"What you don't recognize your own beloved?" She asked raising her eyebrow a bit, that glint of ice still in those patient eyes .

It took a few moments for Veron's expression to show his thoughts to what she was trying to say . She didn't want to do to Talis what her Mother had done to her . She was never meant to be a warrior, she was a leader and had a knack for finding and disabling traps . Not to say Kyera wasn't a fantastic warrior, it just wasn't her calling . Unlike some who revel in the thrill of war, it wasn't something that pushed her b.u.t.tons . However, hunting traps and the moment of discovery and the feeling of success when it was no longer a threat was pure ecstasy to her . Keeping her people safe, that was her calling . Being General, Princess, and teacher fell into her lap with the death of her brothers .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt

"Do you see now? I know your father won't approve but if he continues to force him down this path, he will have to find another teacher . I won't train Talis to die . " Kyera replied folding her arms finally putting her foot down . Too many children died because their parents would force them into roles they weren't meant for . Families focused on the lineage and prestige and ignoring the talents of their children . Her mother had been one of them . Her brothers lost to her ignorance . She would not see the same happen again .

THe silence stretched longer as Veron flipped through the files in his hands . 1 was old and weathered . Kyera Shade of the Moon was the t.i.tle of one the other two Talis Quiet Claw . The similarities are uncanny . No wonder she was standing her ground . He could tell she saw herself in his struggle . If he saw it, there was no way she did not . Her pain was no secret to him . The fire of her anger when he had called his brother a coward made sense . Deep inside he felt the uneasiness grow and blossom into the black petals of regret .

"I see . He really is not cut out to be a warrior, but he has the makings of a good leader . If we decide to go a different route, what would you suggest?" Veron's words had hardly left his lips when the door to her home crashed open . The inhabitants both jumped, one pulling a blade the other grabbing a chair ready to hurl it at the intruder .

In the doorway was a 9 year old little girl known as Kaylee . Sweat poured down her face as she panted hard looking between the two . Her eyes dilated with fear . Kyera put the chair down and grabbed her staff from its place beside the bed . "Kyear, emergency . . Help Brother…" the girl whimpered between pants . The tears and her lungs protest making it hard for her to speak clearly .

"Where . " Kyera demanded, her voice firm but gentle with the frightened youth . The girl pointe and Veron followed Kyera in that direction . She scanned the horizon and realized she was pointing back toward the main town .

"Just past the Blue berries on Monkey swing Creek . " The girl whispered and Kyera nodded taking off as fast as she could, leaping up into the tree and das.h.i.+ng from branch to branch . Smelling the air for hunters, traps or the metallic scent of metal in the undergrowth .

The smell of humans, the faintest hint touched her nose and she turned to tiger form . A searching mewl rumbled from deep inside her chest, followed by a series of low chuffing . Her ears flicking back and forth as the noise of the creek grew nearer, the smell of water and earth tumbling down the stream .

A roar of pain filled the air and the gnas.h.i.+ng of jaws sent a chill down Kyera's spine . Low to the ground, her belly pressed to the dirt hiding beneath the gra.s.s and vines as she approached the source of the noise . A tiger, maybe 15 caught in a metal clamp . Blood pouring down the forearm of the beast . Veron nearly rushed in, but Kyera shook her head slowly, raising a paw infront of him . She looked to Veron pointedly . Their eyes met, a nod and the pair split up circling the sound, ensuring there were no hunters waiting in the undergrowth . The oder was faint, hidden by other smells smeared over it… but the three tigers were not alone .