Chapter 2

November 17, 1777

James Hiller woke with the sun and birds. Despite the fact that he wanted to stay snuggled up in his warm bed, he knew that Sarah or Moses would eventually drag him out of bed so he might as well get up now. He groaned as he slowly peeled away his covers. The chilly morning air nipped at him almost immediately. The young journalist drowsily trudged over to the washbowl, which had chucks of ice floating in it. Ignoring the cold, James splashed then scrubbed his face until it was clean. Sighing he wasted no time getting undressed and redressing in his usual ensemble of white shirt, green vest, brown trousers, stockings and shoes. He tied his blonde hair back before opening his door and making his way downstairs.

"James! James!" Henri shouted and nearly ran him over as his foot hit the landing.

"Calm down Henri," James calmly ordered. "What is it?"

The young Frenchie held up a folded parchment addressed to a James Hiller at the Pennsylvania Gazette. James raised an eyebrow as he took the letter and broke the seal, which didn't look like anything he'd ever seen. The letter was written in a spidery, yet elegant handwriting that obviously belonged to a woman. In the top right hand corner was a strange insignia.

The letter read:

Dear Mr. James Hilller,

I have read your articles in the Pennsylvania Gazette and I am shocked that someone so young could produce such strong and passionate words. Though you haven't heard of me, I have heard of you. Therefore I am giving you an opportunity to prove yourself before I tell you who I am.

Twenty miles north of Philadelphia there is an encampment of fifteen hundred British soldiers. I have an informant that has vital information that has to get to General Khan. Get this informant out and I promise to tell you everything about me. The British move camp in fourteen days and when they do, the informant will be gone for good. Enclosed in the letter are several routes that can get you there quickly and safely, a layout of the camp and the location of the information within he camp. The information he has is vital to the Revolution. Do not let this person die. If General Washington wishes to gain an upper hand over the British then it would be wise to stage a rescue.

This is between you and me. Do not tell Moses, Henri, or Sarah if you what is good for you. Meet me outside Philadelphia when you have succeeded and don't worry…. I will be there before you. Remember…. do not tell anyone about this. With great pleaser, the Daughter.

James read and reread the letter several times before it finally sunk in. Whoever this Daughter was she obviously knew her stuff. Ignoring Henri's persistent begging to let him see the letter, James walked over to the printing press and laid the maps and other things down. He picked up the map of the encampment, his blue eyes scanning it for flaws. It seemed pretty legit. He was so into it, James didn't notice Henri nab the letter and run off with it, until Henri's chuckle reached his ears.

"Hey!" James made a grab fro the small boy but missed him by an inch. Henri giggled as he dodged the older boy, ignoring the frustrated look on the older boy's face.

"Henri would you please keep it down?" Sarah pleaded. She was carrying her bag. James mentally slapped himself for forgetting that they would be travelling to Camp Howston. How could he have forgotten? He hadn't even packed yet! Without another word, James quickly bounded up the stairs into his room. He pulled out a suitcase, throwing a bunch of clothes into it, not bothering to make sure it matched.

When he came back down, Moses had returned with a carriage. James quickly threw his things into it before bolting back inside for his coat. Sarah, decked out in her light lavender cloak, looked at him with a confused yet worried expression.

"I wonder what's gotten into him." She wondered out loud. Henri chuckled as he held the letter victoriously in front of his face. Sarah's brow crinkled as she took it and read it. Her brow furrowed even further when she caught sight of the beautifully scrawled name at the bottom of the letter. The Daughter….was it the same Daughter that she met yesterday? The invalid didn't seem like a person to be a spy.

Sarah didn't get to think over it as James came back. She quickly stuffed the letter in her cloak and attempted (and failed) to look innocent. Fortunately the blonde journalist didn't notice as he placed the rest of the supplies in the back. It was around nine-thirty when they finally left. On their way out of town they passed a crowd of people a bunch of British soldiers and a charred barn. There was a prison wagon that held a single hooded figure. James and Moses stared wide-eyed at the scene.

As they passed by, the hooded figure turned his head and stared at James with dark, depressing eyes. The person's eyes practically begged James to help him. But James couldn't do anything as the cart started to move. The stranger's chained hands clenched in fear and anger. He shifted his gaze over to another cloaked figure who seemed to be hiding from the Red Coats. That person put their head down and walked away. James made a mental note to ask about the incident later.

James returned his attention to the road ahead before noticing his letter he received earlier that day was missing. Well, at least he still had the maps. He could give those to General Washington when he got to Camp Howston.

But James couldn't get those eyes of the man in the prison cart out of his head. The singed cloak, the soot covered hands and the burnt barn didn't leave much to the imagination and with the Red Coats being the one making the arrest James assumed the hooded man was either a wanted criminal or a soldier in the Continental Army. Either way, that man was probably in a lot of trouble with the Crown.

Pretty soon they left Philadelphia and the four travelers were underway with their journey. It was half past twelve when they decided to stop to eat and let the horses rest a while. While Sarah wrote to her mother, Henri played in the snow and Moses tended to the horses, James refilled the canteens and wrote in his personal journal.

17 November 1778

It's been three years since the Revolution had started and it has been the bloodiest three years ever. General Washington has yet to convince the French to aid them in the fight. Things need to change and fast if the Colonists have a chance of gaining independence. Things are heating up in the colonies as British soldiers try and keep the peace though from what I have seen in Philadelphia, they have failed absolutely miserably. On our way out of Philadelphia we saw a man getting arrested for unknown reasons. The crowd was absolutely furious while the man was acting very resigned to his fate, his dark almond shaped eyes begging someone to free him. Someone in the crowd looked like she wanted to help but the man stopped her. It was strange but hopefully that will be the last of it.

Earlier this morning I received a letter from what I assume was a spy for the Army. She gave me several papers including a map of Camp Howston and a promise to trade secrets but I wasn't supposed to tell anyone not even Sarah, Henri, or Moses. I am not completely sure how she (yes the spy was a female) knew about them but I digress. I have a strange feeling about this meeting with General Khan. According to General Washington, General Khan is a wealthy businessman who dabbled in trade and other activities. Including being an intelligent tactician. Even though no one knew anything about him, General Khan seemed to be a great general.

James sighed as he closed his journal and stood. He heard Moses call him a few moments ago; telling him it was time to head out. Sighing the blonde journalist trekked back to the carriage, when he heard a gun go off in the distance. James froze and turned back in the direction he thought the sound came from. Everything around him was silent; the birds had fallen silent as the gunshot echoed before dying down. Without wasting another minute, James ran as fast as he could towards the wagon. He literally ran into the man causing both of them to stumble.

"James, are you all right?" Moses asked as they untangled themselves from each other.

"Yeah I'm fine," James answered, wringing out the hem of his jacket. "Did you hear that gunshot?"

"I did, which is why I want to get out of here as quickly as possible." The two made their way back to the wagon where Sarah and Henri made their way were waiting anxiously. They all piled in the back, Sarah taking James's place next to Moses and continued down the dirt road. The four didn't say a word to each other as a heavy feeling of foreboding suddenly blanketed the gang.

The sun was just about to set when they reached Camp Howston. Smells of food wafted from the camp, as the soldiers got ready to receive their supper. James, Sarah and Henri unloaded their things before bidding goodbye to Moses, who was going to return to Philadelphia in order to protect the press. The three journalists headed to General Washington's private tent. The soldiers knew them from other times they had visited so no one paid them any attention.

Except one. He was obviously new as he stopped them as soon as he saw them. James was taken aback when he saw the soldier was probably no older than he was. The boy had bright blue eyes and dark brown hair which was tied back with a crème colored ribbon. Though he looked no older than James himself, the boy's oval shaped face was littered with small scars. His lips were the worst. They were completely destroyed with mass of scar tissue. Those crystal blue eyes were scary with the way they shone with a light of maturity that no boy his age should have. He scowled so ferociously; James thought he must've been half wolf.

All the fierceness in his eyes, the mature look on his face and the way he held himself told James Hiller that this boy was a man already.

"You are not supposed to be here," the boy scolded. He sounded way younger than he looked, maybe around twelve years old.

"We're here to see General Washington," James informed him. Maybe the General would come out and vouch for them.

"Do you have permits?" The boy asked. James looked at Sarah with a confused expression. Since when did they need permits? The young soldier caught the looks before saying, his voice harsh, "Then if you do not have permits, I am afraid I cannot let you in. I do apologize but it is protocol."

"Since when?" Sarah demanded. Apparently things were probably the same in the British Army.

The boy shot a cold, hard stare at the young Loyalist who immediately wilted. "Since a few minutes ago…. miss." He grabbed a hold of Sarah's wrist and started to pull her back towards the edge of camp. The young redhead started to fight back drawing the attention of some other soldiers. One soldier, Udney James remembered was brave enough to step up and assist the young woman.

"Charley! Unhand her!" He shouted. The boy, Charley froze and scowled at the older boy. With his mess up lips, it looked spooky.

"What did you call me?" Charley whispered. The two had a small stare off before Udney spoke again.

"I said unhand her," he whispered. "Charley."

Charley growled, releasing Sarah's wrist and balled his hands into fists. Udney followed suite and soon James, Henri and Sarah found themselves on the outskirts of an ever-growing crowd, which was continuously chanting, "fight, fight, fight," louder and louder.

The two boys started to wrestle, while everyone around them placed bets. However the fight was cut short when a voice boomed, "ENOUGH!"

Udney and Charley stopped and the crowd immediately quieted down. Charley scrambled to his feet, his shoulders pulled back. Udney slowly rose to his feet, wiping the small amount of blood that trickled down his chin. Charley didn't wince or budge as the crowd parted to reveal a general. His jet-black hair was streaked on either side with silver grey. His eyes were darker than night and his skin was like mud. He held himself with such dignity and authority that James felt ashamed even though he didn't do anything. He wore a standard issue uniform with a saber and a pistol at his side but there was one more thing James saw on another person. It looked like a hilt but it didn't have a blade.

Why does he have that? James asked as he observed the General scrutinized the two soldiers in front of him.

"Return to your post," the general ordered. The men, except Udney and Charley, scattered like cockroaches. Once the men were out of earshot the new general returned his frightening gaze to the two in front of him.

"Please inform me why you two were fighting?" He asked softly.

"Charley was hurting Miss Philips, sir," Udney explained, only slightly wilting under.

"She did not have a pass," Charley said through gritted teeth. "She and her companions are not allowed."

The General slipped into an unknown language. Whatever he said caused Charley's cheek to turn bright red and cast his eyes down in shame. Poor Udney, Sarah, Henri and James looked confused.

"Both of you will be on kitchen duty for the rest of the week. Understand?" Both boys saluted to the General before walking off, Charley shooting Sarah a hateful look. The three were about to take off when the General turned his gaze to them causing to the to freeze. "What's your name boy?"

"James Hiller," the young man answered. "I work for Doctor Benjamin Franklin and the Pennsylvania Gazette. Sir."

"So you are the Journalist General Washington spoke about," the man scratched his chin. "I apologize for my Padawan. He is still young and thinks more with his fists rather than his brain. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"I'm sorry but who are you?" Sarah asked still fuming slightly.

"Allow me to introduce myself," the man removed his hat and bowed deeply at the waist. "General William Sherman Khan at your service."

James felt the blood drain from his face as he asked, "You're General Khan?"

"The one and only," The general said. He placed his hat back on top of his head. "I was told that you wanted to ask me some questions?"

"Yes sir," James was cut off by a yawn. Khan chuckled.

"I think the questions wait until tomorrow," the general gestured to a tent in the far corner. "General Washington had a meeting with a few generals and won't be back until noon tomorrow. His men erected that earlier today. Please fill free to use it."

"Thank you General," James thanked. He grabbed Sarah and Henri and yanked them towards the tent. Their luggage was already there so all they had to was erect a sheet between Sarah's bed to give her some semblance of privacy before heading to bed.

-Line break-

Ada groaned as she tripped on a root and hit the ground. Her side throbbed painfully as she breathed deep, even breathes. Slowly the young Padawan removed her hand and held it up in the pale light of the moon. The blood had long since dried, giving her hands a strange rust colored tint. But when she rubbed the thumb, forefinger and middle finger together, Ada could definitely feel the wetness of her lifeblood on her fingers.

Ada gritted her teeth as she slowly stood. Today was the absolute worst day of her life! Rewind to early that morning the two Jedi were awoken by the smell of smoke and burning wood. They immediately became trapped within the blaze that enveloped the barn they were sleeping in. Fortunately they escaped in the nick of time, but the Men in Red nabbed Klai. Ada was about to free him but he shot her a look that said 'run'. And she did. Later that day while looking for Klai she ran into more Men in Red. She ran as fast as she could but a bullet grazed her side, leaving her with a decent sized hole in her side. Now, freezing, starving, dehydrated, wounded, lost and in shock, Ada continued her trek until she spotted light in the distance.

The Padawan forced her feet to move, the promise of nourishment, warmth and shelter being a very powerful motivator. Ada was forced to lean against a dead tree as a wave of dizziness overcame her. After a moment or two, Ada continued to slowly made her way to the fire.

By the time, Ada reached the crest of the hill, black spots danced in front of her vision. There was a slight ringing in her ear. The faint whispering of voices was heard as well as a warning and the telltale sing of a gun cocking. Ada stopped as two men of different ages came into her vision. They looked as shocked as she did but right now, darkness was starting to creep into her vision.

One word was uttered as the pain and unconsciousness finally grabbed her and started to pulled her under, "Help…"

The last thing Ada Gillian saw were the pearly stars above.

-Line break-

November 18th, 1778

Henri Lefebvre was awake with the sun and was causing mischief by breakfast. While the cook was busy dishing out rations to the troops, the orphaned Frenchie snuck into the cook's tent and swiped several muffins. He chuckled as he dashed out of the tent before the cook discovered him.

The young French boy nibbled on the muffins under a dead tree on the edge of camp. There was a lone tent that wasn't there before. People came in and out, some covered in blood. Henri knew that people got hurt in war, but as far as he knew there wasn't any type of battle or skirmish. After the flow of people started to slow to a trickle, two guards were posted outside the tent. General Washington's personal surgeon came out; wiping his hands clean on a rag.

Peeking out from behind the tree, Henri observed General Khan walk up to the doctor. From what he heard and could piece together, the tent belonged to an injured woman who stumbled into camp late last night. She was bleeding from her side, was running a ever and was dehydrated and starving. The doctor managed to stem the blood flow long enough to patch her up but she was still unconscious and running a high enough fever to cause concern.

"When will she be well enough to answer questions?" General Khan asked.

"Who knows," the surgeon pushed his glasses up. "She lost a lot of blood."

"Hmmm," General Khan hummed. "Very well. Thank you Doctor."

Both General and Doctor walked off in opposite directions. Henri used this opportunity to sneak a peek at the person in the tent. The young boy glanced left and right before dashing into the tent. Henri didn't know what to expect but he sure didn't expect a young girl around Sarah's age, maybe slightly younger. Her skin was beautifully dark with a deep tan that came from working in the sun. The girl's hair, which was brushed out on the pillow, was a lovely caramel brown. She was laying on a cot, a white blanket tucked under her chin and a cloth folded over her brow. A lantern illuminated the area that the flap at the front blocked out.

Henri dared to venture forward a little so he was right next to the girl. The young orphan could hear her deep yet slightly ragged breathing. He was turning to leave when he felt a hand grab his wrist, holding him in place with an iron grip. Henri turned to face the girl, whose eyes were wide open, giving the young French boy an eyeful of beautiful sapphire blue eyes that shone in fear. Her lips parted slightly as she spoke in an unfamiliar language.

Please…help me…don't leave me…. her voice sounded pleading and desperate. Henri tugged and tugged until his wrist was free. Unfortunately he stumbled over his own feet before he righted himself. After the adrenaline had passed Henri stood out of breath. The girl attempted to get out of the cot, only to stumble. Her forehead was soaked in sweat her breath coming in short, rapid pants.

"P-please," she struggled with her words. A tin cup on the desk in the far corner rattled before flying towards Henri. He ducked before dashing out of the tent, startling the guards. He screamed at the top of his lungs until he ran into James. Literally.

"Henri what's wrong?" the older boy asked. Poor Henri was so shaken and spooked that he spoke in rapid fire French rather than shaky English.

"Je ne voulais pas être la, je suis juste curieux, je le jure!"

"Slow down Henri," James ordered placing a hand on his shoulder. A small crowd had gathered around them including Sarah and General Khan. "Take a deep breath and remember: English."

Henri did as he was instructed and pretty soon he was calm enough to speak English.

"Okay. Now what happened?"

"The girl in the tent is a witch!" He shouted.

Sara was thoroughly confused. "What girl?"

"Last night the sentries brought in an injured girl," General Khan answered. "She was freezing, running a very high fever, starving, and dehydrated. We decided it would be best to help her heal since she is no older than you Miss Phillips."

Henri followed the conversation closely but grew anxious when the events in the tens came back.

"Why do you say she's a witch? Everyone knows witches aren't real," Sarah asked curious.

"She caused a cup to fly towards me," Henri shook with fear as he added, "Without touching it."

James and Sarah looked at each other questioningly but Khan looked shocked and slightly startled. A look of determination soon molded itself on the General's face as he turned on his heels and took off running towards the girl's tent with the journalists hot on his trail.

When they reached the tent, General Khan yanked the entrance flap open. He and the others gasped in surprise. The two guards that were posted at the front of the tent were tied up and gagged with the sheets. Khan untied and ungagged them.

"What happened?" he questioned. "Where's the girl?"

"She tricked us and escaped." One of the guards explained. "She's still pretty sick so there's a possibility that she won't get far."

Khan growled as he left the tent, Charley waiting outside the tent already. The General wasted no time in giving orders.

"I want that girl found and in front of me as soon as possible," Khan mounted a grey horse. "Take a small group of men. Charkly will take the north side while I take the south. Rendezvous back here at dusk."

"Yes Master," Charily replied before mounting his horse, which was black with a crème stripped, own the middle of his face.

"General, if you don't mind I would like to ride with you," James requested. At the general's scowl, the older boy added, "for the newspaper."

"Very well,' he turned to Sarah. "if you wish, Miss Phillips, you may ride with Charkly. Let's ride."

James and Henri mounted Doctor Franklin's horse before following the General. Henri glanced back to see Sarah take Charley's hand and their group ride the other way. General Khan's group traveled for an hour before they picked up a trail.

"Hm." General Khan rubbed his fingers together, noting the rust tint the snow had.

"What is it?" Henri asked.

"Blood." Khan answered simply. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the near frozen blood off. "It's still slightly fresh which means she's not too far in front of us."

He urged his horse forward and everyone followed Khan. They stopped suddenly at a frozen pond. Khan had shushed everyone that was laughing and chatting among himself or herself, listening for the slightest of sound. Henri's heart was pounding his ears as he strained to listen. The only sound he could hear was a slight, low whistling sound. It seemed to becoming from a bush right on the bank. A medium sized boulder lifted, before hurtling right towards the general.

"Look out!" Henri shouted. General Khan raised the bladeless hilt right as the boulder was inches from his face. Everyone expected his face to be smashed but the rock split in two, each half sizzling. In General Khan's hand was a sword with a pure black blade with a white glow around it.

Everyone just stared at him until a very guttural battle cry sounded. They all turned and Henri gasped at the sight. The girl who had been lying helpless and sick was charging at General Khan a sword similar his in her hand. She kicked Khan off the horse and rushed forward to help the General. Udney grabbed her shoulders but she managed to elbow him in the face. She reached for General Khan. The two grappled for a bit before the dark skinned general finally managed to hold the girl in a headlock. Henri was about to get a better description of her now she wasn't moving so much.

She wore trousers and brown boots. She also wore a tanned vest and billowy shirt, which had bloodstains on the left side. The top of her shirt was unbuttoned so the young French orphan caught a glimpse of bandages. The girl struggled against General Khan, who was speaking in an unknown language. She gritted her teeth and spat out something in the same unknown language. As the girl continued to struggle, General Khan tied her hands behind her back. He yanked the bladeless hilt form her belt and examined it. Henri hopped off the horse and trotted over to Udney who pinched his hose to stop the bleeding.

"Are you alright?" Henri asked.

"Yeah I'm fine," Udney answered, his voice nasally. "Girl packs quite a punch."

James joined the two while General Khan was interrogating the girl who was shooting said General a very dirty look. They were speaking in an unknown language, with Khan doing most of the talking and the girl answering crisply or sharply.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Udney asked.

James and Henri both shrugged as their response. They continued to watch the General and Stranger converse before the General gave up and mounted his horse, tying the end of the rope under his saddle.

"Let's return to camp," he said before urging his horse forward. The girl kept her eyes down as they made their way back to Camp Howston.

-Line break-

Sometimes I really hate my life, Ada thought as she trudged along reluctantly. Her tied hands were starting to chaff from rope that was tied to this high-and-mighty general's saddle. The young Padawan was so tempted to yank the rope out from under him and either make a dash for it or hang him from the nearest tree. Or quite possibly both. But unfortunately her wound had started to throb during the small wrestling match was killing her and she shivered uncontrollably yet her forehead was still damp from the fever. Ada felt something be placed over her shoulder. Glancing back the young girl saw the young boy with ebony locks and king brown eyes place a blanket over her shoulders. This was the boy she saw when she awoke in an unknown place. Now that her brain had caught up with her, Ada saw he wore a dark blue shirt with a heavy black jacket over it, dark grey trousers, stockings and shoes. His skin was beautifully tanned. The boy behind him was the completely different.

He had pale skin, light blue eyes and blond hair. Form her viewpoint Ada could see an olive green vest and billowy white shirt under his brown jacket. They rode on a dark powder grey creature that was directly behind her. Ada returned her attention back to the front as her foot caught a root and she almost tripped. The General she was tied to take her saber though if he didn't know she was a Jedi, she wouldn't take it, thinking it was an unfinished regular sword. Yet he had a dark saber, which he used to slice the boulder she sent his way in half.

Ada was a little startled when he sued his saber to cut the boulder in half. She just assumed the man was a Sith and attacked him with all she had. Her thoughts vanished when they reached the outskirts of the camp. Her side gave a dull throb, thanks to her kind's advanced natural healing though she still had a slight fever. As soldiers gawked at her as the group passed through Ada wasn't unfamiliar to being a prisoner. She was captured and tortured by they Sith for information about the Temple on Tython. Master Brishen's voice echoed through her head as he told her what to do that first time in a Sith Prison Camp.

Don't show that you are afraid or sad, he instructed. If they are staring stand up straight and give them something to look at.

Ada's spine straightened automatically and she ignored the stares and whispers that were so obviously about her and kept her eyes forward. The man in front of the small group stopped his creature and untied the rope from his saddle. He yanked Ada in the direction of a plain white tent. Two more people had joined the group: a milky white, red haired girl in a lavender cloak and a brown haired, uniformed boy no older than Ada herself. The boy had a decent force signature to him.

When they entered the tent, Ada immediately knew that she was standing in front of the highest rank one could reach: Commander in Chief. The man himself was an older gentleman with powdery grey hair and a wrinkled face. But he held himself with such dignity that Ada felt a slight tingle of fear pass through her. She refused to let it show. Other gentlemen probably around the same age range except a younger looking man, who stood next to the CIC closely, surrounded the man. They were all hunched over a map that had battle plans written in Basic.

"General Washington," the general that held her ropes greeted, saluting. The Commander in chief saluted it back before his wise eyes landed on Ada.

"Who is your guest?" He asked.

"I haven't a clue," the dark skinned general admitted. Ada scowled slightly as the irritation in his voice. He had tried to pry it out of her back at the pond. But she was a tough nut to crack. "She arrived wounded and sick last night but escaped this morning. I was afraid she was a spy so I went after her."

The Commander in Chief looked at Ada, then back at the Dark Skin, then to his generals. Taking a deep breath, General Washington faced Ada once again and looked in her eyes. The young Padawan saw a question brimming behind those troubled eyes.

"Tell me young one," the General tried gently. "Who are you and why are you here?"

No matter how nice they seem there is always a second motive, Master Brishen's voice echoed. She shushed the voice of her deceased master before s peaking, her voice loud, clear, commanding and unwavering.

"I am Padawan Ada Gillian of the Jedi Order," She introduced. "I am under the Apprenticeship of Jedi Council Member Master Klai Dioddai."

Her heart thundered in her chest as she gauged the reactions of the men (and woman) in the room. The three civilians looked just as confused as six of the generals in the room. The young soldier and dark-skinned general didn't look surprised but slightly shocked. Ada could practically feel the curiosity roll off everyone in the room.

General Dark Skin stepped forward and spoke, "I am sure you have a reason for being here?"

"Yes sir," Ada answered. Her voice betrayed her irritation with the man standing before her. "The Jedi are currently locked in a heated conflict involving a much hated enemy. Unfortunately the conflict has gotten worse. Much worse. The Council needs every able bodied warrior they can get."

Dark Skin made a 'go on' movement as Ada quickly thought of a believable way the next sentence. When she thought she had a way, Ada spoke.

"My master and I were charged to seek out and bring back Master William Sherman Khan so that he may also contribute his efforts. The council had not heard from Master Khan in years as he was on an exploration."

Dark Skin blinked in evident surprise as Ada continued to explain that her transport had been destroyed and she had been separated from her master who had been captures by the 'Men in Red'. When Ada was finished the tent was plunged into tense silence as the generals attempted to sort out her story. It was the brown-haired soldier who spoke.

"You are a Padawan?" He asked. His voice held admiration and awe. At Ada's confused nod, he added, "I am one as well!"

"Whom are you apprenticed to?"

"He is my apprentice," Dark skin answered. "I am General William Sherman Khan!"