Sara woke to the subtle shadows shifting in the early dawn hours. She groaned and buried her head in the cloak, not wanting to deal with another day of shadows before remembering the previous night.

"What are you doing?"

Sara groaned turning over. "Too early, Tess." Sara said before her brain had time to realize the voice sounded nothing like Tess. She instinctively checked her neck for the link collar as she looked up sharply at the door to the small store room. She stared at the servant who was staring back at the cloak now under her while her mind organized the thoughts. The Temple. The storeroom. The rod!

"I mean, um, Loana said...uhm, Patti said I could wait here for a-" Sara broke off when she saw the servant turn a few shades whiter. "I mean I was just.." Sara was not sure what to say but as she got herself up the servant slowly backed out of the doorway before turning to run. "Wait! I can explain!" Sara jumped up and staggered swiftly to the door, reminding herself that the headache was less severe, but still unpleasantly present. Sara could see the servant running back towards the complex as she poked her head past the door and cursed. She will betray me. They all betray me.

Sara pulled herself back into the room and looked around quickly, trying to plan through the haze of sleep. At least the shadows are normal again. Blessed unmoving normal shadows. Her eyes found the tall pot where she had hidden the rod, and she lurched over reaching in and fishing for the rod. The pounding in her head intensified as she leaned down to reach the bottom of the pot, but she quickly grasp the rod and pulled it out. She could feel the charge immediately. Almost a full charge? Sara marveled as she inspected it taking it out of the pot. It had been damaged, but now it was whole, and holding its charge without leaking. What was inside of me? She realized the rod had reformed itself entirely. It had had a gray undertone before, but now it appeared to be much darker, almost a dull black. The carvings, especially near the base were much more pronounced, and they felt like they were moving in a mesmerizing dance, even if close inspection revealed they were not. A Living Rod?

Sara closed her eyes and pulled on the rod. A full charge of Shadu. The headache eased, and Sara lost herself in the flow for a moment before remembering the servant. Addicting. She had never felt the cravings before, but the six months of living off magik before Lama had linked her had changed her. I don't have time for this! The whirling swirling madness of twisted tendrils were back in her vision after holding the rod for only a short time, but they were not as intense as before. Sara did her best to ignore the tendrils creeping up her arm from the rod as she peeked out of the door again, spotting a small group of people heading back towards her shelter. I will not be boxed again! She shoved the rod into her holster.

Sara slipped out of the small room quickly and headed towards the crowd near the entrance of the temple. She heard some muffled shouts behind her but ignored them, burying herself in the crowd as she did her best to make it to the entry of the temple. She realized before she made it to the gate that the swirling cloak around her was not her cloak at all, but shadows from the  Shadu rod. They were fading though, leaving her exposed, but she knew the temple acolytes would still be pursuing her, so she resisted the urge to turn back, and did not slow her pace until she was back on the bustling streets of the city.

* * * * *

TIme to leave. Too many people know now. Sara's original plan had been to stay in the city to work up a reputation as a Mover, to validate her standing as a foreign noble. Sara was disturbed at how easy Lady Merana had been able to discover records of Thurgian nobles, though. In hindsight Sara suspected it was a good thing she left Tess' cloak at the temple, since now it would be more difficult for her to pretend to be a noble. My false identity will not last long. And too many people are looking for me already. Tess, Lama, the Temple. I need a way out. There is always a way out.

Sara tried to browse casually through the rows of decadent stalls in the market, but knots of worry twisted inside her. She had headed straight to the market after realizing she had left the cloak in the temple, and it had taken most of the coin she had made from Fraw's job to buy a new gray cloak. She had scoured the stalls all morning for the best deals, but it had been more difficult to find than she had anticipated, since she knew many people flaunted their political affiliations using the colors of their cloak. Gray showed support for traders, and was popular on the docks, but in the Middle City's main market near the Arena, it was not as popular. And much cheaper than the Blues, who support the Emperor. Sara had also found a new tan tunic which she hoped would let her pass as something more than dockworker. I can't leave through the docks with Lama there, which means traveling inland to the next city.

She felt the letter from Merana at her waist. I could join the guild instead, but I am sure Merana knows more than she says. And if they decided to confirm my identity, the Sulkutts will be looking for me too.

"Lady Suklutt. That was fast!" They found me! Sara jumped and spun quickly, backing away from whoever just spoke in her ear, ready to blast whoever had crept up on her.

"Rax?" Rax was out of his armor and in average-looking browns and grays, standing behind her with a lopsided smile. Is this another shadow? Sara took her eyes off Rax only long enough to confirm that she was not in contact with the Shadu rod still strapped to her thigh.

"Esaralina, right? You are here!" He sounded excited.

"Yes, I am here." Sara said cautiously, trying to figure out what he was saying. He appears more stable than the shadows from yesterday. Sara resisted the urge to reach out and poke him. "You are here too."

He laughed. "Why wouldn't I be? I honestly didn't think you would show up." He cleared his throat. "Also, you are a little tougher to spot without your bright blue cloak." He said nodding to her new gray cloak.

"Yeah, I thought...I thought I needed a change." She said plucking at the cloak. "Show up for what?" Sara started playing back their meeting in the Upper City but could not figure out what he was talking about.

He laughed like she had made a joke. "Exactly." He said, then gave a quick half-turn to show off his dark gray cloak. "Well, good choice on the cloak anyway." He cleared his throat again. "Um, well, you're too late to for it today, but I might be able to get a co-worker to let us in now, and get you on the list for tomorrow." Get me on the list for what? "We might even have time for a little tour!" He said with a smile. "I'm already running a little late, though, so we would have to go now." Sara searched his face, to see if this was some kind of trap, but he seemed sincere. Would he betray me? "Unless you're not interested anymore. I mean we don't have to-"

"Okay." Sara said. He will probably betray me too, but I will be gone soon anyway, as soon as I can get enough supplies to get me to the next city. Sara followed him to the side of the Arena where she saw a service entrance secured by one guard. "The Arena? I thought you were a wallguard?"

He gave her a funny look. "I am. The Arena stuff is just part time. Remember? We talked about this on the way back." Sara vaguely remembered Rax talking to her as the walked from Gulthas Guild back to the Upper City wall, but by that time the shadows had taken over her mind, and she had understood very little. What did I agree to? Is it a coincidence that I am near the Arena?

"Alright stay close." Rax said, and adopted a long stride as they approached. Sara did her best to shadow him. The Arena was an impressive structure from the outside, five or six stories tall and taking up a whole block. Most of the structure was stone, with large canvas sails attached along the outside, providing shade from the midday sun. At least I will get to see what it is like inside before I go.

"Well, well. If it isn't his Lordship." The guard standing at the entrance said. "And with a Lady as well." He gave Sara a bow.

"Hey Pol. Is this the late shift already?" Rax asked.

"It is." Pol said as he lifted the cordon to let Rax and Sara through. "Watch out though, Deres is prowling the halls tonight."

"Great." Rax said, sounding worried. "Thanks for the heads up."

"No problem, your Lordship." Pol said, ushering them inside.

They entered into a concourse that appeared to run around the circumference of the arena underneath the stands. There were only a few other people slowly milling around, so the space felt very roomy to Sara. Definitely not a box.

"Rax!" A bellowing voice called from behind them as they walked swiftly down the concourse.

Rax groaned and turned, corralling Sara behind him with an arm. "Deres, boss. Just, um, heading down to the lockers." Rax said as Deres caught up to them with long strides, bright red velvet cloak fluttering behind him.

"Good. Great. Stupendous!" He skidded to a stop a little to close to Rax. "We need extra security in the Dragon Suites tonight. Lots. Tons. Pack 'em in tight! But only the best!" Every word was a flourish. Deres paused for a moment. "But we only employ the best, so that should not be too hard." Deres suddenly noticed Sara. "And who is this? You're not giving another free 'tour' to a lady friend, are you Rax?" Sara eyed Rax. How many tours has he given?

"As a matter of fact, no." Rax said. Sara was a little hurt that he did not even hesitate. "Lady Sulkutt a magiker, with some reasonable shield skills, and I was trying to get her signed up for the next tryouts." So that is what we are here for. Or was it for the tour?

"A magiker, hm?" He eyed the rods strapped to her thigh. "Want a job, my Lady?" Deres asked Sara.

Rax signaled frantically behind his back for Sara to stay quiet. "Um, I don't think Lady Sulkutt would be interested in-"

"What kind of job?" Sara asked, still a little annoyed with Rax.

"Hm, nothing too tough, I don't think. An easy job! Hardly worth paying someone to do, but we'll still pay. We'll pay the best, because we want the job done right! We just need one more for the arena cleaning crew. Just making sure the sands are pristine, in between the bouts. That's all. Maybe have to clean up after a few animals, here and there, but ours are the finest selection of the rarest breeds, collected from around the entire world! No group of predators fiercer, stronger, more accomplished. Not a bad job at all."

"Yes, and clearly below your station, my Lady." Rax said in a rush, still frantically gesturing at Sara behind his back. "I think-"

"I think I can try it once." Sara said, interrupting Rax again. Rax's face contorted with frustration. I do need money for supplies, anyway. "But why would you need a magiker to clean?"

"Safety issue is all!" Deres said a little too quickly. "I did mention these animals are predators, yes? But its perfectly safe! Rax has even worked the cleaning crew, many times!"

"Twice!" Rax corrected.

"Precisely. And he is still around!" Deres said with another flourish.

"Barely." Rax crossed his arms, looking like he was going to argue.

"I'll do it." Sara said quickly. If the Sulkutts do come looking, they won't be looking for her on a cleaning crew of the Arena.

Rax took a moment to contain himself. "Lady Sulkutt, I am not sure-"

"Splendid. Wonderful. Great! Perfect. Rax you're off Security tonight." Said Deres. Rax sputtered. "You're on cleaning crew with your lady friend. Would not want to break up a romantic couple! No Sir." He gave a bow with a flourish to Sara. "Good day, Lady, and enjoy the show!" He turned sharply and strode long strides in the opposite direction.

"Let's go." Rax growled.