• "What else can she change into?" Luke asked.
    "For now, nothing," Gihan said. "Just like magic, shape-shifting requires energy. The more you shape-shift, the more energy you'll use. Thus, the longer you shape-shift, the quicker you'll become weary."
    "So the longer or more often she shape-shifts, the wearier she'll become?" Jona asked. Gihan nodded.
    "And the more rest she'll need to recover," he said.
    "You said Jana's anger allowed her to change into a dragon?" Luke asked. Gihan nodded again.
    "So, if she'd been scared, what would she have turned into?" Luke asked.
    "Well, that depends," Gihan said. "Each changeling will turn into something different."
    "Such as?" Jana asked.
    "I knew one changeling who would turn into a deer when he was afraid," Gihan said. "Another would change into a rabbit and flee when she was afraid."
    "What about when they were angry?" Jona asked.
    "Kahn would turn into a bear," Gihan said. "Jera would change into a tiger."
    "You said you knew them?" Jana asked. "What happened to them?"
    "They were betrayed," Gihan said. "Someone they thought was a friend turned out to be an enemy."
    "What happened when they were betrayed?" Luke asked.
    "The authorities trapped them," Gihan said. "Then they sent them to a place where they would never be heard from again."
    "How do you know all this?" Jona asked.
    "I was friends with both of them," Gihan said. "I was there when they were captured, and I was there when they were sent away."
    "Do you know where they were sent?" Luke asked. Gihan shook his head.
    "That is not for you to know," he said. "Now, get some rest, Jana. Your journey begins at dawn."
    "What journey?" Jana asked.
    "You and I are going to search for the remaining changelings, if indeed there are any," Gihan said.
    "What about Luke and me?" Jona asked. Gihan shook his head.
    "We need you two to stay here, just in case any others arrive here," he said.
    "How will we know if any others do show up?" Luke asked. Gihan turned to Jana.
    "Take a deep breath through your nose, then tell me what you can smell," he said. She obeyed, then wrinkled her nose.
    "What is that smell?" she asked.
    "That is your scent, Jana," Gihan said, turning back to Luke and Jona. "Should another changeling arrive here, they will be able to find you, because both of you carry Jana's scent on you."
    "How far can a changeling's scent carry?" Jona asked.
    "As far as thirty miles," Gihan said. "Now, get some rest, Jana. We leave at dawn."
    "Should I pack anything?" Jana asked.
    "Only enough clothes, food, and water to last you a week," Gihan said.
    "What about food and water for you?" Luke asked. Gihan shook his head.
    "Do not worry about me," he said. "I live off the land."
    "Why do I need to pack for a week?" Jana asked.
    "Because that is how long it will take us to reach our first destination," Gihan said.
    "Are we taking horses?" Jana asked. Gihan shook his head.
    "No, that will not be necessary," he said. "You will not benefit much from your training if you have to do it from horseback."
    "Should I pack more than one pair of shoes, as well?" Jana asked.
    "If you think you will need them," Gihan said.
    "Where will we meet?" Jana asked.
    "I will find you when it is time to leave, Jana," Gihan said. "Now, go home, eat, then rest. You will need your energy tomorrow."
    Jana obeyed, going to her two-room tree house. She ate a quick snack, packed a bag with a week's worth of clothes and an extra pair of shoes, then settled down to rest. Sleep came quickly, as she was worn out from shape-shifting for the first time. All too soon, it was time to get up. Jana groaned as she rose from her bed, then splashed water on her face, to wake herself up. She ate a banana for breakfast, then climbed down from her tree house and headed into town. She stopped by the town fountain to wait for Gihan. He wasn't long in joining her.
    "Are you ready to begin your journey, Jana?" he asked. She nodded.
    "I'm as ready as I'll ever be," she said.
    "Then let us depart," Gihan said, as he led the way west, out of town. Jana looked back only once before turning to the west. Her journey had truly begun.