To say that Lilith was in a foul mood would be to underestimate the depth of the distaste with which she was regarding the day and everything in it. After spending the night in the guild sleeping room that she normally used when in town, she had gotten up and had breakfast as she thought over the events of yesterday. They gnawed at her. She had absolutely no time for an apprentice, she had worries that no one else knew of- fortunately for them- but most of all, she hated being manipulated by the weakness of her own childhood past. She had several times prided herself on being "over" any weakness, but after going through a psychological firestorm on at least three occasions, she still seemed no nearer the goal of not having weaknesses when it came to memories.

Other furs- the perceptive ones- quickly moved out of the way of the young Vixen Adept with rather fancy purple and teal robes and a scowl on her face. Magicians were a nasty lot at any time, and one that was angry was worth going to the other side of the street for- some felt the other side of town would be better, although maybe not far enough. They didn't have much to worry about, though, since Lilith was absorbed in her own thoughts as she pushed open the door to the Guild's main reception area and walked in.

There were several furs in the room, besides the usual receptionist (a rat, she noted with vague distaste.) A quick look located Niko, the local guildmaster- and manipulater in chief- Lilith added sourly to herself. He stood in a corner area, talking amiably to a gray rat in black Master Magician robes. Behind them a young vixen in blue Apprentice robes sat in a chair. Lilith's gaze swept over the apprentice rather quickly, adding it all up and not coming to much- except to note the cringing look in her eyes. About what she'd expected, a meek little mouse that didn't have any initiative of her own. Great. Just what she needed on a potentially dangerous trip into the middle of nowhere. Niko and his bright ideas. Well, nothing to do but get it over with.

"Ah, Adept," Niko greeted her with a smile. His black fur seemed almost polished this morning, actually reflecting more light than the dull black metal implant covering part of the right side of his face. Lilith thought it rather ugly, but realized that with a bridge across the base of her own muzzle, no matter how ornamented, she was in no position to criticize. "Master Teko, may I introduce Adept Lilith. Lilith, this is Master Teko, an old friend of mine from out of town." As they murmured polite nothings and shook hands, Lilith expertly noted that Teko's major feeling seemed to be boredom, although a certain tenseness was in his mood as well- one of long standing, it seemed, as if he had been living with it long enough that he was coming to disregard it.

"Right, ok, let's get this over with, " Teko said at the first opportunity. Lilith appreciated the sentiment, although she couldn't totally agree.

"Ok, here's the contract, " Niko said, drawing out the seemingly blank piece of thin white marble. Lilith automatically adjusted her gaze to read the life-energy whorls imbedded in it. "Just the usual thing-- says that the specified apprentice is being transferred on this date to the care and teaching of Adept Lilith, from the tutelage of Master Teko, and the usual sums are to be left at Frangor--"

"Frangor?" Lilith interrupted. "What's credit doing winding up there when I'm here?"

Niko looked a little uncomfortable. "That's where she was originally apprenticed, Lilith. Like I said, the usual sort of arrangement."

"I don't care what you think the usual sort of arrangement is, " Lilith replied, "I am going to be apprenticing her here and here is where the guild credit for doing that is going to wind up. You're not going to stick me with the cost of caring for her and expect me to be satisfied with credit that winds up halfway across the country."

"But, Lilith, be reasonable--" Niko protested.

"No, you be reasonable, and realize when you're getting yourself a good deal. This whole thing was your idea, so be prepared to back it up with your credit. Or don't you think you can trust me with it?"

Teko was looking a little worried by now. "Look, Niko, if she really doesn't want to do this, you know that guild rules say we can't force her to. If what it takes is a simple little change like that, then can't you find some way to do it?"

Lilith looked at him sharply, and nearly jerked the corners of her lips back in a smile. The source of his tension was apparently sitting in blue robes watching the whole thing. Afraid of getting stuck with her? You and me both, buddy! She thought.

Niko looked like he'd bitten a lemon. "Ok, credit comes from here." He ran his finger over the spot and made the necessary changes. "Oh, and it also says you agree to teaching for a minimum of a quarter," he added a bit defiantly to Lilith. She stared at him grimly but didn't say anything, so he took that for assent. "Here, Teko, sign on the first line." Teko put his finger on the marble and did so. "Lilith, second line, " he murmered. She followed suit. Niko put his own finger to the last line as witness. "There, that wasn't so bad, was it?"

His attempt at cheerfulness fell on deaf ears. Lilith was staring at her new apprentice. She turned to Teko, and held out her hand. "Ok, hand it over." Teko looked miserable.

"Hand what over?" Niko said.

"She's bonded," Lilith replied. "Master Teko, the bond-item, if you please."

Niko stared and saw that Lilith was right. There was a psychic link between Apprentice Xenith and Teko. He was rather surprised. "I didn't think you went in for that, old friend," he said. "Surely you didn't think she was going to try running away."

"It wasn't my idea!" Teko snapped. "She came to me this way. And for your information, Adept Lilith, there isn't any bond-item!"

Lilith stared. "You mean??"

"Yes, I mean! So, can you take it over or do we call this whole thing off?"

Things were making even more sense to Lilith now. The bond from Xenith was not focused on an object, it had been focused on Teko himself. Teko had found himself the unwilling recipient of his Apprentice's emotions, along with the knowledge of her whereabouts, for 24 hours a day, 6 days a six. No wonder he was tense! "No need to worry, " she replied in a casual tone. "Nothing I can't handle."

Teko nodded sharply, and then for the first time actually looked at his apprentice. "Apprentice, stand up here and hold out your hands with palms out."

"Yes sir," she replied quickly and did so.

"That's Master! " he barked back. Then he corrected himself, "No, wait, I'm not your Master now, Adept Lilith is." He pinched the flesh between his eyes and muttered to himself, "It's been a long six and it just started today." I know just how you feel, Lilith thought bleakly, This is going to be a long quarter.

Xenith had come to a hesitant halt with her hands spread out. Teko and Lilith put their hands out in a similar position, Lilith's metal left hand facing Teko's right palm, her right hand facing Xenith's left palm. Xenith and Teko completed the triangle, and the apprentice waited passively for what was about to happen. Teko sighed and closed his eyes to calm himself and concentrate. Lilith easily followed him, and within a few seconds had achieved mental synchronization. The life cords representing the bond flowed between the three of them, and the focus changed from Teko to Lilith. As they did, Lilith's own awareness of her new apprentice became a presence in her mind. There was no way she could ignore her now- the poor girl was scared and passive both. Lilith gritted her teeth inwardly. This was going to be much, much worse than she had been expecting. No way to shrug this one off. She had the sinking feeling that she was going to be reliving a lot of past scenes of her own that she had wanted to leave behind.

"There!" Teko sighed with relief. "All yours, Adept. Take good care of her." No chance I won't now, thanks to whoever came up with the bright idea for this bond, Lilith thought bitterly. "She deserves better than she's gotten," muttered Teko softly as he left. Lilith hated to admit it, but she was afraid he was right.

Niko still seemed slightly disconcerted at the whole thing. "I assure you, Lilith, I really didn't know about this. I would have warned you about it if I had." Trying to apologize now? Too late, rat- and besides, I'm not sure you would have warned me even if you HAD known- but since I can see from your emotions that you almost certainly didn't, just shut up about it.

"Of course, Niko," she replied politely. "Why don't you go get that transfer filed and notices sent while-- Xenith?-- and I go out and do a bit of shopping."

"No, no, wait- I'll go drop this off at the desk and be right with you. Don't forget, you're going with the Racens caravan, and they leave tomorrow." He bustled off to the desk and left Lilith staring after him.

There was an awkward silence. Lilith tried to ignore it, but she couldn't. Her new apprentice glanced up at her, and then down again. Lilith cleared her throat. "I was right about your name, right, apprentice?"

"Yes, mistress," came the meek reply.

Lilith winced. "Don't call me that. I don't have the rank of Master, so I can't be Master or Mistress, apprentice or not. I'm an Adept, and that's the way you will address me, understand?"

"Yes, Adept."

Lilith sighed inwardly. This was going to be a real laugh a minute, she could just tell.

Niko came back and started talking as if he hadn't stopped, "First thing to do is get you over to the caravan, " he said, "After you make arrangements there, you can do whatever shopping you want. I think you'll like this one, they're all foxes, it's a family thing."

"I know, I've seen them before, " Lilith replied.

"Oh yes, that's right, I suppose you have, " Niko said as they stepped out the door. He was saved from a tart rejoinder by Lilith as they began the trip through the activity on the street. Many times she'd felt a vague pressure from all of the furs, although she'd come to ignore it. Right now, though, with her bond newly minted, she was kept busy just maintaining an equilibrium as she felt it through both her and Xenith's senses- and Xenith wasn't just feeling pressured, she was feeling persecuted. Lilith supposed she had reasons, but it still made things just too complicated to handle. They were both relieved when they came to the western edge of town and began walking among the widely spaced caravan areas until they got to the one currently occupied by the Racen caravan.

"Seran!" Niko called as they reached the edge of the encampment area. An older fox straightened up from the wagon wheel he had been inspecting and brushed the dirt off his trousers before coming over. A younger fox followed him.

"Good morning, Guildmaster," he said, "I trust you had no problem locating a guide?"

"Not at all, " Niko beamed. "In fact, I found two-- for the price of one, of course." he added.

"Good, good, " Seran said, looking at Lilith and Xenith. "Adept, Apprentice." They exchanged nods.

"You'll have to make final arrangements with Adept Lilith, of course, " Niko said, "but the price we agreed upon still holds, so don't worry about that."

Lilith almost rolled her eyes at hearing this. Just great. Bargain for arrangements, and before you do make sure they understand the deal has already been made and the price has been set. She resolved to herself not to let Niko do this to her again. Her finances got precarious enough at times without him bollixing things up with his own schemes- and naivete.

"I see, " Seran replied, "of course, I'll be willing to discuss arrangements, although I'm not sure what there is that needs to be set. We leave tomorrow morning as soon after dawn as possible. I would expect you-- ladies-- to be here by then."

Lilith mentally gave him an eight for almost concealing the hesitation he'd had at using the word ladies. "We will, of course, expect to be provided with a mount for each of us, " she replied, "and we will bring our own sleeping accommodations. We will be camping apart from the rest of the caravan." At Seran's raised eyebrow, she added, "Don't forget, we are protecting you, not you us. We'll be fine, but it will be best if we don't have to worry about activity within the camp itself. Also, we will provide some of our meals but others we will need to get from you. However, when we do, we'll be simply getting the food and actually eating it at our own campsite. I trust these arrangments suit you?" She raised an eyebrow of her own, while managing to maintain a faint warning that she could become angry if the arrangements didn't suit.

"Of course, I see no problem with that." The younger fox beside him shifted uncomfortably. "Oh, and let me introduce you. You know that my name is Seran, " Lilith and Xenith nodded. "This is my oldest son, Turins, who is second in command of our little caravan."

Lilith nodded coolly to him. "I'm sure we will work well together," she murmured, and inwardly smiled as she saw the way he stiffened. She had seen from his aura that he was one of those people who disliked all magicians on principle, and his irritation was plain. She made a mental note to keep him away from Xenith as much as possible.

"Good, good." Seran said, apparently oblivious to his son's mood- although Lilith could see that he knew very well. "Well, then, if you can show up early tomorrow, I think that takes care of everything?"

Lilith extended her hand, and Seran shook hands after only a slight hesitation as she replied, "We will be here, Seran. Until then." she nodded goodbye, and turned to leave, with Xenith and Niko following her.

As soon as they got out of immediate hearing range, she said, "Niko, why don't you go on into town and get on with your business? I'm sure we've already delayed you enough for today."

Niko agreed hurriedly, and set off on the dirt road into town, his bulk moving swiftly. Lilith located a patch of grass- not an easy task in a landscape churned with horse hooves and wagon wheels. "Come." she said to her apprentice, and sat down cross-legged on the grass. She motioned to Xenith to do the same facing her, and she did.

"It's time for your first lesson," She said.

"Yes mis-- Adept"

Lilith grimaced. "First off, I told you not to call me that. Make sure you don't do it again."

"Yes, Adept."

Lilith reached out and put a metal claw under Xenith's chin. She pulled her head up straight, and stared into her eyes as she said, "Second, when I am speaking to you, or even more important, when you are speaking to me, I want to see your eyes, not the top of your muzzle. Do you understand?" Xenith nodded as best she could.

Lilith dropped her hold, and Xenith's head dropped only slightly before she raised it again. "Next, I want you to know that I'm not interested for now in what your other Masters had you do. I'm giving you my own ground rules, and they are as follows. You will treat me with respect. You will do as I say. You will not hesitate to ask me a question when you don't understand something. And you will not worry that I'm going to eat you when I get irritated. Is that understood?"

Xenith blinked at the end. "Yes, Adept."

"Good. Now, I want you to understand that we are going to be eating, sleeping, and working together for a quarter. I do not want to have to worry about my back where you are concerned, nor do I want to have you worrying about yours when I'm around. So if there is anything about my past which you want to know, ask now. Ok?"

Xenith nodded, and after a second she blurted out, "Have you ever killed anyone?"

"Yes."

She gulped. Another short silence. "How many?" was her small-voiced reply.

"Thousands."

Xenith's jaw dropped slightly and her eyes widened. "Thousands? But even the death squad magicians only talk about dozens or maybe hundreds. I thought they were boasting, but--"

"They probably were, " Lilith interrupted, "but I'm not. And before you go getting all scared, let me assure you that they had something you don't."

Xenith stared. A wagon creaked in the distance. "What did they have?" she asked in a voice scarcely more than a whisper.

"Hate."

Xenith gulped, and something changed a little in her eyes. She started to look down, but when she glanced back up, she replied in a rather firmer tone, "I have that, too."

"Really?" was the almost casual reply.

"Yes, I do. I hate the way things have turned out. I hate the way my family treated me- the dirty looks and sneers and thinking I was some sort of freak. I don't care if I am, they still had no right!" Xenith's voice had risen, but she broke off when she saw Lilith's smile.

"Well, well, " Lilith murmered. "Perhaps there is hope for you after all." She stood up. "Now come along, we've got chores to do in town."

Xenith followed, a little confused, but somehow feeling a bit better than she had a while ago. She still didn't know what she had said or done, but she hadn't been the target of this strange Adept's wrath, and that was certainly better than what she had been expecting.

Seran and Turins stared at the two figures leaving in the distance.

"I wonder what plots they were laying, " Turins said in a remote tone.

"Magician business, no doubt, and none of yours, young fur." replied his father.

"I don't like her!" was the seemingly disconnected response.

"Who?"

"That stuck up prig adept. She thinks she's too good for us."

"Maybe. Maybe not. It really doesn't matter what she thinks as long as she does a good job."

"I still don't have to take it."

"Yes, you do." Turins turned and stared. Before he could respond, his father gripped him by the shoulder and said, "when we get out there, that stuck up prig Adept is going to be the most important fur there and don't you forget it."

"I can handle things better than she can." was the sulky reply.

"I doubt it- and I know you can't when it comes to guiding us through hundreds of miles of barren desert. But that's beside the point. Can you kill everyone in the caravan before anyone could draw two breaths, much less an arrow?"

Turins stared.

"No, you couldn't, " Seran continued, "but she could, and your attitude is not going to give her any reason to. If I have to, I will silence you myself before I let you endanger us all with this foolishness. Is that understood??"

A stunned nod was his only reply, but it was all he required. The Racens, father and son, went back to work on their caravan while their new guides got ready for it- and for them.