Kaz looked away for a moment, he knew of one such Sylesti who would do something like this. One who never strayed far from him and who found amusement in his struggles.

He'd have to have a talk with him later. Perhaps while Glitch was sleeping.

Damn it, he thought she'd be safe from him here.

Turning back to Black, Kaz hid away his worries behind a friendly smile.
"Righto. The sooner this is started, the sooner you'll find a solution. I'll happily offer my help if it's needed."

(Gee I wonder who Kaz is talking about )

Fern saw Kaz and gave him a nod, but then went back to talking to the qirai next to him.

Black walked to the front and stepped on higher point so everybody would be able to see him.

'Everyone, Thanks for comming.'

Black said to get everybody's attention.

'As you all know a vorkid was able to enter our forest. Lucky nothing bad happend this time, but it could have. My Pine and the new Glitch where able to handle it this time, but there is no guarentee it will go that smooth next time. In order to protect our little ones, and everybody else I called all of you to discuss this matter.'

'Now does anyone have an idea how this vorkid could have entered our forrest withoud any of us noticing?'

Black asked the village people.

Then many sylesties started talking at the same time. Black signed. This was going to be a long night.

'Everyone, please, I understand your feelings but it is very hard to discuss this if we all talk at the same time, lets speak one at a time shall we?'

An old, grumpy looking Faelora spoke up. "I bet the east-forest lookouts are to blame! Those slackers never do their jobs right!"

Several Sylesties disagreed directly with him, others voiced their own opinions of who was to blame. Pretty soon everyone was arguing with each other.

Kaz felt guilty, if it weren't for his presence the Vorkid would've had no business here and the town's Sylesties wouldn't be blaming each other.

"Why don't we conduct an experiment?" he suggested, trying to speak so he was heard.

Black looked at Kaz. 'An experiment? What did you have mind young Kaz?'

An Bulbori spoke up. 'Your just going to let the new guy come up with something?! Well sorry but don't you find it weird that the vorkid showed up the moment he did!? For all we know he was the one who got it in! I bet his experiment will make more vorkids enter!'

The bulbori male said glaring at Kaz.

Black jumped down, growling at the bulbori. The bulbori shrunk and looked down. There was no question to who was in charge of this place.

Once the bulbori calmed Black spoke.

'I will not tolerate anyone of you insulting our guest in this manner. We used to be an open village that would welcome anybody with all their hearts. Now look at us. We point paws and claws at eachother instead of working together, and then Kaz tries to help and you point them at him. '

'I will vouch for him if you wish it so, This boy did not let the vorkid in, he could not have. I was there when he entered, and his sister was one of the little ones that almost got harmed. I do not know Kaz very well or very long, but I do know he would do nothing to endanger his sister. Further more it does not make any sense for him to make a vorkid enter. He is a clever lad. He would know he would be the one put to blame. If this lad would ever make a vorkid enter he at least would be clever enough to do it at another time. Unlike some...'

(The last part he said in a sarcasm/teasing voice to all sylesties in the room.)

He returned to the highest place of the room.

'My friends, I understand your unease, but blaming eachother and everybody else will not solve anything. We have to stick together and work as one. Have faiht in me like you once did. Have I ever failed you?'

The sylesties in the room grew silent and looked down a bit ashamed. It was Black that braught them all together and Black also saved quite a few of them in the past. He had never failed to protect them and to look after them. Always kind and just and strong.

Nobody spoke up.

Black looked at Kaz smiling.
'So you where mentioning something about an experiment?'

Kaz gave Black a look that said thank you and voiced his idea.

"Well, I was thinking that I could leave the forest and try to sneak back in without anyone noticing. It would be sometime between this week and the next. You wouldn't know when or where I'll try to enter. Everyone would go about their duties as they usually would. If I can successfully enter the forest then we'll know how the Vorkid managed it. "

He addressed Black directly. "But I'll need someone to care for Glitch while I'm doing this." he said.

The other sylesties did not look pleased with this idea. They where thinking about how this boy would run away to escape his crime of he had done it. Not trusting this idea. But they didn't speak up this time, not wanting to make Black angry.

Black looked in thought.

'Hmm, it could be an idea, but if you do get caught we are back to square one. Still I supose it is worth a try. Glitch can stay with us, she and Pine seem to get along great.'

Another zolnixi raised her paw.

'Yes?' Black asked her.

'I am sorry to say this, I mean no disrespect, but some of us feel uncomfortable with him doing this. If he did it, I am not saying he did, but IF, this could work in his favor. Your right that we have changed black. But we have good reason after ..him.. So you have to pardon us being a bit warry. Please, don't be mad, send somebody else or send somebody with him.'

A lot of sylesties agreed with her.

Black looked troubled. It is not that he didn't understand their feelings. But he had to try to return this village to how it was before. And he wanted Kaz to be accepted as well. The he looked to his left seeing his own son.

....
Black grinned.

'Ok everyone, if this is how you feel I will honer that. Kaz is innocent and soon you will all believe it, but if it makes you feel better I will send somebody to go with him.'

The sylesties looked relieved.

'Fern will go with him.'

Fern looked up surprised. "What?! Why me?'

Black looked down. 'Because you are my son, you need to get out more, and Kaz and you both nearly had your siblings taken away. If anybody has reason to test our security it would be Kaz and our family. I however am a bit busy inside, your mother will be busy with the little ones and the little ones are obviously out of the question so it makes sense for you to go .' Black said looking pleased with himself.

'Everybody agrees to this?' Black asked the sylesties. They all nodded. Fern was not pleased.

'Ok then, than it is decided. Meeting over.'

Kaz swore under his breath. This would make it much harder for him to meet up with his "friend" (as he so often called Kaz.)

~Calm down, I have about a week to figure out what to do.~ He thought to himself.

He hid his disappointment behind a cheesy grin and turned to look at Fern. "Great idea, Black. What time do we leave?"

Black was no fool. He was right trough Kaz. He was not surprised though. In fact he was counting on it.

Grinning he looked at his son and Kaz. 'I suggest tomorrow. A lot has happend so you boys need a good night rest before going. You also need some time to explain it to Glitch right Kaz? So if you would make sure to be at our home tomorrow morning I will send you boys off.'

Fern looked at the other 2. 'Yeah ok great, can we go back home now. I would like to see Pine a little more before I am kicked out of my village, thanks a lot.' He said to both.

Fern then walked ahead towards home.
Black walked next to Kaz.

'So Kaz, any reason why you came up with this particular idea?'

Kaz wasn't sure what to say. Black seemed to know that he had another reason to leave the forest.
He decided to hint at a part of his true reason.

Black seemed to be the understanding type but he'd not tell him the whole story...
At least, not yet.

"I have to see a friend." he said. "He might be able to tell us where to look for a blind spot where the Vorkid could've entred."

'I see, so this 'friend' . Does he have a name?'

Black looked at Kaz and saw him tense a little.

'Listen lad, you don't have to tell me, but I know this friend of yours is not a friend. Otherwise you would have let him come with you inside instead of letting him wander around on his own. Also the look in your eyes when you say friend, well it is not friendly. ' Black said, a small smile on his lips.

'I am sure you have your reasons for not sharing and I know you prefer going on your own.'

Black looked around for a moment. Fern was already gone, it seeme Fern did not feel like waiting and ran ahead. Black turned to Kaz.

'Now you listen closely to me lad, I am sending my son with you, not because I don't trust you, but because the village is a bit warry. ''

'However this is not the only reason.'

'This friend of yours who is not your friend, is obviously a part of your past life your not happy with. Therefore I am sending with you a part of your present life. Fair enough that present part is also not a part your happy with, but it will do to remind you you have chance at a new life now. Don't let this friend drag you back yeah.'

Black said in an amused tone. (As an after thought to his comment about Fern being kaz his present part he is not happy with, he says

'Don't deny it lad, you 2 are clashing like fire and water would. Still, the strongest friendships are born like that.'

Then he looked serious and stopped walking. Making eye contact with Kaz.

''When you entered this village, you entered my domain. And I take care of those in my domain. You came here, maybe not looking for a clean start, but that is what I am offering you none the less. Your past does not matter to me. Your future does. Stay here and start over. You and Glitch together. I would like that, and so would a certain little boy I know.''


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(Gosh I can't seem to help but type long things.. I hope you don't mind. If things get to long let me know and I will try to make them shorter.)