Times are Changing...

Lady Lyra stepped close to the cave's entrance, drawing in Feareni language on the soil. Using her gift of concealment, she channels her gift into the enchantment.

"Mika I will teach you this concealment enchantment. You will need to use it every time you wish to enter and exit the cave. Though my gifts are not that powerful. This enchantment is substantial enough to hide the entrance. When your gifts start to show, you should also be able to use this enchantment."

"Yes, mother." When Mika watched Lyra draw the enchantment on the ground, then push her gift into it a burst of sparkling light cascaded down, like an invisible wall. The entrance to the cave was no more as the enchantment took effect.

The interior of the shuttle was quiet as they rode back from the cave. Lyra looked over at her daughter in the passenger seat, she could see the frown on her face.

"Mika, what is causing you to frown so much?" Being caught by mother, Mika facial expressions smooth out. Re-instilling her mother's teaching to never let anyone see your thoughts.

"Mom...may I ask you a question?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me to seek justice for us?" Mika thought after her mother told the story of Calico and Analise, she wanted her to seek vengeance against those who made their family suffer.

*Sigh*

"Mika...do you think you are the only one who wanted that path?.... Lapis and my mother, both sought to seek vengeance. In the end, they both died achieving nothing."

"You mean the old ones killed them too?"

"Mika... I don't know for certain who, nor the circumstances on how they died. All I know is there are still people out there looking for Analise's writings; and if her writings are actually in that cave than we must protect it."

"But mom, why didn't Lapis and grandmother seek help. I sure there are people out there who would stand for the truth."

Lady Lyra put the shuttle on auto-drive. Letting it glide through the air at an unhurried pace. Getting out of her seat, she squatted in front of her daughter.

"Mika, listen to me...the old ones, yes...they killed Analise and Calico. They plotted their demise, but do you think everyone from that time has died. Do you think the people didn't know the truth back then? Not everyone from those times is dead, but they kept their mouth shut. Why do you think that is?"

Mika though on it. Before finally, the answer came to her.

"They didn't care....." Mika whispers the words softly.

"Yes...Mika. They didn't care. Don't be mistaken about the first ancestors. Just because they didn't take part in the plotting does not mean they didn't enjoy the benefits...Remember how I told you the first ancestors took all of Analise's honey trees....they gave one each to the other clan heads; that was to keep them from prosecution.

Mika, even if you get vengeance, what then?....uhh... Once you let your identity be known, there will be no end to the people who come after you. It's been years since then, the first ancestors have had generations and generations of descendants since."

"I understand, Mother." Lyra walked back to the navigation system turning off auto-drive, to again be in control of the shuttle. After a while of silence Lyra spoke again.

"Mika...I believe there will come a time where the people of Inay will cry tears of despair for their actions....times are changing, we will have our justice...."

_______

Landing down, Lyra cut off the engines. Leaving the shuttle in the designated parking lot for transportation. Lyra and Mika made their way towards the shopping mall.

"We have four hours, to shop for your schooling and to cover our tracks. We will spit up. You will head to the clothing shop, get your measurements taken for the school's uniform. While I'll head over to the academic section, and get you all the materials you will need..." Lyra transferred over a set amount of cubes to Mika wrist ban. "these are for your school clothes. I threw in a little extra just in case. Oh and Mika?...try not to get lost, you remember what happened the last time....."

"Mom!... I was seven."

"Still doesn't change to the fact of you getting lost."

Her mother's nagging lecture mortified Mika when she heard the surrounding people giggled at her expense. Mika covered her face to escape the stares. 'Geez, only mothers know how to truly embarrass you.' Mika ran off before her mother can carry on with her lecture.

About the enter the mandatory clothing store for her school uniform. Mika happens to bump into Kamryn, Lulu, and Sienna with their mothers on the way out. Mika is the only one going into the shop got the brunt of the accident.

Clutching her arm, Kamryn looked at younger sister who was pushed down to the ground in dismay.

"Younger sister's manners still need some work I see."