Lost in limbo

Chapter 7

It was the sound of a high pitch alarm that woke Lion-O and Tygra. The two quickly got to their feet as Brya and two other men came into the sleeping chamber.

"Where is your other man?" Brya questioned

Tygra looked to his king, he had no idea what was going on. "The Panther. Where is he?" Brya asked again this time a bit more urgently.

"He can't be too far," Lion-O answered hoping that statement was true. "Why?"

Brya's face grew serious "I told you and your people no one was to leave the chambers or the cave. And now we have two missing"

"Wait" Tygra said "two people? Who?"

"Your man and my mate" Brya answered.

Lion-O stole a quick glance at Tygra. "Maybe he got up before us and just went for a walk and got lost" Lion-O said trying to defuse the situation.

"He was told not to leave "Brya growled.

A sheepish grin crossed the lion kings face "Well Panthro has his own way of doing things and well sometimes he can be a bit on the stubborn side".

Tygra nodded In agreement "perhaps Panthro left to check on our ship, he does usually set to work at first light"

Brya frowned "And my mate where is she?"

Both Tygra and Lion-O both shook their heads "We have not seen her since last night's meal, and neither one of us has left this chamber all night"

Brya's eyes narrowed he threw back his head "LETHEA!" he bellowed.

Within minutes the young woman ran into the room, "Where is your mother?" Brya asked then grabbed the young lioness by the jaw and pulled her face to meet his "and don't you dare lie to me!"

"I…I don't know," Lethea stammered slightly and flinched as Brya's grip tightened on her jaw.

"If she wasn't with me and wasn't with you then where is she? "He asked again.

Tears sprung to Lethea's eyes as Brya's claws dig into her flesh "I don't know"

The sword on the lion's hip let out a warning growl. Tygra walked over and placed his hand on Brya's shoulder "the girl doesn't know. No need to hurt her"

Brya's head snapped around "mind your business ThunderCat"

"Enough!" Lion-O growled and pulled the young lioness away from the cougar, "you alright?" He asked Lethea. Tygra noticed as soon as Lion-O touched the young woman the sword flashed the cats head and then went back to the eye symbol, showing it was at rest and all was calm.

"Yes "she said quietly, it wasn't the first time she was on the receiving end of Brya's anger. "I will go and see if I can find my mother" she said and quickly ran out of the room.

"You have no right to interfere" Brya snarled angrily.

"You forget to whom you are speaking too," Lion-O said standing up to the irate cougar. "I am Lord of the ThunderCats and your KING!"

Brya started to say something but quickly chose not to. He bowed his head slightly "yes, my lord, forgive me. I lost my head for a moment, I am concerned about my mate".

"I can understand your concern. However, if she happened to have run into Panthro. I can sure you, he would not harm her in anyway "Lion-O said trying to calm the situation down. "If he was going to our ship, he may have gotten lost and asked her for directions to the entrance".

Brya seemed satisfied with the lion's explanation. For the moment. "I will send my men to the entrance and see if anyone has passed through" Brya said and left, taking his two men with him.

After they left Lion-O let out a sign of relief, Tygra turned to his leader. "Ok. What do you know?" the tiger questioned.

"We have big trouble that I know for sure... Late last night, I woke up, and Panthro was gone" Lion-O said.

Tygra just shook his head "you should have woken me. We could have gone to look for him"

"Then what? "Lion-O asked "Drag him back? Look, Tygra, ever since we found out Brya's ship survived, Panthro has gone all evasive".

Tygra scratched his chin. And looked at the sword again.

Lion-O gave him an odd look "what is it Tygra?"

"When Brya grabbed Lethea, the sword growled and when you touched her, the ThunderCats symbol flashed for a brief moment"

Lion-O looked down at his hip and took the sword out of the claw shield "hmm. It's never done that before," He said looking at the now quiet eye.

"Strange indeed "Tygra remarked "Perhaps the sword can show you where Panthro is?"

"Worth a try" Lion-O said with a slight shrug. Holding the sword before is face. He commanded the mystic sword to give him sight beyond sight.

The sword hummed to life, the bars curled but showed nothing but blowing sand. "Anything?" Tygra asked standing beside the ThunderCat lord.

"Nothing but blowing sand "Lion-O said and lowered the sword "He must be alright. Otherwise the sword would show me if he was in trouble"

"We both know Panthro is very capable of taking care of himself, "Tygra said "it's just what will happen if Brya and his men catch up to him I am concerned about "

"I don't understand why he would take off like that" Lion-O stated.

"Give you one clue…Leanna "Tygra answered.

"We better find him first "Lion-O said and left to find Cheetara, with Tygra right behind him.