She shook her head.She shook her head. "You are carrying the Sazknife. The forces of Luccas will do anything to get it. You are in great danger." "Why do they want it?" "I do not know. But what you have told me leads me to wonder. Do they want it, or do they know that she who carries it has something else, the thing they really seek?" "My staff?" she asked. "Aye. What disturbs me all the more is that I know not the why. Is this staff magical? It surely looks the part." Kitty shrugged. "I don't know if it's magical. It was given to me." "By who, M'Lady?" "Shardik." There was a slight hiss between Aaden's teeth. "Vatare' himself. I do not envy you, M'Lady. He has presented you with a burden, the purpose of which is unknown to us." He turned around for a moment and said "Mezlo! Attend to me!" A short, unkempt Felinzi wearing dark robes and an beret with holes for his ears walked over. "Yeah?" he asked. "Mezlo, I need you to sit still and advise me in a moment." "Okay," the Felinzi replied. "Kitty, I need to ask you a question, and I need you to answer me as honestly as you can. How do you feel about non-Humans?" Kitty blinked and said, "What do you mean? I'm a Pendorian; I wouldn't be here if the Hall didn't think I belonged!" "Mezlo?" "She speaks the truth, Lord Aaden. She is not a Luccan." "Thank you, mage. You are dismissed." Mezlo bowed and wandered away. "Forgive me, Kitty. I had to be sure. |