It is mid afternoon and the streets are fairly quiet. The smell of evaporating rainfills the air from the shower that hit around mid-day.

From an alleyway behind the Shoppe, the sounds of squawking and gigglingemanates as two jaguar cubs and one Vartan play in the sunshine.

A Savanite sprints down the street, breathing hard and with her red mane in awindblown mess. She might have run all the way from the temple, and thespatterings on her legs show that she wasn't successful in avoiding theremaining puddles on the way. She slumps against the wall, panting to catchher breath.

"Squawk!" "Growl!" "Yieeee!" comes from behind the shoppe, intermixed withfrantic giggling and squealing.

She grins, supporting herself against her knees, {That was good, oh, to runas fast I can because I want to, not because I'm in danger.} Her breath startsto come back, and she straightens. Pausing long enough to fix her mane, sheheads into the alley for the rear of the shop.

A golden furred cub with a spotted coat suddenly smacks into Leeta's legs. Shelooks up at the Savanite, smiles sheepishly and squawks something – thenruns back to join a smaller cub who seems to be trying to pull the tail off of alarge black Vartan.

The Savanite smiles, following the cub and approaching the Vartan. Her earswiggle at the sight of the smaller cub.

"Hello" The Vartan manages to sign in-between yanks from the cubs. He unfolds his wings a little and starts to gently tickle the pair.

The two cubs squeal and begin swatting at the Vartan's wings. The smallermale cub begins to climb up Zoltan's back.

Leeta keeps smiling, crouching down to the cub's level, signing, "HelloZoltan, they're so lovely!" at the Vartan, and "Hello, my name isLeeta." to the cubs.

"Flower!" the younger cub signs, while the older smiles and waves.

Zoltan says, "They still learning." Zoltan scrawks as he pulls the cubs into hislap. "The girl is Pouncer, little boy is Enos.""

The Savanite smiles, coming closer, "That's alright Zoltan, I don't need to beable to speak to them. Tell them I'm happy to meet them please." Leeta's tailbounces from side to side, as she looks between the two.

Enos tries to climb up onto Zoltan's shoulder while Pouncer hops off of his lapand begins to 'stalk' Leeta's tail.

Zoltan uses one hand to hold the cub to keep him from tumbling off and theother to sign. "How you been? this may seem like strange question, butanything unusual happen to you lately?"

Leeta pretends to not notice, but she does. Her black tailtip worms enticingly,moving just as Pouncer readies to spring.

Pouncer blinkblinks as her prey moves. She begins bounding around Leeta incircles in the hopes of finding it again… or maybe just run herself dizzy.

The Savanite gives a confused look at Zoltan, "After Twilight-Wing youmean? No. I stayed in my room, and… well, things have all been unusuallately." Her tail stills, twitching as she tries to puzzle out what the Vartanmight mean.

"… and EVERYONE is watching me." She adds.

Zoltan keeps a close eye on Pouncer as she tumbles down at Leeta's feet,giggling. "Have you had any nightmares lately?"

Enos slides down from Zoltan's shoulder and begins playing with some stickson the ground.

The Savanite shakes her head, teasing Pouncer with a tailtip tap on her nose,"No… well, just the usual ones. If anything I've had fewer." She steps awayfrom the cub, slowly dragging her tail in a way that is impossible to miss.

The cub squawks and tries to swat at Leeta's tail.

Leeta's tail flops out of the way, and right back in front of the cub. The Savanitewatches both the little one, and Zoltan. "I just have nightmares aboutpunishment, or knives… I've been having a few about Third Eye… do you meanthose?."

The Vartan sighs. "I not know if this is danger to you or not… , and I can'texplain completely. I only tell you this because I worried you might be indanger. Something… took possession… of Pouncer and maybe Third-Eye'smind for a few moments couple of days ago. Think it evil spirit that followed usfrom Paradys."

Leeta freezes, then blinks slowly. "What… how would I… could… could it makeme, hurt someone?"

Pouncer takes this as her chance to pounce Leeta's tail. She leaps and startstugging.

Leeta jumps!

The Savanite starts giggling her ears, and turns around at the cub on her tail,waving at her, and fuzzling the cubs ears.

Zoltan shakes his head. "Honestly, I not know. Most of people who mightknow is dead. I only tell you this because it tried to tempe Third-Eye withpower… might do same to you. Keep wary."

"How would I know if this happened Zoltan? What would be the signs?"Leeta asks, pulling her tail against the kitten's hold. "I will… what did it offerher?"

The spotted cub squeals and bats at Leeta's hand, still clutching the Savanite'stail with her other hand.

Leeta pawbats back at the spotted cub, lightly and slowly. Then she starts to lifther tail, sliding a hand halfway down to help pull it up, raising Pouncer up withher tail, the little cubs feet starting to leave the ground.

"It seem to be able to possess people, you maybe black out and find you done something… or you have nightmares." Zoltan signs. "Strange cryptic nightmares… or memories that no yours."

Pouncer squawks and pedals her feet in the air.

Fire-Mane feels a cold wind on her, that the sun on her fur and the cub on hertail can't warm away from her. "I… I can't be a danger Zoltan. Not to my friend.Do… you really think it will be coming after me as well?" She holds Pouncerswaying in the air.

{Oh Tahir, just when I thought there was nothing more I could possibly bringback to you.} The Savanite worries.

"I honestly not know." the Vartan signs. "For now, be wary. It not adirect threat at least… works in very subtle ways, mostly fear. So you must keepyou fear in check."

The Savanite's ears explode into giggles in her red mane, and she just keepsshaking her head back and forth. She gives a helpless wave accompanied by asilly smile.

Pouncer tries to clamber up to Leeta's arm. Her little legs kick in the air. Enosseems oblivious to it all, engrossed in his game of sticks.

"I'm sorry Zoltan, its just fear is the one thing I've had with me constantly fortwo months. I don't control it so much as try to outrun it." Leeta signs.

She reaches to lift Pouncer up, holding the squirming cub and rocking her. Fire-Mane looks past the happy and innocent ears at Zoltan, "I'll try, thank you forthe warning."

Pouncer giggles and tugs at the scarf around Leeta's neck.

Zoltan nods. "I trying to find out more… but not sure who I can go to. Mostlywhat it do to me was give me strange visions with Jezebel in them. I also seesome of her childhood memories, like when you grandmother died."

Leeta puts a hand on her scarf, holding it down as Pouncer tugs at it, thensliding her fingers down to flick at the small cubs whiskers. "I've beendreaming about Third Eye, Zoltan, but they're the dreams I always had,not… visions, or other people's memories. I've been worried about her, since youboth showed up… I have a lot to worry about." The Savanite looks down atthe cub pulling on her scarf.

"Zoltan… Imagine I had a cub of my own, one as vulnerable as Pouncer here.One that I loved very much. You have told me all I need to know to protect thiscub, haven't you?" Fire Mane raises her eyes to the Vartan.

The Vartan nods, smirking as Pouncer begins chewing on Leeta's scarf. Hefrowns again at Leeta's signs. "I not know, wish I did. I could no even protectmy family from her. Third-Eye seem scared the most by it. Maybe Twelve timesTwelve could banish it… but they off in Savan right now."

"I thought I destroy it. Burned its body and killed all she followers… but it stilllive. I keeping myself armed now just in case." The Vartan points to aflintlock in his belt. "But I know almost nothing about it. Just that she nameNecropolis and her followers is from Aztepia."

Leeta holds Pouncer so she can't see the signs, as if even theincomprehensible gestures could hurt her. "I don't know any of this Zoltan.I… " She stops signing as she sees the flintlock, squeezing Pouncer tight."Aztepia, or Necropolis or the Twelve times Twelve… maybe you should tellme about something I know a little of." She pauses again, her tail sinking tothe ground.

"How did my granma die?" Leeta asks.

"It was a terrible accident." Zoltan signs, nodding and smiling to Enos ashe shows him one of his sticks. "Third-Eye had been sneaking to her placeto learn magic. And during a dance you grandmother was struck down bysomething, lightning I thinks. Was not done on purpose."

Pouncer starts to doze off on Leeta's arms, the scarf still clutched in the littlecubs hands.

Leeta chirps quietly to the cub, and makes a low rumbling purr to help sootheher to sleep. "I don't remember very much Zoltan. I was young and it seemsso far away now. I just remember her being gone, and it being Third Eye'sfault." She sifts through her old memories, of playing with Granma, ones thatbarely remain now.

Zoltan nods sadly, "You have to remember that Third-Eye was just cubherself still. And all she knew was that her parents not paying attention to heras much anymore because of other sisters. She wanted to do something tomake her special again… and you grandmother offered to teach her magic. Shefill her head with stories about old Savanite empire and how Third-Eye was heirto it all. Can you imagine what that do to young cub who wanted attention?"

Enos begins humming loudly to himself as he plays. He begins trying to build atower out of rocks and sticks.

The Savanite nods, stroking the ears of the cub asleep in her arms, still purring.She stops long enough to sign, "I remember different things Zoltan… how shewould tease us and scare us when momma and dadee weren't around. Shewas so much bigger. How she didn't like me, and it wasn't for anything Idid… "

"She not like you because you and you five sisters took attention away fromher." the Vartan signs. "Was not right of her to be selfish of that, but shesorry. Zoltan looks at his hands for a long time. "I think… was alsoexpected of her to be bad. She was one who killed grandmother… she was onewho ran away for year. She supposed to be bad child. I probably be angrymyself after what happened to her during that year."

Leeta sits down slowly, resting Pouncer against her legs while still holding thecub against herself, "I didn't want her to hate me Zoltan, she just did… nomatter how hard I tried. She would… " The Savanite shakes her head, andgrooms the cub, then asks, "She never told me about that year, no one everdid."

The Vartan nods sadly. "She told Storm-Hand about the year… and for somereason, she never tell anyone else. And nobody believe her." He looks upat a window in the shop and gazes at it for a good long time. "Third-Eye wastaken prisoner on a slave ship called the Rotten Eye. Was kept there for a year,she only had her magic and her wits to keep her alive. she no talk abouts itmuch… but from what I gather, she was mistreated lots."

Fire-Mane holds Pouncer very close, looking up at the huge black bird, at thesize of his arms, the strength in his hands, his scars. All the things that suggestviolent, forceful man, totally unlike the person he actually is. Things that helpLeeta imagine one that might have had a vulnerable little girl in his possession."Was she… abused… very badly?"

Zoltan shrugs. "I know it not a pleasant experience for her. And extra stingof Storm-Hand not telling truth only help make her bitter and angry. I trying tohelp Third-Eye forget it all, she needed a friend very badly."

"We used to play games on Storm-Hand… running away and hiding on her,leaving her alone." Leeta works through her memories of her previous, andlong gone life as Fire-Mane. "It was cruel I guess, now… but we were cubs.We didn't mean to hurt her, it was just… "

"… fun," she finishes with an ashamed sign.

Zoltan folds Enos up in his lap, who has given up his sticks for now. "Just asshe was a cub. do you understand little better now? You all were so youngthen… "

Leeta nods, running her hand along Pouncers back, her gestures stilled tostroke the cub. Comforting her as much as the sleeping kitten. Her tailtip flicksslowly back and forth between her legs. When she finally looks back up atZoltan, Leeta's expression is one of melancholy sadness. "I know, I know… Idon't hate her for that anymore Zoltan. Third Eye… Jezebel, isn't the Third Eyefrom when I was young. She's much smaller now. We're almost the sameheight." The Savanite smiles.

Pouncer squirms in her sleep and snatches up Leeta's hand. She startschewing on the Savanite's thumb gently.

She lets Pouncer chew, using her other hand in the much slower formal. "Mysigns are silly, I know. But when I look at her, I don't see the big monster ThirdEye… I just see spots that look like mine, a face that looks like mine, a sister'sface… not an enemy's."

"She just had many reasons to become bitter and angry at you whole family.And I think that after she got told she was bad cub so many times… she startedplaying the part." Zoltan signs. Enos begins poking at the Vartan's arm,tracing the strange little black squiggles tattooed into his skin. "I think someof bitterness is still there… but she no longer see everyone as enemy… and she ispart of my family now. She been humbled, and has learned lots about caring forothers."

"I'm afraid she doesn't care enough, Zoltan. I'm afraid her bitterness is ashard to let go of as the hate I've believed in for all these years. I'm afraid that shecan't get rid of it, that it will stay with her… it's notwhat she's done Zoltan, it's whatshe might do." The Savanite tells the Vartan, wiggling her fingers in front ofPouncer once she finishes signing.

"If… you were all taken from her… would she… " Leeta won't finish, shedoesn't want to think about the harms that could come to the cub she holds.

Zoltan nods. "I understand you fears. I be lying if I say that I no gots anyfears myself… but Third-Eye respect me now as friend… maybe even more thanthat. I plan to stay with her as long as I can and be her guide."

"Probably." the Vartan signs. "But I not easily taken."

Leeta signs, "Those are my fears Zoltan, that's why I'm afraid of her still. Idon't want to lose my family again, not again… "

"Has she asked that I be considered a candidate yet?" The Savanitesigns, wiggling her fingers for Pouncer's attention again.

Zoltan gently strokes Enos' head. "Wish I could help you, can only promisethat Third-Eye no hurt you… I will stop her if need be. But right now shejust scared as you from what happened couple of days ago, there no plotsagainst you in her head right now."

"Thank you Zoltan." The Savanite smiles, her ears wiggling, "She ranfaster than I did! That was the last thing I expected. I'm sorry it didn't go better, Iwasn't ready… there are things, coming at me from all sides."

"She gots other things on her mind right now." Zoltan signs. "Likewhat Necropolis going to do to her."

Pouncer yawns and cracks open an eye. She promptly closes it again butreleases Leeta's hand.

Leeta purrs quietly, brushing Pouncer's cheeks, "Why is this spirit interestedin her at all, or your cubs?"

Zoltan just shakes his head. "Wish I knew. I know next to nothing about it… only that her followers were cubs parents, but changed somehow. Theycannibals. Spirit seemed to delight in death and pain. Almost killed Third-Eyeonce, and threatened me with blindness and the loss of flight. It made nothreats this time… but used Pouncer to scare Third-Eye very badly. If I find outNecropolis is in Rephidim I will kill her slowly as I can… nobody hurt my familyand gets away with it."

Leeta nods, sharing the deepness of that feeling, holding Pouncer a little closerand thinking about who she cares for. "Is there anything I can do to helpZoltan? I have some connections in the Temple, what are you trying to find?"

"Anything about Aztepa or Necropolis. She also known as Amenlichtli. Andspotted cats like cubs." The hippogryph pauses and scratches his chin, as ifremembering something. "You well connected with Temple, yes? I wasapproached couple of days ago by someone representing Temple Scouts, theywant to take my cubs in. you think they be safe? I know I not going to be able toprovide good schooling for them on my own… but not want them treated likeslaves either."

The Savanite carefully commits the names to memory, ruffling the cubs fur asshe does. "I'll see what I can find Zoltan. I didn't tell anyone about you, ifthat's what you're wondering. The Temple Scouts are safe, as far as I know. TheTemple isn't bad, just a few people in it… but a few can be enough. They canspeak, so they won't be treated as slaves; Speaking makes all thedifference."

"I think they would be safe… " Leeta pauses to think a while.

"Champion that arrested you… maybe he tell? We seen by lots of people inBazaar, could have been anyone." He looks down at the little cub nestled inhis arms. "I just want my children to have best I can give them. I would begrateful if you could find out more abouts Temple Scouts for me."

Leeta's knowledge of Moffat's methods gives her insights she'd rather not have."They're safe Zoltan, because they're powerless and useless. No one hasany reason to move against you. If they do, it is because of your involvementwith the Savanites, or other matters, and that would mean they have access tobetter methods than holding children hostage. You are easy to find, andJezebel is a death sentence for everyone involved with her if she is caught. Ifshe becomes Priest-Queen… then, they might be in danger. I will find out moreabout the Temple Scouts, and the Champion… "

"But a slave is a slave, and no one would make the connection betweenJezebel and the Priest-Queen, unless they knew." Leeta sidetracks.

Zoltan nods. "I would be very grateful. All work I ever did for Temple wasgood and I never gots cheated. Many people tell me no to trust it, but I gots nopersonal reason to feel that way yet."

"The Temple has been good to me as well Zoltan, it is just like everywhereelse though. A few bad people have found positions and power to abuse… "Leeta tries not to think of her involvement in all of it. "The Champion is… theowner of Running-River. He lives in the Sanctuary of Roses, and Cloud-Mark isthere as well. They have a lot of freedom. The Champion recognized me asRunning-River's daughter. I was afraid Third-Eye would be recognized as well,and I didn't know how the Champion would react. That's why I told you toleave."

"May I tell Third-Eye this?" Zoltan asks.

The fire-haired Savanite nods, "She should know, you can tell her. Dadee'sslave name is Ibis, and… " her hands clench momentarily, "… he is away,taken up north by a Naga for some expedition. I don't know when he is comingback. Zoltan, the Champion may have been told about Third Eye being a mage,and is very loyal to the Temple. Be careful if you approach the Champion aboutCloud Mark."

The Vartan scratches Enos' head. "I would probably only ask to speak withCloud-Mark for a few moments, If I brought Jezebel to her, same thing thathappened in shiny shoppe would probably happen there. And then Championwould probably take my head off."

"The Champion nearly took mine off the first time we met as well." Leeta'sears wiggle, "I move too quietly sometimes… It, is a secret that Cloud-Mark isin the sanctuary, so be discrete when you ask the Champion about her."

Zoltan nods. "What would recommend I do to speak with Cloud-Mark andRunning-River? I not want to risk third-Eye's safety… and my black feathersstick out as much as you red hair."

Leeta signs, "Different groups vie for power in the Temple, and Long-Lope,Cloud-Mark, Ibis and I are attached to rival ones. We could be used againsteach other if the wrong people knew. I… I don't know how you would gain theChampion's trust, I could ask for you, or maybe I could arrange a meeting. I thinkI am trusted that much, but I have no idea what the Champion's plans are."

"I will wait until we fully gained you trust before I move to Cloud-Markthen." Zoltan signs, shifting the sleeping cub in his lap. "But wouldn'tChampion turn Third-Eye in if she find out she a Shaman?"

"I don't know, the Champion does not like how Savanites are treated, but I donot know how Cloud-Mark or Running-River feel about Third-Eye, and howmuch this will influence the Champion's actions. The Templar is likely to reactbefore you have a chance to explain, if my sister and father still have badopinions of her." The Savanite signs, then adjusts how Pouncer sits on herlap, her legs starting to get tired.

The Vartan nods. "Understandable. I think it best to wait then. Third-Eyegots enough to worry abouts right now without more people out to kill her."

Leeta nods, "The Champion would be a good ally, but there are things I'mafraid to reveal as well, I don't know what the Templar's motives are." TheSavanite stretches out one leg flat against the ground, "The Champion hasbeen wrong about some things as well, that much I know for sure. I needto… should I, speak to Cloud-Mark and Long-Lope about our heritage? I don'tthink they know."

Zoltan signs, "If you think they believe you. Third-Eye has told me of Long-Lope, that she probably no have much interest in candidacy because of herstation. I never hear her sign of Cloud-Mark though… so not know what toexpect."

"I haven't had a chance to tell Long Lope about Cloud Mark." Leetasigns, then looks at Zoltan, "You remember you told me about the crystalhands, for the Savanite machine… is there any way… I could get them back?"

The door leading into the shop from the alley opens, revealing a Savanite withunruly dark hair, and a woven leather headband covering her forehead. Shesteps out into the alley, quietly closing the door behind her.

Zoltan glances over his shoulder and smiles at Jezebel, he looks to Leeta."May she join us?"

Leeta sits up tensely, looking at the dark haired Savanite and pulling herstretched out leg back in while her tail wraps tightly around her ankles. Shenods to Zoltan's question, watching.

Jezebel looks to Leeta, then back to Zoltan, and signs, "I am only checkingon the cubs. It looks like it is time for them to be put to bed."

Jezebel's expression is solemn as ever. She doesn't smile … and she doesn'thold anyone's gaze for any longer than is necessary to get one's attention.

"They're alright for now. Could you sit with me? It's alright." Zoltan signs.

Jezebel pauses, then nods and sits down beside Zoltan.

Leeta doesn't know she feels, or what to show. She keeps her expressions asneutral as possible, her gestures very tight citysign, "The cubs have beensleeping for a while. Thank you for letting me see them."

Zoltan reaches out and squeezes Jezebel's shoulders. He looks back to Leetaand signs, "Hands for Rephidim I sold. Not know where they are now. As forrest, they in City of Hands, belong to the Savanites in first place afterall."

Leeta hesitates, wanting to ask, and not wanting to show an interest insomething. A childhood fear that Third-Eye will try taking it holding her signsback. "Who… who did you sell them to?" Her eyes flick quickly back toJezebel.

The Vartan points a thumb to the shop behind him. "Master sold hands toMerchant Khatta, but from there… I not know where they are."

Jezebel gives no sign of recognition of Leeta … other than her focusing onanything BUT Leeta.

Leeta's disappointment shows as she slumps, looking down at Pouncer. Theone thing she hoped to bring back to Tahir sliding out of reach. She brushes atthe cub's fur, more for her own benefit than Pouncer's. She raises her eyesenough to look at Jezebel's hands, and signs, "Do you want to hold hernow?"

Jezebel doesn't answer. She just reaches for the child, taking her up, andbrushing some stray hairs out of her eyes. She holds Pouncer close, as if herown child.

Zoltan whistles something to Jezebel, his tone is questioning and concerned.

The other Savanite sits there, her large mane hanging down in front of her eyes,making a red wall she can hide behind. {I have to look at her, I have to lookat her. It shouldn't be this hard, it isn't like she's trying to kill me. It just feels… likesomething about to happen. I just have to look up… it will be over.} Shekeeps staring at her lap.

Jezebel looks to Zoltan, but her hands are occupied, holding Pouncer. Shebows her head to him, then slowly rises, taking the child back in, doing a bit of(literal) footwork to get the door open to enter the store again.

"As I say, she gots lots on she mind right now." Zoltan signs. "I thinkmaybe she bothered that you want to run for Priest-King… but no has protestedyet. Is just many things piling on her at once."

"I'm sorry Zoltan, I froze again." Leeta signs, more visibly relaxed nowthat Jezebel has left, "and I know how that feels, all the things piling on atonce."

Zoltan blinks as he discovers a piece of paper next to him that wasn't there afew moments before. He picks it up, unfolds it, and examines it… a smile creepsacross his face.

Leeta signs, "She'll win anyhow Zoltan. She knows all the traditions anddances, she's dealt with Necropolis, and will have to deal with the Twelve timesTwelve and the Priest-King's legacy… I'm just a slave and I can't even face mysister."

The fire-haired Savanite watches the smile grow on the Vartan's face, "Whatis it?" She asks hopefully.

"That may be." Zoltan signs as he glances up from the note. "But yousister just approved you. I think that she just feel too scared or guilty to tell youherself." He holds out the note to Leeta, which has written in formal scriptthat Leeta is approved for candidacy.

Leeta takes the note, blinking at the writing. She tries to find some joy at thenews, but all she can think of is Tahir, slipping away. Its only when she thinkswhat the approval means, that a smile breaks across her muzzle. "Oh shehas Zoltan, she has!" Proof in writing, that Third-Eye is no longer as selfishand powerhungry as Leeta has always believed.

"Best hide note." Zoltan signs, "I know from experience that notes cancause trouble later. Maybe you should make note of you own sometime toThird-Eye? Something she can sit alone and read."

The Savanite's ears wiggle, "I'll put it with all my other trouble causing notesthen. Writing a note… that would be easier I think Zoltan, you're right. I don'tknow what I'll say… "

"… something will come to me, I'm sure." She signs.

Zoltan smiles. "I wish you could tell her you love her and you think you couldforgive her. She really need to hear that right now." He shakes his head."But you should write whatever you feel."

{But I do, that is what I feel. Why am I so afraid to just say it.} Leeta nods,standing up and slipping the note into her pocket, "I know… I'm sorry, I'mtrying to let go. Tell her I'm trying, at least. Please?"

Zoltan just nods and smiles. "Of course." He looks down at the sleepingjaguar cub. "I think I need to put Enos in bed." he squawks. "Feel free to comeand play with them anytime. Is nice when someone else get they tail pulled fora change."

The red-maned Savanite smiles, "Of course, mines better for that than yours.I had a wonderful time Zoltan, and thank you for warning me. I'll look into all thethings you asked." Leeta walks with the Vartan, hopping suddenly as shestubs her foot on a raised stone.

The Vartan quickly reaches out with his free hand and places his arm aroundthe Savanite's waist, just in case she stumbles. His other arm cradles thesleeping cub. "You alrights?"

Leeta is held up by Zoltan. She balances and flexes the stubbed foot, "Yes,my toes are fine… just wasn't looking down enough I guess." She grins up atthe big black bird.

The Savanite steps away, testing her foot. "Its okay, I'm still able to run fasterthan my fears. Want to see?"

Zoltan hugs the cub in his arms. "Sure, you take care of yourself. See youarounds."

Leeta grins, and bursts into a sprint, out of the alley in a flicker of red hairburning towards the temple. Jezebel's note is in her pocket, Zoltan's warnings inher mind, and any number of unseen watchers around her. She was righthowever, and her pounding legs keep her ahead of these worries.