As Mnuti also changed in to grey they immediately headed to join the rest of the newborn. Ramu had the others practice some kind of barehanded fighting drill just to keep them busy. And as Re’am mentioned everyone was doing what the big man said except Hoot-Hoot. He was just standing near the closest wall staring into nothingness as usual.

“Alright, every one line up!” Ramu’s voice thundered.

It was the first time Mntui could really observe the group all together. An it wasn’t only her who’s clothes didn’t fit apparently. It seemed the who ever made them didn’t bother with different sizes. For her the garments were a bit loose, while the sleeves on Hoot-Hoot’s were hanging way below his hands. And Tisha? Was she really this tall? She towered above every one. Compared to her height she looked even more fragile with her slim figure. Her trousers ended just halfway between her knees and ankles.

As they both went further in to join the others, Mntui started to feel more than uncomfortable. The Chamber of Pillars, as they called it looked much like the one they blinked through entering the haven. It had an even huger chasm with three main natural stone pillars in the middle of it. Ledges small, large and in between could be found all around the walls. Everybody was standing on one big ledge which gave plentiful space. Still Mntui couldn’t fight the distress caused by not knowing how deep pit goes.

“It seems there will be no more squadrons arriving anytime soon. So for now you are the latest additions on this post” Ramu started right after everyone got to their places. “I tried to use the time usefully for those who arrived earlier but let’s get down to real business. As most of you hopefully know, in normal circumstances you would follow the ones who changed you, your sires. But as the head of the haven it falls on me to babysit you. For you I am the den-leader or the boss. Am I understood?”

“Am I understood?” Ramu repeated the question in a demanding manner after he got no answer.

“Yes!” all of them replied in unison. Even Hoot-Hoot spoke in a faint voice. And only Neeas added ‘boss’ on the end silently fighting a laughter trying to burst out of him.

“Good.” Ramu’s voice went back to a clam but clearly audible tone. “I know you come from different places” he sighed. “One just have to look on you to see. But let me make one thing clear for you. You have no tribe anymore. You are not part of any of them since you first tasted your sires’ blood. You are just one shadow of the many which is the Shadow Clan. A Hand to make it specific. You are given orders and you act on them.”

‘And here we come in full circles’ Mntui thought. It was not the first time she was told she has no home for her to go back. Still she looked around wanting to know the reaction of the others. Maybe for the reason to find a hint about how intolerable their ‘sire’ can be. Maybe just out of sympathy. She just took a step without noticing to take a glimpse on the others at the far end of the line.

Ramu frowned in a cold manner. He was not one to pick on somebody for something like this. Still in his new situation he found it needed to set out the boundaries and set them strict.

“Is there anything you wanted to add, newcomer?” he posed the question.

Mntui shivered hearing the deep voice. She thought it is more than threatening. But to be honest in her situation she would felt threatened by many small things. Despite that she straightened her stance and turned to her elder.

“Yes. Or not to add, but more like to ask.”

“Go on.” Ramu didn’t showed but he did find the situation amusing. More so as it seemed not another attempt to bicker like some newborns, like Neeas, would do.

“I just want to know more. I heard Ear of the clan, or Eye… But without an explanation it is so vague to understand clearly. I hoped… you could enlighten me.”

“Alright. That I suppose I can do. As you probably figured these words are titles. Only meaning one’s function in the clan. If someone is called Mind, it means he or she is a clan elder with the right to give orders to anybody else in the clan. They are connected to other more powerful clan members by a deep connection of thoughts. These members are either titled Ear or Eye. Eyes simply put are spies and scouts mostly working alone. While Ears distribute the orders given by the Minds. And the rest, the bigger part of the Shadows have the role of Hand executing orders, acting in place of the elders. To be honest chances are that most of you won’t even see a Mind until this war is over.”

“Thank you.” Mntui stepped back as Ramu finished the explanation. Her situation didn’t seemed any better than before. Yet it lifted her spirit, even if just the bit, hearing someone who know what he is saying and talks in full thoughts.

Ramu smiled. He didn’t want to punish Mntui for just asking. He still felt it appropriate to continue.

“Oh don’t thank me just yet. You are first to walk the pillars” he nodded towards the middle of the chasm.