Patty
      Thank the Light we're finally on our way!  Patty thought to herself.
With all the confusion it was a miracle they'd gotten themselves moving at
all.  Hap was probably already down the mountain by now; with Liagala safely
away from Srendy.  Liam would be able to help Hap with whatever they needed
once they got to the dealership.  And Danielle seemed especially devoted to
making sure Liagala was alright.  Quite a change in attitude for the
girl...Patty made a mental note to investigate that once there was time.
      In fact, there was a lot Patty meant to look into.  She could understand
Tamane's reaction to Srendy, especially in light of the wolves reaction.
They'd never met face to face before, and Tamane as an Aiel would take
Srendy's presence as a personal affront.  But, he was a part of their
Tower...and had saved their butts on any number of occassions...so Tamane
would just need to learn to deal with him.  Or if not that, then restrain her
impulse to kill him.
      Patty mulled over the wolves' reaction too, as she picked her way over a
fallen tree.  Moonlight Dancing had met Srendy before and had never caused a
problem.  But that may have been for the sake of Patty's sanity more than
anything else.  Or perhaps she was just picking up on Shadow's intense
feelings.  Whatever the reason, Moonlight Dancing didn't seem to have any
problems with Srendy now.  Which was a small blessing since he was traveling
with her group - giving him distance from Shadow and Tamane who were traveling
with Vree.
      Kaitlyn was leading the group in the middle in lieu of Lia since Lia,
Lissette and Sonja had taken off for who knew where.  Patty was counting on
Lia's Nightwind to be able to find one of the wolves to find her way back to
them.  She hoped a lot of people would be able to find their way back to
them.  She was still angry with Jen's disappearing act.
      Patty knew that Jen hadn't been quite herself; and who could blame her
with everything that had gone on.  She blamed herself for not keeping a closer
watch on Jen, or at least setting Moonlight Dancing to watch over her.  Women
had been known to do strange things with the loss of a Bond - just look at
Liagala.  It pained Patty to think of the loss of Davidson and Eddie.  And she
was afriad she'd be mourning Jen soon too.
      Patty pushed that thought ruthlessly aside.  This was no time to be
jumping at shadows.  They needed to get this group out of Tar Valon, and
headed to Tear.  Kaitlyn had used the angreal and was able to get weak
readings on both Nyna and Kelly.  At least they were alive.  They could be
grateful for that much.
      More light was breaking through the trees up ahead.  Patty could see
signs of civilization.  The group seemed to sense they had reached their
destination and picked up speed.  The gang that stumbled into the sunligh was
a ragged bunch, but ready to move on.  Patty saw Vree's group already waiting
for them, and as she turned to look, Kaitlyn's group broke free of the trees
about a mile down the road. 


Vree

      Tamane burned with her hatred.  How can an Ayenda Vera protect such a
creature?  She wandered off into the woods to be alone, and let her temper
calm down so she could think things through.
      Vree sighed with relief as she felt Tamane's presence receed from her
current vacinity.  Shadow's instict to tear the gholam to shreds mingled with
the other wolve's urge to do worse were hard enough to keep under control
without the new Wolfkin to deal with.  Sredny sagged against her.  Apparently,
being nearly choked to death a few times after such a short recovery had taken
something out of the gholam after all.  Sredny, she reminded herself.  The
less she thought of him as a gholam and the more she thought of him as just
Sredny the less the wolves urged her to lunge forward and tear his throat out.
She shuddered, wondering if she would have given over the the savage
imperative is she hadn't known the man.
      They reached the entrance of the caves just as Patty was giving the
final orders.  Tamane scuttled into sight a few minutes later, a bit battered
and bruised but no real damage apparent.  Vree frowned as Patty divided the
group, leaving her with both gholam and Tamane.  "Patty," she said, voice
rising just enough to catch her attention.  "I'd really appreciate it if you
took either Sredny or Tamane with you."  A quick glance from Moonlight Dancing
to Tamane then Sredny made her point clear.
      Patty nodded, "I'll take Sredny," she said, head quirking toward the
girl.  "Mind trying to talk to her?"
      Vree shrugged. 
      "Alright folks," Vree put on her best parade grounds marshal voice.  "We
need to get down this mountain as fast and quick as possible."  The group of
seven nodded, Tamane a bit sullenly.  "I want you all to stay together.  This
should be alot easier on everyone now that we're headed down hill, but I want
everyone staying within arms length of each other.  No one tramps ahead."  Her
eyes paused momentarily on Timothy before moving on.  "No one lags behind, got
it?"      A chorus of tired, "Yes, Ayende Vera," followed.  Vree let it pass.
      "Follow me then," she paused before Tamane.   Eyes flashed a sudden gold
before returning to their natural green hue ::I want to speak to you::  
      The girl gulped, nodded, still sullen as the group began their trek down
the mountain.  Silence is best, Vree decided, training her ears on the natural
sounds that enveloped them as the pushed down the forested slopes.  She opened
her mind again to the younger woman.  ::The gholam is our friend,:: she sent
simply, hating herself for sounding like a stupid TV commercial of some kind.
      Tamane radiated cold.  ::How can you call yourself Kin?:: she demanded,
picking her way carefully through the tall grass, hardly stirring a sound.
      ::I am Kin!::  Vree remarked, eyes flashing between gold and green.  She
stopped herself, so little to set me off... she thought wearily.  Taking a
deep breath she began again.  ::Listen Tamane, put aside the part of you that
is Roaming Mist and listen to me!::
      Tamane blinked ::The Two are One...:: she began before Vree cut her off.
      ::No!  Listen, Tamane.  No matter what that gholam was in the past he
isn't that anymore.  I have lived the past year in the Tower knowing him,
knowing what he was, and now knowing what he is.  He is not one to kill.  Not
now, not yet... maybe not ever.::  Vree took another breath, mind only half on
their trail ahead.  >O?::I have accepted him.  Patty has accepted him.  Light!
Moonlight Dancing has accepted him and that's bloody amazing!::
      The girl frowned, obviously taken aback.  ::But the wolves?  Shadow?::
      ::He's only joined me last night.::
      ::But the bond--::
      ::Is an old one.  One that I haven't felt for nearly three years.::  Her
eyes narrowed, pinning the girl in place.  The fraction of a second it took to
convey the thought felt like an eternity.  ::Give him a chance to repay the
debt he owes the Pack before you kill him.::  She moved on, leaving the the
girl to follow at her own pace.
      ::Huntress,:: came the familiar mind voice, confusion underlying the
warm tones.  ::I will not Hunt him if you wish not.::
      ::Thank you, Shadow,:: she sent, suddenly tired, ::I wish not.::
      The group burst out of the trees much sooner than she had expected.
Patty's group had broken cover only a short distance away, and the sound of
distant crashing told of the third groups imminent arrival.  Good, they were
all together.
      She threaded her way carefully through the mass of tired bodies,
grabbing Patty's elbow and forcibly pulling herself to her.  "Is she okay?"
Patty began before Vree could say a word.
      She spared a glance at Tamane before answering, "I think she will be,"
she replied.
      "Good," Patty nodded, "I don't think we have the time for anymore Sredny
mullings."
      Vree nodded.  "The dealership is about a mile south from here.  Haplo
should' be taking care of the weapons.  Hopefully, he'll get there just as we
arrive." 


Tamane

    After reaching the bottom of the mountain Tamane crouched waiting for the
other two groups.  That spadowspawn will not get out of my sights!  Just then
she saw one of the other groups emerge from the trees.  Ah, there is the
wretched creature now.   Glaring into the sunlight, she watched ever little
move Sredny made.  Vree noticed Tamane's intense glare and walked over to
calm her down.  
     She placed her hand on Tamane's shoulder, who spun around holding a
dagger.  She had hatred written on her soul and Vree couldn't understand the
intensity of it.  Sure all Aiel hated Shadowspawn but Sredny wasn't that bad,
he'd saved them many times, and Vree was sure Tamane couldn't have a personal
vendeta against Sredny, she was sure they'd never met before.  Tamane lowered
her dagger after realizing who was at her shoulder.  "Why, Ayenda Vree.. why
did you protect such a vile creation?"  Tamane's gaze never left Srendy for
one moment.  
     Sighing Vree tried to explain, "He's not that bad Tamane...."
     "NOT THAT BAD???" she hissed "He is evil, plain and simple.. are you going to
tell me he is not shadowspawn??"  
     "No" Vree answered with reluctance. This is not going as I had hoped.  
     "Then leave me be."  Tamane walked away, and crouched a few feet off, still 
watching Sredny. 


Kaitlyn

   Kaitlyn shepherded her group down the mountain, where they met up with the
other two groups.  It was fairly easy going for her, since she was in good
shape and it was downhill, far easier than before.  Some of the others, still
tired from the trip up, didn't find it so simple.  They collapsed to the
ground with relief when they could finally rest at the bottom of the moutain. 
   "Oh, Kaitlyn, there you are!" Vree walked up, quite unhappy. 
   Kait had been removing leaves from her long blond hair.  She looked up with a
smile.  "Hello again!  What's up?" 
   "It's the new studè, Tamane.  She's... a problem," Vree explained.  "She's
got this hatred towards Sredny, and no matter what I say, she's not giving it
up.  I am running out of patience...." 
   Looking around, Kaitlyn spotted the Aiel girl crouched a few yards away,
fingering her knife and watching Sredny with an intense, hate-filled glare.
"Great," she sighed.  "Just what we need.  Alright, I'll have a go at talking
to her.  It's my job, after all." She laughed weakly.  Vree nodded, and Kait
walked away. 
   Tamane spun at Kaitlyn's touch on her shoulder, knife at the ready.  Kait had
been prepared for that reaction, and caught the girl's knife-hand with a weave
of Air.  At the same time, she used another weave to dump icy cold water over
her head.  Angry green eyes glared into Kait's blue ones from beneath soaked
red hair.  "Why did you do that?" the studè hissed. 
   "You looked like you needed to cool off," Kaitlyn replied, folding her arms
and looking stern.  It wasn't really in her nature to act this way, but she
didn't know what else to do.  "And that would be, 'Why did you do that, Ayenda
Vera?'  Though it is not for studè to question the Ayenda Vera, most
especially not the SianStudè.  Is that clear, Studè Tamane?  You are only a
studè, the very lowest of the low in the Tower.  You have many, many years of
study and training before you can hope to be an Ayenda Vera.  How, then, do
you presume to ignore those who know much more than you when they tell you
that you are incorrect?  And you are incorrect about Sredny.  He may be
Shadowspawn, but he is part of our Tower.  And you will give him the respect
he is due, as your fellow studè.  You will not harm him in any way, you will
not threaten him, you will not *watch* him as you have been doing.  I cannot
force you to stop hating, though I would like you to give him a chance.
You're very young to be so closed-minded.  But the rest, I will hold you to.
Or else, you leave us, because I will not tolerate this behavior any longer.
From now on, you will be respectful to all Ayenda Vera, Warders, Nila, AND
your fellow studè, including Sredny.  Fail in this, and you will be punished-
and the punishment may well include being thrown out."  Kaitlyn took a deep
breath.  "Normally I would not be so harsh.  Normally I'd try to find out why
you feel this way, and help you overcome it.  And I still do hope that you
will tell me your feelings.  BUT, these are not normal circumstances.  We are
on the run, in terrible danger, and many of our friends are missing or dead.
We cannot afford this division, and I will not allow it amongst those in my
charge.  Is that understood, Tamane?"  She looked at the girl, waiting for a
reply. 


Tamane
 
   Looking up at the old woman Tamane gritted her teeth and responeded.  "Yes
Ayenda Vera.  I will not attack, threaten or watch the shadowspawn.  I have
given all Nina and othe studè with respect as well as the Warders, and I
apologize for what I said to Ayenda Vree."  Saying those words ripped at her
soul.  She was just going to have to wait until she was raised to get at the
shadowspawn.  She turned and walked away from where she had been watching
Sredny.  I wil NOT like the creature, no matter what they say!  Her hatred
boiled inside her, but she ignored it for now.  He will pay one day.  Tamane
found a secluded area and crouched, and waiting for a sign of continuing on
their way.  


Vree

      Vree nodded her head, in time with Kait's lecture.  Tamane was just being 
too pig headed about this.  Light, she'd never even lain eyes on the gholam
before.  Just attacked on sight.  I wonder if it's more than just the wolves,
she thought, frowning slightly before shaking off the thought altogether.  No,
now wasn't the time to think of it.  Now was the time to move.  The groups had
all gotten down the mountain in good time, and all in relative safety, but
they weren't far enough away from Tar Valon to lower their guard yet.
      Patty's light touch against her shoulder brought Vree out of her
thoughts with a slight start.  "Oh, sorry," Patty smiled apologetically, "I
didn't mean to startle you Vree."  She continued after a short pause.  "I
think we're ready to move on, most of the Studè and Nila have caught their
breaths."  Vree nodded.  "You're the only one who seems to know much about
this town we're headed into."
      Vree nodded again and moved to a central point in the group, she didn't
really care for the role of a leader but refused to shirk responsibility when
it called.  "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it's about time we get off our
tired b--buns, and get them hustled into town."  Her pronouncement was met by
an assortment of sighs and groans.  "The town's only about a mile south of
here and as soon as we get there we can..." she paused, considering and
discarding a myriad of prizes that might suit to prod the tired group along,
"get a nice sedan or something."  That perked a few heads up. 
      The trek through the woods only took about half an hour.  The night had
been quiet and the wolves assured her they were not being followed.  The
dealership's lights loomed brightly, just ahead.  She'd plotted their route to
take them out of the woods just behind the car lot.  She scanned the area
quickly for lurking shadows.  Nothing.   "Okay everyone, it should be safe
enough here to rest for awhile.  We can't all descend at once or someone's sure
to get suspicious." 
      The Studè and Nila sighed as one, many of them sinking down into the
soft clover field with relief.  She scanned the crowd.  "Um, Patty, Kaitlyn,
mind coming with me to see about transportation?"
      The two women nodded, picking their way around already dozing Studè.  A
muffled grumble caught everyone's attention at once.  Sredny grumbled
something about bloody women and bloody cars not mixing.  Vree frowned slightly,
surmising that Sredny was probably still sore about Liagala and his car.
      "Sredny, care to join us?"
       The gholam's only reply was to stalk over to the light pole nearest the
group.  Leaning on it he growled, "Well, y'all coming or what?" 
      The dealership office's high powered flourescent lights flooded over the
group as they entered the room, causing at least two pairs of light sensitive
eyes to squint, blinking away sudden tears.  "Vireyda!" came enthusiastic
voice, followed by a bear hug that she hadn't seen coming.
      Grunting with the impact, Vree attempted to extricate herself to no
avail.  "Uh, Ben," she gasped finally, "I can't breath."
      Stepping back looking somewhat abashed, he grinned down on her, "So, to
what can we owe this most unexpected visit?"  He raised one red-gold eyebrow
as she glowered at him for growing to be over a foot taller than her since
their first meeting.
      "We need some transportation," she said simply, leaving out the
obviously that she came with visiting a car lot.
       His eyes widened slightly, "You want the car?"
      She shrugged, "Not necessarily," she reached up an gave him a light
smack on the face, "but I guess while we're at it I could pick that up too."
She glanced at Patty and Kaitlyn, "You think two vans should do it?"
      "Big vans," Kaitlyn grinned.
      "You think we could get a bus?"  Patty smiled watching the salesman's
face go all confused looking.
      She glanced a Sredny, "Did you want something?"  The gholam grinned.
      Ben's distracted look caught Vree's attention.  "Um, the usual
discount?" he asked, gulping.
      Vree smiled.


Lia

        Lia half expected to see that new Studè following them... As the three of
them stopped for a break, She looked around... " Tamane would be an asset, I
can feel it... I can just feel it... "   
      "Liandryn, Love..  Don't cha think that it is time you forgot about
Haplo.. ?  He is obviously not interested.. or confused at the least... You
need to get over him.. His love for Merit is too strong, and I think that you
need to let him go... He's like everyone else here...  He'll never love you..
not like we will.. He doesn't understand..." 
      "Shut up Lissette... or I'll collar your sorry black heart again!!
Haplo and I have problems...  I admit it...  but he's a good person inside..
or maybe a bad person...  I don't know....  Maybe I shouldn't be here
anymore...  Maybe... " Lia stopped talking  She was thinking too much...  
      Sonja flashed handtalk at Lissette.. She's not Black anymore.. Nor am
I and Nor art thou. We are purple. Understand that.   Or I'll collar you
myself.     They got back on their bikes and rode some more... Lia was still
thinking.. far too much...  Nightwind was asleep in the bike when Lia saw the
tree...  The tree that was coming much too fast... and she barely heard Sonja
shout, ' Lia... Look out !"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All was Black ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

      All was black... the fire stood high in the centre of the room, and
Liandryn remembered...   The ceremony.. why do I always dream of this
ceremony there were so many.. why this one   She was wearing the white dress
again...  with the silver belt and all the stars...  Not my clothes... Not
me..
      The ceremony started...   It was Aunt Liandrin...  Yes... and someone
else...  
      "Liandryn Sierra Jadia Merit Blayde ~ Rose... You have been chosen... You
have been raised for this day, and we all know you will, liek the others give
your life for this role you will now be given, Do you accept. ? " 
      Not me.. I won't be changed.. I am Liandryn.. not.. I am Lia
      "Do you Accept..? "  Liandrin's eyes burned with fire... Liandryn knew
she would be punished if she didn't do this.. but it was just some silly
ceremony.
      "I accept" 
      "Do you swear upon all that you hold dear to love, cherish and serve
the Great Lord of the Dark "
      I do not!
      "I do hereby Swear.." 
      "Do you swear to follow our principles and our laws... To find The New
Dragon wherever he may be, and Destroy him with the Love Illyena holds in
you..?"
      Never This echoed by Illyena herself.
      "I do" 
      "Will you accept upon yourself your new role, and live the part..
become the part, and use your powers that the Great Lord has given you to
Further our cause..?"
       Do I have to..?
       "I Do" 
       "From this day forward you will give up childish innocence.. love, hate
and petty things...  " Liandrin waved her arm and Lia's most treasured
possession were brought into the room.. each thrown into the fire, while the
others chanted some unintelligible words.  " From this day forward you are no
longer Liandryn Sierra Jadia Merit Blayde ~ Rose, You are Mierin... Known to
those as Lanfear...  Mistress of the Night... " Liandriin tossed a picture of
Liandryn's parents into the fire... and The young girl watched it burn "
Embrace the Great Lord... and Become one of His Chosen..."    
       Liandryn-Mierin stepped up to the fire... and held out her arm...  The
ceremonial knife was drawn, and pressed against her wrists... Blood flowed
freely... and She felt burning all aroun dher.. She stepped into the fire... 
"As it is willed.. So Shall it be... The Great Lord's Will be Done!" Liandrin
Shouted... The faces Lia knew from childhood echoed...  Everyone in this
room.. the only children of the Black Ajah.. thirteen of them..   She felt the
burning..  It never seemed strange before.. but she knew why there were only
thirteen now...   The new breed... The children of the most Powerful Black
Ajah Men and women in Ages... All with special Gifts... and Bad attitudes..
All children of Former Aes Sedai and WhiteCloaks...    She felt the Burning..
"If you survive this test.. the lossing of your old blood and the burning of
your old body.. You will Emerge as LanFear... And Liandryn will be no more.."
The others had gone already...   there was stillmore.. She felt the burning..
Illyena screamed...  The burnign reached her eyes.. and she felt them
change...  The world looked Silver to her....   So silver.. then it cleared...
Then the burning reached her head... Her face changed.. she could feel it...
Then.. It reached her skull and her hair changed before her tainted eyes...
Her long Red hair.. now black as Night....  With Silver waves and curls...
Stars...  Like the night.. everythign like the night...    
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~All was Black~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      The next part of the ceremony...   The girls who had been changed... and
lived were all in a room..  With Myrddral beside each.. Light knew what the
boys had to go through right now...    Liandryn-Lanfear could feel the evil
things thoughts in her mind.. She named him Pertho.. She had to humanize him
somehow...  The feeling was horrible..like she was being eaten alive from the
inside...  The room was walled with mirrors... She didn't look like herself...
So beautiful.. so new.... No.. This wasn't her.... Who was she...  ?   You
are Mierin Mistressss The Fade hissed in her mind...  NO..I'm.. I'm ..
I'm.. Who AM I..?   
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All Was Black~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      Lia's head felt like she'd beaten it with a sledgehammer.....  Sonja and
Lissette were nowhere in sight...  But they had been in the dream.....   Was
it a dream.. or did it really happen.....   Lia couldn't remember...   But
now..It was Dark.. and She was alone.. and it was Dark.....   For the first
time in Ten years.. Lia was afraid of the dark....   So afraid.. Sh ehuddled
around herself and hugged her knees...  They couldn't have left me.. could
they..?  
      Then there was a noise... Lia looked up.. and saw a familiar form in the
shadows... She lit a cigarette and stood up.. "Who's there..?"  Shaking she
walked closer to the shape.. it grew more familiar...    "Sonja.. Lissette..?" 
      A voice called out....  "You're not that Lucky..  "   
      "What..?  Sredny..?  Is that you..??  How'd you get here..?  Oh Light
thank The light it's you..  "  She ran to him.. until the faint light showed
his face... It was Sredny alright.. But....  
      "Glad to see me are you...  Too bad..."    
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All Was Black~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Patty

      Patty almost felt bad for Ben-the-salesman.  She'd never seen a car
salesman so befuddled.  She would've laughed if she hadn't been so tired.
Patty let Vree and Ben hash out the money details, while she and Kaitlyn
inspected the available vans.  Even though she'd been the one to suggest a
bus, she'd rethought the idea.  A bus couldn't split up if they were being
pursued.  In two vans, plus assorted cars they'd be able to separate if
necessary. 
      Patty looked at each van with and eye toward leg-room and wolf-room.
After rejecting a third van for lack of someplace to put a wolf, Moonlight
Dancing impinged on her thoughts.
      ~~I will run Sister.~~
      ~~Wha?~~
      Moonlight Dancing's mental voice dripped with distain.  ~~I will travel
on foot.  Not in the carriage.~~
      The matter-of-factness in the wolf's tone brooked no argument, but Patty
was dismayed.  She hadn't been physically apart from her wolf companion since
just after she'd been stilled.  Even in her Healed state, she depended on the
wolf for so much...
      Moonlight Dancing entered her thoughts again in a gently chiding tone.
~~We will not truely be apart, Sister. You know I am always with you.~~
comfort~~ calm~~
      Patty chuckled to herself, of course the wolf was right.  Kait noticed
Patty's distraction and gave her a questioning look.  "Moonlight Dancing just
informed me, she'd rather run than ride.  And I'm assuming, but I'll ask Vree,
that Shadow will probably feel the same way.  Or..."  she tilted her head to
think."...he might ride in Vree's car. "
      Kait nodded.  "I think I've found two vans we can use." She led Patty
over to the vehicles she was talking about.  Both vans had seating enough for 
8, and spacious cargo spaces in the back.  Both were automatic, which was great 
since Patty didn't know how to drive a stick-shift.  They'd be able to hold adults 
comfortably without being too cramped.  One van was dark blue, and the other brown- 
hopefully this would keep their visability down.
      "Looks good to me, Kait."  The women returned to Vree to let her know
the vehicles they'd chosen so she could haggle for the price.


Patty

      The group hiding out back in the woods behind the car dealership was
tense to say the least.  The only people who were relaxed in any way were the
ones who had managed to drop off to sleep.  
      Mike, Rebekka and Jami were the only ones who had actually managed to
fall completely asleep.  Danielle continued her vigil besides Liagala.
Timothy was trying hard not to display any kind of weakness or exhaustion in
front of Hap...his pride wouldn't allow it.  Kasha rested proped up against a
tree, relaxing each muscle group in turn in an automatic dancer reflex. Liam
sat resting slightly apart from the group. 
      The various Ayenda Vera attended to small tasks or just sat quietly
trying to renew their reserves.  All except for Tristan who couldn't quite let
down his guard enough for Hap to do his job.  He wandered restlessly around
the perimeter of the group, eyes darting and alert, looking for trouble.
      When the sound of approaching cars reached them Timothy and Tristan went
into overdrive.  Both men went ramrod straight and reached for weapons, that
they didn't have.  Hap ignored both men, having already assessed the incoming
vehicles as friendly.  Anyone who'd been paying attention would've notice the
return of that wolf of Patty's and known that Patty wouldn't be far behind.
      The various vehicles pulled up and parked a short distance from where
everyone was waiting.  Dinnae and Lissy woke the sleeping Nila and Studè.
Everyone grabbed whatever gear and supplies were handy and loaded them in the
vans.  People organized themselves and picked a vehicle to ride in. A head
count was done, and Hap started to mutter curses under his breath about "damn
gholems".  Tamane's interest was peaked at that remark, but with a look for
Kaitlyn and Vree, she held her peace and climbed into one of the vans.