Taryn waved goodbye to Jax at the entry to the Tunnel. She was greeted by guard who directed her to the debriefing room. Warriors,Talents and Officers were gathered, looking grave as they discussed the attack with the resulting fire.<br/><br/>"Good, Taryn, You have returned. What did you find outside the Wall? Were there breaches? Did you see any groups of Beastkin close by the Wall?" General Striker asked, gesturing for her to take her place at the front where she sat on the council.<br/><br/>"All was quiet without the Wall. The Wall itself needs some repairs but I have marked these places on my map. None are serious. No, I didn't see any Beastkin close to the Wall, although I did see Kuguar arresting some Hyane as they passed through the Freeway. The Hase and I were trespassing on their treaty lands but there did not infringe on ours." she reported with military bearing. She waited for the General's nod before being seated.<br/><br/>The group grew heated and suggestions of pre emptive strikes were bandied about. Arguements against it went up with equal fervor. Finally Taryn raised her hand for silence.<br/><br/>"Permission to speak, sir?" she asked the General.<br/><br/>"Granted."<br/><br/>"I propose that I go to the Kuguar, posing as a goodwill ambassador. If they accept, then we can know two things. One they have nothing to hide and Two,they are willing to work with us for the common good. If they decline, we will have a better understanding of where the danger lies. The Kuguar are respected among the Beastkin for the regard they have for the Treaty. Let's proceed that way."<br/><br/>The General considered. Voices rang out once more in protest.<br/>"What if they kill you?"<br/><br/>Taryn smiled a cold little smile.<br/>"They can try."<br/><br/>"You will take a cohort?"<br/><br/>"I will go as always, with the Hase. He is quick and can bring word to you if help is needed. and he knows the way of the Beastkin. He can help negotiate customs and language."<br/><br/>"Agreed. We will reserve our actions until we hear further from you." the General stated. He dismissed the group but caught Taryn's arm.<br/><br/>"Talent, wait."<br/><br/>Taryn sat back in her chair, listening intently. The last of the Warriors filed from the room before he spoke.<br/><br/>"Upon completion of this mission, you will report back here. A suitable male has been found to breed you. His talent and yours should create good, strong offspring. That is an order and there is no negotiating on this. You have reached an age of breeding and for the greater good, you must comply. Is that understood? that's all." The General delivered her death sentence and marched from the room.<br/><br/>Taryn sat in stunned silence. She had been putting off this day and the leaders had been listening. She would bet her right arm that her father was behind this. He didn't rank as high as a general but he did have the ears of an Elder or two. Damn. She felt her body shrinking in on itself. She didn't know who the male was, but she suspected Broderick, the swine. Not a Beastkin swine, but , .... she spat on the floor.<br/><br/>He was stupid and mean and arrogant and had little piggy eyes that seemed to see everything. Broderick kicked childer when no one was looking. He refused to read or to listen to interesting new points of view. His blubbery lips were usually wet with spittle. Taryn shuddered. Once he had tried to force himself upon her but Taryn quickly gathered the energy to put her Talent to good use. She flowed from the room, leaving the ass alone with his pitiful little business in his hand. She shuddered again.<br/><br/>Shaking her head, Taryn went in search of Jax so they could prepare to travel.