Tygra looked down at the little water buffalo calf who had been watching him like a hawk since he and Cheetara stepped into the hut. Tygra smiled but the little calf hid further into his mother's skirt but still peeking out from behind her to watch the tiger. As Cheetara continued to explain how to prepare the herbs she had brought to help soothe the baby water buffalo's sore gums, the older brother continued to play a version of hid and seek: staring up wide-eyed and revealing himself, only to hide into his mother's skirt when Tygra smiled or waved at him. Cheetara had seen their little game and could help smiling; it was the first time she had genuinely smiled since she went into mourning earlier that week. The mother, Wanda, looked down at her calf and gently nudged him towards Tygra but the kid clutched onto her skirt harder. Wanda shook her head with a good natured smile and began to apply the bitter paste to her baby's gums.
"The bitterness will not find his favor, but it will lessen the pain of teething." Cheetara gave a sympathetic smile when the baby in Wanda's arms began to fuss and wiggle.
"Thank heavens, those little fussy cries had us all about ready to cry." Wanda's mother Urma sat on a stool holding a toddler busy trying to escape her lap. "Just like your mother, you always know just what these little ones need." The eldest buffalo gave her a fond smile which Cheetara returned.
"That will come in handy when you have little ones of your own." Wanda smirked and shot a saucy look at Tygra. Tygra smiled and coughed behind his fist. Everywhere they had stopped to check on the residents had commented about cubs soon in their future. Tygra's hair had stood on the back of his neck every time, watching to make sure Cheetara wasn't panicking. If she was, she was excellent at hiding it, because every time she simply smiled and said cubs were a little ways off. This time was no different.
"Tygra and I will get to know each other a little better before we take talk of cubs seriously." Cheetara said graciously, hoping they would drop the subject, but Cheetara knew by now that once the topic shifted to marriage and children, the women of her kingdom were not likely to change the subject any time soon.
"Please, with a strong, handsome, young cat like him," Urma nodded to Tygra. "I will be surprised if you aren't rounded by the winter festival."
"Urma!" Cheetara's cheeks reddened with embarrassment; she couldn't even turn to face Tygra as he released a fit of coughs.
"What, child? We are all watching for such a blessing." Urma rolled her eyes as if it was the most obvious of conclusions. Surely her people didn't expect her to ripen with child so soon. Though Tygra seemed like an honorable man, she was far too unfamiliar with him to begin planning for cubs.
"Lady Cheetara, please excuse my mother; she is not one to hold her thoughts." Wanda apologized, but the smile on her face was absent true remorse.
"As I well know, Wanda." Cheetara groaned without malice. While Tygra was slightly embarrassed at the boldness with which every woman had addressed the details of his relationship with Cheetara, it was refreshing to see her relaxed and showing other emotions beyond grief and guilt. Since she donned the black of mourning, Cheetara had been reserved from him, shutting her emotions behind a thick wall as if she believed he would berate her from grieving the loss of her father. He had tried to talk to her, but she insisted that she was fine. Only at night, when her nightmares plagued her mind, did she allow him passed the shield she had erected. He had taken to sleeping on top of her covers to be near her when she awoke with tears streaming down her cheeks. Perhaps he should not be so happy that she had woken from a fitful sleep and called for him while he was using the bathroom, but his heart had swelled when he rushed back into her room to find her reaching for him in the darkness. Beyond the affection, he had felt anger at her father, sorrow for her troubled spirit, and a surge of protective desire. He had whispered reassuringly to her and stroked her hair, then prayed to the gods for leniency once she had fallen asleep. Yes, this time out of harmless teasing out of the palace with people who obviously cared for her was good for her spirit.
During the time the adults had been teasing Cheetara, Wanda's eldest son had finally found the courage to creep up to Tygra. The tiger knelt down to the boy's level to avoid intimidating him. The boy looked at Tygra for a moment then pointed to the back door and began walking. Tygra followed curiously. The boy grabbed a ball from the basket and walked out the door. He walked to the far side of the yard and kicked the ball to Tygra. Tygra smiled and gently kicked the ball back. In silence they kicked the ball back and forth. Tygra thought of the times he had played ball with Lion-O when they were cubs, before they knew what competition was, content just to watch it roll from one brother to the other. Tygra could tell the calf was organizing his thoughts to say something, so he remained silent until the boy was ready.
"Now that the fighting is over, will we be able to play outside?" His voice was small and worried.
"You weren't allowed to play outside before?" Tygra asked and almost instantly winced at his stupidity. Of course the young wouldn't be able to play outside with the threat of siege arsenal. The boy shook his head.
"You'll be able to play outside now; everyone is safe now." The boy nodded but he still kept a somber face that unnerved Tygra; children shouldn't have to be so serious.
"My dad used to play ball with me." Tygra didn't have to ask what happened to his dad. Again Tygra felt rage for Cheetan's carelessness; he and Cheetara had stopped by the homes of too many widows with children to care for left uncertain due to Cheetan's needless struggle with Thundera.
"With your mother's permission, come to the palace to play ball whenever you wish; just tell the guards that Tygra said he would play ball with you." The boy nodded and smiled but didn't say anything else. After a few minutes Cheetara stepped out to tell him that they would be moving on to the next family on her list. Tygra picked up the ball and handed it back to the boy.
"Remember what I said, anytime." The boy smiled brightly. Tygra turned to walk towards the door.
"My name is Nehall." Tygra turned back to see the boy smiling and smiled back with a nod.
"Until next time, Nehall." Tygra waved, then walked out of the hut with Cheetara, heading down the cobblestone pathway towards the next house.
Once they had finished visiting the last family they could for the day, Cheetara and Tygra began their walk back to the palace. The sun was starting to set over the high walls, painting the wide sky in beautiful shades of reds and oranges. As they walked passed a guard post on the wall, Tygra grabbed her hand and gently pulled Cheetara towards the earthen staircase. Cheetara furrowed her brows but began climbing with Tygra following her up. Tygra sat at the edge of the wall and grabbed her wicker basket as she tucked her dress beneath her legs to sit. They looked out over the expanse of lush grass to the sun making its pathway towards the horizon. Tygra had not had the luxury to watch the sun set in months, and he doubted Cheetara had either. They sat in silence for a time, both lost in their own thoughts of past and future.
"I used to watch the sunset all the time as a cub from the walls of Thundera." Tygra spoke after a long period of silence.
"Appreciating the colors?" Cheetara bit her lips to keep the blooming smile at bay. She could imagine a little rambunctious tiger slipping away from his nannies and driving the palace into an uproar until the figured out his hiding spot. Tygra looked over at Cheetara with an amused smile of his own.
"Appreciating the silence. The palace was always noisy and bustling, especially after Lion-O was born, but at sunset, a hush always fell over everything; I thought it was magic. The world would go silent for a few moments, then the noise would begin again once it was dark." Tygra turned back to watch the sun. Cheetara listened and found he was right. How had she never noticed the peaceful quiet? Perhaps because she had heard tigers were more solitary than other cats. If that was true, being around boisterous lions and other species constantly must have been tiring. They watched the sun continue its path in comfortable silence; both appreciating the colors and the company. Once the sun had disappeared, almost as if by instinct, the noise began again: mothers calling their children inside for dinner, clangs of blacksmiths' hammers striking metal, husbands coming in from their work to greet their wives and children, the marketers hawking the last of their wears before they too went home, and the taverns filling with bachelors and women looking for fun, food, and lively music. In the gloom and stress of the war, Cheetara had not noticed how lifeless the streets of Savannis had become, but now that the war was over, her people were recovering and eager to taste joy instead of bitter sorrow; it was her duty now to see that another generation grew knowing the magic of watching the sunset instead of cowering in their huts in fear.
Cheetara stood and offered her hand to Tygra. He took it, but did not use her to bear his weight, afraid to send both of them tumbling over the wall. She huffed, knowing he had taken her hand for show. He gave a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck, then gestured her towards the stairs. She snorted and tossed her long hair, sure the ends would flick his nose. They walked down the stairs and towards the palace, listening to the bustle of the city. Once they reached the palace, Ama came to take Cheetara's basket.
"Dinner has been waiting for you two," She playfully scolded, happy to see that Cheetara had had some time away from her mourning.
"Thank you, Ama. We'll take it in the smaller dining room." Cheetara began walking towards the dining chambers with Tygra in tow.
"Oh, and Princess, the handmaidens will be gathered in your chambers when you finish your meal." Ama shot Tygra a look that meant he was to stay out of Cheetara's room tonight. Tygra gave Cheetara a look, unsure if she was ready to sleep alone tonight. She raised her chin in that proud tilt from when he had first met her in his tent and nodded to him. Tygra nodded back hesitantly, wanting to tell her that he would be only a few doors down if she needed anything, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Of course, it's about time we began preparations." Cheetara waited for Ama's nod, then continued into the dining room. Tygra pulled out her chair and helped situate her at the smaller table; they had taken to eating at the smaller table since there was no point in using the feasting table built for more guests. Tygra had first suggested they eat at the counter top in the kitchen, hoping for a more relaxed atmosphere to encourage intimacy, but Cheetara had laughed and told him that Cook had banned her from eating in the kitchen as a child ever since she had sneakily eaten too many pastries at a banquet and gotten sick. Cook had yet to let her live that unfortunate event down which had seen her stomach turning from pastries ever since.
Once a platter of meat and fruit dipping sauce, warm bread and butter, and a beautiful salad were placed in front of each of them, they began to dig in, unaware of how hungry they had been while seeing to others all day. Tygra watched Cheetara eat, relieved to see her appetite was returning. His lower body tightened pleasurably when she gave a moan at the taste of a slice of bread smothered in warm butter. Tygra drank a sip of cool wine, hoping that would chill his fervor. Nights snuggled next to Cheetara had left an impression in his mind that he had yet to be able to relieve himself of and her little moans were not helping. He cleared his throat and brought up a topic he had been meaning to talk to her about.
"Are you busy tomorrow?" His voice sounded raw and high as if he were a kit going through puberty and learning how to roar for the first time. He cleared his throat again and took another sip.
"No, I have nothing serious planned." She pulled off another slice of bread.
"Good, I want you to start training with Panthro tomorrow morning and every morning until we're sure you can protect yourself."
"Combat training?" Her ears perked up a bit.
"Nothing extreme. I just want to make sure you'll be ok on your own."
"Of course." Cheetara gave him a sly smile and took a sip from her own glass. Looking back, Tygra should have known she had something devious on her mind.
"Alright your highness, let's see what you've got." Panthro held up his wooden training staff. It had been a while since he trained a novice, and for the sake of his sanity, he hoped she was more dedicated to her training then Lion-O. Cheetara held up the staff in a defensive position, crouching lower to make herself even smaller. Tygra nodded for them to begin. Cheetara's eyes flashed down to Panthro's feet and she bit back a smirk.
Cheetara launched herself towards Panthro so quickly, he barely had time to block before the wood met his face. Cheetara flashed again and Panthro could only focus on the golden trail left by her hair before she tapped her staff into the back of his knee. Panthro grunted as his left knee hit the floor unceremoniously. Cheetara stood behind him, leaning on her staff, smiling. Panthro grumbled and stood up to face her. He nodded, signaling he was ready to go again. His mind quickly adjusted to what he knew of her speed; this one would keep him on his toes. Cheetara flashed again and jumped, aiming her staff high above her head. Panthro raised his staff to block high, planning to use his superior strength to push her back, but at the last second she dropped her shoulders, rotated her staff and tapped him under the chin, sending his head back. She dropped to the ground in a crouch and pointed her staff at his groin. Panthro looked down to the smirking little cat, then at where her staff was aimed to strike and dropped his weapon in a gesture of surrender. Cheetara giggled and pulled her staff back, using it to help her stand. Panthro looked up to the dais where Tygra stood, clearly amused.
"Well she's a lot better than your brother, so there's that." Panthro chuckled and held his hand out to Cheetara. She shook his hand then turned to Tygra with her brow raised in challenge. He unfurled his whip and dropped it to the ground.
"She's good with a weapon," Tygra said, walking to the center of the sparring circle they had drawn with chalk. "But let's see how good she is without her staff." Tygra looked pointedly to the weapon she had chosen when she stepped in the ring with Panthro. Tygra had seen immediately that she had some training with the staff by how she tested its weight in her hand, not unusual since all training began with a wooden staff before moving on to specialized weapons.
"Hope the staff isn't the only thing you're trained with, Princess; that would make this really boring." Tygra sunk into his fighting stance and brought his fists up. Familiarity with the staff was one thing, but if she had never been trained with her own fists, they would need to remedy that immediately. All the training with the staff was useless if she didn't have one near her in a fight. Cheetara responded with her own stance. She initiated their dance, stepping around the circle. Tygra followed her lead, moving opposite. He nodded in approval; she was smart, testing to see how he moved since he had the advantage of seeing her spar with Panthro. Whoever had trained her knew what they were doing. Cheetara gave a test kick that would have sent him to the ground had he not been paying attention.
"You like to strike first, since you know you're faster." Tygra analyzed her strategy. He knew Cheetara was going to try to wear him down; she was faster but he was bigger. He didn't know how much stamina she had, but cheetahs were known for their quick bursts not their ability to last; he knew her trainer would have trained her for stamina, but her natural reliance on speed would take over in a long fight. If he could get her to the ground, it would be over. Tygra gave a test kick of his own and was rewarded with a shot to his stomach. He grunted at the power packed behind such a small punch; getting her to the ground was obviously not going to be as easy as he thought. Tygra's eyes flickered to Panthro, who stood on the dais drinking a cup of water Ama had given him. It may have seemed like he was just holding a conversation with the cat, but he was also analyzing Cheetara's strengths and weaknesses for their future training sessions.
Cheetara moved silently, feigning right then coming back to her left and swinging with her left. Tygra blocked with his left then jabbed quickly with his right. Cheetara swing blocked his jab then brought her defense back up.
'Great, she's ambidextrous.' Tygra thought with a snort. It would be that much harder to take her down when he had to avoid power blows from both of her hands; he had underestimated her. While Tygra knew some women were in the Clerics and army, it was not a common occupation for the women of Thundera to be fighters, especially high born women. Tygra was now eager to see what all Cheetara could do.
Tygra watched Cheetara's eyes scan his body, looking for any type of weak spot. Her eyes lit up briefly, and Tygra prepared himself for her next attack. She flashed forward then left and right, drawing his eyes to follow her. She threw a right punch then followed up with a left jab, moving her feet to push him back. At the last second she brought her left knee up, trying to strike him in the stomach. Tygra blocked her knee with one arm then tried to jab through her block with his other. Cheetara blocked his punch and jumped back to create space between them, reassessing her strategy.
"You're better on your feet then I expected." Cheetara breathed out with a smile, wiping sweat from her brow.
"That is surely a compliment coming from you." Tygra smiled back. "An apology is in order."
"How so?" Cheetara raised her eyebrow; he had not done anything insulting or to hurt her.
"I have never sparred with a high born woman before; despite Panthro's words, I expected you to fight more like my brother." Tygra gave a sheepish, almost embarrassed chuckle. Panthro burst out laughing, spilling some of his water on the floor. Ama glared lightly then handed him a towel to clean up the mess.
"She would have had Lion-O on his ass with her first assault. Considering her pretty face, I bet Lion-O would still be trying to talk his way out of sparring with her when she's already swinging." Panthro laughed so hard he was coughing. Tygra couldn't hold back his own laugh as he jabbed at Cheetara.
"That is the second time you have commented on Lion-O's ability; is Lion-O not a good fighter?" Cheetara blocked his blow then threw a right-left combo aimed at his stomach. Tygra dodged her blows and kicked at her, which she blocked with a leg check.
"Lion-O rarely steps in the ring, much to Panthro's displeasure." Tygra nodded up and Cheetara took a quick glance at Panthro's stormy expression.
"That kid constantly skipped morning training, left me madder than Tygra being awakened from his beauty sleep in the morning." Cheetara chuckled at Panthro's gruff reply and Tygra shot him a glare.
"You must have been very upset then; Tygra harnesses the wrath of the gods when he is awakened at first light." Cheetara smirked and Panthro shook with laughter.
"Well aren't you both so cute, making friends." Tygra grumbled and dodged a right hook. Cheetara swung her left fist, not expecting Tygra to move towards her instead of blocking or dodging. Tygra grabbed her right arm and pinned it to her back. Cheetara gasped as he pulled her close, causing her to arch her back and press her breasts into his chest. She positioned her free claws at his face while he positioned his at her rib cage. They stood for a moment, both panting against each other until Tygra nodded and released her. He moved behind her to check her shoulder blade for injury from his grip. Satisfied that he had not hurt her, he walked over to the dais to grab a towel for her. He tossed the towel to her and grabbed one of his own. Ama handed him a cup of water then stepped down to give Cheetara her own. Cheetara wiped the sweat from her brow and neck before handing the towel to Ama and thanking her for the water.
"Not a soldier of Savannis, and yet trained like one." Tygra stared pointedly at Cheetara. "You did not see fit to give a full answer when we met?"
"The wise never reveal themselves fully to an enemy." Cheetara's eyes challenged him and her words were nonchalant.
"Am I your enemy, Cheetara?" He watched her face for any sign of emotion, but her eyes revealed nothing more than caution and light amusement.
"You were then." She took a sip of her water, but kept their eyes connected over the rim of her glass. She lowered the glass and began walking towards her chambers with Ama.
"And now?" He waited for her response with eyes narrowed. Cheetara stopped and threw him a seductive look over her shoulder.
"You may not be enemy, but only time will tell if you are ally." She turned back and walked out of the throne room, allowing her hips to sway harder from side to side, knowing his eyes would follow their swing. Tygra felt a growl low in his chest but stopped the sound from exiting. Panthro walked up and put his hand on Tygra's shoulder.
"She continues to be full of surprises. I'm almost jealous." Panthro smirks. Tygra released the growl, unable to choke it back fast enough.
"Don't get your fur in a bunch, cub." Panthro chuckled and shook his head at the tigers possessive streak; if there was one thing that riled Tygra up, it was sharing.
"She's spoken for, Panthro." Tygra released a warning growl, his eyes narrowed at the thought of a challenge.
"Of course, of course," Panthro tugged Tygra towards the men's bathing chamber. "But if I was a younger cat, I would challenge you for her." Tygra socked Panthro in the arm causing Panthro to laugh so loudly, Tygra was sure the entire palace heard him.
