I'm in love with these characters already, and most of them haven't even appeared yet XD So sad!

Edited ) Just finished doing that, actually. Changed a bunch of the dialouge at the end of the chapter.

...This story is going to span over a couple of years. I'm worried about writing the transition parts...Wahaha...

Review please :) Will be replied to and greatly appreciated.

-Oceans

She hiked a brow, watching her foot-less ankle as she pulled it out slowly. "Really? Yet I've still got no clue where it is."

"Don't be smart with me, especially when I'm trying to help. It's down there." He stabbed his nose into the darkness.

Kellt blanched. "There?"

"There. Why do you think the mistress made you do this? She hates the dark."

Kneeling as she gave the dog a frosty look, Kellt dipped a finger into the gloom and almost screamed at what she felt.

"What?" Kah'maji pawed at his sensitive ears.

"It's- It's- It's sticky! Look!!"

As she pulled her finger out of the square pit, a thick string of black stuck to it. Even when it was level with her eyes, the inky strand clung on stubbornly.

The dog snapped his jowls irritably. "Of course it's sticky you idiot; it's guarding the opening. It doesn't burn, does it?"

"…no…"

"Then Arianus' permission was accepted by the Yinker. It'll be safe for you. You'll probably even be able to see when you get down there."

"I've got to go in there-?" Kellt glanced at the darkness fearfully. "And what's 'the Yinker'? Is there some kind of monster down there?"

"Oi." Kah'maji rolled his eyes. "You're working for a treasure hunter. Grow a tougher skin and coat that stomach of yours in steel- that's the only way you're going make it at this rate. Now jump in."

Kellt did just that. Before any other thought could zip through her brain, she rolled forward into the square.

And hit her head on hard ground, after barely a four foot drop.

"…Ow."

Kah'maji's wheezy laugh rang out from overhead.

Looking up, her lips parting in a growl, Kellt realized she didn't see the closet ceiling. Instead, there was the night sky. Or…something like it. A full moon shone brightly directly above her head, purple in color and darker, bruised in the center. Black, wavy whips circled it like the rays of a sun.

Exactly like the rays of a sun, Kellt thought, pursing her lips. A dark one.

"Hurry up down there."

Kellt flinched. "Oops. Forgot. Egg…looking for an egg…but, damn, I can't see anything-"

As soon as the word hit the air everything around her lit up in bright, alien green, as if she were looking through night-vision goggles.

She could lie on her back, spread out her arms and legs touch all four corners of the space. Unadorned wood jewelry boxes were stacked up against two of the four brick walls, words scratched into their sides that flashed a brighter green in her night-vision. She scanned the scratch marks for a minute before spotting one that seemed to spell out flower.

Well. That seemed promising. Kellt slipped the box out of the stack and opened it. Inside was another, smaller box, one made of what looked like obsidian and cut like a diamond, barely larger than her palm. The facets shone so blindingly bright. Kellt narrowed her eyes against the light as she opened the case. The egg sat comfortably in a nest of feathers. Kellt gave a whoop of triumph and crawled back to sit beneath the opening.

The dark sun was still there instead of Arianus' ceiling.

Kellt frowned. "Hey, Kah'maji…"

"Yeah?"

"…what am I looking at?"

"What do you see?" The dog asked, sounding sleepy.

"A…dark sun…moon looking thing."

"Nihana Motekun." He replied. "The daughter of the sun and the moon…that's interesting. We'll have to tell the mistress. It's alright kit, go ahead and climb up."

Shrugging, Kellt put the wooden box under her arm and clambered out. Kah'maji took the box between his long jaws and started for the door, hopping over obstacles on his way. Kellt giggled before she remembered something.

"Hey, Kah'maji- you were talking about that Yinker thing, but there was nothing down there."

His voice came out funny because of the box in his mouth. "That's because it's not supposed to be down there. The Yinker is the sticky material- it guards the entrance to that storeroom. It's only about four inches deep. You passed through it without realizing it."

"And it burns you if you don't have the owner's permission?"

"That's right. It's part of a larger creature that lives in the walls of the house. At Arianus' word, it can seal off any of the exits, or all of them."

Kellt whistled, looking at the wall to her right. "Neat."

"An effective security system." He agreed.

Kellt waited for Kah'maji to step out of the closet first, and again after opening the silver door. She knew he'd just push through her legs if she tried to go first anyway.

Arianus was still reading her book, but her lawn chair and bathing suit were gone. She was sitting up against the tree, decked in an elegant silk robe when an untied, messily arranged sash and a pair of plaid boxers peeking from underneath. Hearing the door close, she looked up, smiling. "You got it; wonderful! So quickly too!"

Kah'maji dropped the box in her lap and leaned into her hand on his head. With her unoccupied hand, Arianus opened both of the boxes and lifted the egg out, up to her eyes.

"Oh…" She breathed serenely. "It's more beautiful that I remembered. I can't wait till it's mature."

"Um…Miss?" Kellt cleared her throat loudly. "You said we could talk about my terms?"

"Yes." Arianus looked past her treasure with a smile. She replaced the egg and set the container aside. Kah'maji curled up on her legs as she massaged his belly. "What about them?"

"Well…for one thing, when am I getting paid? And I have no clue what my hours are, I've been coming after school…-"

Arianus started laughing. Kellt looked up, a surprised scowl on her face

"You poor, poor girl, you're so confused. Your grandmother didn't tell you anything! Come sit, Hon." She slapped the ground beside her.

"You aren't getting paid, first of all."

Kellt bristled. "Wha-"

"Hush. You aren't getting paid because you don't work for me, you silly. You're my apprentice! If anything, you should be paying me. Or your parents, anyway…"

Arianus' fingers paused on Kah'maji's back. She pursed her lips and glanced up at the ceiling-sky. "Keep coming like you have." She said. "I'll try to never keep you past seven. At that rate, your apprenticeship should last…eight years."

"What?! No! Eight years? I can't do that!" Kellt jaw hung loose.

"Why not?" The woman arched an eyebrow. "Treasure hunters make good money, Kellt. They work their own hours, and always have friends in other cities, no matter where they go. As a hunter, you will always be welcomed in a new place- whether it's Salt City, or another world. Other hunters will help you without ever asking any questions, nor will they expect payment. Some of them, a favor perhaps, but never money. You won't have to go to college. Finding work will never be a problem. You don't seem to realize the kind of opportunity you've been given! You're only apprentice I've ever accepted."

Kellt tangled her fingers in her hair and tugged, whining. "But why? Grandma didn't ask if I wanted to be a hunter! I want to be a dance instructor!!"

Arianus scoffed as if insulted. "Dance instructor? Smoke and ash, how does that appeal to you over hunting? Oh- never mind. I won't question your goals." She frowned slightly, giving her a considering look. Finally she sighed. "You don't have to become a hunter. The apprenticeship is nonnegotiable, however. I've already begun to accept payment from your grandmother. And do not even think about skipping."

Kellt glanced away guiltily, her cheeks hot.

An uneasy silence settled for a few moments. Then Arianus spoke again. "Alright. I believe in compromise- how about this. I've learned during my travels to keep you satisfied until you're ready to leave Aller. I will teach you what I know in return for your cooperation. Sounds good, yes?"

Kellt's brow furrowed. "Teach me what?"

"Dance." Arianus grinned infectiously.