Taryn studied the weapon. That it was finely crafted and beautiful was not a question but she had not seen one of these in serious combat.<br/>"The Warrior Talents of the Hume rarely allow adversaries to come close enough to use such as these. Most of us have various Talents and that gives us the edge with most combatants because it is impossible to study our tactics. For example, should a blade such as this come my way, my Talent would automatically take over and the blade would be ineffective against water. Before my adversary could regroup. my water would pour into his lungs, drowning him. Once he was dead, I would flow back out."<br/><br/>She knew that it was Verboten! to talk of Talents because if the Beastkin truly understood what we did, they might have the means to develop strategies. As long as they depended on old fashioned warfare, the Hume had all the advantages. Something of the sensual surroundings were disarming to her.To turn the conversation to safer topics, Taryn asked,<br/><br/>"You crafted this?" she breathed as the Kuguar let her hold it with his paws over her hands. His paws were large and warm. She was mesmerized by his nearness and the dusty smell of his fur. "How did you craft such a tool of beauty? Where did you get the metal? We have so little in the way of natural resources in Home that we would be hard pressed to come up with the blade? Everything we have comes from the industry in the Tunnels. Even though I am Council, I do not have the security clearance to go to where our needs are manufactured."<br/><br/>Taryn didn't know if she was awed by the workmanship or by the nearness of the Kuguar. Her breath seemed to catch in her throat. To put more perspective in place, she walked back across the room and sat back amongst the cushions.<br/><br/>"What will the priestess do with Jax? We are here on a goodwill mission. She won't hurt him will she?"