Chapter two: the traitor

Talam was full of exotic languages and peoples. It seemed every race in thundera had at least one representative. The market area was the largest Lion-o had seen, and it was no wonder for trade was the life blood of the city. Everything from food, to tech, to scrolls, to weapons was here and sold freely. It made Lion-o feel almost dizzy to see this much activity.

The tech stall advertised as "Kai's Junkshop" captured Lion-o's attention immediately. But he hesitated seeing the owner of the stall was a lizard. He wore high tech round glasses, arm bands, and a blaster at his hip. Lion-o reminded himself that this was a neutral port. Talam had no connection with the invasion and sacking of Thundera, nor did its inhabitants. But this lizard still could be sympathetic with Sylthe's army, or worse Mum-ra. Snarf put his ears back, gazing at the lizard. The young king decided it was best not to risk it, pulling his cloak closer. But the shop owner did not seem to notice him. He was surrounded by a throng of buyers, and he turning this way and that to tend to them. The lizard's nostrils flared, perhaps in irritation at the chaos around him. Lion-o made his retreat.

However, as the young lion rounded the corner, the lizard's eyes studied his every move. He shook his head and chuckled to himself. Even a mob, a lizard could always find a cat. Always. A cat's smell was strong and unmistakable. If this cat was who he suspected, Kai would make sure to tell his contact as soon as possible.

Lion-o almost tripped over the Thunder kittens. He grumbled quietly. The Wileys had whined and mewed, begging the lion to go to the neutral city. Finally they tagged along regardless of his decidedly telling them 'no'. Their curiosity was insatiable, and from the look of Wilykat's bloated bag, he had been busy.

"So what was Tygra talking about, Lion-o?" Wilykat asked. "About that woman."

Lion-o felt his cheeks get red.

"What? Oh that. Nothing for kittens to worry about."

"All adults say that." The kitten rolled his eyes.

"Ooooo" Wilykit teased. "Tygra likes someone!"

"What?" Lion- o asked, annoyed, feeling much older than he had a few moments ago. "It's not like that at all."

Then something made both kittens immediately drop the subject and their ears perked up. They exchanged looks.

"Did you hear that, sis?"

"I sure did." She nodded. "Well meet you back at the thundertank, Lion-o." And with out a word, the two ran off.

Lion-o felt his stomach lurch. He still had a little money from his sword competition venture, and his hunger demanded satisfaction. He followed his nose to food court. It was full of every delicacy imaginable, and then some. There were drinks, vegetables, chickens, wild hog and more and abundance of food the like of which Lion-o had only seen in his own native land. He bought some jerky and was chewing on a piece, when he saw him.

Lion-o did a double take. Certainly that couldn't be him, he thought. But it had to be. The tabloids did capture Roj's likeness, and there was no other cat here in Talam. But Roj seemed so...ordinary. The scandal sheets had made him larger than life, so Lion-o expected him to be tall. But Roj was short and blocky. He had never lifted a sword in his life, it was plain to see. He was too round around the middle for any warrior. His clothing was of the Merchant caste: a grey tunic with modest embroidery. Black pants went into boots that shone with brass coin buttons.

But the most scandalous thing about this traitor was the thing the tabloids did not show, the thing they did not discuss. Roj had much puma blood in him, which was easy to see. However no one else, but a lion's descendant could have his brown mane. The thick hair went from his head and down to his middle back. His grey tunic was lower in the back to accommodate it.

"What are you?" Lion-o asked himself. Snarf replied.

The thunderan traitor had not noticed Lion-o. Instead, Roj went a street cart overloaded with food. He tucked the blue book he was carrying under his arm, and scratched his furry mane.

"The eggs fresh?" Roj asked.

"Came in this morning." the vender replied.

"Great. I'll take three of your devian eggs with a cup of jala tea."

"Good." The vender nodded. "I just finished making them less than an hour ago."

"I know. I smelled them. She likes them hot. And a hog roast sandwich for me- heavy on the veg."

The vender wrapped the sandwich quickly, and handed it to Roj. He took a large bite, as three boiled eggs were arranged delicately on a ceramic plate. Roj's sandwich leaked on the book as he took a second bite.

"Mother's Whiskers!"

The vender smiled and shook his head. "You work in curses like some in paints, Roj." He took the book and wiped it down with a clean rag. "There you go."

"It doesn't look stained, does it?" Roj asked between bites. The concern was heavy in his voice.

"I don't think so."

"Good. It just came in. She's been waiting for that whisker thing for weeks."

"Who dies in this one? The wizard this time?"

"I don't know." he took another big bite of this sandwich, and proceeded to talk with his mouth full. "She'll tell me later."

"Must be nice having someone else do your reading for you."

"Among other things."

The cart owner gave a knowing laugh. "Later then. Oh, by the way- I need to get some more anise from you."

"Okay come on over, when you get a chance."

"My usual discount, for her eggs?"

"Please say it a little louder. I don't' think everyone heard you." Roj frowned.

"Oh sorry. You know you could get chicken eggs..."

"Nah." He shrugged wiping his mouth with his paw.

"They are far less trouble. And cheaper."

"No thanks. I want her to have only the best."

"Oh love makes everyone the fool I guess. You ever regret it?"

"Never." Roj put his coins on the cart's top. Then he wiped his paws. He left holding up the plate of eggs and book like they were gifts for royalty.

Watching this exchange left Lion-o with more questions than answers. He knew the tabloids were bound to exaggerate on some details. But it seemed here that the rumors were totally different from reality. Roj's lineage had never been discussed at length. It was mentioned only that it was questionable. But it was far more than that. And it also occurred to Lion-o that one question had never been asked: Why. Why did Roj leave Thundera? He had a feeling he had just heard some of that answer.

He wondered if he should initiate one contact with this exile. After all, he was lord of the thundercats and Roj might have some valuable information. But Roj was exiled at his father's command. Should he overturn something is father had done? Tygra would have called him insane. But, he reminded himself, Tygra's not king. I am.

"I don't think the only way to rule is with a sword." Lion-o remembered these words, and decided he would pay Roj a visit after dropping off the supplies with the others.

In the shadows, the lizard Kai watched Lion-o and Snarf leave towards the city gates. He reached to his belt pulled a button off the side. It would have appeared too many as coin decorating his belt. But a knowing eye would have seen this was a long range communicator. He pressed it, and it lit up with a small red light.

"This is Kai, can any one read me?"

A static filled voice replied. "Come in."

"Possible lead on target."

"Confirm identity. Then report back in."

"Over and out."

- To be continued.

Next Chapter: The spices of El-Dara