Dak was flushed with elation. They had just ended their last concert on Raegwilde for a long time, and the sizeable crowd had made heroes of the group. All were shaking hands, signing autographs, (�On the off chance you all actually get famous,� Nari had laughed), and drinking plenty of well-aged, heady cider. All around, people were socializing, laughing, and generally partying as they hadn�t in years. He thought he saw Alba and Nari telling a story animatedly, with many broad gestures, each getting roars of laughter from those watching. What he didn�t notice was four figures making their way purposefully through the crowd. Suddenly, a hand clamped on his shoulder. He spun around to face a quartet of strangers.

           �Where is Cheno?� asked the one whose hand gripped Dak�s shoulder, ice-blue eyes piercing Dak�s green.

           Dak looked around. �I don�t know, I thought she was with us, but I guess she left. Must have been tired or something. Should I know you?�

           �No, but she does. We,� he gestured to his companions, �are from a town called Periwinkle. She lived among us for a while, but left. She killed ten men.�

           Dak gaped. Kind, beautiful Cheno, a psychotic serial killer? It didn�t seem to add up.

           �She�s�a murderer?�

           �No!� One of the four strangers spoke vehemently, flashing an apologetic glance at the leader. It was a mid-height female, with a fresh, athletic look to her. �It wasn�t like that. She saved our lives.�

           �Sumea, she practically liquefied those guys!�

           �Yeah, and what do you think would have happened to us if she hadn�t? We were outnumbered two to one. Worse odds, two half-grown guys and three young women against ten cruel, tough, grown men. We aren�t helpless, but that�s a fight we wouldn�t have won.�

           The dark-haired leader didn�t look convinced, but he kept his mouth shut.

           �So how did Cheno manage to�did you say liquefy???�ten grown men?�

           The shorter, fair-haired guy broke in excitedly. �Cap, it was amazing! This big guy, I guess he was the leader, he was being all threatening and stuff, and she got all growly and her eyes went red and she just�wow. Ripped through them so quick they barely had time to scream. They weren�t really U>liquid, but they might as well have been. Definitely dead. Then she ran off. By the time we�d stopped gaping, she was gone.�

           Dak shook his head in bewilderment. �I can hardly believe it of Cheno. She�s so��

           �Yes. I thought so too.� The swarthy one grumbled. �I loved her�how could I know she was an Odd?�

           �Odd? What do you mean, an Odd?�

           �An Odd is�someone different. Most of them look different too. But Cheno�Caprice, how could I have known?�

           The last member of the group, a compact, slender girl with short dark hair, put her hand on his shoulder.

           �Easy, Tad. You couldn�t have known. Cheno is not an Odd�well, maybe she is, but she�s not a monster. Maybe none of them are. She�s our friend, the same person she ever was. That�s why we came after her. The way the Council in Periwinkle acted�like she wasn�t even human! They didn�t care that she saved us, or that she got rid of ten guys who would have brutalized others. All they see is her Odd-ness�We couldn�t stay in a place like that. So we figured our best bet would be to find her and explain, that we don�t think she�s a freak or anything. She�s still our friend.�

           �All right�let�s see if we can find her for you. Hey, Cheno!� Dak called, gazing around the room inquiringly.

           A few people turned towards him, but there was no answering shout. Dura and Brujo sidled up. �What�s the matter, Dak?�

           �These guys are friends of Cheno, from the mainland. Have you seen her?�

           �Nah, not since the concert.�

           Indigo ran up to the group, panting. �Guys! Guys!�

           �What? What?�

           �Cheno! The boat! She�s gone!�