Master Tristan Mace squinted up at the sun beating down on him and his companion.
Ksarkash Athana peered into the valley sloping away from them at their left. "Should we be getting worried yet?" he wondered aloud.
"No." Mace moved his eyes to where Athana was looking, yet his body remained stationary. "Those three are very level-headed and know what they should do in danger." He glanced at the new Master. "And relax. They'll be back."
"We hope," Ksarkash muttered to himself.
Mace heard him, but pretended that he hadn't. "If they have not returned in three days, I'll be slightly more concerned." He blew out his breath and continued, "They will survive their four days in the Skaaret."
Ksarkash glanced down the valley one more time before saying," I'm going to go and get something to eat. Then I need to meet with some other Masters. I'll be back around midafternoon."
"Alright," Mace replied without shifting his glance from the valley.
When Master Athana had departed, Mace seated himself on a medium sized rock near where he had been standing and fell into a state of thoughfulness.
I have been noticing changes in Tala ever since Master Ryuthan was killed, he mused to himself. She has not been doing as well in classes and seems more emotional than she ever has been, even more than when she found out that her young friend Jarrod Crowe had been killed in action. Hmm....of course, she lost her master, but she knows that she should not get so emotional. It is not the way of the Jetts.
"Master?"
The voice of his apprentice, Hunter Valyn, broke through his thoughts, and Mace turned. "Yes?"
"Why do you suppose the Cyclones have shown themselves after they hid for so many years?" Hunter wondered as he sat on a rock nearby.
"I suspect Blackscar wanted to get rid of Master Ryuthan permanently," Mace replied."
"Have Blackscar and Master Ryuthan really been enemies for over a thousand years?" Hunter asked.
"Yes, I should know. I'm older than he is. I made some archenemies among the Cyclones."
"Just a few? Seems to me you should have a whole army of Cyclone archenemies!" Hunter joked.
Mace's mouth twitched in smile. "Maybe so. Since I am one of the oldest Jett Masters in existence, there are probably many who desire to rid the world of me."
"Don't die yet, Master," Hunter said. "I still have much to learn."
"Yet you are one of the most gifted Jett apprentices," Mace replied. "You have surpassed almost everyone else in skills with self-defense and the blade." He pointed a finger at his apprentice. "Don't get jealous of Tala now, though, young one. You have almost caught up with her."
Hunter's shoulders drooped slightly. "I kind of feel embarrassed because she's younger."
"Get better acquainted with her and she might help you," Mace suggested. "Age does not matter. It's skill and attitude that does. Yes, you are sixteen and she is fifteen, but that is no reason to be embarassed or ashamed. She started training a little bit sooner and showed promise just a tad before you did. Besides, some suspect that she is the one Chosen to rid the land of Cyclones once and for all."
"I've always dreamed that it would be me," Hunter said, glancing out over the valley.
"As have many before you," his Master answered. "Other than the fact that the Chosen One is supposed to be better skilled than most at swordfighting, defense, etc., there is no realy way to know who it is. There have been a few people like that over the years, and they all came to naught. This might, too."

Atlanta?
Yes, Ksarkash?
Our plan might work. The subject is stuck in the frozen wastelands.
That's good. Do you know yet if she will be your apprentice?
I am doing my best to make sure that happens, Master Mace seems confident that I will do well as a Master.
That's what you are trained for.
Yes. I'm out. Someone's coming.

Ksarkash broke the connection as another Master hurried down the hall toward him. "Yes, Master Rothel?"
"You're late for the meeting," Rothel answered. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I was justcoming out of a discussion with someone. I'm coming," Ksarkash answered.
As he followed Rothel down the hall, Ksarkash smiled to himself. Everything was working out perfectly.