Just a few tidbit from me- the show is due to start soon and I was debating if I should try to incorporate what i see, or abandon this story as I watch more canon. I have decided not to abandon it, but to keep going. The story won't leave me alone. I have to finish it- I have no choice. :P

Hope you all enjoy! Please R & R!

Chapter 3: The Spices of El- Dara

"Red wire to the green. Red wire to the green. Red wire to the green."

Tygra told himself this over and over again as he reached under the dashboard. He thought of rewiring the book to the thundertank's central operating system via the beta nero-net, as opposed to the primary one. That might help it cool down, as he suspected it was the information overload from the book to the tank that was causing the malfunctions. But that involved rewiring the board, and at best it was tricky for it was delicate and far from reach.

"Red wire to green. Green. Green."

For a moment Tygra wondered if she might be green. Or blue or brown. The Naja came in all different colors, even red. The crude drawings had been published in sepia, as it was the cheapest ink to come by in the slums. The artist was amateur at best. Still the drawings did enough to stir the curiosity of very male in the kingdom. And sometimes they stirred more than just curiosity.

"Red wire to green. Green..."

He imagined the curve of a hip down to the tail. And then there was the swelling of full breasts. Green. Or maybe aqua skin with intricate scale patterns, gliding up and down her curves.

"That would be nice. Green to red."

The circuit board surged with power, and there was the strong stench of burning wire. The entire thunder tank bucked in rebellion.

"Blast it!" Panthro cursed. "What are you doing?"

Tygra's mind was jerked back out of his reverie. He thought up an excuse for his error, and thought it up quick.

"Just ruling out possibilities."

"That's the fourth one you've ruled out in the past twenty minutes!"

"Never rush genius."

Panthro sighed in disgust. Tygra heard him reach up and slam the cockpit lid closed.

"Listen, why don't you do us both a favor and go clear your mind?"

The tiger slid out from underneath the dashboard and looked at Panthro questioningly."What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean." Panthro said lowly. "I can't work with you when your this damn distracted. You haven't stopped thinking about that woman since your brother left."

"Don't be absurd."

"Listen, we're not doing any good here. Go into town and take a look, since you're so curious. Then when you come back we can actually focus on the task!"

Tygra paused for a moment. He recalled his clandestine meetings with female courtiers, always away from Claudius disapproving eye. He had even had two competing over him once, that had been great sport. He realized how long it had been since he had seen a woman, unclothed. Cheetra was beyond question, for the clerics never engaged in casual flirtations, let alone affairs. Now that she was the last cleric, she carried the traditions in her heart as never before. Again the image of an unclothed woman came to his mind, and it transformed from cat to serpent, with aqua skin.

He decided. He had to see this Nagita. Maybe if he went about it just the right way, he could arrange to have the pleasure of her company for an hour or two. Traitor or not, the promise of thunderan gold would be sure to sway Roj.

"Fine. I'll be back in an hour." Tygra said sitting up.

"You'll be back when you'll be back." Panthro said bluntly. "Don't take me for a fool. I'm not some novice in these matters like you're brother."

"You wanna come along?"

"No. No woman is worth this much trouble, let alone a blasted reptile."

"I'm going to leave my armor here." Tygra mused. "I might have more success if I'm better dressed."

"Hmph. Suit yourself."


Kai followed the scent of the cat for about two blocks. He could afford to stay out of eyesight, because it was smell that guided him, not his eyes. But his eyes scanned the rooftops for movement. He hoped there would be no interference. His contact would be eagerly waiting his news. If this cat was in fact the lord of the thundercats, then his presence would change everything. But there could be no mistake. He thought he recognized the sword the cat wore, but he had been too far away to get a good look without giving himself away. But the fact that this visitor was a lion was something that gave Kai hope that the quarry had finally been found. But he reminded himself, Roj had a mane too, and in no way he was royalty.

No he had to get closer to be sure. He could not tell his contact it was time to act without be 100% sure. The risk was too great.

Something moved in the shadows of the rooftops. Kai froze and stood perfectly still.

The cat's smell was getting farther and father away from him, and he cursed his bad luck. But he saw the movement again, and his eyes narrowed. Recognition flashed in his eyes. Kai kicked the dirt madly

and turned away. He would have to pick up the cat's scent later, and follow it. There was someone else up there he knew it. He only hoped the cat would be stupid enough to

return to town, where he could get him alone.

"There's more than one way to skin a cat," he grumbled.


It was the word "El-Dara" that caught the Wiley's attention and immediately drove all else from their young minds. The name cut through all the noise of the market place, and made all other questions unimportant. Lion-o didn't seem to hear it, but the twins played it no mind. They bolted from him towards the voice, maneuvering through a sea of people, covering several blocks.

"El-Dara spices!" a feminine voice called out again.

The Spice shop was made of the same worn lumber as all the others around it, but that was where all shabbiness ended. Compared to the neighbors, it burst with color and vibrancy. From the ceiling hung various bulbs, leaves and gourds. One the counters there were bowls full of herbs and spices of all colors and smells. Hanging from the counter was a bold red sign, with gold letters on it. Wilykit wondered what it said, and for a moment wished she could have understood letters more. But her parent's death left her with no time to study.

"Fresh shipment from El-Dara has just come in!" the shop clerk yelled out.

The shop clerk was a creature...a woman the likes of which the twins had never seen before. She was turquoise and her skin seemed to have smooth scales all over it. She wore a modest white apron, and the color of white and blue reminded WilyKat of the sky. She had a snakes body beginning somewhere around her hips, he wasn't sure where. She had long black braids that ended in beads and feathers of all different color. .Her hair and a single brass bracelet were her only decoration.

"Are they really from El-Dara?" Wilykat asked, peeking over the wooden counter.

For a moment the lady seemed taken surprised at the sight of them, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Of course."She smiled. "We've been in trading with them for several years. We are the only spice trader in the district to do so. The spices are on the expensive side, but you get what you pay for."

"What are you?" WilyKit asked.

"A naja. You won't see too many of us around." the clerk explained."Now what can I get for you? Some cinnamon maybe, or did your parents give you a list."

Ignoring the sting of pain the word "parents" brought, WilyKat pressed.

"Oh. We don't want to buy anything. But can you tell us where El-Dara is?"

She shook her head. "I can't tell you that. It's a trade secret."

"Please." WilyKit whined. "we've been looking for forever."

At this the snake woman laughed. "I think you're a little young to be talking about 'forever.'"

"Well, uhm, long enough." WilyKit argued.

"Please."

"Hmm. that depends. Ill tell you if you can answer my riddle."

The twins nodded.

"Not silver and not gold" the naja said. "what is the treasure of El-Dara yet untold?"

"Spices?" Wilykit asked, looking at the counter.

"Very astute." the naja replied. "But wrong. Sorry. Your turn."

"Emeralds." Wilykat replied.

The naja shook her head.

"Pearls? Sapphires? Rubies?"

"No, no and no. Sorry but I can't share trade secrets."

"Oh, but what if we trade you some music for it?" Wilykit asked. She took her round flute out and began to play. The naja closed her eyes and listened, seemingly lost in a trance.

"Where is El-Dara?" WilyKat asked.

The naja's eyes snapped open. "I told you I couldn't share trade secrets."

Surprised that the flute had no effect upon her, WilyKat stammered. "Oh. OK."

"I've already given you more than enough chances." the snake woman said. "But I will turn a blind eye if you want me too, for some information."

She pointed to WilyKat's swollen bag.

"You may not have a thief catcher in Thundera, but we have one here in Talam. And he doesn't care about how young or poor you are. And he takes paws. Certainly everything you have in there is legally yours, correct?"

Understanding her meaning, WilyKat nodded. "Of course."

She was bent in towards WilyKat's ear, and was just about to ask something when a voice interrupted her.

"Are these street urchins bothering you?" a threatening voice growled.

Wilykat turned to see the face the older cat Lion-o. He had a book under his arm and was holding a plate of eggs.

"These street urchins aren't bothering you, are they?" a gruff voice growled.

"No, Roj. I'm fine." the Naja answered.

Wilykat turned and was face to face with another Thunderan. He was carrying a plate of eggs and had a book tucked under his arm.

"Wow!" wily kit said. "How did you escape? We didn't see you when we left Thundera."

The cat scowled. "Of course not. I haven't set foot in that damned place in over ten years. Now do you have business here?"

"Well-"

The merchant gave the plate of eggs to the shop clerk. She smiled and began to eat one immediately.

"Then get lost." the merchant dismissed, without a second look. "I don't give to beggars, and I don't believe in charity."

The wileys frowned in disappointment, but felt it was better not push their luck. The locked eyes with the naja woman again, then left.

"That was a little harsh, my love." the naja said to Roj when they were alone.

"Hmph. I don't want to take a chance."

"They were asking about El-Dara."

Here Roj gave her a started look.

"Oh relax." she said. "They didn't know the answer."

Roj's shoulders relaxed. "That's a relief. You know we might see more cats now that the city's fallen."

"I'm surprised we haven't seen more before now." the snake replied.

Roj was quiet for a moment. "I don't know how you can even look at them...after what happened."

She leaned over the counter and touched his shoulder. He turned to her.

"Because I don't see him. I see you."

They touched foreheads together for a moment and breathed into each other's space.

"I love you, Nagita." Roj whispered.

"I know old cat. Who else would put up with you?" she teased.

Roj playfully stuck her tongue out at her. They both laughed.


Tygra was never comfortable with the mixing of cultures. He often shook his head with the way his brother openly talked with other races. The lizards in the stocks, the pedlars, the pirates. What they were made no difference to Lion-o. It made the tiger uneasy. What would his father had said? Tygra missed the days of Thundera, and not simply for Claudius. Thundera was a world with rules, and those created order. Everyone knew their place and stayed in it. The world beyond the walls was chaos. As he looked around at the market place with his air full of the gibberish of other languages, not to mention the other races vulgar appearance and stink. It made him painfully home sick.

He had come in the side entrance to avoid being seen by either Lion-o or the twins. He had no wish to have it known his curiosity and other urges had gotten the better of his cool head. Again he thought to those occasional clandestine meetings. The palace at night was full of dark pockets, so i made such encounters far easier. Tygra laughed to himself. Lion-o meowed after the girls, but he made them meow for him.

What noise would the naja make for him, he wondered. He smiled to himself at the thought of it.

And above Tygra, clinging to the side of a building two reptilian eyes watched him. The chameleon blinked. The lion had gotten away from him, and Khamai wondered if he could sense he was being followed. But here was the other royal cat, and fool had left his armor behind for whatever reason. Khamai thought for moment. One cat is as good as another, he thought. A shot to injure him, and then he could cart him off, to take him to slythe. Enough torture should get the results they need, and the tiger would be sure to give up the whereabouts of the others.

Torture always worked. Always. But Khamai knew the other reason why Slythe had put out orders to bring one back alive. There were rumors that the brotherhood had contacted the cats. And a war from within as well as without,was very dangerous. It would cripple Slythe's operations, and the general knew it. Worst yet, if the rumors about the brotherhood were true there was even a greater risk.

It might actually help the cats win.

Khamai shook his head. He couldn't think about that. He wouldn't think about that! He told himself to focus on the task. A shot to the kidney should do it. It wouldn't kill the tiger out right, but it should do enough damage to incapacitate him. And it would make him weaker under torture, and thus more likely to talk.

But the question was when and where. But Khamai was patient. He would wait.


Lion-o felt the hair on the back of his neck begin to stand up. He was being followed. He couldn't see who, for when he turned around he saw no one. But snarf complained at his feet.

"Easy, snarf." the king said. "We don't want to tip him off."

But he couldn't lead who ever was following him back to the others.

"Quick snarf, follow me." he whispered.

Lion-o made a quick dodge to the right. He darted this way and that among the throng of peoples, and he found his feet going downward. He smelled the salty air, closer and closer as he zig zagged towards the port. If the market place was busy, the port was even more so. There the ships brought in massive pallets of items to be sorted and sold. He looked over his shoulder again and saw nothing.

"Cat in trouble?" a deep gravelly voice asked.

"Snarf!" the pet cried in surprise.

Before lion-o was one of the strangest brutes he had yet seen. He was massive, this creature- almost half the size of the thundertank. He was as tall as a one story building, and had two massive tusks that jutted forward from his lower jaw. But the His muscular body was covered with scars from whips, cuts and fire. He was hunchbacked and pulling a large box behind him labeled: El-Dara Spices, Property of R. But the most noticeable thing about him was the halo of tech gear he wore around the lower part of his skull. Lion-o blinked. It was more than worn, it was embedded in there.

"No. Nothing I can't handle."

"You stranger here. Talam not nice to strangers. Come with Margus."

Lion-o looked back behind him, he didn't see anyone but then he had not seen anyone when his hair began to rise. For a moment he weighed wisdom against pride, and gave a curt nod to the creature.

The creature led Lion-o to an alley way between two large brick warehouses. Then he turned and put the pallet behind him, making a huge dent in the wall when he turned too tightly.

"What- who are you." Lion-o asked.

"Margus 3.4 is cybertroll." the creature responded. He pointed to the sword of omens. "What that?"

"It's the sword of omens."

"Oh sword with name special?"

"You could say that." Lion-o smirked.

"Special things - better to hide them here."

"I'm not a coward."

"Hiding not make coward. There are many eyes here."

"Why'd you help me, not that I'm complaining."

"Margus 3.4 like cats. Master is cat. Is good master."

"Roj? Roj in your master?"

The creature nodded.

"I need to see him." Lion-o said. "I need to see if he has any information on what were looking for."

Margus looked at him. The lights in the tech attached to the side of his brain whirled.

"Before Margus give master message, Margus need to know."

"What?"

"You travel with one tooth cat?"

This seemed at first an odd question. It took Lion-o a second to realize who this creature was referring too.

"Grune." Lion-o said coldly. "No. He doesn't travel with us."

Margus nodded. "Good. One tooth Master's enemy. Margus like you. Margus no want to kill you."

"Kill me?"

"Yes. Margus 3.4 primary function to protect Master and his house. Margus secondary function to kill one tooth on sight."

Lion-o balked, but said nothing.

But the creature continued, as if he were speaking of nothing out of the ordinary."You come tomorrow, meet with Master."

"Where?"

"Come to town. Margus find you."


From a distance, Tygra looked at the traitor and his slave. It hadn't taken too long for the prince to remember Roj's occupation. And after all, the traitor had to make a living. So he was bound to have a stall somewhere in the market. Tygra had been watching them for some time, undetected.

He had to admit, he was a little disappointed in her. He had expected her to be dressed provocatively, at least with lots of jewelry and make up. But she was so ordinary. Still she possessed an ample bosom. The peek of cleavage behind her white apron interested him. Tygra was reminded of the apples from the Tum-tym tree, that were blue and juicy. As a cub he liked the fruit, now as an adult he liked it all the more. He thought about the way the heavy apples would bob up and down with their weight.

Suddenly he felt hungry, and not for food.

Roj was not as sinister as he expected. He looked out of shape, and not as well off financially as the tabloids insisted. A palmed coin might persuade him. Tygra stalked towards them.


Business moved in waves. Roj knew this. At times it was busy, and then at others it was very slow. This never changed, like the tides. It was good during slow times to find ways to occupy yourself and enjoy it before the next flood of customers. This was the life of retail.

Roj sighed and tried to push the unpleasant feelings out of his mind. He had wondered how long it would be before he started seeing Thunderan refugees. But at least the ones he saw were just cubs and they could do no harm. At least not to him and Nagita- not now. He made sure of that. He looked over at her reading her novel as she nibbled on one of the eggs he had brought her. He swore to himself that no one would ever hurt her again.

He had not told her of the other news, and he had no intentions of. Grune had become commander of supply procurement for Mumm-ra's army. Inevitability he would have to come to Talam. Every day Roj checked with the guards of the city to see if any word that the lizard army was on the move. With each sunrise, the answer was no. But he knew one day it would be yes.

The very thought of Grune almost made him shake with rage. But this time, he told himself he would be smarter. He would not stay as he had before. He would run- he would take all of his house with him, and with Nagita go to to El-Dara. There the armies of Mum-ra would not be able to reach them. He would stay as long as he could, for the sake of his contacts. But he would never risk Nagita's safety. He thought of Margus, and was glad for him. Then Roj decided to turn his attention of more pleasant matters.

"So who dies in this one?" he teased her.

The snake woman looked up and smiled. "I'm not going to tell you! you'll have to read it yourself."

"Ah, Nagita! You know I don't have time, not with the new shipment coming in a few days. Besides." and he bent down into her face. "words sound better from your mouth."

"Naughty cat!" he smiled. "what would your customers say if they heard you?"

"Give me a mandrake on the double! Because it's obviously working."

"Roj!"

"Kiss me!" he whispered.

"What here! In the stall?"

"Yes!" he leaned in. He was just about to claim her mouth, when an arrogant voice rang out.

"Well looks like some of the rumors are true."

There behind the counter stood the most self satisfied tiger he had ever seen. Young, arrogant, and by his dress of the ruling class. Roj disliked him immediately, and he stepped forward, putting Nagita behind him.

"Still got a taste for the exotic, hmm spice trader?" Tygra smirked.

"What do you want?"

Many townsfolk fell silent, and many eyes went to the spice shop.

"To take a look. So that's Nagita, eh? Guess it's true what they say, the Naja don't' age. Thought she'd be prettier. Still,uhm... you don't rent her out, do you? I'm looking for some company for the next few hours. Don't worry. I'll pay well and take good care of her."

The naja gasped in shock. Her book fell to the ground.

"She isn't a slave! And she's not your whore!" Roj roared, baring his teeth. "She's my wife!"

Tygra felt like he was dunked with cold water. Worse yet, he felt like a fool. He tried to recover, dismissing the traitor's words.

"Impossible. You're joking. You can't marry a non-Thunderan."

"I can and I did!"

"It's illegal."

"Maybe by decree of Claudius, but last time I checked he was dead. And good riddance to him!"

"Watch your mouth, merchant!" Tygra warned.

"And you watch yours!" Roj snarled. "Oh. That's right, you're that tiger brat that was sponging off his charity. Heh, well I guess no one ever told you, but you're as much of a bastard as I am!"

For a moment, Tygra was shocked, and he was very still. Never in his life had a commoner dared insult him, let alone TO HIS FACE. The rage that he had bottled up within him, surged and exploded. He dove across the counter, grabbing the merchant. The snake woman began to scream as the two cats began clawing at each other. Someone near by yelled for the guards, when a laser shot rang out.

Tygra staggered back and put his paw on his left side. He pulled it away and looked down at it. It was red and damp. It took him a moment to realize that it was blood- his blood. He had been shot. He looked into the surprised faces around him, the face of the the traitor, and the terrified face of Nagita. Tygra suddenly realized he was in a sea of strangers. He was alone and injured, and home was a distant memory.

"Lion-o...Father- I..." he gasped, before collapsing into darkness.

To be continued:

chapter 4- Uneasy Alliance


Writer's note: Mandrakes are used in folk medicine to treat erectile dysfunction.

As for Tygra wanting to "rent" Nagita- I pulled a lot of information about slavery from ancient Rome. And yes, you could rent slaves from either the major market place, or from individuals.