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he sound that awakened Shannon was sharp, like a firecracker going off. In an instant, she was awake. The combination of adrenalin and the chilly air made her shiver as she leaned back against the tree.

As unwise as it had been to sleep outdoors with absolutely nothing even as meager as a windbreaker for added warmth, Shannon’s mind was focused on something far more concerning.

The men she and the big cat had escaped from were back, and they were getting closer.

As quietly as she could possibly manage, Shannon crept around the tree and into the undergrowth, crawling on her hands and knees. She needed to move about five yards to get to the animal, and she hoped when she got there she would be able to keep him from making too much noise.

The murmur of voices made Shannon duck lower to the ground as she crawled bit by bit to make sure she made no noise at all. Even the slightest sound might draw their attention.

The ghostly flicker of torchlight cast smoldering shadows through the leaves, making the trees appear much larger and more forbidding. The voices got louder, then seemed to drift away, then got louder still.

A few more feet, and she would be there. She could see the great cat’s back paws lying in the leaves next to the largest of the three trees on Shannon’s side of the glen. The animal’s breathing was a strained sound, but it did seem a little stronger than before.

“Stupid hair,” Shannon whispered to herself as she pulled her hair back over her ear so she could see in both directions.

I wish I had brought something to tie it with, Shannon thought.

She crept behind the big cat, hiding behind his immensely powerful shoulders. She wished he could sleep, but the heavy, quick sound of his breathing made it sound as if sleeping would be very difficult. She put her hands across his side.

“Shhhhh.. shhhh… don’t let them hear us..”

Then Shannon froze. Torchlight was visible over the bushes only a few yards away. She lowered her head so her eyes were just above the black fur of the big cat’s side. Her heart beat like a triphammer and the tension in her arms and legs made her fingers ache.

How dare they hurt him and then chase him down!

Shannon scowled in the darkness, following the light of the torch and the small band of men along the edge of the glen with intense hatred in her eyes. She hoped beyond all hope they wouldn’t hear the big cat breathing, or the rattling in his throat. Shannon wasn’t sure what she might do if they hurt him. But she did know she was prepared to fight.

If they even touch him again…

A shuddering breath escaped through gritted teeth, and Shannon’s gaze was as fiery as the torchlight her sight followed into the darkness.

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Cici’s hand trembled as she stood silently, wide-eyed, holding her breath. Jessica turned and then looked down at her shoulder, where Cici was pointing.

Jessica had fastened the Gold Alto Clef Charm to her jacket near the neck. The bluish light from the Chronicler’s Lantern shone on the fabric of her jacket and reflected from the gold surface. The beams cast distorted reddish reflections through the jewels. Jessica could just scarcely make out the faint motion of fluttering light around her Charm.

But there was something else there.

Pointing down towards the ground was the phantom image of a golden sword’s blade. It was nearly four feet long. The grip and pommel extended above the charm, and a crossguard was visible on either side.

“It’s coming from the Charm,” Shannon whispered, moving near Cici to get a better look.

“What is?” Jessica asked. “What do you see?”

“You can’t see it?” Ranko asked. “There’s a gold sword like right in front of you!”

Talitha adjusted her glasses, looking back and forth between Cici and Jessica. A wide beam of light was coming from the blue lens of the Chronicler’s Lantern and Jessica was standing right in the center of it. Talitha slowly walked behind Jessica, and the ghostly image of the sword disappeared. She continued walking, and as she passed Jessica again on the other side, the sword re-appeared.

“It seems to be only visible if you are looking in the same direction the Lantern’s light is shining.” Talitha pulled the Talisman from her hair and held it in one hand. Very slowly she crept towards the blue beam of light. As the glittering treasure entered the light, a huge bronze and wood Shield with a tree emblazoned on its face appeared. All of the other girls gasped, except Shannon, who frowned.

“What is it Ranko-chan?”

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