Oh, man; all of your comments are so inspiring and helpful, I just can't tell you how encouraging it is! Thank you all so very much for your feedback!

  Werer, thank you very much for your feedback. I know you recently worked your way through Part 3 of this story, and I'm very pleased you got this far through Part 2. It really helps me to know that my story is not too deep and keeps the reader engaged. Thank you again.

  Punx, thanks again for the typo catch, and thank you for your feedback on the amount of tension. It sounds like I hit the mark I was aiming for, and I appreciate your confirmation on that.

  Thank you as well, wolfsong - and you're right. There is a fight scene coming up, but I'd really like some more feedback on it because it feels like it's not enough. Please let me know what you think when we get there.

  Without further ado, here's the introduction to the fight scene, but not the scene itself.
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  By the time they reached visual range of the plateau, many in the troupe heard indications of falling branches, distant heavy breathing, and even the deceptive sound of muffled hybreed calls of the hunt. Without any loss of speed the troupe burst from the tree line into the open clearing of the plateau. After a hundred meters or so Truug signaled for the troupe to halt, allowing many to catch their breath. For a few moments, all seemed quiet.

  As Chris looked to the tree line, he saw at least one hybreed fall into the open, and quickly scamper back into the seclusion of the foliage. Apparently Truug saw the mistake as well and commanded those in the troupe to laugh at the accident, intending on mocking their hunters. The laughter came to an immediate end when they heard a terrible yelp from within the trees, and then the limp body of a hybreed was catapulted twenty meters out into the opening for all in the troupe to see. Chris recognized the markings as one of the Omegas that refused to make an escape with him. He looked over at Truug with astonishment. Without any mention from Chris, Truug’s expression turned from appalled surprise to disgusted anger, and his teeth made a sinister appearance. Moving one paw at a time, Truug repositioned himself in front of the troupe, facing the trees at where the hybreed was thrown from. This put Grayle, Janna and Garrem in his immediate vicinity, and Chris slowly joined as well.

  The shadows of the tree line began to move, and what appeared to be the entire tribe emerged. There were at least thirty hybreed approaching, more than the numbers of which the troupe itself consisted. At the forefront of the tribe was an enormous brown-coated hybreed that none of the troupe could avoid noticing. The Hybreed was looking directly at Chris for a while, and then looked at Truug. Chris also looked at Truug and realized that he was also looking directly at the same large hybreed.

  “Raaym,â€� Chris identified.

  With the slightest nod, Truug acknowledged the identification. Chris watched Truug’s eyes focus on Raaym, but also dart to other hybreed in Raaym’s tribe intermittently; he wondered if Truug was merely sizing up the other members of the tribe one by one, or if he detected something specific in the tribe members. His curiosity was deepened with a lack of understanding when Truug turned to Grayle and issued orders.

  “Tell the others to look at the way these hybreed stand, and look into their eyes. This tribe is feral. If we fight with our minds as well as our instincts, we will have the advantage.â€�

  Grayle nodded, turned to the hybreed behind him, and began to spread the word. Janna began to do the same for the opposite side of the troupe.

  As the tribe drew near they spread out to encircle the troupe, very nearly surrounding them. However, the leaders of each group could not be debated. For what seemed like an endless moment, Raaym stared at Truug, who returned the cold gaze toward Raaym, as if each was assessing the prowess of the other. Finally Truug glanced at the position of the tribe, and then addressed Raaym directly.

  “We have made no attack toward you; why do you hunt us?â€�

  “Do not insult me with slippery words,â€� Raaym growled. “You have trespassed in our territory. It is clear that Graman has brought you here to assist in his revenge. Let me guess: he told you that we follow the Coyote Way like he does?â€�

  “That was his claim,â€� Truug admitted. “We came to find the truth for ourselves, and we have seen the truth with our own eyes. Even so, we will hear your explanation, if you have one.â€�

  “I do not have to explain myself or my tribe to you,â€� Raaym said menacingly.

  Truug stood strong against the menace. “Yes, you do. You and your tribe hunt and kill but do not feed. You poison the bodies so they bring no benefit to the Earthlife.â€�

  “Earthlife!â€� Raaym roared with contempt. “If you wish to follow ancient traditions that hinder our kind, then it is you who are Coyote!â€� He lowered his head and his voice with the chill of his verdict. “I will not tolerate Coyotes in our midst.â€�

  The surrounding tribe began to bear their teeth and growl as Truug prepared his rebuttal.

  “The Call of the Hybreed is to be one with the Earthlife. There is no other reason for us to live. And you know that, Raaym; why else would you keep life-linking away from your tribe?â€�

  Raaym’s eyes became wide, as did most of the troupe. Chris had no idea how Truug was able to determine that the tribe was not life-linking, which was a custom that all hybreed considered vital. But the accusation’s effect on Raaym confirmed that Truug was correct. For a split second Raaym acted as if his secret was revealed, but then steadied himself. “We have no need for traditions that hinder our minds and our instincts,â€� he said with contempt.

  As Chris watched this confrontation, he began to realize what Truug had already noticed; the tribe was wild, and turned to Raaym for any decisions that their own instincts could not process. Chris had no idea how this tribe became so wild, but it solidified Raaym’s position as their leader; the tribe would turn to him for guidance. If Raaym manipulated this, it would mean the tribe was not necessarily Coyote by choice.

  “You have let their instincts take over their minds so they must depend on your leadership,â€� Truug continued. “You have let them become wild in the forest, without any connection to the forest itself. You have turned your tribe into mere animals who look to their Alpha for his clarity of thought – an Alpha who condemns life-linking but still does it behind the back of his own tribe.â€�   

  “And what business is it of yours if I take one for the team?!â€� Raaym growled.

  Truug boldly stayed his ground. The other hybreed in Raaym’s tribe began to snap their jaws, barely holding back their attack. The troupe under Truug’s command was also ready and alert, but keeping full control over their dispositions, assessing their foes with skill and observation.

  “That is a human phrase,â€� Truug noted as he narrowed his eyes, “and a fresh one at that.â€�

  Chris also noticed that Grayle, Janna and Garrem suddenly took defensive stances as Truug took a step toward Raaym. The rest of the troupe also followed suit; Chris felt no hesitation in following their example. He also noticed that the tribe was also full of tension, but were merely in unison with the body language of their Alpha; they were only reacting instead of responding. Chris looked at Raaym once more, and could see his emotional restraints barely holding back the rage building under his fur. He was extremely close to losing control; it would take very little to send him over the edge. The pressure in the air itself indicated that Truug was about to push him that little bit further.

  "Tell us, Raaym, tell all of us; when exactly was the last time you shifted to human form?â€�

  And that was all it took for Raaym’s breaking point to be reached. He charged at Truug with murderous intent burning in his eyes, slashing from his claws, and lashing from his open jaws. The rest of Raaym’s tribe attacked, nearly two of them to each fighter in Truug’s company. Those few on the inside of the troupe who were not so adept at fighting supplemented the attacks of the fighters when they could. That was all Chris had time to notice before a vicious set of fangs attacked his face and neck.

Ooooh, thank you Punx! Looks like this is working out pretty darn well - I was fretting over how this climax was going to turn out, and I still am, but I'm very glad it had such an effect on the reader!

  Okay, here it is: the 'climactic' battle sequence. Feedback on the sequence would be greatly appreciated, as fight sequences are difficult for me to get right. This segment is a little longer, but it's got a bit of action in it. Even so, the sequence may not be long enough. For those who have read part 3, you might notice a gender change in one of the characters. Nevertheless, here we go.
--------------------------------------------------------

  Instinctively Chris rolled with the attack and then tried to shake off his attacker, barely succeeding. He turned and faced his attacker: it was a hybreed with fur as dark as the darkest night. Her eyes were icy pale blue, and stared out piercingly from her appearance of a living shadow. Her ears were pulled back in fierce, threatening anger. Her jowls were raised and revealed long gums that ended in teeth and blood-stained fangs. Her tongue lashed between his jaws in a sinister fashion. However, Chris did not allow himself to be intimidated and prepared for the hybreed’s attack.

  The dark hybreed charged at Chris, and Chris realized his opponent was aiming for the neck. Just before contact was made Chris reached up between the hybreed’s arms, grabbed her by the throat and pushed her upward. The effect was that Chris swung the hybreed in an arc over himself, but did not let go. The hybreed hit the ground on the other side of Chris with all the force of her charge, knocking the wind out of her. Chris backed away and examined the ebony hybreed intensely, watching for any movement, but the hybreed seemed incapacitated – at least for now.

  Without warning Chris heard a snarl from behind him, drawing near with flashing speed. He turned around to see a gray hybreed charging him directly, only seconds from overtaking him. Just before Chris was reached, the gray hybreed was broadsided by a body of dirty blond fur and tumbled to the ground. The blond hybreed, Grayle, righted himself quickly and with his claws retracted he issued an uppercut to the grey hybreed’s jaw. The gray hybreed collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

  “Nice move,â€� Grayle said with a jut of his jaw toward the dark hybreed, “but it’s not over yet. Let’s go!â€�

  With that Grayle ran past Chris into the nearest of a dozen frays. Once he disappeared into the blurs of fur, fangs and claws, Chris saw a gray and white form leap directly at him from the middle of the fighting. For only a split second Chris remembered himself launching at a rabbit he was chasing in the Imperial forest preserve oh so long ago, and remembered how the rabbit avoided his attack simply by getting out of the way. At the time, Chris was not able to adjust his trajectory while in the air, and it would be the same for this hybreed. Chris stepped out of the way and, as he did, he slashed at his attacker’s hind leg, leaving four gashes across the shin and ankle. The hybreed yelped and crashed to the ground. It immediately righted itself and made a limping run into the trees, refusing to look back. With his peripheral vision, Chris noted two others of the tribe running into the trees as well.

  Chris’ instincts heavily tempted him with giving chase, but his mind knew the fight behind him was far more important. He turned and surveyed the scene; the number of skirmishes was reduced by half already. A few were ended with hybreed bodies lying motionless on the ground, but the bodies were members of the tribe, not the troupe. A few tribe members lay on their backs, keeping immobile for fear of the powerful jaws belonging to troupe members clenching down upon their necks. 

  And then Chris looked to where he last saw Raaym and Truug; their battle was still raging on. The brute force and size of Raaym was somehow being evenly matched by the agility and speed of Truug. Chris noticed that Raaym was beginning to show signs of fatigue; his attacks were slowing, but still as relentless as they were deadly. Suddenly and without any obvious reason Truug ran for the tree line, and Raaym gave hot pursuit. Chris was about to follow them, but he felt a paw on his shoulder, holding him back.

  “No need,â€� Janna said from behind him.

  Chris quickly looked at Janna with bemusement. He watched her confidently look back at the area where Truug and Raaym were headed, and then he did the same. Truug turned and followed the tree line to the left with Raaym following closely. At that point Grayle gave orders for the troupe to watch over the rest of the tribe, and then ran through the grass of the plateau in a direction parallel to the tree line, keeping close eye on the chase in the trees. Janna and Garrem followed, and so did Chris.

  Truug continued to dart through the trees with such speed that he easily pulled away from Raaym. Once he was apparently far enough away, Truug leaped into the air, landed on the face of a large nearby boulder, and then bounced back toward Raaym but over him. He bounced back so quickly that Raaym could not counteract the action. As he sailed over him Truug slashed at Raaym’s face, making contact with his right cheek. His trajectory took him to another trunk where he bounded in a reverse direction, sailing over Raaym again and repeating the attack successfully. He continued the attack pattern several times, bounding and rebounding off of nearby trunks, meanwhile slashing at Raaym’s face or arms as their paths crossed. It was like Truug was a pinball, bouncing off bumpers and hacking away at Raaym with speed and precision. Chris was unsure why Raaym was having such a difficult time tracking Truug’s movements, but as Raaym’s face came into view, the reason was obvious. Chris saw deep cuts on Raaym’s face and on his head, spilling blood into his eyes. Soon Raaym let out a roar of frustration and the attacks stopped. To Chris’ ears, Raaym’s howl had the ring of surrender.

  As if in answer, two of his tribe that could do so stood and ran into the trees. The troupe members that held some of the tribe in position ceased in restraining their captives. Most of the tribe members stayed where they were, looking downward with submission. When they saw their leader roaring in aggravation, and saw his wounds, their bodies surrendered any tension they had left for the fight.

  Chris looked back at Raaym, who was breathing heavily and frantically attempting to scan his surroundings through eyes blinded with his own blood. There were gashes along his ribs and shoulders, which would no doubt cause his own powerful attacks to cause him great pain when used. Even if he could continue, no one could deny that Raaym was beaten.

  Chris suddenly noticed Truug, standing on all fours upon the boulder he used to begin his attack, chest heaving with deep breaths. His presence radiated with a regal confidence that seemed as solid and indestructible as the rock he stood upon. He did not bear his teeth or pull back his ears, but his pale blue eyes glared at Raaym with the conclusion of an undeniable judgment. The Alpha of this Coyote tribe, who was uselessly spinning in circles trying to find his previous attacker, was defeated.

  Without any warning Chris felt a searing pain on his back. He yelped as fangs attached to powerful jaws made their way through his mane and into his flesh, trying to take a lethal hold. On impulse Chris tensed his shoulders and pulled his head in, trying to protect his spine. Suddenly his attacker released with a loud yelp, and Chris saw the black hybreed he fought earlier tumble to the ground on his right. One of the troupe had dislodged her from Chris; he looked to see who it was that saved him and saw Garrem taking a protective position to his right, glaring at the ebony hybreed. The ebony one immediately recovered from the tumble and then darted toward Raaym in one fluid movement. Before the others could stop her, the ebony hybreed stood before Raaym, looking at Truug sternly.

  Truug’s muzzle raised slightly, but he took no action. The others ran near, about to attack. Truug looked at them, but with a commanding look to stay back. He then stared back at the ebony hybreed, who protected his Alpha with resolute loyalty. There they stood, pale blue eyes into ice blue, locked in a moment of time that seemed to hang stark and silent in the air.

  Ever so slowly, the black hybreed turned and touched Raaym’s arm. Raaym growled and flinched away, and then growled again in pain. The ebony one reached up, touched the back of Raaym’s head, and gently pulled it downward. She seemed to whisper something into Raaym’s ear which caused him to relax, but reluctantly. Finally she guided Raaym to his right, taking him into the forest.

  Truug’s eyes followed their every move, but his presence stood motionless, steadfast upon the boulder. Chris looked at Truug, and then he looked at Grayle, Janna, and Garrem to find out if they should chase the two hybreed as they fled. The three followed the example of their Alpha in only watching the two hybreed leave; they did not make any other move. Chris looked back at Raaym and the ebony one as they left, and for some reason felt a pang of loss when they left, but paid it no further attention. He continued to watch as the trees and shadows engulfed any indication of their presence. Once they were no more, Truug raised his head into the air and let out a loud, confident howl. His pack joined in, and then Chris, and then the rest of the troupe, calling out in tumultuous triumph. 

  Finally, Chris heard even more hybreed voices join the howling, and realized that many of the remaining tribe members had joined the howl. The action signified their acknowledgement that their Alpha had been replaced, and they submitted to the leadership of his successor. It signified that the battle was over and, more importantly, the Coyote threat was no more. The Call of the Hybreed had been victorious.

Wow!! Another chair-gripping, nail-biting scene. You described Trugg's motions so well. I could envision it with ease.
You did a wonderful, wonderful job on this segment and you descriptive abilities never cease to amaze me. I like the howling at the end. It gave closure to the situation and left nothing to be confused.
I can't wait for more...soon!

Thank you all so very very much for your input - I'm really glad to know the battle sequence worked! I feel like I still need to tinker with it a little, but at least I got a really good foundation. Thank you all again.
  Now we deal with the aftermath of the climax. Once this chapter is finished, I am debating on whether I should put in the Imperial Council meeting as an epilogue, or keep this as the epilogue and add the council meeting as a buffer in between parts 2 and 3, like Hybreed: Confrontations is between parts 1 and 2.
  Maybe I should just get that far, first... 
---------------------------------------------------


  Chris opened his eyes slowly, savouring the echo of his life-link. Eventually his eyes moved to view the scene around him: two dozen hybreed silently sitting around a solitary pine, situated in the center of a clearing that Raaym’s tribe frequented. All of their eyes were closed; all their other senses were deeply integrated into personal sessions of life-linking. The group was being supervised by Grayle, with the assistance of Janna and Garrem. They were slowly walking around the group of healing hybreed and intently watching their progress.

  Truug’s pack and the members of the Colony that accompanied them had gathered the hybreed of Raaym’s pack that remained, but Truug realized that they needed to be reeducated. Word was sent to the Colony, and other members (including four elders) arrived to assist in the recuperation of the tribe. Truug accepted the Alpha position for the tribe, just as he said he would. Since the tribe consisted of at least five packs, and not all the Alphas of those packs stayed, Truug assigned indigenous members of the Beta Clan to become the needed Alphas. He then relied on Grayle, Janna and Garrem to be his Betas for the tribe, with other Beta positions available for those who earned them.

  Chris found himself seriously considering what he could do to acquire one of those positions, and at that point, he started to become troubled. He felt a longing for his friends at Dep:118, who have accepted him as a brother and son, and yet they were not his people. These hybreed, sitting here with him, were indeed his people. Truug and his pack had not only accepted him but relied upon him. He realized that this was where he was needed, and this was where he belonged. He began to wonder if he would be given the chance of seeing Dep:118 again, but a second thought deemed this an unnecessary concern. Truug was not so absent-minded as to forget that Phillip and Jake were still in Romberg awaiting an update, and it had been three days since his pack left for the Colony. Also, arrangements needed to be made to transfer any Lost Children that Phillip and Jake had already found, and bring them into the company of their own kind.   

  When Garrem strayed to notice Chris sitting with his eyes open and alert, and perhaps the turmoil of unresolved thoughts showing upon his face, he drew near.

  “How are you feeling now, Graman?â€� Garrem asked.

  Chris stretched his neck to the left and to the right, testing the extent of healing upon his injuries. “There is stiffness, but the pain is gone.â€� He then stood on all fours from his sitting position. “I did not know life-linking could be so useful as well as so important.â€�

  Garrem cocked his head and raised his ears in curiosity, apparently uncertain as to what Chris meant. “It is our way,â€� he replied.

  Chris smiled, admiring the simplicity of Garrem’s understanding. “What I mean is that, although Luumen taught me how important life-linking was to our people, I had no way of knowing it could be used to accelerate healing as well.â€�

  “Life-linking can heal the body, the mind, and even the spirit,â€� Truug explained as he approached from the forest with Luumen and Gorra. “With you, it was your body that needed healing; but with these others, it is in their minds where most of the wounds reside.â€�

  Luumen explained further. “You see, Graman, when we refrain from life-linking, our people become subjects of the Earthlife instead of caretakers. We become unclear in our minds, indecisive, and eventually we may become mindless, raging beasts.â€�

  “As in the human stories,â€� Gorra added.

  Chris thought for a moment, but then let his musings take verbal form. “So, if one of the Lost Children from long ago learned they were hybreed, but did not know life-linking and did not find our people, they might have become the source of those mythologies.â€�

  Both Luumen and Truug smiled admiringly and nodded in confirmation. However, Chris found the revelation somewhat troubling.

  “But I shifted to hybreed for many years before I learned of our people. If all of this is so, then how was I able to withstand losing control for so long?â€�

  “Perhaps you were life-linking when you did not know it,â€� Garrem surmised.

  Encouraged by Garrem’s postulation, Chris paused as his mind traveled back to those years as the Howler, to all the times he traveled into the Imperial forest preserve so he could hunt and explore as a werewolf. He remembered listening to the trees and the animals, smelling every odor upon the breeze, feeling the foliage and earth underneath his paws. And then he smiled.

  “I can remember. I was life-linking after all. You are correct, Garrem; I was life-linking and I did not know it.â€� He looked at Truug with determination. “If a lack of knowing our ways is what causes our people to become monsters, then we must find the Lost Ones and teach them our ways before they become that way.â€�

  “We wish to speak with you upon that subject,â€� Gorra said, and tilted her head to the right. “Come.â€�

  Chris nodded and joined Gorra, Luumen, and Truug as they left the area. Garrem rejoined Grayle and Janna as they assisted their brethren in finding the Earthlife once again.


  Chris was led by the three to a small glade at the bottom of a rock face embedded in a steep hill. There he noticed Rahg waiting patiently with three other hybreed whom he did not recognize. Gorra provided the introductions between Chris and two of the other hybreed. One had very dark brown fur and amber eyes, and was called Quure. The other was a crème-coloured female with blue eyes named Amaya. However, Gorra did not introduce the third hybreed.

  Chris looked inquisitively at the unnamed hybreed, who returned a warm yet piercing gaze. His coat was a fading grey, frosted with short black guard hairs along the back. His chest and belly were almost fully covered in white fur, a sign of great age. He looked at Chris with wise, knowing, dark-brown eyes surrounded by a mask of gray fur. Chris felt fully exposed under those eyes, like he could not hide anything from them even if he tried. It was unnerving, and Chris found his desire to avoid those eyes just as strong as his curiosity about the hybreed to which they belonged. Finally, Truug made a simple introduction, one that did not need to be any more intricate.

  “Graman, this is Shaman.â€�

  Chris widened his eyes in surprise. His tongue caught in his throat without even opening his mouth, which effectively lodged his breath in the same location. Truug already identified himself as the last of his pupils before Shaman left on a hunt for knowledge, but Shaman was more than just a teacher. Chris was standing before a hybreed whose name alone was the stuff of legend. With the stories he had heard, Chris felt like he was being introduced to the hybreed equivalent of Abraham Lincoln.

  “It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Graman,â€� he said. His voice was low, solid with resolute confidence, but held a tone that sounded like the peaceful yet powerful waves of the sea. “I understand that your tale is what caused the howling of sorrow I heard pass through the Earthlife two nights ago.â€�

Wow! Very nice scene. It flowed so flawlessly. I apologize for the delay in response. Late night shifts
Anyways, I was shocked to find out about Shaman's appearance, almost as much as Chris was
I most definately loved the descriptions you used for his appearance and the way you name your hybreed. They're so unique. Gorra's my favourite.
I was also pleasantly surprised to know that Chris was, in fact, life-linking the whole time without knowing it. It adds a slight twist to the great plot.
Awesome job!

Thank you all very much! It's good to hear that Chris' realization about his life-linking worked - I thought it felt a bit forced, myself.

  Oh - You know who I had in mind for Shaman when I describe his voice or comments? Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. He's a great actor with a voice that isn't used enough, and has that powerful quality in many of his roles that just appealed to my vision of Shaman. Besides, Pat Morita died, and he was often likened too much to Yoda, and I didn't want Shaman to become another Yoda or Mr. Miagi, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa fits my ideas better anyway...

  We are getting to the close of Part 2. I'm finishing things up with the Colony, and then I decided that the Epilogue is going to take place in Romberg - let's just say there's a few loose ends to tie up over there. Any Guesses?
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  Chris felt himself at a loss for words, standing before the council of the Colony as well as a living legend. He awkwardly defaulted to bowing respectfully and waiting for someone else – anyone else – to speak. When he looked up, however, his dark blue eyes met a modest smile upon Shaman’s lips. It was a smile that may have been small in stature, but was full of empathy and understanding, radiating with a deep awareness. If only due to a lack of any other explanation, Chris concluded that Shaman must be exceptionally in tune with the Earthlife itself; and Shaman’s comment of how he heard the Colony’s howling verified that conclusion. However, since no one else was yet willing to speak, Chris knew he had to say something.

  “Uh… hi,â€� Chris managed to emit, which only brightened the smiles of all others in attendance.

  Shaman smiled patiently. “I have no power over you, Graman, except what you choose to give to my reputation. I am as hybreed as you are, and nothing more.â€�

  Chris thought about the statement, and found it to be filled with profound insight as well as a small portion of modesty. “I understand,â€� he replied with a nod of acceptance.

  “Then let us proceed,â€� Gorra said, and all in attendance formed a circle and reclined to whatever level met their personal comfort.

  “Truug has informed us that you have human friends, and that you deem them trustworthy,â€� explained Amaya. “He says they would assist us in finding the Lost Children. What can you tell us about your friends, Graman?â€�

  <CHRIS> began to relate the story of Phillip and Shannon finding him while he was in Romberg. He explained about their taking him to Culmna City and meeting all the individuals there, especially Dad. He explained Dad’s theories, and how they agreed to observe and study his shifting capabilities. However, he held his tongue in reference to Emily’s study on the effects of silver infection; he did not want them to think that Dep:118 was researching their greatest weakness for unscrupulous means. He referenced much of the information that Dep:118 was able to retrieve on the hybreed from their cases and investigated sightings. He also told about Dad’s anger in how Raaym’s tribe treated Chris, and described how he, Phillip and Jake were sent to Romberg to find any latent hybreed and help them to avoid Raaym’s tribe, if possible.

  Chris was apprehensive about discussing anything about Julie or her people, the Brevish, mostly because he did not want to take the chance of similar rejection as what he received from Raaym and his tribe. Even though the hybreed in the Colony had proved themselves different from Raaym’s tribe, Chris remembered how Dad told him of the almost religious beliefs of most hybreed. As a result, he refrained from offering a different explanation of their heritage for the time being. However, he did tell them of how Dep:118 supported and assisted him when he left to find his parents, and also their reception upon his return. 

  As Chris related his information, he noticed Truug smiling just as he did back in the house on Cottonwood Lane. What was even more curious was that he saw a similar expression coming from Shaman as well.

  “This Dep:118 you describe does not sound like the tales I’ve heard of the Human government,â€� Rahg said, “And yet they are part of that government?â€�

  “They are more of an estranged son than a loyal prodigy,â€� Chris explained. “Dad leads them in ways of exploration and truth. They wish to understand, but they do not wish to exploit. They are very different from the rest of the Empire.â€�

  “Or perhaps they simply arranged it so that is the way you would see them,â€� Amaya commented.

  “Amaya is right to show caution,â€� Truug said, “But I would have to disagree with accusing these ones of such intricate deception. I have met two of them when they accompanied Graman to our home. They showed us great trust. They showed that our secrets are safe with them, as long as their secrets are safe with us.â€�

  Chris could not help but feel a surge of pride well up inside of him as he heart Truug refer to Dep:118’s policy on secrets.

  “And what secrets did they share with you to earn your acceptance, Truug?â€� Gorra asked.

  Truug looked at Chris and smiled, and then looked back at Gorra. “They have a very dark secret that most humans would wrongfully call a Nightmare, and they willingly shared that secret with my pack. They are also keeping their knowledge of our people under close guard, and that alone earns my respect.â€�

  There was little doubt in Chris’ mind that Truug’s comment about a ‘dark secret wrongfully called a Nightmare’ was making an indication of Jake, and he made a mental note to tell Jake about it – that is, whenever he saw Jake again.

  “Graman says that they wish not to exploit us,â€� Quure acknowledged, “but what proof do we have of this?â€�

  Truug replied with an answer. “The humans had a list that they themselves created, similar to the Book of Lost Children. Their list contained many of the Lost Children already found, and many that we are tracking. They provided my pack with a copy of their list without hesitation or our insistence.â€�

  “It does not answer the question Amaya has raised,â€� Gorra pointed out. “Can we trust them to give us full divulgence?â€�

Last edited by Grayle (2008-08-13 10:59:30)

AAAAAHHHH!!! Not a typo, just a mistake! <EDIT> Okay, that's better.

  Thank you for pointing that out, Werer - I think I got all of them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this segment - the way you described Shaman's expressions, his willingness to trust others and his overall integrity.
It's natural for the others to be wary, so you brought up very good questions for your characters to ask. This way, you've answered any of the questions the reader may have had and prevents any holes in the storyline. I've always envied your ability to maintain a contant storyline without holes in them.
I thought it was a great segment and I'll be patiently waiting for more.

Yes, great work Grayle! One typo I could find, 8th paragraph, 'Chris was unsure if hi should'  I think you know what went wrong ;D Love how it's turning out.

mixing up 'i' with 'e' is because of fat fingers ? How fat are they?

Last edited by werer (2008-08-17 04:10:25)

Very awesome, sorry it took a while for me to catch up. 

Very cool.  I like how Truug is answering a problem that Chris seemed to have felt earlier about Dep:118.  And I just wonder who it was that was looking for the Howler.  Though I have my suspicions, hehehe. 

I had nearly forgotten about the Howler gang.  Very cool.  I really like the last sentence about the Earthlife regaining a lost tribe of caretakers.  I think it was quite touching.  Great job buddy.