Aria and Jani followed Steric down the hallway, through the doors at the end, and back into the lab. Again, Aria was enthralled by the activity around her. It truly looked like your stereotypical laboratory. People were walking around carrying vials of colorful chemicals, having heated discussions in front of strange diagrams, gazing intently through magnifying glasses and primitive microscopes, jotting down notes on long scrolls of paper…

You know. Science.

Steric led them past several stations to a large, cluttered desk covered in diagrams. He began chatting excitedly as he rifled through the papers. Aria swayed a bit on her feet, then steadied herself. Maybe she was tired.

"I assume Kahlin told you what happened after I sought out her help. Well, once we had enough people behind us who had a decent amount of scientific knowledge, we brought in as much material as we could manage and began experimenting. Now, many of the scientists would like to say that the discovery which ultimately led us to the final product was found through careful planning and systematic research. In reality, known approaches could only take us so far. After we had exhausted everything we could think of, we just started mixing the tak together with whatever we could find, and lighting it up!" He had pulled out a thick scroll, and now gestured for her to take a look at it. Unfurling it, she saw that it was covered with dozens, if not hundreds of notes on failed combinations.

Tak w/ vinegar – NO

Tak w/ seawater – NO

Tak w/ barijubi sauce – NO

Aria laughed heartily. She wasn't surprised; she had learned a while back that many major advancements in human history were the result of discovery, not invention.

Steric smiled again, and continued. "Of course, I can't give luck all the credit. There were several obstacles to overcome."

Aria cut in, her natural scientist coming to the surface. "You would have had to figure out how to slow down the reaction, so that instead of releasing tons of energy all at once, it would do so slowly, over a long period of time."

Steric looked at her appraisingly. "Indeed! Do you have some scientific background?"

"A bit," Aria grinned. She thought of all the times she'd shocked her high school chemistry teacher with her excessive knowledge of the subject. She was well above average in most of her classes – but chemistry had always been her favorite.

He nodded appreciatively. "Well, once we had stumbled upon that bit of know-how, we had only to make a few other changes to the reaction. We had to figure out how to make it release more light than heat, for instance, and how to keep it from exploding when jostled. The small adjustments were almost exclusively made by the real scientists." He gestured towards several scrolls covered in densely packed handwriting, strewn with diagrams and carefully drawn data tables. Her eyes crossed a bit, and she had to work to focus them. Man, she needed to sit down for a little while.

Aria nodded thoughtfully. They may have lacked phrases like 'activation energy' or 'catalysts', but they certainly seemed to understand the basic concepts. She found herself extremely impressed by their scientific capabilities.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. "Say, it must have taken a lot of people working on this to figure it out. And there are a couple dozen people down here right now. How did you all manage to do this without someone noticing your disappearances? I mean, this many Milago all going missing at once?"

Steric looked bemused. "Well, we certainly had to be careful that our absences were not noticed, but you are mistaken if you think that we are all Milago. At least half of the people here are Bedoowan!"

A bit shocked, Aria looked around the room. Perhaps she had assumed that, because Steric was Milago, they all were. Or maybe she had believed that the Milago had the most to gain from a project like this. Whatever the reason, it hadn't even occurred to her that many of these people may have been Bedoowan. Everywhere she looked she saw people working together, laughing together, helping each other. There was no contention and no barriers. She couldn't even tell which ones were from which tribe.

Steric followed her gaze. "We all know what the cost of war will be, and we all consider it our duty to prevent it. Whatever tumult rages above the tunnels, we remember that a far worse conflict lies just around the bend. Down here, we are truly one tribe."

Aria glanced up at him. He was looking out at the crowd with a smile of pride and affection on his face. It was a look that went beyond what was in front of him; where he looked, Aria got the feeling that he was seeing at more than a bunch of people working together in a cave.

He was looking at the future of his people.

She felt a deep pang of worry, fear, and…guilt. How could she leave these people, knowing that all they'd worked to gain could be laid to waste in a matter of hours?

She put her hand to her side. She remembered the rage in Saint Dane's face when he had given her the wound; she remembered the bullet that had only just missed her head; she remembered fleeing the quigs, both in the quarry back home and on the icy mountain she had arrived here on; she remembered every ache and pain of the last two days, all the fear, all the doubt, all the worry.

She clenched a fist and looked away.

Steric continued to look out at the crowd of people working tirelessly to save their territory, blissfully unaware of the emotional turmoil taking place right next to him. After a moment he tensed a bit, and turned slowly around. He asked, "Jani; what do you think of all of this?"

Aria started, and turned around to see Jani leaning once more against one of the rocky walls. Her arms were crossed and she was glaring off in another direction. She let out a growling sigh. "I guess it was worth all the time you put into it. At least now I know where you've been for the last year."

Her father winced, and it dawned on Aria why Jani was so hostile towards Steric. He must have been spending much, if not all of his time down here working on a solution to the problem his people were facing. She remembered the derelict home they lived in, and could only imagine how little time he must have spent in it. And all this time, Jani had no idea what he was doing; for all she knew, he had abandoned her for no good reason at all.

Because that's what she must have been dealing with – abandonment.

Aria felt a pang of sympathy for Jani. And for her father. There were undoubtedly some serious issues they were going to have to work out once all this was over.

If they both lived through it, that was.

Again, the enormity of the situation threatened to crash down on her, and she swayed again on her feet. She decided that they would need to discuss it as a group, and fill Steric in on everything they had learned…leaving out the Traveler bits this time, of course.

"Steric, I'm sorry to interrupt, but…there are some things I think we need to discuss with you. Stuff has been happening in the village lately, and we think it will affect everything you've worked for."

Steric turned from Jani and looked down at Aria in confusion. "What do you mean? I know that tempers have been a bit short lately, but –"

Aria shook her head. "It's more than that. I don't think it will be long before the Milago and Bedoowan go to war. There's someone out there who wants it to happen…and they're trying to find your lab."

At this, Steric's eyes widened. "Someone who wants war? And they know about this place? But how could you know this?"

Aria was about to respond when Jani cut in. "Look, can we tell you about it over lunch or something? I'm STARVING!"

Aria and Steric both looked at her, then it dawned on Aria.

She hadn't eaten anything. All day.

No wonder she had been feeling so out of it. She supposed the constant excitement and the pain in her side had dulled her appetite, but now that she paused to think about it, she was ravenous.

She looked up at Steric hopefully.

He looked back and forth between the two of them, then he took on a more decided stance. "Yes, of course. We have plenty of food rations down here. I will prepare something, then once we fetch Kahlin we can discuss this in our conference room over our meal."

Aria paused. "Kahlin?" She asked hesitantly.

Steric nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! She and I are in charge of this entire project. She manages the Bedoowan concerns, as she herself is Bedoowan, and I manage the Milago. If there is something important happening, then there is no question of leaving her out of the discussion."

Aria opened her mouth to reply, then shut it. Kahlin had struck Aria as a bit stern, but she found she already liked and respected the Bedoowan woman. She was just as dedicated to helping her people as Steric was – just in a slightly different way. When she opened her mouth again, it was to agree. "Alright, that makes sense. So – where's the food?"

Steric smiled again, although this time the expression was tinted with worry. He led the two of them back to the far side of the room, Jani grumbling impatiently all the while. He took them through the middle set of doors this time, to the right of the doors that led to the infirmary.

The doors they had just passed through had several tunnels branching off to the left at a slight downward incline. They were labeled things like STORAGE and MIXING ROOM. Most of them didn't have doors, but the last one, labeled MEETING ROOM, did.

He led them into the meeting room, and gestured for them to sit down. There was a long, curved, segmented table in the room, lined with chairs on one side, facing a presentation area. Jani walked over and plopped down in the chair furthest from the door, looking around the room disinterestedly. Aria chose the seat one down from her. Steric nodded and said, "I will be back shortly."

Aria tried to marshal her thoughts and figure out what she was going to say, but now that she knew food was on its way all she could think about was her rumbling stomach. She decided to distract herself by at least thinking up a decent back-story for herself.

Aria and Jani sat in silence. Aria felt temporally disoriented down here – probably the result of being unable to see the sun. The passage of time was a little blurry. Still, it probably wasn't more than twenty minutes before Steric strolled in again, arms laden with trays of food.

Both Aria and Jani perked up at the sight, and when the trays were laid in front of them Steric barely had time to say, "I'll be back in just a moment with Kahlin. Please, don't wait for us; help yourselves," before they were both ravenously digging into their portions.

It wasn't gourmet, but it was significantly better than nothing. Bread, dried fruits, a sort of cold, vegetable-tasting mush with the consistency of mashed potatoes, and a couple of tall cups of water. She drained the water in one go; got to keep hydrated when you're running for your life two or three times a day. Jani spread the veggie paste on her bread and tore into it.

By the time Kahlin and Steric reentered the room, Aria and Jani were both slumped contentedly in their chairs, trays completely clean.

They had their own trays, and as they sat themselves down to eat Kahlin said, "As you two have already finished, why don't you fill us in on your backgrounds while we eat. I know a bit about you, Jani; your father talks about you quite a lot."

Jani looked a bit surprised at this, but quickly covered the expression with a scowl.

Kahlin continued. "But Aria…you are not from either village. Tell us, where do you come from? Who are you?"

Aria fiddled with her spoon for a moment. She had at least been able to come up with a basic background for herself that wouldn't draw too many questions…hopefully.

"I'm from a village over the mountain. I'm here visiting with my uncle–"

Kahlin interjected. "Your uncle?"

"His name is Press."

She was barely even surprised when Kahlin started in recognition. "You are Press' niece?"

She swallowed her annoyance. Honestly, maybe she should just start out with that in the future. "Yeah, he told me that there were some people over the mountains that needed help, and I agreed to come with him and see what I could do."

Kahlin swallowed some of her mashed-whatever and asked, "And what have you done thus far?"

Aria rolled her shoulders uncomfortably. "Well, mostly I've been walking around talking to people, trying to figure out what the problem is. I was supposed to meet up with Press the day before last, but he was arrested by the Bedoowan council, so now I'm working with one of his friends. We met up yesterday at the memorial, but something happened…"

Having reached the part about Saint Dane, she was forced to pause. She decided not to tell them about the Traveler business, and had to make up a plausible story on the spot. "There was a meeting between Grail, Maal, and Kore. After the meeting, I…noticed Grail and Maal talking, and when they took off into the forest I went ahead and followed them." She realized that it would sound odd if she had simply developed an unfounded suspicion of Counselor Maal, and since she couldn't tell the truth about him and his motives, she decided to try a slight invention.

She brushed a loose strand of hair back from her face and said, "I followed him because my uncle's friend was suspicious of him. His name is Alder. He's a knight." Hopefully they would never get the opportunity to ask Alder why he was suspicious of Maal.

Steric perked up in recognition and made to interrupt, but Kahlin raised a hand a silenced him. Sitting back again, he kept his peace, and Kahlin motioned for her to continue.

Out of respect for Jani's rough-and-tough reputation, and because the Milago girl was boring holes in the back of her skull, Aria neglected to mention that the scuffle with 'Counselor Maal' was a result of Aria intervening to save Jani's life. Instead, she made it sound as though they had both been seen, and had helped each other escape.

She finished up the story at the point where they had met Steric, and waited for their reactions.

Although Steric seemed totally invested in the story, Kahlin had seemed somewhat reserved during its telling, and Aria saw suspicion in her eyes now.

Steric was content. Kahlin, on the other hand, raised her eyebrows at Aria as though to say, do you really expect me to take your story at face value?

Aria responded with a guilty shrug that she hoped conveyed, well, no, but that's everything important. Really, I promise!

Kahlin stared at her critically for another moment, before nodding slowly. "Very well. And you believe that this behavior indicates that war is inevitable? That Counselor Maal suspects our existence, and intends to uproot our work and commandeer the tak mine for a war effort?"

Aria knew that her accusations were on shaky ground. If she could explain the nature of Saint Dane, i.e. Counselor Maal, to Kahlin, then she would be fine. As it was, her evidence was extremely limited.

Nevertheless, she took a deep breath and nodded.

Kahlin and Steric both stared at her. There was now doubt flickering in his eyes, but Kahlin's expression was unreadable. At last she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"Blast. I was not imagining it. I, too, have noticed peculiar behavior from the Council, but was hoping it was simply anxiety and paranoia."

Aria felt a wave of relief wash over her. If Kahlin believed her, then the responsibility for keeping this place safe was out of her hands. They could take it from here – and Aria could go home and get some rest.

"Great," Aria said with more than a hint of relief coloring her voice. Then she backtracked. "I mean, uh, not great. But, you know, good that you know about it now. So, uh, let me know if there's anything else I can do…"

It seemed that Kahlin's acceptance was enough to convince Steric, because he interjected enthusiastically. "But of course there is! If war is so close, then we need to do whatever we can to stop it happening! I'm sure you can help by acting as a neutral party, finding people who would be willing to listen to us from both the Milago and the Bedoowan, people who will stand with us when we take our discovery to the Council. I'm sure that if wouldn't take but a few weeks to get enough citizens behind us to ensure that the Council will listen–"

Aria blanched. He wanted her to keep this up for a few more weeks?

Steric tried droning on, oblivious to Aria's protesting look, but Kahlin was not so absorbed. She interrupted him sharply. "Steric. Calm down. If war is as close as Aria believes it is – and I have reason enough to believe her – then now is not the time to start drawing attention to ourselves. The way I see it, Counselor Maal will not make a move until he has found the tak mine. Therefore, what we need to do now is to ensure that the secret stays more well-kept than ever. We need to begin implementing policies that will make it impossible to track us as these two did. There is more we need to do, but above all the goal right now should be subtlety."

Steric looked nonplussed. "But surely things have progressed too far already? If we refuse to act, then sooner or later the Milago and the Bedoowan will go to war! That is unacceptable."

Kahlin replied coolly. "If a minor was is what we have to risk to ensure that the tak does not fall into the hands of either tribe, then that is what must happen. I will not risk everything we have accomplished on a gambit; if we go public now, then it is very possible that the tak will be seized and both tribes will suffer for it. All tribes will suffer for it."

Aria understood what Kahlin meant. If either tribe seized the tak, then they wouldn't stop at wiping out their rival. The Lowsee would be next, and after that…

Aria shuddered.

Steric looked as though he wanted to continue the debate, but Kahlin raised a hand. She glanced meaningfully at Aria and Jani. Steric calmed, albeit reluctantly. He sighed and ran a hand through his short brown hair, then smiled apologetically at the pair. "Thank you very much for bringing this information to us. There has been nothing but indecision about what to do lately – and clearly there will be more – but at least now we know that it is the time to take some action. As for you two, perhaps it would be better if you returned to your lives for the time being. If we have further need of you, we will contact you."

At this point Jani snarled, sitting up in her chair and leaning forward aggressively. "What? Seriously? You're going to ditch out again? Do you expect me to just go home and clean the house? Take care of the garden while I wait for you guys to decide what's going to happen to our village?"

Steric's eyes had widened, and he looked terrified to answer, lest he say the wrong thing.

Kahlin had no such reservations. When she spoke, her voice was hard and unyielding. "Yes. You can do nothing to help us right now. Although we are grateful for what you and your friend have done so far, the only thing you can accomplish now is harm."

Jani turned to look at Kahlin with an expression remarkably like hatred. Aria felt her stomach drop. Jani hissed out, "Who do you think you are? You're not a part of my life. So mind your own –" Aria winced at Jani's choice of adjective. "– business and don't tell me what to do."

The expression on her face was thunderous, and she almost seemed to be frothing with anger. Her father remained silent, clearly unwilling to provoke any more upset. Kahlin's eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth to speak again.

Aria stood up abruptly. "Thank you for the food. Would you mind if Jani and I talked alone for a minute?"

Jani and Kahlin both looked at her in surprise, as though they had forgotten she was there. Steric glanced at her briefly, but his eyes were still locked on Jani, dismay etched on his face.

Both Jani and Kahlin looked like they were about to object, but Aria felt a wave of frustration pass through her.

She had been running around tirelessly for days. She was tired, sore, confused, and frightened. She had gone through more in the last three days than she probably had in her entire life up until then. She wanted to go back to the inn, take a nap, talk to Alder, and get everything straightened out as much as she could. She wanted order. She wanted calm.

What she did not want was to suddenly be in charge of breaking up some freaking medieval catfight!

She looked them in the eyes, one at a time. Jani bristled, and Kahlin tilted her head.

They both backed down.

Kahlin nodded at Steric, who glanced at her in surprise and hastily stood up, banging his knee on the table in the process and trying to hide his wince of pain. Kahlin said, "Of course. If you will excuse me, I will need to inform our people that there will be a meeting later. Steric will escort you out when you are ready to leave."

With that she inclined her head towards Aria, and nodded curtly at Jani. Jani spat, and Aria nodded respectfully. With that Kahlin whirled and strode from the room.

Aria sighed in relief, shoulders sagging.

She bent over to pick up her tray and, after a moment's hesitation, Jani's as well. She turned to Steric, who was trying desperately not to look anywhere near Jani. He didn't have to worry. Jani glanced at him in mild disgust and said, "Forget it. I don't have anything to say to either of you." She bustled rudely past him to the door. She shoved it open, causing it to bash loudly against the wall. With that she strode out of sight.

Steric looked sadly after her once he was sure she was gone, then turned back to Aria. He made as if to say something, then decided against it. He shook his head dejectedly, picked up his and Kahlin's trays, and gestured for her to follow him.

They made their way out of the room and down a hall to what seemed to be a kitchen. No running water, but at least a few large tubs for washing. There was someone there scrubbing a bowl, and Steric dumped the trays distractedly into his tub, provoking an irritated glare from the man. Aria, having more to worry about than proper dishwashing etiquette, ducked her head guiltily at the man and held up the trays. He rolled his eyes and gestured to the tub. She dumped them in and followed Steric, who had already left the room.

He didn't seem to notice that he had left her behind, and she had to jog slightly to catch up with him. He pushed open the doors at the end of the hall and glanced around for Jani. She was leaning against one of the walls, watching the explosion area with mild and moody interest. A man had a long stick with a flame flickering at the end, and was holding it gingerly over a small plate holding a lump of some sort of tak-product. He called, "Clear!" and, cringing, poked the lump with the flaming stick. Nothing happened.

There were a few good-natured laughs from the surrounding scientists, but Jani merely scoffed. She glanced over at her father, then whirled around towards the exit and started walking away. Steric glanced at Aria, again looking as though he wanted to say something, then dropped his head and meekly followed Jani.

Aria looked helplessly between the two. She wished she could do something to help, but she had enough on her plate and didn't think there was anything she could accomplish at any rate. Besides getting herself decked by Jani, maybe. She glanced back over to the scientist working with the lump. It was smoldering slightly, and he was examining it with some confusion.

As Aria turned to follow Steric and Jani, she heard a loud WHUMP. She turned back to see that the lump had exploded…sort of. The area around it was hazy, and the greatly reduced lump was smoking slightly. The scientist looked comically surprised – an impression made complete by the black soot covering his scrunched up face.

Laughter roiled up from his peers again, but Aria could only manage a half-smile. As she made her way towards the doors, she found herself wishing for the umpteenth time that she was back at home.