AND: Here's the next chapter, just for you all. Please review. I live for feedback, people! Just for a note, this stroy will have next to nothing to do with the Great Race. Wait for the next story for that.
Lessons-Year 1-Weights
"Ninja?" Taren asked in confusion, sounding out the new word.
"Ninja are an ancient type of warrior. They were faster than lightening, agile as the wind, and as deadly as a Crog assassin. Ninja, or shinobi as they were also known, were elite assassins. These books tell about how Meishi was the last of a ninja clan and copied everything down for me," Shailana explained. "If these books are right, I could be a powerful fighter."
"What would you need?" Karmena asked, memories of Maya's speed and kill rate in battle filling her mind.
"Weights. I know the gravity of Cresayes is a little more than Earth. That should be even better. Then, I'll need to talk to a weapon smith, maybe even sis," Eva said with a thoughtful look and flipped through the books at random.
"What do you need to see a weapon smith for?" Taren asked and touched the hilt of his energy blade. "Let alone Kit."
"I'll need to get some special weapons made, and sis can probably help me with poisons and such," Shailana said with a smirk then frowned. "I'll need weights first. Do you know where I can find some? They need to be wearable."
"An armorer could probably make them. Guess I'll be introducing you to Palilis early," Karmena said and sighed. "Training is suspended for today until we can get Shailana set up."
"I tell Dad and Kit," Taren said and took off.
"Let's go. We have quite a walk to Palilis," Karmena said and began to lead Shailana out of the compound. Shailana was surprised. Her family didn't let her out of the compound often. The last time she had been out, she had to run home after a rather large mob tried to kill her for being human.
"Lady Karmena?" another female Crog called from a nearby shop. Her eyes went to Shailana immediately.
"Asni, what is it?" Karmena asked.
"I had heard you had a human slave. Congratulations," Asni said, rubbing her hands on her heavy yellow dress.
"I am no slave," Shailana let out in a hiss. Her eyes narrowed as Asni backed away with wide eyes. Karmena chuckled and began to lead on once more.
"That was good. Never let them talk horrible about you," Karmena told her daughter. Shailana nodded. Crog stared at the duo as they continued down the street. Tall, dark colored buildings lined the street. There was little decoration other than signs declaring what shops there were.
Soon the duo was outside a large shop. Shailana winced at the smell, that of fire and sulfur, coming from within. Something her family had discovered quickly, she had a more sensitive sense of smell and taste than they did. The smell barely bothered Karmena, who walked into the shop. Shailana winced and followed her mother.
"Palilis!" Karmena cried out. A large male Crog spun around from his place at a forge. Younger Crogs, male and female, scuttled about the shop as well. They were apprentices by their brown clothing Shailana noted.
"Lady Karmena, what are you doing here? I thought you would be coming by later with your new daughter," Palilis said as he glanced at Shailana.
"We discovered something interesting. Shailana needs some weight clothing for her training," Kamena said and pushed Shailana forward. Palilis looked over her over and called one of his apprentices over. Grabbing measuring tools, the two Crog took all the measurements that they would need to create a weight pieces for the young human-Crog. After a brief discussion, a bit of time, and currency changing hands, Shailana had armbands with weights in them as well as leg bands that settled near her ankles. She felt heavy.
"Well, I'm a lot heavier now," Shailana muttered and began to move. Karmena chuckled and kept with her daughter's slow pace.
"You'll be able to get rid of them once you can bare your Meishi's ring. Give it a few years," Karmena said. True, the Gate Ring of Dreams would allow the barer to move quickly, enter the dreams of other, and control crystal.
"Now what?" Shailana asked. Once again, she was getting odd stares while the two walked down the street. Some were whispering and pointing. Other simply glared. Tension was building and Shailana had a feeling she would not like where it was going.
"Now we head home. My younger brother, you haven't met him yet, can make you some weapons. Throwing knives, needles and those star things that your Meishi was so fond of, not to mention a proper Engist," Karmena said as the two started on the way back to the family compound. Karmena sent glares at anyone who would dare look at her daughter with hatred or anger. Shailana would soon prove to them how much of a Crog she could be.
Engist-A Crog sword that has the same capability for energy blades as the Trident ships. It can be used as a basic sword or a film of energy can be on the blade. Hope that makes sense.