Chapter 2

The next morning Deka rose early to do his usual morning stretches and exercises. Then he washed and dressed. While he ate his morning meal he thought over different ways to broach the subject. He knew he had to speak carefully and not allow himself to get tripped up by Darkan. Feeling as ready as he was going to, he left to find him. The only place Darkan would be this early in the morning was Silver Star Waterfall. He liked the peace he could find there early in the morning. So Deka left his house walking quickly through the city. Some of the shops were starting to open to prepare for the morning rush. He waved hello to a few people as he walked. Already he could smell the bread and sweets that were being baked fresh in the bakery. If he hadn't already had breakfast he would've stopped in and bought a crescent.

Once he reached the city limits he shifted to his cat form. His liquid coal hair became his pelt and his limbs flowed smoothly into powerful cat legs. He stretched and flexed his sharp claws then trotted off in the direction of the waterfall. His body soon fell into the rhythm and went on auto pilot. Therefore, he allowed his mind to wander as he trotted through the peaceful forest. The birds were chirping happily as they prepared for their morning flight. His paws hardly made a sound as he walked over the thick carpet of green grass. The early morning sky was a mix of blues yellows and reds. The trees that rose up on either side of him swayed gently in the wind. Once he heard the roar of the falls he shifted back into his demi-form and walked the rest of the way. Darkan was sitting on a patch of thick grass watching the falls. Darken was an impressive man. His eyes were a beautiful jade green. His hair was a rusty red color the same as his pelt when in full cat form. He stood at six feet and six inches tall. He skin was a pale golden brown and when he moved you could see his muscles ripple under his skin. At first Deka thought he was meditating. "Don't just stand there Deka. Come join me." Darkan said and looked over.

"I didn't mean to disturb you." He started to say but Darkan cut him off.

"Of course you did" He chuckled "Why else would you have come all the way out here this early. Now come, sit. Tell me, my friend, what is on your mind." Deka bowed his head respectfully then sat next to Darkan.

"I have a favor to ask of you." He paused then continued, "I wish to mentor Nadra."

"Nadra?" Darkan paused and thought, "That's Kindra and Kumar's daughter. Yes I remember her, one of the youngest children to have ever discovered her magic. She already has a mentor. A good one, Omari. Why should I give her to you?" Darkan didn't looked at Deka but kept looking out over the river.

Deka took a silent breath to prepare him then said "I think. No. I believe that she is the one destined to end the war."

"How's that other then discovering her magic early, she seems like any other kit to me." Now he did look at Deka.

"She's the only pure silver kit in the tribe."

"Ah. I'm gonna stop you right there. Nadra has a black tipped tail."

"That is true Darkan but everything else fits. Her heritage, the age she discovered her magic, even her eye color. But all of that just confirms it for me. Darkan, the night she was born I received a dream from the spirits. They told me that the only who was long awaited is finally here."

Darkan sat quietly for a few moments thinking over the information that Deka presented to him. "You're sure they meant Nadra?" he asked.

"Yes. I'm sure." Deka was carful to keep his face blank.

"What do you have to teach Nadra that Omari can't?"

Good. Deka thought. At least he's considering it. "I can teach her to use her magic to the fullest. I can teach her how to heal and how to use herbal medicine. I can teach her how to converse with the spirits. I will teach her the skills that she needs to end the war." Deka hoped that would convince him because that was all he had to offer.

"Well Deka. You've presented your case well. I'm not completely sure that she is the one. But I trust your judgment. You may start training her tomorrow. But first I need to talk to Omari." Jamar stood up and so did Deka. "Will you journey with me back to the city my friend?" Jamar asked.

"Yes." They shifted to cat form. Deka smiled teasingly at Jamar. "How about a race to the city?"

"Ha you know you will lose!" Jamar exclaimed

"Let's bet then, the loser buys lunch." Deka suggested.

"Very well. I'll give you a three second head start." Jamar teased.

"Keep your head start. We play this fair." Deka shot back.

"Ok. On three. One. Two. Three!" They took off racing full speed through the trees. Jumping nimbly over fallen branches and crawling under tree roots. The colors of the world around them blended as the raced through the forest. Birds sounded in alarm and took to the sky. Small creatures ran for cover as the cats rushed by, their paws pounding on the soft grass covered ground. Deka pulled ahead of Jamar in the last stretch of the race, reaching the gate first and changed to his demi-form. He was leaning against the gate when Jamar finally arrive. Changing to his demi form he bent over at the waist out of breath. "Ok….ok …you….win." He panted out.

Deka laughed as he walked over to his leader. "Not as young as you used to be aye my lord?" He patted Jamar on the back. "I believe you owe me lunch."

Jamar straightened as his breathing returned to normal. "I believe I do. Mind if I invite someone along?"

Deka sighed. "You want to invite Omari. If you must then fine though I'd prefer you didn't."

"He has a right to know about Nadra and to be prepared for when I switch you to being her mentor. He has a right to know the reason for it." Jamar pointed out.

"You are right as usual."

Jamar smiled. "Flattery will get you no where. Let's meet at the Hidden Gem in say an hour."

"Alright see you then." Deka said and they parted ways.