The landscape changed from dunes to craggy mountains. Taryn marched along double time, scanning the horizon for signs of the Hyane. She suppressed her anxiety under the military beaning that she wore while in uniform. She and Raschen had been silent as they traveled, their personal issues packed away with their field rations. She was concerned with the advantage the Hyane would have in the mines. Not that she had lived above ground. She had lived in the Tunnels and visited the Denizen but the mines were a combination of natural landscape and purposeful excavation.<br/><br/>The first sign that they had passed into Hyane territory came with the two sentinels that were stationed by the path that passed between tall boulders. The Hyane were not as tall as Raschen but then few Beastkin were, Taryn thought with a tinge of pride. They were however, the most powerfully built creatures that she had ever seen. They had arms that were longer than normal, hanging well below their knees. The older of the two stepped out.<br/><br/>â€œHail, Raschen, Sheriff of the Warren,â€ his voice was gritty and mocking, laced with irony<br/>The younger of the two had his hand on his sword while he spoke rapidly into a walkie talkie, Taryn had only seen one of those in a museum. He eased closer to his commander, Taryn assumed he was in charge. He whispered to him.<br/>â€œThe Hume travels with a Beastkin. There is only record of one Hume that travels with a Beastkin. She is an enemy to the Hyane for she rescued our enemy.â€ The older one stepped nearly nose to nose with Raschen. Or it would have been nose to nose had he been taller. â€œDo you dare to break the peace by insulting us with her presence or have you come to seal the peace by giving us a peace offering. We can sacrifice this one to the mines.â€ He licked his lips. â€œRight after we have taken time to skin her and make a cap from her hair.â€