A/N: Okay, this is a better chapter, but the best one so far is coming up next! Excitement is around the bend!

ENJOY THIS! ^?^


Will was saddling up Tug when Kleay returned.

"Will!"

He looked up and Kleay's call and saw her trotting through the camp, searching for him. Beside her was another Vetaer. He was tall, with silvery-white hair and white ears. Will couldn't see his eye color or his tail from where he was. But what he could see was surprising. He had never seen white hair on a man as young as the Vetaer that trotted calmly and curiously beside Kleay.

Will raised one hand and called out.

"Over here."

Kleay instantly changed direction without looking. In a few moments, she was walking up to him.

"Will," she said eagerly. "This is my friend, from my village. His name is Vepaa." She smiled at the ranger.

Will, slightly unsure how to greet Vepaa, just stood there and muttered an unintelligible greeting.

The tall Vetaer knew what to do though. He brought one hand across from his shoulder to his hip and then raised the hand, palm outward, back up to his shoulder. "Ithalow." he said quietly. Then he looked expectantly at Will.

Will, still unsure, copied the gesture and repeated what Vepaa had said. "Ithalow." he stammered.

Vepaa smile broadly. "Kleay tells me you are very kind. As are the others." He laughed. "Though sometimes kindness is not for the best. It can make one soft."

Will smiled back. Now that Vepaa was closer, Will could see that his eyes were a very odd mint green color and his tail was white. It was the very oddest of eye colors. His hair as well. It was very obvious that Vepaa was not from this world. But he was very friendly and quite nice already.

Kleay grabbed Will's hand. "So, when are we going? To get the magic?" she asked eagerly. "Is Halt coming? Gilan? Crowley?"

Will nodded. "Yes, we're leaving soon. Halt, Gilan, Crowley and me are all going. I think we're also bringing some others. Maybe not though."

"I hope Tomas can come." said a voice quite close by. Will turned around to see Samuria standing a short ways away, folding a tent neatly. Beside her was a tall, blond-haired ranger with blue eyes. Samuria was obviously falling for him. Will grinned inwardly.

"Oh. Well I'll have to ask Halt." Will replied.

"Okay then." Samuria sighed. She darted a glance at Tomas, who smiled back at her. The blond ranger seemed not to mind her yellow eyes or her ears and tail. Samuria seemed not to mind that Tomas wasn't even her kind.

Will hid another grin and led Kleay and Vepaa to the place where Crowley was gathering the others around him. They walked through a forest of collapsing tents and rangers busily packing or seeing to wounds that hadn't been noticed up til now. Brent trotted past leading two horses to where Corin was packing. He smiled and nodded but didn't let go of the horses bridles. Tug whinnied briefly and caused both Kleay and Vepaa to jump and flatten their ears a little. They didn't seem to be familiar with horses.

Will called out as he approached Crowley. "Hey! Crowley! Kleay found the spy!"

"Spy?" asked Vepaa, amused. "I had no idea I was held in such high esteem!" He gave an easy laugh. Kleay grinned as well. She seemed fond of her friend but not very attached. For some odd reason, Will felt a twinge of relief at that thought.

Crowley looked up and blinked with surprise at Vepaa. He shook it off quickly though and smiled. "And what's your name?" he asked politely.

"My name is Vepaa." The Vetaer smiled pleasantly at Crowley. "I know already what is going on. Kleay caught me up on all that is happened and where we are going. I will come to."

Crowley nodded his approval. "That's fine. We'll be leaving within a few minutes. We're just waiting for Halt and Gilan."

Vepaa nodded and sat down on the ground. He sat slightly weird, in a cat-like way with his palms flat on the ground between his knees. He closed his mint-green eyes and breathed deeply in an out. Kleay did the same. Will blinked and stared a little before he looked away and talked quietly to Crowley. Halt eventually came up with Abelard. Samuria and Tomas had already arrived.

"Alright then! We're all here." said Crowley. "Let's get moving."

Vepaa and Kleay jumped up and all the Vetaer moved into a small clump. The rangers all swung astride their horses and they quickly set off.

In the direction of the Solitary Plains.

Halt, Will and Gilan exchanged looks.

"Beware all flute players!" said Gilan.

Then they all laughed.


FINALLY! They're leaving after this many chapters! I really hope y'all are excited. This is going to be my best story ever!

Chocolate and Beans will rain from the sky while Ninjas dance in cranberry juice!-Me