Disclaimer: I own Koli and Cheynne! They're all mine, no taking!

The Fiery Tiger

Cheyenne stood regally on a hill, his pure white eyes glinting mystically in the twilight rays of the sun. His lustrous raven black hair swirled around his face as the breeze gently stirred it. A young girl, no more than ten years old, stood at his side, with an expression etched on her face that belied her age. She had cropped, coal black hair and a weathered bronze face. Her bright, green optics watched Cheyenne's face. "Koli," Cheyenne started, but paused, brushing a stray lock of hair from his view.

"Do you sense it?" Koli nodded with her lips pursed.

"The Bazhir way is changing…I feel it in my bones!" An unexpected wind rippled their clothing.

"Everything is changing, because of the Woman Who Rides Like a Man. Now you too can be a shaman, like your ancestors before you." A globe of white light materialized in Cheyenne's palm.

"Your father would be proud Koli, so proud." The globe morphed into a thin silvery snake of energy and slithered into the ground. Koli bowed her head. Her father, Desai, was the strongest magic wielder in all of the Bazhir Tribe's. Until he died, that is. Tears stung her eyes as she remembered the night of the raiding. There was fire everywhere…Death was so heavy in the air that Koli could almost taste it…The last vision she saw of him was him bravely fighting for their tribe…Cheynne placed a fatherly hand on Koli's shoulder.

"Apprentice…Koli…show me your skill and prove yourself to your tribe, the Fiery Tiger!" Koli nodded and surveyed her surroundings. There was a bush, not even a yard away, and she decided to use it. Koli concentrated and a green flame engulfed the withered bush. It trembled then fell to ashes. Koli's eyes flashed dangerously. The ashes oscillated green for a moment, then reintegrated into the bush once again. Koli stole a glance at Cheyenne, wondering what his reaction was. His face wore a stolid expression. Koli then eyed a boulder. If this doesn't impress him, nothing will! Koli thought, storing her energy. She snapped her fingers and tendrils of green magic curled around a boulder, making it groan and crack from pressure. Abruptly, the rock shattered into a myriad of splinters. Koli screwed her eyes shut. Her outstretch fingers were shaking from effort. The shards froze in mid-air, pulsing with a jade hue. Koli swung her arms around and the shards unified into a pulsating orb of emerald magic. Koli lowered the orb into the earth, beads of sweat collecting at her brow. After the orb was fully submerged into the earth, a circle of vegetation and fruit sprouted up from the earth. Koli felt her knees buckle, and then fell suddenly to the ground. Koli looked at Cheyenne's face. His eyes were wide with awe and his mouth hung wide open. If his mouth was open any wider, he'd be able to swallow a watermelon! Koli joked to herself. Cheyenne went to Koli and helped her to her feet.

"Koli," Cheyenne said, slowly, "What you just did, not even the strongest of shamans would have been able to accomplish. You created life Koli… By Mithros, your father would be proud!" Koli smiled, but then swayed unstably, but Cheyenne caught her in her big arms. Cheyenne cradled her gently, shoving some of his magic into her body, replenishing her Gift. Koli's eyes flickered open. Koli opened her mouth to speak, but Cheyenne stopped her, placing a strong finger on her lips. "Here Koli, eat," Cheyenne said, plucking a fruit from the thriving pile of vegetation and gave it to her.

"Koli, you can relieve us from our famine and you can give us food during the raidings, Koli, you can save the Fiery Tiger."

Koli coughed and shook her head in disagreement.

"No, I cant," Koli said, crestfallen. "It saps too much of my strength, and all I made was a couple of fruits! And I don't have enough power to do it, I need to leech off of other life source, like the rock,"

Koli took a bite out of the fruit and chewed pensively. "If I can only make my Gift stronger…"

Cheynne squeezed Koli's shoulder. "Koli, you performed a feat that not one shaman in Bazhir lore has ever accomplished! The Fiery Tiger is dying Koli, the food is scarce and raids are coming more often. If we ever needed this gift Koli, it is now. Koli, please…we need you."

Koli sighed, the weight of her answer was shown on Cheynne's brow. "Alright Cheynne, I'll do it. But tomorrow, I'm really tired…"

Koli yawned. Cheynne nodded, he was as tired as she. Koli and Cheynne retired to their tents gratefully, but in the shadows, lurked raiders. Grasped in their hands were steel swords, thirsty for blood. A raider struck a flame on a stick and threw it in the tent next Koli's. The tent engulfed in hungry flames. The raiders were attacking.

A/N:This is my first fanfiction, and sorry that I keep on using the word 'said', its one of my flaws in writing. Also, I would appreciate a review. Actually, I would really really like a review. Oh, I know this one doesnt have a lot of action, but I promise the next chapter will!
--Nick