Chapter 1 Prologue

As the roaring laughter filled the air around the campfire he glanced around at his comrades and sighed. Looking out at the desolate desert wasteland that had once been Magus Gigas, Galfrade felt a sense of wanting. Knowing that there was and would never be anyway he could return this field of sand and ruined buildings to their former glory left him with an even greater need to try. There had to be something he could do to preserve even a small piece of this place, of it's memory and culture, but what? The stars shone bright in the blackness, enough to light the world without the air of the moon or sun. 

"He's off daydreaming again Tristan, You're just wasting your breath." Came the superior tone of the Drow Mage Vierna. Galfrade blinked a few times looking around the group of faces. "Sorry Blesk, I must be more tired then I thought. I think I'll head back to the ship and change for bed." He said standing up. "Would you like any help with thaing around the other five in his crew he couldn't help but chuckle, Tristan and Madeen looked horrified, Tarence Highwinds rumbled with a deep chuckle and Sam blushed a deep mauve color. The six of them couldn't be more different from one another but somehow they'd made it work. "Not tonight, I think I still need rest from earlier." He said as he took his leave. As he walked the halls of The Pioneer, Galfrade thought about what the end of the war entailed and what exactly would need done. He stopped, sighing, and looked around the ship getting his barrings once more. 

In the dark it was silent except for a light clapping of cupboard doors in the galley. "Strange." Clyde was the only one who would be on the ship, making repairs and usually you had to force the old codger to eat when he had a project, otherwise he'd forget he needed food or sleep at all. Stepping quietly down the corridor, his sword drawn and an entrapment spell in his free hand, Galfrade made his way towards the kitchen area. Inside he could hear the rustling of movement done so lightly it was obvious the person was trying to not make noise. He threw open the door and pause in shock. The small lemur girl couldn't be but perhaps four or five. In his moment of awe at it not having been a raider or a moeberry, the small beat-girl dashed with her sack of food, skidded under his legs and in a flash, she, his sword and his coin purse were all gone. He went running down the hall and catching a glimpse of a long furred tail. 

"Hey! Come Back!" He hollered after the girl as he chased her down. Around each corner he was barely missing her as he threw entrapment spells down each narrow hallway. To late he began to realize she was heading for the door of the ship. If she hit the ruins just beyond he would loose her. Just as he saw the door, Galfrade skidded to a halt staring in shock as a snicker grew on his face. In the doorway of the ship stood Tarence, tall in his dragon motif armor holding the beastial girl by the scruff of the neck as she kicked and scratched as his gauntlets in vain. The sack of stolen food in his other hand. "Galfrade." He said nodding in his usual nonchalant tone. "Is this yours?" he asked raising the girl a bit higher off the ground.

"Not to rough. Look at her. I think she's a native. Highwinds, take her inside and put her in one of the spare rooms. Make she she doesn't get out. I'll be in shortly." As the mountain of armor passed him Galfrade stepped up to the rest of the group whom had been on their way towards the ship. "Madeen, we have a survivor." Stunned, the healer looked up from her tome and stared. "What? Who?!" she asked shutting the volume and hurrying forward, closely followed by the others. "A young beastial girl. She had to have been here months, perhaps longer. We caught her stealing food from the galley. I don't know much about the child except she is....exceptionally fast on her feet." he told her with a slight chuckle.

"Alright then let us go and see her." Bustling past him without another word, the woman's white robes blew free some desert sand from the fabric as she rushed onto the ship. Making her way deliberately towards the sleeping quarters she soon found where Tarence stood guard. Galfrade just behind her she shooed away the large man making her way inside where they found room empty. "Where is she!" Madeen exclaimed in a panic. Galfrade took in the room quickly, worried the girl must have slipped free somehow before he spotted the small furred tail. 

Pointing it out to Madeen quietly, Galfrade knelt down lifting the side of the covers to find the girl huddle in the corner under the bed. "Hey there." Smiling his voice was gentle and the girl looked up at him with the large eyes of a terrified nocturnal creature. "I promise none of us will hurt you. Come on out. What's your name?"

"Maiya....I am afraid..." words came out mixed with what sounded like squeaks as the girl's voice broke and shook with fear. "I promise I'll protect you." Reaching out his hand Galfrade took her and let her out of the darkness of he bed. 

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Pecking in through the cracked door Galfrade smiled lightly. Sam hummed with the girl's head cradled in her lap. Satisfied he was not to be needed tonight her turned and left for the control room of the ship for some quiet. As he turned to leave Madeen spotted the red cape flutter past the door. Finishing the report for young Maiya, she gathered up her things putting each piece meticulously away before rising to follow him down the halls of the ship.

Madeen offered him the paper she held. Blinking, Galfrade tore his eyes away from the book he held in his lap looking up and taking the sheet. "A little dehydrated and a bit of malnutrition but otherwise she is fine. I had Sam make her a hot meal and we put her to sleep. From what I got out of her she was in the city when it was blown into dust. It's a miracle she survived, since then she's been raiding solder parties as the passed through here on what's left of the main road. Since the war ended however we've been the first people she's seen in several weeks. It's a wonder she's lived so long to be honest."

"Thank you Madeen. Go get some rest. You've earned it." He said turning back to his book. Tilting her head she took a step closer and glanced down over his shoulder. "What is that you are reading? It seems to be written in beastial." He nodded. "It is. It's a law book. I'm going to learn their culture as much as I can." he explained. "Why?" chuckling he answered. "So that I can teach her."

She gaped at him. "You cannot be serious Galfrade! You of all people! Taking on a pupil?!" "Not a pupil Madeen! A child. With the spirit I see in this one I can't let it go with the possibility of it fading in a world and life on the streets. No, I'm adopting her." The woman was stunned. The most womanizing, drunkard, talented man she'd ever met, adopting a young girl because he could see 'spirit in her'?! It was ludicrous and unheard of. "Truly Galrfade please, will you not reconsider?! Are you sure you are ready for such a responsibility in your life?!" 

"Madeen you wound me! Do you really think I will not be able to handle one child on my own? I'll have you know you will find me quite capable!" He declared defiantly. "Not I Noble! I do not see your capability at all! Please let us take her to Raven's nest! We will find her a family there! If her being on the streets is what concerns you then please let us all find her a proper family!" 

"Enough Madeen! Why is it you seem so against the idea of me taking care of this child?!" Rising from his chair he faced her, setting the book down on the control panel beside him. "Galfrade Eugine Noble! If you take over the guidance of this or any child now while you are still so naive and unsettle you will only guide her into destruction! Mark my words if you stay stubborn on this you will lead her into a life of sin and hoodlumism!"