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ThunderCats: War of Kings

Chapter IX: Cavahna

It took some time for them to install the Book of Omens into the ThunderTank; Panthro thought it was the best way for it to guide them to the other four stones. With the book already part Technology, though an unknown type, it only made sense that they would do that.

So far, the book had pointed them east, its red holographic arrow leading the way. They used a holographic map in the tank for the ThunderCats to accurately pinpoint where the book was leading them, and they could find only one place that it would lead them.

Valern's holographic projection was beside the map. "So what you are saying," he said, "is that one of these stones is in some sort of village nearby?"

"At least we think it's a village," Lion-O said, working the control panel for the map. The holographic layout zoomed in on a group of huts or buildings. "It could also be some sort of commune. We are not sure who lives there, or if they are even friendly."

"But we need the stone," Valern said, "it's the only weapon we have against Mumm-Ra."

Lion-O nodded in agreement. "What news do we have on Kotiya?" he asked, moving on to the next topic.

"We've just received a new report from the scouting party outside her settlement," Valern said. "There is a contingent of Thunderian soldiers on their way to Cavahna, and they are being led by Prince Tygra and General Lynx-O."

Lion-O did his best to keep his face as stoic as possible when he heard this news. If Kotiya indeed knew the location of the Cat's Lair, Tygra would no doubt lead an attack on it. Even with many soldiers, the weapons that the Order of the Hand possessed would never allow them near it. The tiger would no doubt lead them into a massacre.

"Is there anything else, Grand Master?" Lion-O asked, hoping to take his mind off this matter.

Valern seemed hesitant. "There is one thing I have been wondering," he said. "What you learned from the book on how we enforced Mumm-Ra's will and that we are aliens to this world, it makes me wonder, where did we come from? And why did we serve Mumm-Ra in the first place?"

Lion-O nodded; he often asked himself this as well. "Some questions are best left unanswered, Grand Master," he finally said. "We may not like the answer when we find it."

"Agreed," Valern said, "but we will have to come to that eventually. I will let you know of any new developments. Good luck, Lord Lion-O; we're all counting on you."

With that, the Grand Master terminated the transmission. Lion-O sighed as he circled the map, his thoughts of Mumm-Ra, the stones, and his own rebellion plaguing his mind. The Rebel Prince felt a new set of burdens weighing him down.

But what always plagued his mind was her, the mysterious woman in the violet cloak that he saw on Mumm-Ra's ship. The mystery that surrounded her was something that Lion-O was trying to solve. All he knew was that she was somehow involved with both his mother and his ancestors, Leo and Panthera.

"Lion-O?" a voice asked as a hand was placed on his shoulder. "What are you thinking of?"

The young lion was too distracted by his thoughts to notice Cheetara's approach. He jumped slightly before realizing who it was. The prince noticed the worried look in her eyes.

"It's nothing, Cheetara," Lion-O said to her. "There's no need for you to worry."

"Please, Lion-O," the cheetah pleaded, "don't do this. Don't bear these burdens by yourself."

"It's not that," the Rebel Prince said. "It's about something else." Lion-O paused for a moment before continuing. "When I went into the Book of Omens and saw Leo fighting Mumm-Ra, there was someone else there."

"Really?" Cheetara asked curiously. "Who?"

"I don't know," Lion-O said. "She wore some sort of violet cloak, and I think she somehow knew my mother. She and Panthera said the same thing, 'a shining light that blazes through the darkness'. That's what they were saying."

The lion shook his head. "It's like this was all planned or something. That I'm somehow supposed to defeat Mumm-Ra. Everything that's happened, all that we've been through, it just feels like were following some strange plan. I don't know how I can go through all this—"

Cheetara quickly brought him into a kiss, silencing his words with her lips. "It will all be okay, Lion-O," she said soothingly, breaking the lip lock. "If we are following some strange destiny, it will end with you defeating Mumm-Ra and taking back the throne. I believe in this, and so should you."

Lion-O grinned before bringing his Head Cleric into another kiss, this one deeper than the first one. None of the worries that he had mattered right now. What did matter was the beautiful cheetah in his arms.

"Hey, lovebirds!" The two broke away from their embrace to see Pumyra leaning on the railing above them. "If you two are done snogging each other senseless, Panthro says we're getting close to the village."

Tygra, Lynx-O, and their soldiers began their final approach to the settlement's main gate, bronze with a wreath—the sigil of Cavahna—branded in the center. A guard along the walls saw the army approach with the black-and-red Thunderian banner in front. The guard approached a horn and blew twice before the gates opened for them.

As Tygra and Lynx-O led their men through the streets of Cavahna, many of the peasants stopped what they were doing long enough to see them march by. Children waved at them and Tygra couldn't help but notice how several young women winked at him. The tiger smiled; it wouldn't be hard for him to find some "company" while he was here.

They soon approached the large estate that was the residence of Lady Kotiya, the Governor of Cavahna. A middle-aged cougar met them at the manor's entrance dressed in gray robes.

"General, Your Highness," the cougar bowed in greeting, "I am Master Vanem, Lady Kotiya's advisor. I welcome you both to our settlement."

Both tiger and lynx nodded. "We wish to see the Governor at once," Tygra said. He wanted to get this over with quickly and lead his army to the Cat's Lair.

Vanem nodded in understanding. "Of course, Your Highness; please follow me."

Tygra and Lynx-O followed the advisor into the estate while their soldiers remained outside. Vanem led them down the hall before they reached the Grand Hall. There, sitting at a wide table on a raised dais, was Lady Kotiya.

The leopard stood to greet her guests, and Tygra couldn't keep his eyes from traveling up and down her form. A tight red dress clung to her body, showing off her curves. Kotiya noticed where the tiger's gaze was and couldn't help but grin lecherously.

"Prince Tygra, General Lynx-O," the leopard welcomed them, "I am glad that you have responded to my letter. I am confident that you two will be able to stop this traitorous Rebel Prince."

"We will do what we can, My Lady," Lynx-O said, "though it may be difficult. The Order of the Hand is very secretive. Even if you give us the location of their lair, they may have some kind of Technology that keeps it hidden."

Kotiya quickly averted her eyes. "Yes, about that," she said. "I'm afraid that I was not entirely truthful with the king in my letter."

Lynx-O narrowed his eyes. "May I ask what you are talking about, Lady Kotiya? The letter you sent said that Lion-O himself invited you to the Cat's Lair."

"He did," Kotiya said, "but he had me blindfolded to ensure the secrecy of his lair."

"What?" Lynx-O asked shocked. "You mean to tell me that you—"

"General," Tygra interjected, "You need to calm down. Let us give her a chance to explain."

"What's there to explain on how she lied?" Lynx-O asked incredulously. "She doesn't know where the Cat's Lair is."

"That's true," Kotiya admitted, "but I do know where you can find someone who does."

Lynx-O seemed doubtful, but Tygra was willing to take a chance. He would do anything to have his chance of saving Cheetara.

Kotiya began to explain. "There is a village five leagues east of here," she said. "They have been under the 'protection' of Lord Lion-O and his order for the past month. If you can capture one of their soldiers and interrogate them, you may be able to procure the location of the Cat's Lair."

Tygra mulled it all over in his head. There was a village full of Technology-armed soldiers that could slaughter all his men in a matter of minutes. But there might be a way for them all to defeat these traitorous rebels and capture some of them. This could actually work.

"Thank you for your help, Lady Kotiya," Tygra bowed in respect to her. "We will leave for this village immediately." Lynx-O made his way to the exit. "But there is something I must ask you first."

"Of course, Your Highness," the leopard said. "What do you wish to know?"

"While you were at the Cat's Lair," Tygra began, "did you manage to see a young female cheetah there?"

Kotiya seemed to ponder on this, but in actuality, she knew exactly who the tiger was referring to. She smiled inwardly as she deduced the reason why he had asked about the Head Cleric.

"Well," the leopard said with false sincerity, "the only cheetah I recall seeing there was Lady Cheetara."

"Yes," Tygra said, "her. Can you tell me anything about her current condition?"

"When I first saw her," Kotiya began, "she introduced herself as Lord Lion-O's Head Cleric. As he met with me, not once did she leave his side. I was then invited to stay the night, with my room next to Lion-O's bedchamber. I heard something outside my doorway and I looked out to see Cheetara entering her lord's bedchamber."

The leopard saw Tygra balling his fists. Perfect. "It was quiet at first, but then all that moaning and screaming kept me up most of the night. Though I must admit, it does make me wonder about Lord Lion-O's prowess in bed."

It was then that Tygra made his way to the exit, his face a picture of pure rage. Lynx-O followed him, but kept a careful distance; he could feel the anger from the Crown Prince. The general did not want to be in the tiger's crosshairs.

As the door closed behind her guests, Kotiya began to chuckle. Her advisor approached her left side. "Did you see the look on his face, Vanem?" the governor asked. "I almost thought that he was going to kill someone."

Vanem seemed uncertain. "Are you sure of this, My Lady?" the advisor asked. "It seems unwise to play on his anger like that."

The leopard shrugged indifferently. "As long as that anger is focused on Lord Lion-O and his bitch of a Head Cleric, I could care less."

Kotiya smirked as she pictured Tygra leading his army to the Cat's Lair, bringing the lion and his cheetah whore to their knees. They would soon find themselves executed and their very heads placed on pikes, an example to those who would "betray" Thundera.

And at that moment, Kotiya thought with an evil smirk, the prideful Lord Lion-O would regret rejecting her as he did.