R2: Prologue

    Niobe couldn't say that she was angry she had lost the race.

  In fact sitting in lounge of the check point was a lot better than running around in the desert had been. Still, something ate at Niobe. She flicked her tail and scanned the faces of the other competitors milling around the check point.

  Her eyes settled on the griffin that was leaning against the window on her own bench. Something about Iris was off but Niobe couldn't figure out what it was. Iris never talked to any of the other competitors or ate in the cafeteria with anybody else.  
  
  In fact no one really knew her name or where she came from. Niobe remembered how Iris threw sand in eyes and tried to lead her off the cliff. Those weren't the actions of an honorable individual. Why had the griffin even joined the race? Iris had expressed little interest in it.

  "You distrust is well placed."

  Niobe looked up at the Governess who spoke. Vespera  blind eyes were turned in the direction of the griffin, "If you don't trust her why let her in the race?" Niobe asked as she put her head over her arm.

  For a moment Vespera  didn't speak but her visible eye narrowed. "Nah'yair vouched for her so I let her enter without meeting her in person. But when our paths crossed…" Vespera  trailed off turning her head to face Niobe. "I know you thought I stood by as the injustice of the murder of your friends took place and I remember how angry that made you. I ask you to help me defeat a new injustice."

  Niobe searched the Vespera  face but as always it was blank. "She may be conniving, but there's a lot worse in this race." Niobe turned her gaze back to the griffin who had woken up from her sleep and was yawning. Why would Vespera  care about a griffin who had won on luck but yet the girl who had turned somebody into a fish was under the radar?

  "There are things that you cannot sense Niobe. Perhaps Iris is not dangerous by herself but… with the right opportunity and the wrong heart things can move down a sharp steep path," Vespera said looking at the large yellow cat passing in front of her. Niobe sighed before closing her eyes; Vespera was going to have to preach to someone else because Niobe was nobody's pawn.

  The TV screen above Niboe's head flicked on, and Nah'yair's voice came through the speakers. "Welcome to all Alerians who have tuned in. In a few moments we will announce the official winner's list and prepare for round two."

  "I need to go, it's been a pleasure," Vespera said and Niobe opened her eyes to watch the governess walk away. What a strange creature Vespera was, but it wasn't Niobe problem now.

  As for Iris… well chances were she wouldn't be so lucky next time.