The beginning

Soren looked around at the surroundings of what he would think was the village, but it wasn't. He was in the city, just across the river. He looked down at his hands and could see right through them.
This man is powerful, he thought to himself. "What is it you are after?"

"What's she worth?" Aelius asked with a serious expression. "I kind of like her company."

Soren frowned. "I do not put prices on the heads of my apprentices," he replied. "You may have whatever it is you ask for, within my means."

"I don't think you have anything I want," Aelius muttered into his fist, gently grasping his chin. "Lovely Cala has some strange eyes. I don't know if I can hand her over to someone that doesn't have a clear understanding of what he has. Ah, I'd like to peer into your heart, exorcist. You know a spell to open your heart, don't you? You look like a knowledgeable man."

"No spells are required for such a feat," he replied evenly. "Trust and camaraderie open up our hearts. If there is something you wish to know, then ask. I will be as honest as I possibly can."

"I don't trust words," Aelius said while leaning against the broken cellar's counter. "I trust this." He jabbed a finger above the bridge of his nose, referring to his 'third eye.'

Soren remained silent for a few seconds before nodding. "Very well..." He said, looking towards Cala.

Aelius's feature remained unchanged until he looked to Cala, whom have gave an apologetic look before averting his eyes. "If I deem Soren fit, I'll release you without payment."

Soren murmured a few words, brushing his hair back from his face. A bright light in the shape on an eye opened in his forehead. The rest of his face grew calm and tranquil as he put concentration into allowing Aelius to see into his Third Eye.

Aelius closed his eyes in an effort to concentrate clearly on Soren's secret thoughts. He looked briefly, satisfied, and turned his back to two. "I'll release Cala," he whispered just audible enough to pick up. "I'll bring her to the edge of the city in two hours."

Soren slowly opened his eyes and nodded without replying. "Cala, this man will not hurt you," he reassured her. "I am still uncertain what the others wanted with you, but he is not like them."

India rubbed her tired eyes, looking at Zander when he entered with the girl. "Been awake all night," she mumbled. "What is it?"

Cala nodded, remaining silent. She looked at Aelius and then Soran again. "Thank you for seeking me, sir," she said to Soren.

Zander set the child down on the examination table and slipped his shotgun off his shoulder to set it on the counter. "You ever sleep, doc?" He asked. He nodded at the girl. "I found this one playing hide-and-seek in the dark behind the food storage shelter. She fell and skinned her knee. I told her we would bring her to you for a good fix-up since 'ladies make better doctors,'" He mimicked the little girl. The girl stuck her tongue out at Zander and he chuckled.

Soren's features softened slightly. "Of course, Cala," he said. "I trust you are in no discomfort?"

"And therefor-" the speaking guard continued, "-you will all be part of the peace keeping initiative, sacrificing your homes and your families to add our fellow humans."
The other guards quickly saluted, but Dakota was slow to follow. The guards turned and started marching back their bunkers and Dakota's sergeant directed his troop back to theirs.
The Regius Army troop A450 split into two; Those that were staying and those being transferred to rural communities. The sergeant saluted and dismissed the remain troop and turned to the departing one. "Dakota Lark. You'll be reassigned to the safe camp in the southwest region. Your commanding officer will be Zander Ibsen. Departure is scheduled for noon. You're dismissed."
"Yes, sir," Dakota confirmed and saluted.

Noon came and the carriage was waiting for Dakota at the city gate. Along with a prisoner, they disembarked to the safe camp as quickly as possible.

"When I'm allowed and that's not often," Indian said while she picked up the girl's leg to examine it. "Looks like it just needs a little medicine." She took a bottle of warm water and added some herb powder to it and shook it. "This will do the trick. It's a fast healing potion. A little of this and it won't even hurt tomorrow."
She dabbed her knee and covered it with a bandage, then decorated it with a scrap of ribbon. "Keep it covered until bed time, then you can wash it off and recover it." She patted the girl's head and handed her a fresh bandage for later.

"No, sir. I'm well," Cala replied. "Just... hungry," she added with embarrassment.

The girl thanked India politely with a smile and allowed Zander to help her off the table. "Let the nurses take over for a day," he suggested.

Soren allowed a small smile. "When we get back, we will get you a nice warm meal." He looked back to Aelius. "I must go now. Might I ask what your purpose was of obtaining Cala before I leave?"

"I'd rather do it myself," India replied while leaning against the examining table. "And I'm still learning how this hospital runs. I don't have time for a break."

"Just chance," Aelius said while closing the channel between the two men. He turned his back to Cala and squeezed the bridge of his nose. "Leaves you a little light headed. We'll go right away. It's a twenty minute venture, but Bion is probably on the hunt."

Five buried the burnt out butt of his cigarette into the wall behind him and looked towards the street. "You're getting funny looks, magic man."

Zander nodded. A female soldier stepped in behind him. "You wanted to see me, sir?" She asked.
"Yeah." He turned to the soldier. "Take this girl to the schoolhouse. Her family will probably be looking for her by now."
"Understood, sir." She picked up the girl and left the building.
Zander sighed and turned back to the doctor after they had left. "Look. About the Misers...I don't like them here anymore than you do. But I trust Kallias' judgement." Most of the time, he thought bitterly.

Soren nodded his physical head at Five's words. "I must go then. We will meet you soon. Take care, Cala." He broke free of the spell, leaning against the wall with exhaustion. "We are to meet them at the village gates in two hours. Cala will be coming back."