Part VIII: New City and Old Ties

Calling this place a "village" is the understatement of the millennium. This breathtaking mixture of steel, glass, black marble, and state-of-the art technology, engulfed all in white light, it is a piece of architecture that is as unprecedented as it is captivating. Even the hallowed halls, buildings, and streets of the now mythical Tarn Vedra pales in comparison.

The platform elevator they were lowered on and the steel door they entered didn't go to the exact location of the "village," it just led them to the steel balcony that overlooked it. The village is actually much further into the ground...more than 100 feet.

"Tyr, this is our new city... Caimile. It means "a family is born"or in this case, a family is 'reborn'. Is it all that you thought it would be?" asked Almira, hoping the pride's progress since the clan war met with his approval.

"More... much more." Tyr expressed, under his breath.

"It's so beautiful..." remarked Trance, just as breathless as Tyr. "...and bright."

"Then, let's go down and greet everyone."

Almira motions them to follow her to the opposite end of the balcony where the elevator was waiting to take them down. As they step in and the doors shut, the anticipation was about to tear Tyr apart. His heart is racing so fast, he thinks it might explode. As the elevator reaches the bottom level, he holds his breath as the doors slide open.

As she leads them through the crowded passageways, he was struck with the sight and sounds of his pride members prospering. Walking about, he sees the married Kodiak men roughhousing with their sons, sharpening their warrior skills and the others without children are taking inventory of pride's food and weaponry. The Kodiak women with mates are caring for their newborn babies and are trying to reprimanding their older children who are running all about. The other women who have yet to chose a mate are sitting on the sidelines watching a sparring match between two Kodiak males. As these two giant Alphas are trying to overpower the other, the women are in anticipation of the fight's outcome because the one left standing will indeed make them first-time wives and mothers. The commotion was almost the way he remembered it as a child. He has returned home.

"I'm going to introduce you to our matriarch, Tyr. She will want to speak with you." informed Almira, as they head for her quarters. "If you have any questions, she is the one with the answers."

"Answers would be very good right about now." said Dylan, reminding them of their initial reason for coming here. Not that he wasn't happy for Tyr, but there are bigger things at stake here than just the discovery of his missing pride, like the fact that someone or something is trying to hunt them down.

Upon entering the matriarch's quarters, the four stumble in on what seems to be a very heated exchange between a large, muscular male and an older, slightly smaller female. They stand in the shadow of the doorway only managing to catch the end of their argument.

"If you go through with this plan of yours, they will strike us down without a second thought! What you are proposing is pure genocide!!" shouted the older female to the male.

"They sent out one of their mobile prison units again! It came while we were out today and I haven't been able to find her. The only conclusion I've come to is that she's been captured. They will pay with their lives if she is harmed and I really don't care what you have to say to me. I'm going out there to get her back!!"

"Father!!" shouted Almira, running out from the shadow of the doorway heading in the man's direction. The man and the woman stop and stare in utter amazement.

"Almira!!" cried the man, taking her in his arms, swinging her around. "I thought you were captured! What happened to you?!"

She looked in direction of the doorway and motioned them to step forward into the light. They comply and just as Tyr brings himself into view, the older female's face turns as white as a sheet and is having problems catching her breath. It was like she had seen a ghost. Tyr notices her reaction, but is too busy receiving accolades from Almira's grateful father to give it any real investigation.

"I am Balthasar Brabazon... out of Necia by Thane." He and Tyr greet one another with the entwining of their bone spurs.

"I am Tyr Anasazi... out of Victoria by..."

"Barbarossa." stated the older woman with complete and utter certainty. Tyr is understandably surprised.

"Do I know you, madam?" Tyr asks. She doesn't seem familiar to him.

The woman approaches him, looks into his eyes, touches him about the face and strokes his long mane of dreadlocked hair. The whole experience is making him feel somewhat uncomfortable. Dylan and Trance look at one another, hoping to be let in on what is happening.

"I never thought I would ever see this face again." said the woman, her voice slightly breaking. Tyr is now visibly shaken. This woman actually recognizes him! He starts to look at her long, salt and pepper colored straight hair, dark eyes and mocha complexion more closely in hopes of remembering who she is. There is a shimmer of recognition, but sadly, not enough to place a name with her face.

"Forgive me, madam, although you seem familiar, I am having some trouble remembering your name." Tyr says, reluctantly. His eyes start to wander, not wanting to make eye contact with her. Fortunately, the woman isn't offended that he doesn't totally remember her.

"It's quite understandable, Tyr. The last time we saw each other, I was a young girl and you were still small enough to hold in my arms. I remember when you wanted me to sneak you into the fast hold so you could look upon the remains of the Progenitor." Tyr could not believe what he was hearing.

"Yes... I remember now! How could I have forgotten?!" exclaims Tyr as all of these old memories begin to resurface.

"Tyr, who is this woman?" inquired Dylan, feeling he and Trance have been kept in the dark long enough.

She turns to them and answers, "I am Lysandra Mordeeai... out of Nitara by Barbarossa."

Trance chimes in, "But Tyr, that's your father's name."

"Yes, Trance. Lysandra is my older sister."