"The track should take us there," she breathed before coughing quietly into the crook of her arm. Solae pulled her bag over her shoulder long enough to withdraw a small, discreet metal box from the front pocket. Oanh had been concerned about the noblewoman's hip sutures and given her medication to help with pain, swelling, and any stiffness that might result from exertion. As her eyes scanned over the abandoned path below she popped a small white pill from her box, chewed, and redeposited the container from whence it came.

After taking a deep breath the marquise slid down the ridge. Barren dirt and rocks crunched underfoot as Solae landed on the bottom. The boots Oanh had gifted her were a size too large but a vast improvement over being barefoot. Had they not been able to secure the more appropriate attire the debris and rust that composed their path would have mangled Solae's feet even worse than they were escaping the Imperial Embassy.

"There's a couple important things you should know," she began as she walked. As she spoke her eyes constantly darted back and forth between subtle land markers that confirmed their location. Solae had not spoken of it, but her precision in recalling Min Ho's map suggested that her memory had been subject to certain genetic improvements she had not disclosed initially. "The Syshin have a smaller window of fertility, so as an evolutionary compensation they have multiple births more frequently than singles. Twins are the most common, so expect to see more identical faces than you are used to. Traditionally a pair of twins preside over each encampment and it's important to treat them with exactly equal respect as leaders."

The brittle, rusted railroad tracks started to descend slightly as they approached a hill. Sickly trees gave way to a grove of blossoming fruit trees that lacked the uniform placement of suburbia. Vegetation had been allowed to run wild and free. Thick tree roots protruded from the ground and over and through the tracks, contorting the metal where it had not submerged or destroyed it entirely. What was decoration for the upper echelons of society was a well-used food supplement for the destitute Syshin. Woven baskets constructed with swamp reeds were strewn around in preparation for the next day's harvest.

Solae led Rene through the lush growth to a large decommissioned spaceship that had been laid to rest. Had the windows and doors not been maintained it would have been perfectly camouflaged (albeit unintentionally). Decades had dulled the gleaming finish while vines had nearly covered ever inch that had not been intentionally cleared. Boughs of trees that had been allowed to grow close draped over the 'roof' leaving little exposed.

Shortly after the Syshin had been subjugated into the Stellar Empire, their transport to planets on which they were needed was hotly debated. At the time there was also a surplus of vessels being replaced due to a booming economy. What components retained value as technology improved were typically related to the engine, thrusters, or weaponry. The then Emperor and Empress sought to solve two problems with one solution: to gut these battered spaceships, leaving the living spaces largely intact, and salvage the more precious materials. Amber Horizon was no different. The spaceship that housed the community would never sail among the stars again, but it provided adequate housing for a people unable to afford manors and estates.

"Here we go," Solae told herself. Striding forward she knocked firmly on the front entrance. Syshi symbols had been painted around the edges but they were chipped with age and wear. They shook with the reverberations of her thudding, minuscule flecks of golden yellow fluttering into the grass at their feet.

There was no answer.

After a few seconds Solae cleared her throat. Her hair was plastered to her face and neck and sweat was pouring down her brow. Not only had it been sweltering hot traveling in the truck, the weight of so many stacked stalks had done her no favors. She ached all over and thirsted for an entire river to drink from. [i]"There are only two of us, and we are not with the rebellion. Please, I beg of you to help me,"[/i] she called out in Syshi.

The door slid open to reveal a female Syshin flanked by two males. The two men did not have weapons but they did not need to; Syshin were larger than humans and in the few uprisings on record they had utilized brute force in skirmishes. Eyeing the pair warily they did not speak, instead deferring to their counterpart of the opposite sex.

[i]"You speak Syshi,"[/i] the female Syshin remarked in a mixture of open awe and gratitude. [i]"What brings you here?"[/i] she inquired as she eyed Rene.

[i]"I am Solae, and this is Rene,"[/i] the marquise introduced slowly. The Syshin did not have all the same cultural equivalencies as humanity did, and so it would be difficult to explain the nature of hers and Rene's relationship. At a lost for a better term, she erred on the side that implied more rather than less. [i]"He is my bonded. Please, may we come inside and speak with your leaders?"[/i] At that she bowed her head and motioned for Rene to the do the same. The soldier had tensed at the bodyguards in front of him but did as she asked.

The female Syshin smiled. Nobles did not incline their head to common people- to do so to a Syshin was unheard of. This was a great honor, one that she could not overlook nor would she forget easily. [i]"I am Nari,"[/i] she said as she gestured for her two companions to step aside so they could enter. [i]"Does your bonded speak Syshi?"[/i] When Solae shook her head, Nari quickly switched to slightly stilted, broken common tongue. "I am Nari, Solae's bonded Rene. Come inside. I take you to my brother."