"It's very good of you to do this for us, Aurico," said Delphine.
"Think nothing of it," he answered politely. "We are going to have to help each other from now on, if we want to be able to defend our home. Besides, I can use the practice."
"False modesty," Tideus accused. "You are the best fighter out of all of us, and you know it."
"I call that unjust criticism," said Corcus. "I'm the best artist in the school, but I still practice."
Cestria laughed. "You can't accuse him of false modesty!"
The Rangers and their friend had come together on the training ground used by Aurico's self-defense class for lessons in hand-to-hand combat. Though their battle earlier in the week had proven that Razorfins were not the most difficult of opponents to overcome, they were heeding Ninjor's warning that the worst was yet to come. Since Tideus and Aurico were the only ones who knew anything about fighting, they had offered to give the rest of their friends some pointers.
"I must say, this is not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be," Delphine commented.
"That could be because you aren't doing it right," Tideus teased. "Look. This hand goes up and that hand goes down.. See? It's called a wheel block. You use it to defend yourself above and below at the same time."
"And spread your feet out some," Aurico added. "No, not that far. Just enough so you can keep your balance. There, much better. Try it again."
As Delphine obediently copied the move, the other students watched with varying degrees of approval.
"Her feet were just fine," Corcus muttered. "Aurico just has to try to get her attention."
"As if you never did," said Cestro. "And what do you know about any of this? He could very well be right, for all you know."
"Corcus doesn't try to get her attention," said Cestria, coming to her friend's defense. "He's always very polite. And I think he's right - she really didn't have to move that much."
"What are you three whispering about?" asked Aurico, cutting into the conversation.
"Just discussing how patient you are with Delphine," said Cestro innocently. "It must be difficult to teach someone who has never had to learn anything requiring more coordination than knowing which fork to use."
"I hope that was not an insult," Delphine said. "I will have you know that some of the ballroom dances nobility are expected to learn would be enough to make you musclebound types go pale." Her voice was scolding, but her eyes danced.
"So that's where you learned it!" said Aurico. "I was wondering how you caught on so fast. You are a wonderful student."
"And you are a good teacher," she replied.
"Quit flirting, you two!" said Tideus. "Or have you forgotten you have other, less fortunate students to attend to?"
Aurico colored a bit. "Sorry. I meant nothing by it. All right, then. How are the rest of you coming? Cestria? Cestro? Corcus?"
"I'm fine, thank you," said Corcus tersely. "I'd like it if you left me alone and let me practice for myself. I don't need your help."
"Indeed?" asked Aurico. "Fine words, coming from someone who had never held a sword until yesterday."
"I'm having a bit of trouble with that wheel block thing, myself," said Cestria. "Could you show it to me, please? Slowly, so I can see just how you do it?"
Aurico stared at Corcus for just a moment more before turning his attention to Cestria. They worked at the move for a few minutes until she could do it smoothly, while Tideus occupied himself by showing the Blue and Black Rangers a few offensive techniques. Delphine practiced the routine she had been taught and did her best to stay out of everyone's way. By the time the bell rang to send all the students back to their rooms for the evening, the flicker of hostility had died away, and the group was friendly once again.
"All right, good job, everyone," said Aurico. "Come back tomorrow, and we can pick up where we left off. See you at breakfast!"
He gave his friends a gesture of farewell, and he and Tideus began heading back to their rooms. Corcus said something about going to the art gallery to sneak a peek at a new exhibit. Cestro turned to Delphine and Cestria.
"It seems that I am the only one without an urgent mission tonight," he said. "Might I have the honor of escorting you ladies to your room?"
"I am afraid I must decline," said Delphine. "I was told there is a letter waiting for me, and I must go to the office to retrieve it. Perhaps another time."
"I'm free," said Cestria. "I guess you can come with me, if you want."
"I would be delighted," he replied, and offered her his arm. He nodded politely to Delphine as they left.
"All right," said Cestria, as soon as they were out of anyone's earshot, "what is this all about?"
"Could you be a little more specific?" Cestro asked.
"Why are you being so mannerly all of a sudden? I know you; as soon as the day is over, you go to your room and bury yourself in your books and your machines. You're up to something."
"I just wanted an excuse to talk to you privately," Cestro replied. "I would have liked to speak with Delphine as well, but on consideration, I think it might be best if I left her to make her own decisions."
"You mean, about the boys?" Cestria asked.
"A succinct way of phrasing it," he replied. "You know, you are quite a gifted peacemaker."
"What makes you say that?" asked Cestria, startled at the change of subject.
"I could not help but notice how quickly you forgot a move you knew perfectly when things began to get tense. I also noticed how difficult you found to relearn it. I call that creating a diversion and stalling for time. I am glad it worked."
"I had to do something," she replied. "You're supposed to be a team. It would be fair silly for you to start getting into fights with each other."
"True, but... what can I say? Men are complex creatures," said Cestro, with a hint of a smile. "Aurico has a strong will and a hot temper; Corcus lets his feelings be hurt too easily sometimes. He's also a bit of a romantic, I think."
"I know he is," Cestria sighed. "He's smitten with her, you know. He talks to me about it, sometimes, when he's drawing me. He thinks she's just wonderful, but he's usually too shy to say anything to her. And in the meantime, Aurico chases her, and I think she's starting to run a little slower these days."
"You have an interesting way of putting things," said Cestro. "This is a sticky situation, though. Either way, someone has to get their feelings hurt. I admire your wish for peace, but do not try to hold things off too long. It will only hurt more when your protection finally breaks down."
"I know, I know," she said, blushing a little. "I can't help it. I guess that's why they made me a Healer. I hate seeing anyone in pain, and I just want to do anything to make it stop."
"I understand. You have a good and loving heart, Cestria," Cestro answered. He considered. "Who knows? Perhaps a gentle-hearted Healer would make a better match for a shy artist than a proud noblewoman would."
Cestria turned bright red. "Stop it! What have I got to offer anybody? I'm just a plain girl with no money and no looks."
"Maybe so," said Cestro. "And maybe not. And here is your room, so I must bid you goodnight. Maybe you could have a word with your roommate. Perhaps she will talk openly to you - or, miracle of miracles, she could listen. Goodnight, Cestria."
"Goodnight, Cestro. It's been... interesting."
She entered her room and sat down at her desk, reaching from habit for paper and pens to start on her homework, but she only stared at the blank sheet, thinking. Normally, she loved her lessons, and even homework was interesting, in its way, but now concern for her friends was overriding anything else that might contend for her concentration. She lost track of time while she sat and considered, but it couldn't have been very long before the door to her room opened with a bang. She jumped.
"Don't do that!" she exclaimed.
"Sorry," said Delphine, sounding unusually breathless. Cestria felt suspicion flare up concerning where her friend had been all this time, but her mind was set at ease by the sight of a large and important-looking envelope that Delphine carried. Judging by the protective way she held it, it had to be something momentous.
"What's that?" asked Cestria curiously.
"My parents wrote to me," Delphine replied. "I had no idea they would."
"Well, don't just stand there! Open it!"
"Oh. Right." With considerably more excitement than she had shown over her entrance exams, she ran a fingernail down one end of the envelope and withdrew a sheet of fine, cream- colored paper. The seal of her family's house was stamped into the upper corner of the sheet, and the penmanship was a step short of calligraphy. Delphine set it on the corner of Cestria's desk so they could both look at it.
Dearest Daughter,
It is with greatest pleasure that we learn of your performance in the Hall of Learning. Inquiries with the staff have produced nothing but glowing praises - as we expected, of course. It has also come to us that you have been making many friends there, which we applaud. Always remember that one cannot have too many allies when the time comes for you to take up the mantle of duty. Do not neglect to favor the common children with your presence from time to time. It will make life easier for you in the future if the ordinary people remember you kindly. Because your welfare and education are so important, the School has agreed to rescind its visitation policy to allow us to spend some time with you and learn firsthand how you are faring. Until then, we remain
Your Loving Parents.
"Are they always like that?" asked Cestria.
Delphine sighed. "They really are not quite as bad in real life. They just feel like they have to be formal in writing - someone might quote them."
"That's not what I mean," Cestria said. "I mean that business about 'favoring the common children' and making allies. Who do they think you are, the queen?"
"Oh, that," said Delphine. "They never did have a high opinion of ordinary people. You remember how afraid I was that none of you would like me?"
"You never acted like that, though. I mean, I never saw you treat any of us like we were... I don't know, inferior or anything."
Delphine smiled ironically. "I know. I believe they pushed me in the opposite direction of where they wished me to go. The more they talked about looking down on the commoners, the more I wondered if they really looked up all that much at us. I was sure if you all knew how scornfully you are treated, you would never want anything to do with me."
"Well, you're nice," said Cestria, "even if your parents... I can't say anything without insulting them, can I?"
"I would not advise you to try. A closed mouth gathers no feet, as someone said," Delphine answered. "Anyway, like it or not, I am afraid they will be dropping in for a visit. They may be surprised at what they find. You will have to be on your best behavior. Since we live here together, they will be watching you for any little thing that might corrupt me." She shrugged resignedly.
"Oh, dear," said Cestria. "Hadn't you better get someone else to pretend to be your roommate for a while?"
"No," said Delphine firmly. "You will do fine. Besides, I could never lie to my parents. Did you notice how much they know about what I do here without ever having seen me? They have people watching me."
"Nice," Cestria said bitterly. "I'm sure I'll love your family."
Delphine sighed. "Maybe I should move in with your family. Do you want a sister?"
Cestria couldn't help but giggle, and Delphine managed to laugh along with her. They turned their talk to making preparations for the big day, considering what best to wear and where they could go. When they finished talking and turned to their lessons, Cestria had forgotten all about her conversation with Cestro... for the time being.
As the days passed, it became gradually more difficult not to notice the undercurrent of tension. Delphine was too preoccupied with the imminent arrival of her parents to pay much attention - after all, her practice in dealing with other people was limited, and she never realized that a few of the casually spoken words among her friends carried double meanings. None of them were being obviously hostile yet, but the others were painfully aware of a change in attitudes. Corcus, normally their most peace loving member, was starting to show another side of his character. He was tense and moody, taking umbrage at any real or perceived insult. Cestria, Tideus, and Cestro did what they could to defuse the situation, but Aurico was choosing to ignore the warning signs. There was no choice but to brace themselves and wait for the storm to hit.
"I wish I knew what your problem was," said Aurico to Corcus. They were both on their way to their classes, the location of which required them to follow the same route for a distance.
"You should know," Corcus replied. "You are the problem."
"I would like a little more information," said Aurcio, trying to keep his temper. "Corcus, this is unlike you. What have I done to make you so angry?"
"You have the nerve to ask?" Corcus retorted. "Did I not see you yesterday talking to Delphine, offering her some special training that night?"
Aurico missed the innuendo. "I do not understand. Why should that be a problem? You invite Cestria to the studio to model for you all the time."
"What? How can you level such accusations at me!"
"Accusations? Corcus, what are you talking about?" asked Aurico, genuinely confused and heading towards angry. "You are the one making accusations. What is this all about?"
"You need it spelled out? You've taken her! You took her away, and I never even got a chance," said Corcus.
"Taken...? Wait a minute. Is this about Delphine?"
"It took you long enough to figure it out."
"How was I supposed to know?" Aurico asked. "I never knew you were interested in her! You never said anything."
"I know," answered Corcus glumly. "It's just.... she's so beautiful and intelligent and important, and I didn't know how to tell her, so..."
"You just kept your mouth shut," Aurico finished.
Corcus nodded. "And now spend all your spare time with her. She likes you, Aurico. You won her before I could even get in the game, and it's not fair!"
"Well, I suppose I should say that I'm sorry," Aurico replied. "I am sorry. I'm sorry you got your feelings hurt, I'm sorry things didn't work out better for you, I'm sorry we have to be at odds with each other over this. But Corcus, you cannot stop me from caring about Delphine, and you cannot stop me from being friends with her or seeing her. I'm not going to give her up just to make you happy."
"I know. We are at something of an impasse," said Corcus. "If we keep this up, it will tear our team apart, won't it? But we can't give up, either."
"If that is the case," said Aurico, "perhaps the best thing to do would be to explain this whole thing to Delphine? She has a stake in this too, you know."
"You mean, have her choose?" asked Corcus, looking interested.
"Why not? She would have to do that anyway, eventually. Tell her what you feel. At least then you will know you had your chance."
"But we both have to promise that once this is over, we won't fight over it anymore," said Corcus.
"Right. No fighting," Aurico agreed. He smiled slightly. "This sounds more like one of the mock-courts they teach in my classes. It is not what you would imagine a fight between two lovelorn young men to be like."
Corcus blushed a little. "It is strange. But you're my friend. I suppose I can't be angry at you for too long."
"You know something else?" asked Aurico. "I believe you are starting to talk like Cestria."
"You leave her out of this," Corcus replied.
"Why? Were you hiding something when you said..." Aurico trailed off without finishing his question. "Wait a minute. Do you hear that?"
Corcus paused, listening. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear the sounds of someone shouting.
"That sounds like trouble," he said. "Maybe the Power Rangers need to look into it?"
"That would be the most sensible thing you have said all day," Aurico replied. "Come on!"
The two of them sprinted off, side by side.
Following the noise led the pair to the great hall, a kind of indoor courtyard where assemblies were held on important occasions. During ordinary times, it was a crossroads where the various hallways came together, making it a good place for the students from various classes to mix with each other. At this time of day, it should have been full of young Aquitians hurrying to their next lessons, filling the halls with the sound of their conversations. They should not have been in quite so much of a hurry, though, and they certainly should not have been screaming. From various corners of the school, the Rangers heard the noise and followed it. What they found was a single green Razorfin, who appeared to be entertaining himself by running around and chasing people.
"Well, well," said Tideus, "if it isn't the class clown!"
"This is no place for jokers like you," Cestro added, "so I suggest you take your act elsewhere."
The Razorfin heard the threats and chuckled. All around him, the room was clearing out, as people rushed to take themselves elsewhere. None of them were taking any notice of the six who stood still, except to let them register as unmoving objects in their path to freedom. The Razorfin did notice, though, and was amused.
"Would you look at this!" he said. "Would you just look? Everyone else in this school of fish has gone away, and you six are just standing there. You know what that makes me think?"
"You can think?" asked Aurico.
"That makes me think that there must be something about you six that's weird," the Razorfin continued. "You want to tell me what it is, or should I just bash it out of you?"
"That would be fun to see," Tideus opined. "In case you haven't noticed, there are six of us and one of you."
"That can be fixed," answered the Razorfin. He touched a green pearl that was set on his armor at the hollow of his throat, and it sparked briefly as the magic was activated. "Listen up, mates! I think I've got them! Get down here on the double!"
"Got us? We've got all the exits guarded," said Cestria. "I should say we have him."
"What are you doing here, anyway?" Delphine whispered to her. "You should get out of here before it gets dangerous!"
"I'm in no danger," Cestria protested. "I've fought one of these things without fancy powers, and I want to help!"
"Do not be foolish," said Cestro. "Get to safety before-"
There was a sudden warping in the air that set everyone's teeth on edge for an instant, and then there were a dozen Razorfins where only one had been before. All of them were of the more intelligent green variety, and none of them looked friendly.
"Too late," Cestro sighed.
"I think this calls for some reinforcement," said Aurico.
"Right," Delphine agreed. "Aquitar Ranger Power, now!"
As they made their transformation, they were aware of a screeching sound echoing through the room, the sound of shouting Razorfins. Strangely enough, they didn't sound frightened. They sounded like they were cheering.
"All right! I knew it!" said one of them; it sounded like the first one. "The Lights of Aquitar are a bunch of kids!"
"They're here to learn their ABC's," another taunted. "Maybe we can teach them some colors! How about black and blue?"
"Look at her!" shouted one. "That one over there has no powers! Is she a cheerleader, or what?"
Cestria fought to control a blush of shame. "Shut your drooling mouth. Children with sticks would be too powerful for you."
"Cestria, would you get out of here?" said Aurico in annoyance. "This is our fight!"
"Yes, run, little girl!" a Razorfin sneered. "Run home to your mommy, before we make you into fish sticks!"
Cestria glared at the Razorfins and her friends with equally insulted looks before turning to run down the halls. Delphine sighed; they would discuss the issue later. Right now, though, she had bigger problems to attend to.
"Now, then," she said, "I will not have cretins like you violating the sanctity of these halls of learning. By the Powers of Light, I order you to leave these premises or face the consequences."
"Ooh, listen to miss hoity-toity," a Razorfin sneered. "You guys must be hard up if you let a girl lead you."
"How dare you insult her!" Corcus shouted.
"I'd like to see you stop me," the creature replied.
Infuriated, the Black Ranger leaped at the sneering monster, forgetting for the moment about its armored body and clawed hands. He went down in a shower of sparks, his armor scarred by the mark of eight knifelike talons. As he writhed in pain on the floor, the other Razorfins moved in to finish him off, and for a moment he was obscured by flashing fins and blades.
"Idiot," muttered Aurico, drawing his sword. "Unhand him, you freaks!"
He leaped into the crowd of monsters, and the other Rangers copied his example. The hallway was filled with the noise of battle.
In all the chaos, no one paid any attention to the single Razorfin who slipped from the melee and into the silent hallways. His clumsy-looking flippered feet were surprisingly quiet, making only a faint squidging as he walked. He walked slowly, turning his wide yellow eyes to peer down side passages and through any doors that might have been left ajar, trying the handles of any that were closed. Nothing was open, though - everyone who had seen the approaching danger had run and locked themselves in their rooms. The Razorfin pondered opening a few with his claws, but what would be the point? What he really wanted to find was a public place. He had something to hide, and he had to leave it where it would eventually be found.
He carried the object gingerly. It was a small, shiny thing like a polished stone, a six inch long ovoid that appeared to be carved from some hazy grey-black stone. The Razorfin carried the egg in the cups of its palms, taking great care not to scratch it with the talons it had such a hard time controlling. Most of the greenfins were still learning not to cut themselves to shreds when attending to itches. As for the black egg's care, the Hydro Hog had seriously considered asking General Coldtooth to carry it, but had decided that it would raise suspicion.
In the end, the Razorfin found a garden, a nice, quiet, cool, wet spot. After scanning the area, it picked out a shaggy bush and set the egg in the damp soil beneath it. Then the Razorfin touched the communication pearl at its throat.
"It is done," he said.
The greenfin leader heard the message over the battle noise and took a sigh of relief. These Rangers were dangerous things, and had slain several of his followers as they fought to rescue their teammate.
"All right, troops!" he bellowed. "We've got the signal! Let's get out of this dump!"
There was a roar of agreement, and the Razorfins were gone. The Rangers rushed to the side of their friend, too concerned for his safety, for the moment, to wonder why their enemies had left so suddenly. Corcus, looking badly battered, struggled to rise.
"Down," Delphine commanded. "Do not injure yourself any further just to save your pride. We all know you are hurt."
"Someone should call Cestria," said Cestro. "She is the one who would best know how to attend to this."
"I'll call her," Tideus volunteered. "You bring him to the temple. We will meet you there."
The other Rangers nodded and teleported away. Tideus sighed.
"I knew it would come to something like this," he muttered, and went to look for Cestria.
Cestria stormed down the halls in a rare fit of bad temper. She couldn't decide who she was really more angry with - the Razorfins for jibing and insulting, or her Ranger friends for not letting her help them. Did they think she had become suddenly weak just because they now had new powers? When she had been living at home, she had always been allowed her independence, and she knew how to look after herself.
*I'm not less worthy than they are, and they know it! Ninjor himself admitted that he would have made me a Ranger if he could. I'm as good as any of them, so why are they pushing me out of the way?*
She ranted silently to herself as she walked, arguing all the good reasons why she should have been allowed to stay. Finally, she began to find the empty silence of the school oppressive, and she paused in an alcove to rethink the situation. She didn't like the way the portraits on the wall were staring at her. With her friends elsewhere and the rest of the school in hiding, she felt very alone. Absently, her hand went to the white shell in her pocket. Why had she been given that thing, anyway? What good was a magic shell when there was no good use she could put it to?
*I'm not needed,* she thought. *I'm just getting in their way, really. If I try to help them, they'll feel like they have to protect me, and they'll wind up getting hurt for me. They're safer if I just keep out of their way. I'm just a - a fifth wheel. I'm here to help, but really I'm just a liability...*
She didn't even realize how upset that thought made her until she felt a pain in her hand. She had closed her fist around the white shell so tightly that it had drawn blood. She brushed it away, looking at the curved mark the shell had left on her skin, amazed that the seemingly fragile object hadn't broken under the pressure. It must have been made out of something stronger than the average seashell.
*It's something special,* she decided. *All right. I'll let that be my sign. No feeling sorry for myself. Ninjor says I'll be useful sometime, so I'll just have to wait. I can wait. Still, it's going to be lonely, being caught on the outside.*
Just then, she heard the sound of someone running, and looked up to see the Yellow Ranger hurrying her way.
"There you are," he said. "I've been looking all over for you... Is something wrong? Your eyes look red."
"It's nothing," she replied, rubbing at one eye. She was surprised to feel a dampness there, and she quickly brushed it away. "How did the fight go?"
"Not well. Corcus is hurt badly. We need your help."
"Need me? Well, that was quick," she said.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Never mind. Let's go."
"I suppose you realize," said Delphine, "what a foolish thing that was to do."
Corcus nodded miserably - and winced. "Ow! Careful!"
"I'm trying. Just hold still," Cestria replied. "I've almost... there! That should do it. You can open your eyes now."
The Rangers had gathered once again in the blue room to discuss their last battle, as well as to attend to their comrade's injuries. Beneath his protective armor, his skin was crisscrossed with bleeding gashes left by the Razorfins' claws, and just the sight of the blood had nearly sent the young man into a faint. Cestria had ordered him to lie down, and he had kept his eyes tightly shut while she stitched and bandaged.
"Are you sure?" he asked, sitting up and blinking experimentally. She had given him medicine to numb the pain, but a number of gauze wraps attested to the extent of his injuries.
"If you feel well enough to move, you probably are," answered Cestria. "Just don't do that again, all right?"
"I won't, I won't," said Cestro ruefully. "I guess I was rather foolish, wasn't I?"
"Very foolish," said Delphine sternly. "What possessed you to do such a thing? It is unlike you to be so reckless."
"I know, but they were insulting you and, well... I guess I just lost my temper."
"It would seem so. You have been losing your temper quite a bit, as of late. I hope you realize, though, that I can fight my own battles if I am insulted."
"I know," said Corcus again. "You are a better fighter than I am. I suppose I just wanted to do something heroic."
Delphine gave him a hard stare. "I hope you were not doing that just to impress me?"
Corcus answered by blushing, and Delphine sighed.
"I wondered if that might be it. It would not be the first time something like that has happened... While I am on the subject, I suppose I should mention that this would not be the first time I have had people fighting over me."
Now Aurico reddened a bit, and Corcus stared ashamedly at his hands.
"You knew?" asked Aurico.
Delphine nodded. "I was not raised to be unobservant, and as I said, this is not the first time. Really, I suppose I should be flattered." She smiled a little. "I hope I am right in believing this is the first time I have had anyone interested in me for myself, and not for my money or social status. However, I hope you can understand when I say that I am not really prepared to reciprocate."
"Recipro-what?" asked Aurico.
"Come again?" Corcus said.
"I am very fond of both of you, but you are my friends. Romance... has not always gone well for me. I have lost too many good friends by trying to make more than a friendship. It would promote too much friction if we let our relationships be anything more than that of friends and allies. Maybe if the situation were different..." She shrugged and smiled sadly. "I am sorry, but I am not yet ready to let myself fall in love."
There was a moment of heavy silence. Aurico sighed.
"I suppose we have to abide by your decision," he said. "That was what we agreed, anyway. What do you say, Corcus? Can we put this behind us?"
"I think I would like that," he answered.
"Good," said Tideus. "This emotional business depresses me. Besides, I would like to point out that we still have the safety of the universe to think about. Why did those Razorfins appear today, and why did they leave again so suddenly?"
"It was a trick," said Cestro with certainty. "A ruse to lure us out and reveal our identities, so the Hydro Hog will be able to target us more easily. That was why only one appeared at first. I am willing to wager that there were others scattered all throughout the city, in hopes that one of them would be able to find us."
"So why did they leave so soon?" asked Aurico. "They could have killed Corcus if they had stayed longer. We just barely had ourselves protected."
"They left all at once, as if on a signal," Delphine said thoughtfully. "Perhaps there was more to their attack than just looking for us."
"Any ideas as to what?" Tideus asked.
"A diversion," said Delphine. "While we were busy fighting Razorfins, someone else must have been carrying out some other mission."
"It was quiet, whatever it was," Cestro mused. "What could a Razorfin do quietly?"
"Steal something, maybe?" Corcus hazarded.
"Theft is a possibility," Delphine agreed. "Perhaps sabotage, though I doubt a Razorfin would be good with anything technical."
"Perhaps," said Cestria thoughtfully, "whatever they did hasn't happened yet."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Tideus.
"Maybe what they did it something that won't show any results until later," Cestria explained. "Just like what we talk about in class. If you catch a disease, you may not know about it until days later."
"Then we will have to keep our eyes peeled," said Cestro. "Anything can happen."
The other Rangers voiced agreement.
"I believe we should get back to school now," said Delphine, "before someone realizes that we are gone."
"My next class is still an hour off," Corcus said. "Maybe I should stay here and recover for a while."
"I can look after him. I'm done for the day," Cestria added.
"Fine. The rest of us are headed back to our academia," said Tideus. "Take care."
The other Rangers teleported away, leaving Cestria with her charge.
"I really messed up, didn't I?" said Corcus.
"Attacking the Razorfins? That was perhaps not the brightest thing you could have done," Cestria agreed. "Rather brave, though. Romantic, in a way. I thought it was only in stories that young men put their lives at stake for the honor of their ladies."
"I guess I've been listening to too many old ballads," Corcus answered apologetically. "Do you think she thinks I'm foolish now?"
"I think she's a little more understanding than that," answered Cestria reassuringly, "and I think you shouldn't worry yourself too much. It might not be good for you. You've lost a bit of blood, you know."
"Don't remind me of it," said Corcus. "I feel a little dizzy. Maybe I should go back to my room, after all, and take a nap."
"That wouldn't be a bad idea," Cestria replied. Then, screwing up her courage, she added, "If it makes you feel any better, I always thought you were something special."
Corcus managed to smile at her. "Thanks. I... I'll remember that."
Cestria nodded and said goodbye. Like any of her profession, she knew when a patient needed time to heal.
Deep below the black waters, the se'kannan whispered among themselves and shuddered. One of their number had been called away on a special errand for the master, and that could mean nothing good. There had been a point in time where they had been used as guinea pigs while the Hydro Hog had experimented with creating his Razorfins. A full dozen had been sacrificed in the creation of General Coldtooth, as his creator experimented with their brains in an effort to instill greater intelligence into his creations. Now... now one of their people had been called away, and he had not come back. There had been no body, nothing to clean up, just emptiness. His family fretted. When they timidly asked the General, he had said nothing save that the master was hatching a plot, and it did not concern them. They were relieved that he did not beat them for having the impertinence to ask him a question, but he was feeling cheerful after hearing news of the last attack. As soon as he had seen to it that the greenfins were safely stowed away in their barracks and the se'kannan were being kept out of trouble, he went to make his report to his master.
"Took you long enough," said the Hydro Hog as he saw his commander arrive. "What were those soldiers of yours doing up there? Having a picnic?"
"Fighting," said General Coldtooth, ignoring the jibe. "After all, they couldn't disappoint the Rangers when they were so clearly looking for a fight. Things went well, too - I warned the boys to be cautious, and we hardly lost any of them. They say it looks like they might have put one of the Rangers out of commission for a while, though."
"Not bad!" said the Hydro Hog in grudging approval. "Better than I expected, at any rate. Where were those little pests holing up, anyway? You did locate them, right?"
"Oh, that's the best part," Coldtooth answered. "We found them at the Halls of Learning! We aren't dealing with a group of warriors here. They're just a bunch of untried children!"
"So you mean to tell me that a bunch of untried children thwarted your first attack?"
Coldtooth cringed. "I never said they were weaklings. After all, they do have powers - you admitted that much yourself," he added boldly. "But now that we have your little surprise planted, we'll know their every move. We can hit them before they even know we're coming."
"You talk about that like it was your idea," the Hydro Hog grunted. "All I can say is, things had better start shaping up soon, or I'm going to start shopping around for a new general, got it?"
"Believe me, Majesty, everything is matchlessly clear," answered Coldtooth, bowing. "Will that be all?"
"For now. Go back to your hole in the wall, and don't come back unless you have something worthwhile to report."
"As you wish." Coldtooth saluted and marched out of the room.
The Hydro Hog watched his general, as he watched all things, with a mistrustful glare. As soon as he was alone, he made a clumsy gesture with one hand, producing a fizz of bluish sparks. Out of the sparks, he drew something like an oyster shell, grey and warped. With some difficulty, he pried the shell open, revealing the pearly insides, polished bright enough to be reflective, brighter than it should have been in the dark room. He set it on the arm of his throne and settled back to wait.
Tideus was a half-mark late to class. If he had been a better student, this lapse might have been accepted more easily, but since he was not precisely his teacher's prize scholar, his reception was not the warmest.
"So, you decide to honor us with your presence at last, young master Tideus," said the Botany professor. "How very kind of you."
"I am most sorry, Professor Myambit, but I ran into an unforseen difficulty," Tideus apologized, staring down at his boots in embarrassment.
"As did we all," the professor replied. "I am not unaware of what transpired today. However, despite such unforseen difficulties, the rest of my students appear to have made it to class with time to spare. Would you like to explain why your difficulties were so much more profound than ours?"
"Well, you see... one of my friends was injured by the monsters," said Tideus. "We had to bring him to a Healer."
"I see," said Professor Myambit. "You say 'we.' How many of there were you?"
"Um, well... there were five of us, but-"
"And how many people does it take to move an injured man?"
"Not many, I suppose," Tideus admitted.
"Not many. Certainly not five. Just how severe were these injuries, anyway?" asked the professor. "If the injuries were severe, he should be in the healing bay right now. I am sure a few of your classmates would like to go and extend their well-wishes."
"The injuries were not severe, really. A few deep scratches is all."
"I see. If that was all, why did he not take himself to a healer?" Professor Myambit asked. "Better yet, is not one of your young friends studying to be a healer? Surely she would be able to treat him without moving him anywhere."
"Actually, she did," said Tideus, knowing he was beaten.
"I thought so. So you really had no reason to go anywhere, and you certainly have no excuse for being late to class. So much for your unforseen difficulties. Unless you have something more you would like to add?"
Tideus sighed. "No, Professor Myambit. I have no excuses."
"Fine," said the professor, looking pleased with himself. "Since you have decided to skip a few moments of my irreplaceable tutelage, you will no doubt be willing to make up for it by weeding the one of the gardens tonight."
"Of course, Professor Myambit," Tideus replied, trying not to wince. Weeding the gardens was the usual punishment assigned to make up for minor rule infractions. It was far from severe discipline, but it tended to be tiring and dirty, and usually left the offender feeling sore and worn enough to think twice about goofing off again. So far, Tideus had managed to avoid such undignified labor (sometimes by narrow margins), and he was not looking forward to it now.
He spent the remaining part of the lesson lurking in the back of the room and trying to ignore the stares and whispers all around him. To make matters worse, Professor Myambit seemed to have taken it into his head to help Tideus catch up on what he'd missed by quizzing him on the material the class had covered in his absence, forcing him to admit that he didn't know, and then allowing him to be laughed at while some more prompt student supplied the answer for him. He spent most of the class with his face in a notebook, taking pages of notes to cover his embarrassment and swearing by everything he could think of that he would never offend his Botany teacher again. He wished he were in his Biology class, which was taught by a good- humored, portly gentleman who tended to chalk up such lapses as simply the heedlessness of youth. Professor Tollan would have let Tideus off with nothing more than a warning to be more careful next time. As it was, the Yellow Ranger was almost glad to get out of class so he could get on with his punishment and get the whole messy business out of the way.
At last he was set free, and he scrambled to collect his things and hurry to the gardens. Half-jogging down the halls, he glanced down at his watch and made a few mental computations. He'd been ordered to make up double what he'd missed in class, the theory being that he wouldn't learn nearly as much from pulling weeds as he would from his teacher's enlightening prose, so he would be at his digging for a full mark. It was a mark and a half until it would be time for him to report to the evening meal, giving him just barely enough time to finish his work and get cleaned up for dinner. Reaching the small storeroom that was located next to the garden, he explained his case to the head gardener, signed himself in, collected a spade and a weed-bucket, and put himself to work.
As he inspected the garden, he reflected that things could have been much worse. Between miscreants like himself and the attentions of the gardener, the little plot was well-maintained, and he wondered if he would even be able to find a full mark's worth of work to do. A number of bright lights lit the area, giving the illusion of sunlight, even though the blue ocean could be seen through a window on one side. It was cool, quiet, and private in the gardens, and the beds of herbs and flowers added sweet and spicy perfumes to the air. Even the damp earth smelled pleasant enough, if you were the kind who appreciated such things. Tideus was, and he took a moment to enjoy it all before beginning his labors.
It was then that he noticed an odd indentation in the dirt near his feet, and he stooped to make a closer inspection. At the edge of a flower bed, in just the place a hurried foot might have fallen as it rounded a curve in the path, was a deep footprint in the well-watered earth. It was not the mark of a school-issue boot, nor the heavy prints left by the gardener's work boots. It was wide, wedge-shaped, and faintly showed the patterns of webbing between the toes. There were also four smaller but deeper holes that could have been left by curving claws.
"Razorfin tracks?" Tideus wondered aloud. "What would a Razorfin want with a garden?"
Briefly and uncomfortably, he recalled the earlier conversation concerning the Razorfins' ulterior motives for their visit. Possibilities flickered through his mind - poisoning the food supply, stealing herbs, planting a bomb. He looked around with a critical gaze, but nothing seemed to be disturbed. There didn't even seem to be any more footprints.
*Perhaps it didn't do anything here, after all,* Tideus told himself, trying to think calmly. *Perhaps it only passed through here on its way to do something else. I will tell the others anyway. If nothing else, this will give us a place to start looking for trouble.*
Still wary, and not quite convinced by his own rationalizations, Tideus found a patch of weeds and started ripping at them. Being a Power Ranger was certainly not easy on the mind. A moon-phase back, he'd had nothing more on his mind than trying to pass all his tests, and now he had the fate of the whole world, and possibly the rest of the universe as well, in his hands, and he had to keep it in mind all the time.
*This job could get to be tiresome.*
Meanwhile, beneath the protective foliage of a large berry bush, something was beginning to happen. A small, dark, ovoid object had suddenly started to shimmer with bits of saffron light as it tasted the presence of the Yellow Ranger nearby. When he did not move away, the egg began to flash in other colors, adding a purple-blue glow that shifted like sunlight seen through the ocean's surface, giving the underside of the bush a submarine look. Then, as the energy grew stronger, the egg silently hatched. The lights flashed brightly a final time as the shell dissolved, and something appeared.
Tideus stiffened as he heard something moving nearby, and he looked around just in time to see the lower branches of the bush tremble. It was a very old and shaggy bush, big enough to hide one or two full-grown men if it had to... or any number of unpleasant surprises a Razorfin might hide, if not the Razorfin itself.
"Is someone there?" he demanded gruffly. "I warn you, I am no one to be trifled with. Attempt any harm, and you are liable to find yourself in a great deal of pain."
"No harm," said a tremulous voice in the shrubbery. "Please, good sir, spare me! I wish you no harm."
Curious, Tideus moved closer and peered beneath the bush. There was definitely something under there, something that looked unpleasantly familiar. He gasped in surprise.
"You are a se'kannan!" Tideus exclaimed. "A real, live se'kannan! Just wait until the natural history department sees this!"
"No! Please, you must not let anyone see me," the se'kannan begged. "If anyone knows I am here, they will come and kill me! I beg you, have mercy!"
"They? They who?" asked Tideus, curious.
"My master's people, the kinus-paric," the creature explained. "I slipped out when they came to attack this place, followed them here. I just wanted my freedom. You have no idea what it is like to be a slave forever in that city of eternal night..."
The se'kannan sounded as if it were close to tears, but it broke into a coughing fit instead, making the foliage rattle noisily as it shook. Tideus stepped back a little, suddenly thinking of germs and plagues.
"You sound a bit unwell," he said. "Would you at least see a Healer if I promised I could find you one who can keep a secret?"
The se'kannan nodded and coughed again, its whole body shaking with the effort.
"Fine, then. Come on out of there. I promise, no one is going to see you, and it cannot be good for your health to sit down there in the wet earth."
With painful slowness, the se'kannan did as it was told, and Tideus watched with interest. He had assumed that at least some of the degeneration of the first one he had ever seen had simply been because it had been dead at the time. Now he was proven wrong. The se'kannan was indeed covered in black, slimy-looking skin, and very little else. Its only clothing consisted of a few tattered rags that just barely kept it decent and a metal collar set with a hazy grey stone, apparently some mark of ownership, for there was writing etched into its surface. Except for a pair of bright, black, and startlingly intelligent eyes, the thing looked like the living dead.
"Worse than I thought," Tideus muttered. "My name is Tideus. What should I call you?"
Shyly, the creature replied, "I am called Kaya."
Tideus felt an internal wince. Kaya was a good Aquitian name; he'd had a cousin named Kaya. Apparently, what Ninjor had said was true: the se'kannan were truly people of Aquitar, warped by evil magic. Now that he had a chance to look at one in full light, he could even see the resemblance in the pattern of scales on the slave's face. The thought of it made him feel sick - and angry. The idea that someone could do this to a sentient being...
"Come on, Kaya. Keep your hopes up. You are with friends, now."
"I have to wonder how you stay so calm," Delphine commented. "I would have thought you would be at least a little apprehensive about all this."
"You would think," answered Cestria. "Actually, I was wondering why you've been acting so nervous yourself. After all, they're your parents. You know what to expect."
"I know. That's why I'm so nervous."
"Funny to have to be afraid of your own family," Cestria commented.
"I am not afraid, exactly. Just... as I said, apprehensive. My parents can be a bit overwhelming at times."
"I still don't see why you're so nervous. What's the worst they can do?" Cestria asked.
"I would rather not think about it," Delphine sighed. "You know, Cestria, you are a very lucky person. You have always had so much freedom. People are always watching me, telling me what to do, noticing if I say or do the slightest thing wrong. I never realized how stifled I was back home before I came here. Now I finally have a place where I can speak my mind without fear of someone telling me that I am being improper or undignified, but if my parents decide that I am not ready for that kind of freedom, they can pull me out of the school and make me take private lessons at home. I would have to leave this place and all of you. I might even have to give up being a Ranger."
"They can't do that! That's crazy!" Cestria exclaimed, shocked. "You're our leader, Delphine! We couldn't get by without you!"
Delphine shrugged. "My family would not see it that way. They would see me being reckless and unladylike. No lady would be out risking her life on a battlefield. Common people fight. Nobility sits back and plans."
"You don't believe that, though," Cestria commented.
"No, I don't. But my parents do, and until I reach the age of majority, I am bound to obey them."
"Your parents don't like soldiers?" asked Cestria, staring at Delphine speculatively.
"No, I believe we have established that they do not - at least, not in terms of me being one," Delphine replied. "Is there something about that you find interesting?"
"I was just thinking that your parents would probably disapprove if they found out you were friends with fighters like Aurico and Tideus. Aren't you worried?"
"I have no reason to be worried. Mother and Father would just assume that I was cultivating their loyalty in the event that I might someday need their protection," answered Delphine with a touch of bitterness. "I hope they never found out I have been training with them."
"It would be rather uncomfortable for you if they thought you had taken a more personal interest in them, though, wouldn't it?"
"Uncomfortable would not be the word for it. Why are you so interested in the subject all of a sudden?"
"I was just wondering," said Cestria slowly, "if your parents' opinions might have had something to do with you rejecting Aurico."
"It has nothing to do with it," Delphine snapped. "I am capable of making my own decisions, and I am perfectly content with that one."
"Then why did you get angry when I asked you about it?" asked Cestria. "I can see how much your parents' opinions mean to you. I know you want to make them happy. I just can't help but think that you might be trying to please them to the point where you've stopped thinking about yourself. Just think what kind of a leader you'll be if you always do what everyone else wants you to do."
"A good leader should put the benefit of others above her own," said Delphine, but it sounded weak.
"I don't know anything about being a leader, but I think it should also require knowing when to stand up for yourself and do what you believe in. A person could hardly be called a leader if they don't make people follow them every once in a while."
"You are correct. I know you are correct, but... sometimes it is difficult. You will understand later."
"Somehow, I don't think I will," Cestria replied. "Delphine, you are a brave, intelligent, strong person. You should prove that to them instead of making excuses."
"Do you really think I am making excuses?" Delphine asked.
Cestria nodded. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't."
"Hmm. Perhaps you are right," said Delphine. "I will give it some consideration."
Any further conversation along those lines was interrupted by a pounding on the door.
"Is there anyone home in there?" shouted Tideus's voice. "I have a little emergency here!"
"Oh, dear, not another one," Cestria sighed. She rose from her desk and went to open the door, and was startled to have a se'kannan nearly fall on top of her. She shrieked.
"Careful!" Tideus exclaimed. It was unclear whether he was speaking to Cestria, the se'kannan, or both of them.
"What in blazes?" Delphine swore.
"This is Kaya," said Tideus, trying to prop up the unsteady se'kannan. "I found him in the gardens. He's not that healthy, and I thought he could use a Healer's care, so I brought him here. Cestria, do you think you can help him?"
"What kind of miracle worker do I look like?" asked Cestria. "I don't even know if the High Healers could do much for him, and I'm just a novice!"
"I'm fine, really," said the se'kannan, attempting to stand on his own. "Just a little weak. Does anyone... that is, could someone please get me a drink of water?"
He took a few unsteady steps before his legs gave way, and he just barely managed to fall on Cestria's bed.
"Oh, no, you poor thing!" she said, sympathy overcoming revulsion. "Delphine, would you please go see if you can find something for him to drink?"
Shaken though she was, Delphine managed to nod and scurry off, leaving the doctor with her patient. Tideus looked on with interest.
"I guess this means you plan on helping him after all?" he asked.
"I'm not leaving anything in pain if there's something I can do to help him, whether he's an Aqutian or a se'kannan or a singing clam," said Cestria. "I may not be able to do much, but I can try. But why didn't you bring him to one of the High Healers? I admit, this is Ranger-related, but still-"
"He said he didn't want to have people experimenting on him. He's deathly afraid of experiments," said Tideus with a shrug. "From what I gather, Hydro Hog used to use the se'kannan as living science projects. He would cut them apart to see what was inside, so he could use them as models for his Razorfins."
Cestria shuddered. "Fine. I'll remember that while I'm looking him over."
Kaya was watching them both with wide, frightened eyes.
"You aren't going to cut me, are you?" he asked.
"Of course not! I'm just going to look at you, okay?" said Cestria soothingly. "I only want to help you. You're safe here."
"Safe," the se'kannan repeated. "What's that?"
Cestria stared into his eyes and saw honest confusion, and, deeper than that, the wariness that comes from living in constant fear. He truly had never known what it meant to be safe. Cestria felt tears pricking at her eyes.
"It means that no one is going to hurt you here, Kaya," she said. "That's all behind you now. No one is ever going to hurt you again."
The se'kannan gazed up at her, his expression unreadable, and she could see him shivering. Finally, whatever was building up inside of him became too much for him to hold, and he broke down in racking sobs. Cestria was startled, but instinct, as always, prompted her to try to offer comfort. Her hand moved almost of its own accord to gently massage the creature's back, as she would have done for a fretful small child. She hadn't wanted to think about what it's slimy- looking skin would feel like, but it was actually warm and soft, not at all unpleasant.
"Is he going to be okay?" asked Tideus worriedly.
"I think so," Cestria replied. "He's just a little overwhelmed, I think. I'll look after him."
"I know you will," said Tideus. "If anyone could look after one of these creatures, it would be you. I just hope my Biology professor never finds out about this!"
"We'll just have to keep quiet about it," Cestria replied. "Very quiet. Where are we going to put him? He can't stay in my room forever! The housekeepers will find him, and then we'll be in a real mess."
"Um," said Tideus thoughtfully. "Talk to Cestro. I think the students of technology are given private workrooms to keep each other from spying on the other's work, or something like that. He might be willing to offer his up for a worthy cause."
"That could work," said Cestria. "I'll go look for him now."
"And I'll go back to my digging weeds," said Tideus with a grimace. "I don't know what I'm going to tell the head gardener when he finds out I've deserted my post."
"Convince him you had to go to the euphemism," Cestria answered. "That's one thing they won't try to make you explain in too much detail. Kaya, will you be all right if we leave you alone for a few minutes? I promise I'll hurry right back."
The se'kannan nodded. "I don't mind. I would be glad for a few quiet moments to rest."
"Of course," said Cestria. "Poor thing, you've had a hard time, haven't you? Well, things are going to get better, don't you fear. Just relax here, and I'll be back in a minute."
Cestria and Tideus left the room and its occupant to go about their errands. Kaya stayed frozen for a moment, listening for the sound of anyone who might be approaching. When nothing stirred, he sat up and touched the grey stone on its collar, making pale light shimmer from within the crystal.
"I must make this report quickly," he whispered, "before the one called Delphine returns. I have been successful in my mission. From now on, the Rangers will be able to do nothing without me seeing them, and all will be reported to you."
There was a distant, bubbling chuckle, the sound of a deep-sea monster that was very pleased with itself.
"Very good," said the Hydro Hog. "With you spying on them, we'll be able to rub out those Rangers before they even know we're coming!"
"They're coming! They're coming!" shouted Cestria, bounding into the room.
"Who?" asked Cestro. "What in the deep blue ocean are you talking about?"
"Delphine's parents," said Cestria. She picked her way through Cestro's belongings, shoving various mechanical objects out of the way with her feet, and found a patch of empty space on a workbench where she could sit down. "I thought you knew about that."
"I knew they were coming but... today? I thought we had more time than that."
Cestria shook her head. "We just got a message. They'll be arriving this afternoon with full entourage. It's going to be quite a show."
"I'll bet," Cestro agreed.
From a corner of the cluttered room, Kaya peered at them both with wide eyes. He'd spent the last few days hiding in Cestro's private workroom, appearing only when one or more of his caretakers was around to protect him. He seemed to have recovered a great deal, thanks to Cestria's ministrations, but he never lost that diseased appearance that kept him from looking wholly Aquitian. The little group had gotten so used to his quiet presence that unless he spoke, they hardly noticed he was there anymore. As for the se'kannan himself, he seemed shy around his new friends, preferring to watch them and say little. Right now, he was watching the exchange between Cestria and Cestro with wide-eyed attentiveness.
"I'm a little bit nervous about seeing them," Cestria admitted. "Well, actually, a lot nervous. While I'm at school, it's easy to forget I come from a poor family. Even Delphine acts like we grew up next door to each other these days, but her parents are so grand and important, I hardly know how to act around them."
"I thought Delphine had been coaching you," said Cestro. "I would have thought you had your script down by now."
"It's more than that," Cestria replied. "I have to change the way I talk, the way I dress, the way I act, everything, just so her parents will decide I'm a fit company for their daughter and won't haul her back to her home to be privately tutored. They can do that, you know. They can pay the teachers here to come to her house every night and teach her."
"They'd do that just to avoid her having to live with a commoner?" asked Cestro. "What a ridiculous waste."
"Delphine says they call it 'preserving their standards' or something like that," Cestria replied. "Isn't it crazy? I wish I knew how to tell them that Delphine isn't so different from the rest of us that she needs to be kept in a... in a quarantine like that."
Cestro smiled. "You have been paying attention to your medical studies, I see."
"This isn't a laughing matter, Cestro," Cestria scolded. She sighed. "I'm just frustrated. Deep down, I know Delphine's one of us, just a normal person, and she doesn't like having to live in the box her parents have made for her. I wish I could convince them... or her. She's so nervous about seeing them, she kicked me out of the room. Well, not kicked, but..."
"I get the idea," said Cestro. "I get the idea that you are worrying far too much over something you have no control over."
"Perhaps you're right," said Cestria. "Delphine's just been so nervous, I think it must be rubbing off on me!"
"I know I am right," Cestro replied, smiling. "You are a very good hearted girl, and that makes you worry for us. It is a sign of how much you care for Delphine that you worry about her like this, but worry accomplishes nothing. I suggest that you do something else for a while to take your mind of your troubles, at least until it is time for you to prepare for your visitors."
"That's probably a good idea," she replied. "Hmm. Oh, I know! Have you seen the new exhibit in the art department? Corcus was showing it to me yesterday. Someone was experimenting in metal welding - they took all the scraps from the technology department and put them together."
"Some of my failed projects are probably in there," said Cestro. "I might enjoy seeing that."
"You might find it interesting," Cestria replied. "Come on! You've spent enough time in here, anyway. A little cultural education wouldn't hurt you."
The two headed for the door, waving goodbye to Kaya as they left. He waited until he was sure they were too far away to hear him speak, and then waited a little longer, just in case they might have decided to dawdle somewhere nearby. Having never known anything in all his life but threats and fear, he didn't trust anyone or anything, even in so innocent an activity as taking a walk. Besides, this was the first time in his life he'd ever had to betray someone. His hand went to the grey stone on his collar.
"I have news," he said in a near-whisper.
"Then don't just sit there all day! Spit it out!" the Hydro Hog snapped. "I hired you to send me information, not make small talk! Out with it!"
Kaya cringed at the sound of his master's voice. "The young noblewoman, Delphine... her parents are arriving here today. There's a great deal of excitement about it. The Rangers are distracted, particularly the White Ranger, I think."
"Hmm..." said the Hydro Hog. "This could have some possibilities. Fine. Tell me as soon as they arrive, as long as they don't catch you. The name of this game is surprise, got it?"
"Yes, Master," Kaya answered obediently.
The light of the grey pearl went out, and far away, the Hydro Hog closed the enchanted clam shell with satisfaction. He shot a glance at his general, who waited patiently to do his master's bidding.
"Well," he said, "you heard our spy. Gather your best troops and head for the Hall of Learning. I want that Ranger brat's parents to get a royal welcome!"