezvous."

"Do you need assistance?"

"Sergeant Aida is helping Princess Neda search along the Soderms Gulch and I was looking along here, since there was a break in the link a while back."

"Think we have another soft spot, aye? I checked and the barrier held up. Aida and the princess were shot at a few minutes ago. Along the river. By now it's encircled with the ranger's finest." Her lips curled up in a smile.

"I want to inspect that van you spoke of. Do you think you have room for one more?"

"You're not going to scare her are you?"

"Of course not. I'll be on my best behavior."



Connie's focus was divided between the messages she was getting from the guards along the wall, alerted for criminal activity going on around the territory near their area, and watching for her sergeant. Occasionally noises from the forest would become silent and then resume, but the break in the rhythm did not feel alarming.

Connie sat up further in her seat when she caught sight of SgtMaj Bessie's head crest the slope. Her hand signal relieved Connie of some of her anxiety. She looked about her then returned her attention to her sergeant and the shadow that was beside her. She could feel his energy, immediately recognizing him as a ranger.

"We have a passenger. We're going back to the van. He'll be sitting in the back seat."

"Yes, Sergeant Major." Connie suspected Bessie was going to accelerate with all possible speed so she gripped the arms of her seat in anticipation.

"I see she's used to your flying," the ranger commented.

"Do you want to get there in minutes or hours?"

"No complaints from me," the ranger laughed.

It took a few minutes to get to the site they saw the van. There was no van and the area was clear of any activity including the normal nocturnal wildlife.

"Looks like they moved the van recently, maybe five minutes ago. Normal wildlife hasn't returned," Bessie said.

"Sergeant Major," Connie called softly.

"We see. Good eye, Connie." The air cart made a wide arc around the light and dropped down above a small clearing. The ranger jumped out and the air cart lifted back up with so much speed it took Connie's breath away. Gripping tightly to the sides of her seat she forced air into her lungs.

"There may be someone down there with the intention of shooting at us. I need to get out of range with all speed possible. Are you going to be alright?" Bessie asked without looking.

When Connie thought she could swallow without her stomach bringing it back up she ventured a question to her leader. "Who was that ranger?"

"A Lewah Ranger. His name's Pen." She glanced at her newbie. "Don't repeat any of our business to the others."

"Yes, Sergeant Major." After thinking about it she asked, "What do I tell them if they ask what happened?"

"Tell them it was a SOSO night. That's 'same-old-same-old'. Wolf Pack will know not to ask any more questions," she added. "The others should know better not to be discussing business where it can be overheard. There's one official place to talk openly when asked, that's where the Captain says it's so. Do you understand?"

"Yes, SgtMaj. The walls have ears."

SgtMaj Bessie laughed. "Indeed they do."

*.*.*



Chapter 5

Shapeshifter

"Get up and out!" Sergeant Major Bessie rapped on her door. Since squad duty hours changed at irregular times due to the continued high alert status, SgtMaj had been making her rounds of rapping on doors to get her troops up. Even they did not know when they would be summoned. Everyone was hoping the problem would clear sometime soon.

Connie had been with Wolf Pack for four months now, and felt comfortable with the people in her squad. They pushed her to overcome some of her shortcomings and always found time to offer suggestions. Their cajoling and embarrassing teases, gave her a positive glimpse into the world of camaraderie and the support system it offered.

Connie rolled out of her comfortable bed and stumbled to her locker to dress in her running clothes. She wore a wide grin as she remembered she had taken her first self-defense test yesterday and had passed. It meant she would be moved to standing guard along the wall. Everyone patted her on her back and gave her suggestions. They said it could be monotonous if she was not careful. Boring was what one person called it, comparing it to tower work or flying between the posts to make sure everyone was secure, but it was the most important part of guard duty. They gave her suggestions in staying alert, and one most often given was to stay busy?.and then they dumped her in a stagnant pond?her initiation. They picked the one she had many times told the others stunk worse than a cesspool. It was her official welcome into the squad.

After her shower which she wanted to spend more time in to wash the foul smell from her nostrils, she found her old uniform had a new badge sewed on it, showing her affiliation with Wolf Pack. In fact, someone had gone through all her uniforms and sewed the patch on. Tears filled her eyes at the honor and trouble someone had gone through for her. She was terrible at sewing.

Proudly she adjusted her new pack her bunkmates had presented her. It had the Wolf Pack badge on it.

Kendra and Kiku were close behind her as they hurried down the hall and stairs to the quad. They were not the first out on the field. The captain and sergeant were dressed and waiting for them. Usually, SgtMaj Bessie came onto the quad after they formed.

"Hey, looks like we'll be taking it easy," Hassel joked as he took his place in line.

"Hardly. Captain ran circles around you the last time he joined us, Hassel," Kendra pointed out.

Connie looked up at the sky. It late afternoon and the summer heat felt like a heavy blanket. Absent mindedly she touched both her water pouches remembering to take two.

"Alright! Let's move out," Sergeant Major ordered.

The group started out the gate of the quad and onto a road that turned into a faint animal trial, then back into a broad trail. The others liked to finish their run with all possible speed even in the heat, whereas Connie enjoyed the run and took her time. There was no rush the sergeant major reminded them many times, but everyone wanted to beat her back to the tower, where the first one back earned an extra helping of ice cream on cake.

Connie could hear them up ahead of her. Friendly bantering and grunts were accompanied by SgtMaj remarks that they were making too much noise. The voices echoed backed, bouncing against the crook in the mountain that the path wound around. Her run was along the river where a new animal path crossed, then up a steep embankment. As she swiped at the stray bugs that formed clouds above the grasses she concentrated on her breathing and moving upward. The next thing she knew she was sliding down a slippery slope and over the cliff. She did not realize she yelled as she dropped into the river. Water covered her head as the river flow, strong in the center where she dropped, moved her under the water over rocks. She did not know how to swim and was lucky the pack turned into a flotation device; however, the rock in her pack slowed her ascent as she clawed her way back up to the surface.

Hold on, I've got you. Don't fight.

Connie forced herself to stop struggling, though panic was robbing her of her breath. Someone pulled her to the river bank where her fingers curled around the grasses growing along the edge. The helpful pressure was gone. Pulling herself out, she rolled to her back, panting as she caught her breath. Soon she was surrounded by her concerned team.

"Wow! We saw you from the top drop over the side of the cliff. What a rush!" Hassel's claim to fame was jumping off the high tower with a chute just to see if it was possible to land safely. His point was that a spy could jump from the wall and land safely if he were prepared. The quick creation of a good story to cover his unauthorized leap was what saved him from dump duty.

"Got quite a swimming arm," SgtMaj Bessie commented.

"I?don't swim," Connie puffed.

"How did you get here then?" Kendra asked.

"Give her some space," the captain ordered. "She needs to catch her breath. Sergeant Major, why don't you take your squad and finish up the run and I'll stay with PR Connie."

When the others left Connie watched the captain follow animal prints into the surrounding brush. By the time he came back her breathing was back to normal.

"Ready to finish up the run?" he asked her.

She nodded. Instead of going back up the cliff, the captain took a trail into the woods. They arrived back at the tower before the others. Moving in wet clothing and shoes was not a pleasant experience, her thighs and feet felt rubbed raw, so she was happy with the captain's shortcut.

"Clean up and see me in my office, PR Connie."

"Yes, captain."

When she arrived at his office in dry clothing, she could hear her team entering the quad.

Lieutenant Hellene was on the phone and nodded for her to go into the captain's office.

She tapped lightly on the captain's office door, though it was open.

"Come in, PR Connie. Leave the door open. Have a seat."

Puzzled, Connie did as she was instructed.

"Brief me on how you ended up falling off the trial."

"I was running on the path and suddenly I was falling into water. If I wasn't pulled out I? I can't swim."

"Your SgtMajor will arrange swimming lessons for you, just incase you may find yourself in the river again. Do you know who helped you out?"

"No, Captain. I was pulled out by my collar. He was gone by the time everyone arrived."

"He."

"His voice sounded like?"

"His voice?"

Connie halted completely, picking up something from the captain that had her realizing that her story was causing some sort of disturbance.

"Don't scare her like that, Captain Sahem," the soft voice of Ranger Morra warned.

Connie smiled automatically at the sight of Ranger Morra. Her gray clothing and dark boots were splattered with dried mud. She wore gloves which she pulled off and tucked in a side pocket of her pants.

"Ranger Morra. Any of your group I can thank for helping out one of my guards?"

"Ranger Dovev. He was tracking poachers. He was taking a break when he said someone splashed into the river soaking him. He didn't have time to pass pleasantries as his quarry was moving. I'm here to see that your soldier is okay." Her eyes turned to Connie and silvered when the light hit them.

Connie wanted to ask her about the kits.

"The kits are doing fine. Big and ready to make it on their own. We found two Chadie mothers that had small litters and were willing to take on the extra kits."

"Thank you," was all Connie could think to say.

"Not a problem at all. We owe you a debt of gratitude for saving the kits. We have a gang of poachers that's out to eradicate the wildlife around the wall."

"Why?" Connie blurted, and then blushed.

"Because whatever chooses to live around the wall is not your average household pet and could never be made a pet, and some people have a problem with that. Ever have a pet?"

"No, Ranger Morra."

"Well," she smiled at Connie, amused for some reason Connie wished she knew, "they're like everyone else you'll run across. Some are cranky, some are shy, and some are a real pain to get to leave you alone. Now the wildlife around the wall have a great sense of independence, dislike for being caged, and an uncanny intelligence above your normal pet. Insecure people get frightened about that and can't tolerate anything that may be smarter than they." Which isn't hard with most of them. Aye?

Connie blushed and nodded.

Ranger Morra glanced at the captain and whatever silent message passed, it was understood.

"What is happening around you, PR Connie," she continued, "is unusual. For one, seldom does the average person get a chance to rescue chadie kits. Secondly, seldom can people see a ranger in the wilds unless she or he wants to be seen, and thirdly, seldom do people get pulled from rivers by Rangers of Lewah and are not frightened. You're like a magnet for strange happenings and some of these insecure people may think ill of you."

"What the Ranger is trying to explain, PR Connie, is that we have spies that would harm you if they thought you were a threat to them. The chadie kits bonded to you, which makes you a powerful person in some peoples eyes. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir. I've read about the odds of that happening. I thought since they're gone, that they would forget me."

"Not hardly. When they grow older, you'll be among the few the kits will see as a friend and that for you and them will be a danger. You're already marked by the poachers for that. They'll have someone watching you at all times, hoping to get a shot at a chadie that comes to greet you."

Connie looked stricken at first and then realized that if she had left them to die, that would have been a worse fate. She looked straight at the silvered eyed ranger. "I don't regret saving them."

"Good. You'll need to be trained to protect yourself from attempts of others from kidnapping, killing, or harming you in any way."

Connie gulped audibly. Her flushed face was from embarrassment of being noticed. She had thought her training as a guard was doing just that.

"We'll take care of that Ranger," Captain Sahem reassured her.

"We'll see." She looked back at Connie. "Try to not have such an adventuress life until you know woods skills." She smiled and then nodded to the two and left.

"Wolf Pack should be finishing up their meal. Go on and join them. Tell SgtMajor I want to see her now, PR."

"Yes, Captain."

Connie hurried to the mess hall, anxious to leave behind the meeting.

She found SgtMajor Bessie exchanging jokes with Cook.

"SgtMajor, the captain requests your presence."

"Will do, PR. Eat your grub and hope it's not left overs, and then you lot get to your lessons. You'll have tests so make sure you understand what you're reading. Help each other out, but don't turn it into a social hour. We still have guard duty to look forward to."

"Right, SgtMajor." Lance Corporal Kiku looked the group over seriously. Perhaps too seriously some thought. It meant Kiku would make sure they were taking practice tests rather than catching up on personal correspondence.

"All right then. Carry on."

Finished with her meal, Connie eagerly sat before her terminal and began her lessons. Learning how to read weather and the forest signs was Connie's favorite class. Her team had helpful information to give her that the class work did not cover. Like what it smelled like when some animals urinated weeks ago as opposed to recently. At first Connie thought they were teasing her and then understood when tracking or looking for poachers, it was necessary to know how recent an animal passed that the poacher would be interested in.

* * *



A tap on the captain's door had him laying aside his reports. "Come," he ordered.

Lieutenant Hellene opened his door to show Sergeants Bessie, Elroy and Mac in.

"I ask for one and get three of you?" he asked amazed. "What brings you all to my office?"

"PR Connie. Wolfpack is talking about the animal tracks around her near the river. The others will know it's a dalin," Sergeant Elroy signed.

"That chatter needs to be silenced. We can't have it being heard by a poacher or one of their agents," the captain signed back.

"You still think we have a leak here? We've gone over this place thousands of times for weaknesses and we've got the three malcontents pretty isolated from passing notes," Mac said.

"Someone is keeping tabs on us. I haven't received information on Liaf and Lieutenant Hellene's search came up with nothing. I've already sent out a request for assistance on this investigation," the captain informed them.

The three nodded and left.

The captain turned his chair to watch a few guards playing football over the dirt field.

"Things don't feel right," Lieutenant Hellene said softly. "And it's not the same as before Connie arrived."

"No, it's not. Something has changed the tone of this fight."

Lt. Hellene closed his door softly behind her. What he wanted to know was who was so interested in spying on his tower guards and why. Turning back to his computer he logged on then went into his encrypted mail from HQ. He wanted to send an inquiry as to what was going on in the rumor mill.

A soft oath crossed his lips as a place he was not expecting information on Liaf alias Teman to come from was there before him. So, Hellene's use of her contacts at the palace did get someone roused.

The secret police had a long record on Teman, son to Lem, a poacher whose family made a living off killing animals and burning forests if necessary to cover their escape. At the bottom of the information was a note for him to expect members from the Queen's Regiment under the guise that they are there for additional training.

Sahem leaned back in his chair and gazed at a small trophy he had won when he was a lieutenant in the Queen's Regiment.

So help is on the way soon. How did Teman get in the draft under another name? Did he switch or use a fake name? So we now have a wider circle of suspects in a plot we haven't figured out what it's about.

That explains why the sudden influx of poachers. He was intentionally sent to a tower post. It has to be someone in the draft office of the city he reported to.

Quickly he sent a message to Captain Ohin. Might as well warn him.

Captain Ohin sent an acknowledgement.

Goldwah Tower was already on high alert but now he had more to go on. He sent a message to his sergeants to expect visitors and to get things spit and shine. He added that all passwords and signs were to be changed immediately.

"If there's a spy here he or she's going to pass it on," a voice from behind him warned. The dust covered traveler pointed to his window where a reflection of his screen could be seen.

"Jeepers, Herder. You nearly gave me a heart attack," the captain yelped. He rose from his chair and gave a heart felt hung to Field Commander Herder of the Queen's Regiment. "You sure move fast."

"We were in the neighborhood. There was a prison break. Out of ten escapees only three are at large. They're poachers caught in this area so we figured they would be heading in this direction since they know the land."

The captain sat back in his chair disturbed. "It's not that Goolog lot, is it?"

Herder sat in the chair near the door. "No, another one. We believe one of the guards looked the other way. Jasper, Colin, and Miles are the escapees."

"From a poachers clan, then?"

"Aie. The lot are cousins with Laif."

"It's looking like something along this part of our wall is being planned."

"You think?" Herder grinned at his old commanding officer. "I've read your reports and heard your lieutenant rattled some doors when your inquiries and warnings were not responded to; which also brings us here."

"You look like you can use a few good hours of sleep after a shower to get rid of the travel dust. Let me get you a place to bunk down. How many with you?"

"Seven here and twelve out in the field. I'd like my seven to be integrated with your teams to get the feel for what's happening on tower watch. Being officers in training, they sometimes lose sight of the world at grunt level."

The two men gave a short laugh, remembering where that comment about officers in training originally came from; the king himself when he noticed his children in the corps were slacking off due to royal privilege.

"Let's get some bunks setup."

The two walked to the field where a tired looking group of Queen's Regiment squatted with their packs beside them. The tower guards pointedly ignored them and continued their game, though it had moved a few levels higher in roughness. As the two drew closer they overheard the remarks some of the regiment were making of the players. The two officers glanced at each other, remembering a time in their lives when they were in the same position.

When the QR caught sight of their captain they rose to their feet.

"Sergeant Mac!" Captain Sahem hollered at one of the on lookers

"Yes Captain." Mac quickly trotted to his captain, saluted smartly and gave a wary look over the dusty officer next to him.

"Get bunks ready for these soldiers. They'll be spending some time scattered within our squads."

"Yes, Sir."

* * *



Lt. Neda nodded to Kiku, Kendra and gave a wink at Connie. Her bunk was to be the closest to the door.

"So, you all pampered uniforms are here for some experience at grunt duty, huh?" Kendra asked mockingly. "No problem. We'll make sure you're in all our duties, right Lance Corporal?"

Kiku rolled her eyes dramatically and threw something at Kendra.

"How are you doing Kiku?" Neda stepped forward and gave her a hug and then Kendra.

"You know her?" Connie asked surprised after Kendra's remark.

"When we were both newbie's we got knocked off our air cart by a poacher. That was before she was even Ensign Neda. She was with her brother and they gave us a lift. We didn't get to bust the poacher but we did get to empty out his van of what he was collecting."

Neda smiled at the memory. "They were two very sorry looking individuals by the time we ran them down." Her smile faded as she added, "We were lucky they were interested in live cargo and not dead."

Neda used the boot rack to pull off her boots, then bounced on her bunk. "So, what's been doing with the three of you since I was last here?"

"Don't you want to take a shower first?"

"I know your shower system well. With the rest of my squad showering, the water pressure is going to be a drip."

"Who all is here?"

"No one you know. They're all new to the squad. Field Commander Herder reformed the squads, their leaders and duties. Bother to some to be split up and a relief to others. If you want to rise in the ranks and become a good field officer, you need training in all field duties so you know what your weaknesses are and get over it."

"That sounds familiar. Wonder where you heard that?"

The three laughed.

"Spoken like a true politician?errr?future commander," Kiku teased.

"So, what's been happening around here?" Neda asked.

To Connie's embarrassment, Kiku and Kendra told Neda everything they knew without holding back, including what they thought of the other members of the tower.

When they finished, Connie sat on her bed with her arms crossed looking stubborn at the inquiring look from Neda.

"Nothing to add?" she asked.

"We're not supposed to be talking tower business with anyone outside of our squad and certainly not gossip," she said, then blushed. She ignored her heated face and refused to give in to the desire to drop her eyes.

"You're right. But I'm an officer in the Queen's Regiment and therefore, above those rules."

"I'd rather hear it direct from SgtMajor, since she's the one that gave me the order. She gave it to all of us," Connie said pointedly to the others. She could not figure out if Lt. Neda was serious or teasing her. It was her tone of voice and the relaxed atmosphere in the room that had her uncertain. The other two didn't seem to take her refusal to pass on information seriously either.

"Well, maybe later. I'll take my shower and then get in some pillow time."

* * *



The clanging of the alarms had Connie rolling out of her bed entangled in her bedding while the other three were in their lockers, grabbing what they needed for an emergency muster.

Kiku helped Connie get untangled while Kendra laid out what she needed to change in. It was embarrassing that she needed help in front of Neda. Neda was waiting by the door impatiently while Connie fumbled with her fastenings.

"Just secure your boots and go!" Kiku told her. "You can button your clothing on the run."

The quad was not lit up and the three squads did not muster where they would make easy targets. They were all equipped with night gear.

"Wolf Pack, secure the ground parameter along the wall. Horse Squad has the towers and wall. Raven Flock, you have the air. Move out." Captain Sahem glanced at Herder whose eyes were studying each guard that arrived as if sizing them up.

Neda glanced at Connie. "You're with me Connie."

Connie's eyes blinked in surprise. SgtMaj Bessie was in her air cart watching her squad leave the hanger.

Neda's skills at handling an air cart was something Connie envied. It was not as abrupt and sharp as SgtMaj and she was going much faster than Connie ever remembered flying.

"We're assigned the area around tower 4. That's the furthest so we need speed to get there within the shortest amount of time. Don't fall out."

Connie had her harness on but still held tight to her seat. She forced herself to focus on the blips on her screen and not the speed at which the images were passed. It was ten minutes later that a reading outside of their area of inspection caught Connie's attention.

"Lt. Neda, I have a reading of about sixteen hot spots to the left of the river."

"Call it in, just in case they aren't ours."

"They're scattering." She pressed her throat mic and reported what she saw and the location.

Neda slowed down and began to fly higher and away from the wall. "What I'm doing is getting out of weapons range of what poachers normally carry. Since we weren't informed what type of emergency it is, I'm assuming that I can't trust those on the wall."

"What happens if they need help?"

"We call it in first, then we investigate with care. Wolf Pack has been given the position of the hunter. We're lone scouts, sniffing out trouble." She grinned at her description.

"I'm seeing a yellowish glow. What's that from?" Connie asked.

"Dango!"

Suddenly the air cart was rising quickly and banking over the wall. Something Connie thought they could not do due to the barrier around wall. She did not have time to worry about a breech as something hit their flyer and the air cart shook wildly.

"Hang on! Don't jump unless I tell you to!" Neda shouted above the high pitch whining of the air cart.

They hit the side of the hill with a thud and the air cart rolled over. It slid down a hill, and with one bounce high into the air it went over a cliff. Connie's eyes opened wide as she watched the world around them rotate slowly as they dropped. Their halt was sudden, entangled in branches and vines. The two were silent for a few minutes listening to the loud snapping of branches and the creaking of wood as the branches bent from their weight. Connie hoped it would hold them.

"Are you alright?" Neda asked softly.

"I think I'm going to barf."

"We need to get out of here. Let me check and see if it's okay. We're not on solid ground."

Cautiously she pushed the door open, pausing to let the shifting air cart move to the change in weight as the door moved. Neda took a cautious look out just as the air cart suddenly shifted position. She lost her grip and fell out the door. Connie made a sudden grab for her wrist, loosening the air cart in whatever precarious resting place it had landed in.

The air cart dropped, breaking branches with loud snaps and the sound of metal bending. Connie wedged her body against the air cart frame, struggling to hold onto Neda. The sudden stop had something break and stab Connie. Her grip on Neda's forearm loosened.

"It's alright. Let me go," Neda told her. "I'm standing on a branch. Can you get out?"

Connie breathed in slowly and then out. Her side was on fire.

Neda reached in to find Connie. Her hands could feel her coat and something warm and sticky. "Connie, are you alright?"

"I don't think so," she answered softly. It hurt to breathe.

"I can't come in there to get you. You have to move yourself. Slowly."

With Neda's guidance, Connie crawled out of the bent air cart, and was lowered down the tree. Connie leaned against Neda as she tried to stand.

"Well, this is a fine mess," Neda muttered to herself. She glanced at her half conscious partner. Sniffing the air she turned a little to catch a stronger scent.

"Do you think you can walk?"

"I'd like a rest, but I don't think it's wise here, right?"

"Actually, we're a lot safer here than if we were on our side of the wall."

She gave Connie some moments to gather herself. The only reason she wanted to move away from the air cart was it may drop from the tree it crashed in. The bruises she sustained in the fall prevented her from lifting Connie.

"Come on, just a few steps and then you can rest."

Connie placed one foot in front of the other but was not aware how far they went until Neda eased her to the ground. "This is safe enough. Now we wait for a ride." Neda let out a puff of air. She hurt all over. Pulling out a cloth from her pocket, she leaned over Connie to stop the bleeding.

Connie heard her but was in too much pain to give an answer.

End of Part I

Continued in Part II

J. A. Bard's Scrolls
Index Page