[High Valley in Southern Cordillera]

It had not been a simple matter to decide where the Republic transport should land----Dr. Anders had been adamant that they meet the ship at the Tanaken base instead of retracing their steps back down to the high valley. Qui-Gon had been just as unyielding in his desire to meet their ride back in the valley they had just climbed out of, having no wish to put the ship's captain in an even more compromising situation should something go wrong. The fewer Anarans who saw their conveyance, the better.

"I have compromised enough. It's high time you Jedi do some as well," Pohl finally declared after they had eaten their morning meal. "And I am unwilling that we all be at the mercy of your people and the Kievet. I want insurance." He looked Jinn steadily in the eye. "We will split company at the base---one of each group to stay, one to go on to the Kievet. For my side, I will be going on with K'tay while Matek takes the others to the Base. Now...who else will be going with me...the boy?"

Qui-Gon's expression tightened a little. "If you are referring to my padawan, I would prefer that he stayed at my side."

"Oh, but that would mean that your 'Eyas' will be left with none but we nasty Anarans, wouldna it?" the doctor cheerfully reminded him. "Not that *I* would mind of course, but I do insist that one of either yourselves or the Kievet stay behind. Otherwise, a formal complaint to the Republican Senate will be in order..."

"Master," Obi-Wan began softly, "I can go with him. Keep an eye--"

"No, Padawan. You shall stay. I have more experience with first-time diplomatic relations." The Jedi Master's tone was apologetic. He really would have preferred to have his padawan take the relatively safer path of the Transport and the benign Kievet, but Obi-Wan---for all his fighting skills---had yet to master the more delicate art of dealing with alien cultures. He consoled himself with the thought that Obi-Wan could usually take care of himself. Given time and more experience, he would make an excellent Knight.

Reluctangly, Obi-Wan nodded in acknowledgement of his master's decision. Jinn *was* the better choice for starting friendly relations with the natives what with his finer attunement with the Living Force. But like his master he was not fond of the idea of their becoming separated again---trouble always seemed to nail him when Qui-Gon was not nearby.

"Ahh..then it's myself, Master Jinn, Ayar, and K'tay for the long haul, then," Anders smirked feeling pleased to have gotten his way. "And interesting group we shall make, eh?" The last was directed at Nick's sleeping form as he rose and stretched, taking a half-step towards him. A rumble from the R'ket warned him to keep his distance.

"Disagreeable beast."

Sitting cross-legged beside the R'ket, K'ishti frowned as he leaned over to speak quietly with his fellow Singer. Though learning quickly, he still had only a small understanding of the Anarans' words, but the tension between the brown-garbed and their adversaries was palpable.

"What is this, my Brother? Am not to follow you?" he asked, using the K'tlyan language of clicks and whistles so that none of the others could eavesdrop.

K'tay nervously rubbed his arms, not totally liking what the others were agreeing to, yet seeing no way around the matter. K'yavanti knew the Anaran Elder could be as stubborn as a R'ket when he wanted something. And oh, K'yavanti, the Yellow Ones *always* wanted! Nor was he certain that the Jedi were entirely trustworthy either. Oh, their spirits seemed well enough---but wasn't his own Mieket fooled when he first met the Enkviet? The Yellow People had not seemed so terrible a danger until it was to late. By the time the K'tlyan could read their unfamiliar essences it had been too late. Would these new ones turn out the same?

"The Other Landers---these 'Jedi'---say can fly us all to Ysh. But Pohl wishes one of us to stay bound to the Rek. K'ishti, *he* has chosen you, but if this troubles you too much, will stay instead. Have known them longer." Not that that helped to deal with them better.

Shaking his head, his older peer refused his offer.

"Na, Flah Brother, naught right. The Torn is in need of the Falcon---nar does Fox feel kindly towards flight."--he gave a mock shudder to illustrate his point---"Do naught worry---will be fine."

"Fine? In the V'rek den?" K'tay smiled a little lopsidedly. "Be careful, friend to Fox."

"Is naught Ishi always so?" K'ishti grinned back with more courage than he actually felt. "Aah...but do wish could come---even if need... *fly*. Am worried for the Ni-ko-las. "

"Hrrrgg...Fox is brave for all he is grounded to Land." K'tay complimented. He fingered the soft hairs of his neck, re-considering what would be best. It felt so uncomfortable to be taking charge like this---K'ishti being several seasons his senior; however, the invasion of the Anarans had necessitated the rearrangement of authority when dealing with the upright predators. In all other things, K'ishti would have dominance; but here, Falcon's better sight was needed. "I will ask that K'tlysa watch over you, Brother: wish naught to lose when only just find again. Stay close to the K'nobi---he is naught of Ava, but he is also of Fox, am of mind."

K'ishti laughed quietly. "Aye, his fur is of the color and so is sense!" he click/whistled. "Strange is his voicings, but sly is his laughter!"

Catching the not-quite-innocent glances cast his way, Obi-Wan looked suspiciously at the two Kievet. He was being discussed---and he wished he knew just what they were 'saying'.

-------------------------o----------------------------

The Vampire was not happy.

It had just gained another food source and now the first was leaving? He loudly protested this, but between the white animal and the green-light wielder, he had been forced to accept the situation. Now it was half of their number going back down the way they had come.

A boring waste of time this crawling from one place to the next. So much faster to fly. If only he *could* fly. This was all the Other's fault!

And it was so confusing still---not knowing what was going on. If he could just feel the link with his father...but that was gone. He was alone save for strangers. Even the presence of the Other was muted so that he could scarce feel it. There was this shadowy hole where both had been.

This was not acceptable---this...emptiness! Better to have the Other to talk with, even if he had to hunt him down to wherever he had fled to.

-------------------------o-----------------------------

"WESHATI!"

K'tay glanced frantically overhead, not bothering to rebuke his Companion as R'ket bellowed challenge to the sky, nor terribly reassured that Ava's solitary moon was still taking its place in the sky. But if Weshati was there...then what was *that*!

Hiding his smile behind a cough, Qui-Gon watched the silvery-white starship descend into the valley. He also had been amazed when he had first seen the ship---not that he hadn't ridden in them countless times---but more to the fact that it was an upgrade from the bargain-basement style transportation that the Republic usually bestowed upon their reknowned peacekeepers. Not of Royal Nubian or Alderaanian quality---but certainly an upgrade from standard. A pity that Adi Gallia didn't handle more of the Jedi's requests to the Senate. Oh, his former master could be just as persuasive when finangling the bureaucratic toadies, unfortunately, "Jedi crave not comfort when a mission they are on." Huh. Well,...they didn't voice the desire out loud anyway.

"Do not be afraid, K'tlyan en Flah. It is only the 'wings' I promised you."

The K'tlyan clicked something to his mount whereupon the R'ket settled down, then managed to do the same for Nicholas---whose arms had been crushing him as he glared at the starship. Pohl, however, was forced to dismount from his nervous steed. Out of compassion for the beasts fear, Qui-Gon gave the quad a Force suggestion that all was well as the transport came to rest before them.

"Such a living thing as naught have felt," K'tay breathed, bowing to the sleek craft before hesitantly running one hand over the smooth surface. He sniffed the air. "It smells of the 'metal' that the Anaran's love, yet it soared like K'an on the hunt. This 'K'oruscahwnt' place you journeyed from has many these beings?"

Jinn considered the Singer's question as the ship's hatch began to open before him. K'tay flinched back, urging a very willing Companion to do likewise. Furred hands reached for his sling.

"Is it predator?"

"Be calm, my friend---it is not alive and will not hurt you.

"But I hear its innards beat!"

Qui-Gon nodded, the ship did have a regular rhythm issuing from it as the electronics and other things went about their business. "In a manner of speaking...but it has no intelligence."

"How can our Companions ride?" the Kievet wondered. "I canna leave R'ket---he will worry for me. And it has neither fur or feather nar loose hide to hold---we shall fall off!"

Pohl rolled his eyes. Though he had never actually been aboard one of the alien's starships during their brief stay on Anar, he had often wished for the opportunity to see inside one of the marvels. Not that he would ever admit that he was impressed by Offworlder technology; however, he wasn't about to let a timid Kievet deny him the opportunity when it arose! "We will ride inside...Yampa." He snapped derisivously.

K'tay shot him a sour look. 'Yampas' were the small mountain rodents that burrowed tunnels under the soil. When frightened, they sometimes froze in place---making themselves easy pickings for whatever predator came along. When he had been still a small kien, Mieket had nicknamed him Yampa out of a mixture of both affection and exasperation over his pupil's propensity to daydream at inappropriate moments. It was the name he had given Pohl to use, since K'tlyan names were for Kievet knowledge only, but Pohl had found an ally in Lelana who had been all too happy to embarrass her 'enemies' by voicing the names of "K'yer and K'tay" into the Tanaken's ear---or so K'yer was confinced. At any rate, it had left them spiritually vulnerable to attack by the Anarans. Pohl had even written K'yer's name on a piece of his 'paper' and burned it before his captive's eyes once. For several Enkati he had grieved for his Mieket's spirit until he had reasoned that fire could not so harm a holder of Water. Still, it he had been very relieved when he had finally hugged his teacher and found him whole. Having tired of emotionally battering K'tay with his real Etwan name, Pohl sometimes switched to using Yampa---but as an insult. It had at least been a measure of comfort to know that their K'tlyan names were safe---Anarans couldn't whistle properly enough to speak one syllable of it. There was no danger of losing their very souls to them.

Returning his gaze to the yawning open, K'tay's swallowed. He was not a coward as Pohl was implying. It was an instinctual fear tied to Kievet belief in the death of the body. Dying with your body intact was something to be avoided above everything but giving allegiance to Unayarek. And to his pastoral eyes, the open gangplank looked like nothing so much as a mouth waiting to consume him. From the growling coming from beneath him, R'ket was just as unhappy with the idea.

"In its *stomach*?" Dark eyes got even darker.

Pohl grinned maliciously. "Aye, in the bowels of the beast we go. Eaten slow and evenly, nah teeth you see." He smiled as both Nicholas and the R'ket rumbled at him.

Frowning, Qui-Gon dismounted and strode over the the mountain dwellers. Apparently, the Kievet held some superstition that was giving him second thoughts about the starship---and the Doctor wasn't helping.

"K'tay, trust me, I and Obi-Wan travel this way all the time. The ship is not an animal...it is more like a dwelling that can be moved through the air. Don't be afraid."

Listening to the soothing tone, K'tay felt his panic ebb. The Jedi Elder's voice held confidence and goodwill. Having given Voice to help, he would have to trust. Nicholas needed K'tlyan't help---and very soon.

"How is Nicholas?" Jinn asked, noting with concern that the vampire had taken on a vacant look and had not responded at all to the ship's landing.

"He is...searching." K'tay answered. "Both are in the dream place now. We should hurry before the hunt is over. Neither is ready to face the other yet, na good for them to join yet."

"Why not? I thought their joining was the goal?"

"Naught as are. When prey falls to predator, is usually very bad for prey." Rueful smile.

"Nick..?"

"Is being hunted. We should hurry, aye?"

Qui-Gon quickly led them up into the starship, where a crewmember showed them where their animals could rest during the flight. K'tay gave R'ket the duty of protecting Nicholas while he and Qui-Gon went up to the cockpit, leaving a muttering Pohl in the windowless hold.

The captain gave the Kievet a curious look as he prepared his ship for takeoff.

"Who's the Ewok cousin, then?"

Qui-Gon urged K'tay forward. "A Kievet. He's our guide." He held the co-pilot's chair steady as K'tay climbed on top to better see out the window. "Which way?"

Doing his best to ignore the fascinating array of lights and forms on the control counsel, K'tay pointed several degrees to the right. "Over those mountains...the valley...."

The Jedi translated from Anaran to Galactic Republic and the ship was soon soaring over snowy peaks, one wide-eyed Kievet grinning as he took it all in, explaining: "This is as good as a Spirit Walking! Do all Jedi fly so?"

"Yes. We travel from star system to star system---wherever we are needed."

"Star system...that is like Ava and Enkati?"

"Exactly. All those stars are as your Enkati---though some are bigger and some are smaller. And the Force surrounds them all."

"K'yavanti has been journeying long," K'tay nodded sagely, "So many places made. So many songs to sing! K'wi-Gon is honored to have such journeys, to work with Creation so."

"I *am* proud of my Order's work, thank you." Jinn smiled, wishing all the citizens of the Republic and Rim worlds thought so of them. It wasn't always with a welcome that the Knight's were greeted with on their assignments. Many feared the Jedi for their powers despite the Jedi Code that forbade abusing their gifts.

"There! Is Aprawan Ysh!"

Looking out, Qui-Gon saw a large valley dotted with coniferous forests and green meadows sprayed heavily with red and blue. A large, central lake completed the picturesque scene. And not far from the lake, what looked like a colorful building surrounded by more drabbish ones, which were in turn surrounded by a ring of trees.

"Shall we land near the village?"

K'tay shook his head vigorously "Na! Must announce coming at the stone first. Na polite naught to do so."

"Where is this stone, then?"

A second while the Kievet leaned over to search the mountains around them. He pointed to the left where a stone pillar rose 20 feet from near the summit of a crevice in the rocks, its surface glittering here and there with greenish stones. A path lead both ways from it. "There is Valley stone. Must call from there before entering or Etwan take offence."

"K'tay," Qui-Gon frowned, "I don't think we can land there. We're kind of big."

"Ah..is so," The Singer admitted. He had not thought of this. K'tay considered. This was definitely a unique problem for which the stories and teachings were not going to be very helpful! And there simply was no time to backtrack until a suitable space could be found. There was nothing for it---he would have to risk the ire of the Etwan't and hope that Lelana did not sway the K'wi-Etwan't against them for breaking a tradition that had never been broken before.

"Land next to the water---away from the people, but also away from that side of the mountains,"---he pointed to the range nearest the village---"where only Etwan may go."

Qui-Gon translated, pointing to a spot that best met the criteria.

Muttering, the captain set about his work. "You want me to stay or return to our stable?"

"Take off, but stay within comm range. I don't want to offend our hosts anymore with our presence than necessary, but I want a quick ride should we be totally unwelcome."

"As you wish, sir."

-----------------------o----------------------

Nicholas stopped to catch his breath, the hairs on his neck prickling as another howl of anger echoed through the tunnels. He was lost----and being hunted by something that did not sound pleased at being so evaded. He fingered the cool metal grip of the weapon he held. Bless the Mother and her Son that he at least had found his sword, or he wouldn't stand a chance down here! At least he wasn't hungry or thirsty yet---though that was only a matter of time. Just how long had he been down here anyways?

Another howl.

Grimacing, Nick stretched and continued trying to find a way out of the catacombs. He would escape LaCroix and find sactuary within the weavings of a holy church. No V'rek could follow him in there---the Enforcers wouldn't allow it. Or could he? Was LaCroix truly evil? He'd called him 'kien''---he'd loved him. Taught him. Cared for him. Nick groaned as his thoughts swirled and collided with one another. What was wrong with him? He felt so confused and he couldn't think straight. First---first evade the Beast, find saftey, then think later. Yes...that sounded right.

He continued on.