This one will be kind of a filler chapter, except towards the end. Fun twist in it. :-)
I happily walked to my troops the next morning looking forward to training Tegu's girlfriend as well as beating Kaynar on a regular basis; knowing that even though he admitted to wanting to learn more it would not happen. He was too proud and set in his ways. I smiled as I entered the cafeteria and all stood, saluting me. I waved away my troops' attention and sat with them to chat before training. Scowling upon not seeing Kaynar, I began thinking of ways to have him make it up. Eating my normal fare, knowing that eventually we will be sent out again. As I rose, 36 lizards followed suit, following me to the training area. Before me, they stood in their ranks, Kama at my side.
"I will personally be training Kama for the next few weeks, occasionally I will ask for help. If any other generals appear, send them my way. Work on ranged drills, go!" They separated and broke into groups. I led Kama to the opposite side of the area. We sat across from each other with our legs crossed.
"So, Kama, what has Tegu told you about our training? "
"Everything," she replied in amazement. I wasn't surprised, since being under Mumm-ra, I found out most every race besides cats had technology. Therfore the thought of training the more advanced races on the more primative ways of fighting was impressive.
"I'd like to test your combat skills first, then we can see how you are on other weapons." She nodded and we both stood, stretching out. We faced opposite one another In a combat ring and counted down together. She charged at me first, aiming for my chest with a clawed fist. Twisting away helped me miss that blow, but she followed up with a swing from her tail knocking me off balance for a minute. As I took a minute to regain my footing, I cursed my Goddess for their tails. She came at me again, aiming for my face. I blocked her punch and returned a kick to her torso. She stumbled back and took a knee. She looked up at me and her eyes widened. I immediately jumped and twisted around to see my would be attacker. Kaynar.
I snarled and barred my canines as I grabbed him around the back of the neck; using the help of gravity to pin him down. I growled in his ear, "You're late," and dug my claws in enough to show my displeasure.
He turned his head to look at me and cackled, "Some of us need our beauty rest."
"You are about thirty years too late," I cuffed his ears and got off him. He stood and looked down at me, him standing a good head taller than me. "I told you when we start, you weren't here so I shouldn't be helping you, however I will punish you." He looked me up and down and I saw his eyes glint evilly. "20 laps. Now."
He looked like he was about to object before putting down his spear and going to the outer edge of the training room and started jogging. I turned back to Kama who had taken a warrior's position-feet shoulder width apart and hands behind her back with her dominant hand holding the opposite wrist. I nodded at her in thanks and she went back to an attack stance. I copied her and she initiated again. She ran, dodging my swing to hit me with her tail, which grazed my arm. I was happy for my arm guard or else she would have left me with more than the bruise that wad forming. I kicked her shoulder and it propelled her forward. She stumbled and I attacked again-punching her shoulder to turn her. She tried to wrap her tail around my leg, I just barely jumped out of the way before she tightened it. I kicked her chest plate, a ringing tone sounded across the room, my claws scratching it. She back pedaled before falling, giving me time to get in and deliver a mock death blow. I pulled back and helped her up. We did another round then I called over Buffin and Tophy to test her.
After observing the matches I dismissed them and Kaynar came back to me. I nodded and started walking to the targets I had made for archery. I grabbed two bows and a quiver and let them start shooting, correcting them when needed. After lunch I gave them each a wood sword and had them follow my lead, Kama was slow but precise while Kaynar didn't care about his form and put a lot of power behind his blows, making them sloppy. This was the same for the next week, Kaynar showing up on time eventually but not learning much while Kama surpassed where the men were at during this point in their training.
After spending the past few days completely focused on training Kama, as well as threatening Kaynar on a regular basis; I was exhausted and wanted a break. I walked to my master`s throne room and kneeled before the casting pool, still spooked from when the statues spoke to me. I waited until Mumm-ra was finished with his spell and he acknowledged me.
"Amura, how may I help you today?"
"My Lord, if you see no need of my squad or myself, I was hoping I could have some time to myself to get out of the pyramid. I am not used to being cooped up for this amount of time."
He was silent, thinking over my request. "I can not think of any reason to keep this boon from you. The cats are far from the next stone, you may take up to a fortnight if you wish."
"Thank you my lord." I was truly thankful. He then walked next to me. He handed me a pouch which jingled.
"Consider this my appreciation for your hard work, you may take any transporter you wish. Enjoy yourself," and he turned to go back to his sarcophagus. I stood and walked back to my room to start packing. As I pulled out my pack I realized how few clothes I had. Two pairs of fighting clothes, a few loose shirts, two pairs of pants, two cloaks and a set of sleeping clothes. Mental of the others I had brought were worm down or destroyed by Grune's whipping. I would remedy that-for no reason I sadly realized. Going to bed, I would tell my men in the morning.
I woke up and dressed in one of my sets of training clothes and strapped on my weapons, leaving my armor in my locked room. My pack shouldered, I went to the cafeteria looking for my men, which unsurprisingly were the only ones there. They all stood as I entered, and I waved them down. I went up to Varan, Tegu and Kama who had fit in really well with the other men. They were surprised to see me with a pack and said so.
"Are we going on a mission?" Varan asked, alarm crossing his features as he was thinking he messed up on something.
"No, no nothing like that Varan. I am going on vacation for a few days, maybe up to a fortnight. You are in charge of the troops, I trust your decisions. Kama can join everyone else in training. "
"Thank you Amura. And excuse me for questioning you, but will you be safe by yourself?"
"I appreciate the concern, but I will be fine. No one except the remaining members of my race know I am aligned with Mumm-ra so I shan't receive any trouble, and I can defend myself. If I do come across them, I will send for you immediately."
The brown lizard before me nodded and saluted. I smiled and returned the gesture. I joined them for one last meal before I left for a vacation. They were wondering what I was going to do while I was gone. I was planning on taking a few days in a forest, being around nature then spend the rest of the time in a city, maybe get new clothes. They wished my safety and to have fun as I separated from them as they entered the training area and I continued to the basement where the transporters were. I didn't need a big one like the ones that my contingent arrived on, so I went further down the line. At the end were three that were for no more than four people. I jumped on one and put my pack and bow in the back, my daggers a constant comfort on my thighs. I decided to leave my pistol here, I didn't want to appear too heavily armed.
I drove across the desert, enjoying testing the speed of this smaller transporter, much faster than the larger one. I was also able to sit instead of standing the whole way. On the western edge, I followed a stream in through the forest until I reached the clearing that the stream came from. I stopped the transprorter and jumped off, walking to the mountain face. I was enjoying being in nature again; it had been too long. I stretched out and climbed up the cliff until I was about halfway, and looked at the view around me. It being the end of summer, it was still hot, but not terrible and the leaves were starting to lose their beautiful shades of green and turning into the warm autumnal hues that used to remind me of the one I loved. I wanted to get him out of my thoughts. He obviously cares not for me and I need to realize that and follow it. I will still help Lion-o get the throne, but I shan't serve them anymore.
I laid down on the warm stone and let the sun hit my pale fur and the breeze blew my lose hair around. I undid the holster from my waist and thighs, unbuckled the armor from my chest, and stripped down. I was out of view from any passerbys and wanted to enjoy this freedom to the fullest. I ran my fingers over the small scar on my coccyx. I could still remember as a cub, very young, having my tail. Before my third birthday, my parents had it removed to show my high rank among the other cats. I sighed, sometimes wishing I had it, but knew that I would never have been allowed in the Royal Guard or even in the upper courtyard with it as an adult.
I stayed at my perch until the sun's shadows started lengthening. I redressed and descended the cliff. I started walking into the woods and stopped occasionally sniffing the air, looking for food. My ears perked as I smelt a couple of feather rabbits on the wind. I jumped up the nearby tree and crawled along a branch until I saw the prey. There were three adults, and I decided I could take two for the time I would be staying in the woods. I moved to a crouch, so I could jump down and kill the two I wanted with my claws. I took a deep breath and jumped down, the 25 foot height not harming me at all as I ended two lives with my claws, watching the third flee to the safety of its' home. I cleaned them, and took the hides and meat back to where I was going to stay for my vacation. I put them on a cleared patch of ground as I gathered wood for a fire. I started it quickly and put them on a few flat stones to cook them as I went to gather the bread and vegetables I took from the kitchen. I cut some lettuce off and grabbed a small roll and returned to the fire, enjoying the warmth. I would let it die overnight, and sleep in the transporter on a pelt I brought along. It was more of a comfort thing; always having something covering myself.
The pungent smell of wild game was great and tasted even better. After wrapping the extra meat in some paper, I went to the back seat of the transporter and laid down, wrapping the warm fur after me. Looking up at the night sky with all those stars showing brought back memories; those memories appeared in my dreams as I drifted off to sleep.
DREAM FLASHBACK
My father and I were taking a secret trip camping up by the waterfall, we waited until dark and with us each having a pack, hugged my mother good bye and followed my father through the streets. Once arriving at the cliff we walked up the hill and enjoyed the silence of the night. We each laid out our sleeping hides and furs that my father had killed. Taking drinks from the pool, my father picked me up and twirled me around. He tossed me in the air and caught me before setting me on the ground. I walked over to the hides and laid down looking at the twinkling stars, few of which I knew the names of. After a while I sat up and looked over at my father.
"Daddy, why are we the only white tigers in Thundera?"
He took a deep breath before looking at me. "Sweetheart, you are a great example of our ancestors proud lineage, and if they saw you they would love you. But there are not a lot of us. Your mother and I were lucky to find each other. We don't mix well with the other Thunderans, and no one knows where the orange tiger clan lives. Just know you are special and don't let anyone tell you or treat you differently."
"Yes Daddy."After a short silence he brightly said, "Want to learn some more stars?" I nodded enthusiastically and flipped onto my back. He pointed towards the southern sky and pointed at a cluster of eight stars in a elliptical pattern and said, "That is the leaf. It made the shape of all the other leaves." Then he went to the east a bit towards a large diamond with a few extra stars around it. "That is called the strider. A legendary warrior's beast fell in battle and he asked the Gods to immortalize him." He continued pointing out stars as I fell asleep.
END FLASHBACK/WAKE UP
I heard a stick breaking in the woods and my eyes shot open, my hand discreetly moving to the dagger at my side. I looked around the clearing and I saw a family of long eared rabeer. They walked to the lake and took turns drinking while the others kept look out-almost as if they knew there was a predator nearby. They walked cautiously around my my transporter, sniffing it. I just watched-I had killed what I needed to eat until I moved on. The next few days were much the same; relaxing, training lightly, and thinking about the future of me and my troops and how I would help the other cats without betraying Mumm-ra who had done so much for me. My thoughts kept wandering on that-he protected me from Grune, he healed me and took me in, gave me command. If I was not a part of the Royal Guard, promising my life to protect the Royal family-now Lion-o first then Tygra, I would care not for the cats who I owed nothing too. My parents were gone, as were my friends in the guard. Only ones I knew were the ones causing me this dilema. Mumm-ra didn't deserve this betrayal; I felt guilty but I made my promise to the cats before Mumm-ra and I promised to follow it until my death or the loss of the Royal family.
When I realized my food had depleted from my first hunt, I packed up my gear and got back on the transporter. It was after my morning meal and I pulled out the map that I brought with me. I found where I was, the stream that led from this lake and looked for the nearest good sized city-ones that would most likely have lodging. It would be over half a days' ride, even at full speed. There was a mountain about another half-day's drive further north of the city. I decided to go back to the desert and head north until I needed to continue westward. I looked around bidding a silent farewell to this paradise I had found. I would go top speed once I reached the sandy expanse and enjoy the feeling letting my hair fly behind me.
When I got to the edge of the forest I continued for another few minutes before turning to a more westerly direction. The trip was about a third of the way over; and I still didn't know what city I was going to. I stopped when my stomach started to growl, eating the last of the bread I packed and some berries I found in the woods. Stretching out I climbed back on the transporter, firing up the unique engine.
As much as I enjoyed nature, being around people besides my men would be a nice change. I was starting to see the towers of bigger building and as I crested a hill I noticed a giant collesium in the middle and I remembered Slythe saying he "rescued" Kaynar from dungeons underneath a collesium in Dog City. I thought cynically about a cat staying there. I pulled into the city, significantly slowing. I stopped a nearby woman asking where I could find lodging as politely as I could.
She gave me the names of a few places and I noted my thanks to her. She nodded and continued on her way. I pulled out the bag of coins Mumm-ra gave me and noticed that it contained over fifty gold culens-the most valuable currency now that the cats' coin was worthless. I went to the most expensive hotel and asked for a room. The clerk nodded and gave me a key with the number 1137 on it. He assured me my transporter would be safe in their garage and I went up to my room with all my belongings. I opened the room and it smelled of cinammon-one of my favorite scents. I put my stuff away and went to examine more of the room. It had a king sized four poster bed, two dressers, a closet, a radio, and a balcony that looked over the collesium. In the bathroom it had a imbedded tub and a high showerhead. I growled appreciatively and changed into the one set of formal clothing I had-the only clean ones-to get the rest washed. The hotel would cost me four gold culens for the rest of my stay of ten days so I could spend freely.
In the full length mirror I looked at myself. I had my hair in a plait down my back, the dark blue shirt I had was revealing with a low cut and crossed back, but had long sleeves. My skirt was black and ended at my knees. I bagged my clothes and took them down to the front desk, asking for them to be laundered with an offer of a silver culen. The clerk was stumbling over his words in his haste to help me. I smiled and asked him where I could go to buy new clothes. He gave me a list of places and I smiled and thanked him. I decided to walk around until I saw one of these places. I was walking about ten minutes when I found a shop. The Cloud's Coat. I went in and it was a brightly lit store with maniquins and racks everywhere. I walked over to one rack that had blouses and pulled out a red one, holding it up to my torso. A woman interupted my thoughts, "That color is gorgeous on you."
I turned acknowldeging her, seeing that she was a collie. I smiled and thanked her, asking for her name. "I am Skye, do you need help with anything?"
"Yes, a lot actually. I am looking for a new wardrobe, classy clothes down to sleep wear."
"You want it all today?" She asked, looking at her watch.
"Oh no!" I laughed. "I have over a week."
She laughed in relief. "Oh good. How about you come in tomorrow afternoon and I will have a selection for you to go through? Let me get your measurement?" I nodded and she led me to a private room. She pulled out a tape measure and started measuring me, height, waist, chest, arms. She started asking me color preferences. I listed off the colors I wanted. After she finished, she asked if I wanted any other colors. I said I was good, and gave her my name and said that I would see her tomorrow.
I left and walked around some more, until I passed a restaurant. It was getting late and I was hungry. I entered and was surprised by the elegance of the place. It was softly lit and had candles on the tables and chandeliers added to the feel. I could tell that this would be great food. A perky young terrier greated me and seated me at a small table. I thanked her and looked over the menu until my server appeared.
He introduced himself as Shep, a German Shepard Dog and asked what he could get me to drink. I asked for their wIne menu, which he proferred and I looked it over. I asked for a bottle of the riesling and he nodded while I continued looking over the menu. By the time he came back, I had decided on the pasta with beschumel and chicken with fresh vegetables. He nodded and asked if I would like a salad to start the meal with. I nodded and he left after pouring me a glass of wine. I took a sip and looked around the restaurant. There were a lot of couples and I felt a twinge of loneliness, which I vowed to get over. I ate my salad when he brought it back and was pensive throughout my dinner. Towards the end of my meal I asked what there was to do in town. He listed off a few things but at the end mentioned, "The collesium is the best thing though. I can't remember the last time Pumyra lost." I perked up at the mention of her name.
"Pumyra did you say?"
"Ya, do you know her?" I smiled wanely.
"You could say that. Any way I could meet her?"
"Probably not hun. She is a prisoner after all. Almost as her hundreth win-then she gets her freedom back."
"Thank you, but if I wanted too-who could I talk to?"
"Dobo. He is the Pit Master." I nodded and he walked away. I finished my meal and got a dessert to go. The bill was eight sapas-the Dog City currency- which was one silver and one bronze culen. I left a single gold culen on the table and walked towards the door. I smiled at the excited yip from Shep as he saw the coin. I walked to the hotel and went up to my room. I took a hot bath, using the hotel's scents until I bought my own. I dried off and went to bed naked as I didn't have any sleeping clothes right now.
The next morning I awoke to the sun shining in the room, making it later than what I normally woke. I slipped out of the soft bed and pulled on a robe, wondering if my clothes were finished being washed as I didn't want to wear the same clothes from yesterday. I called down for room service and would ask when they came up about my clothes. I answered the door to a young hound and asked him about the status of my clothes. He said he would check and I thanked him as I ate my breakfast; eggs, toast, and sausage.
About half hour later there was a knock on my door and I answered, smiling when the same hound had my clothes. I thanked him again and gave him two sapas as a tip as well as the tray back. I dressed in my brown leather pants and a white loose shirt over my underclothes and tied back my hair with a piece of leather. I left the hotel around nine thirty and walked around the city. I passed by a small bakery and because of the enamoring scents of the bread, I almost missed the much subtler scents of lavendar and vanilla. I stopped and looked around trying to find the source of the smell. Ah, there. Away from the main street a bit was a shop called Scentsational. I walked over to it and entered the door. The scents enveloped me and I inhaled deeply. I looked to the walls looking at the different soaps. Vanilla, cocoa, honey, lavender, lemon and many more. After walking around a little bit an elderly collie came up to me.
"May I help you dear?"
"Yes, I need soap, shampoo and conditioner."
She nodded and sniffed me. "You like vanilla, cinammon and honey?" She asked.
I smiled and affirmed her guess. She pulled me around the store putting bottles and bars in a basket as we went. In the back she explained what she was going to do. "So in these bottles are the bases for everything, and in these are the scents you like. I will combine them in a favorable array. Would you like to stick around or swing back by?"
"I will swing by later, thank you." She agreed and I paid her the three sapas for everything before returning to the sunlight. From there I walked to the collesium to see what the hype was about. I entered the passageway and walked in to the arena, going up to the wall before stopping and taking in the grandeur. The sand floor in front of me was a 20 yard circle, completely smooth and clear of any gore...though I strongly believe that was more often than not, untrue. Raising all around me were bench seats and opposite of me, towards the cap of the collesium was a box with a grand chair in it. It is where I guessed the pit master would be seated.
I admired the arena for a few minutes before leaving, knowing that it was approaching noon, when I had me appointment at The Cloud's Coat. I found Skye, who led me to the left side of the store where there were private booths. I raised an eyebrow at the amount of clothes she had out and she looked down sheepishly. There were two piles of clothes each going to my knee in height. She led me to one door, and inside I saw some clothes hanging up.
"I decided start with something for you to sleep in, that way even if you don't find anything else you like you can have some nice sleeping ware."
"Thanks, I was missing some last night."I laughed a short while and she joined me. I slipped inside the changing room and pulled out a nightgown that had thin straps and went to my mid-thigh. It was a dark red in color and had black lace over the chest. I liked how it fit and put it in one pile to keep. The next item was a light blue pair of pants and a white shirt. I disliked this because it showed too much skin-my whole stomach and a decent portion of my chest. I disgarded this one and went through several more before I found a pair of black pants that went to my ankles and a silver top that was long sleeved even though it was a low v-neck. I kept this one as well, and one more before opening the door.
She asked which ones I liked and I showed her the smaller pile which she took out and placed by the counter before taking the unwanted items to another rack. I smiled, "What's next?"
She looked over the two piles and then held up a dress. "Formal wear?" I nodded and she picked up about a dozen hangers, putting them in the changing room before stepping out and allowing me to go in. "I want to see these!" she exclaimed as I closed the door. I laughed and pulled on the first one-which I had already decided against as it was white and in the ballroom style. Sweetheart neckline, close bodice and then a poofy skirt. There were silver embellishments and as I clipped the top of the zipper I stepped out. She turned and her excited expression immediately soured at seeing how I looked.
"Gee, thanks."I said full or sarcasm. She tried apologizing but I waved it away. We both just shook our heads and I went back inside. I loved the dresses I had back home, for the balls and festivals I used to attend, but that was a different life. The next one was a lot more appealing before I even put it on, with a halter top and an A-line frame it was silver in color and went all the way to the floor. I went out and spun, and she nodded. The next one was a strapless light blue dress that had a slit up the leg. It wasn't horrible but not amazing either. I chose one last dress before moving on to training clothes-white one shouldered dress which darkened to a caramel color as it past my knees.
Training and fighting clothes were much simpler- I chose close fitting shorts and pants in either brown or black, with many tight tops in a variety of colors. After, I got some blouses and skirts for casual clothes. I picked out a bathing suit that was flowing over the chest with straps and a pair of ribbons keeping up the bottoms. I was about to leave the changing room when she said, "Wait! I have one more thing for you."
I opened the door a bit and blindly reached for it. I liked the feel of the silk over my fur and turned to look at it. Upon seeing the color I dropped it immediately, disgusted. It was the same color as HIS eyes. I called back out to her that I wasn't interested in the dress and finished dressing. I gave her the dress and kept my eyes adverted. She took it and noticed I was upset.
"What's wrong? I thought you would look good in this, didn't mean to upset you."
"It isn't you Skye. Just," I took a big shaking breath, "it is a part of my past I wish to forget."
She nodded and threw it behind her shoulder. "If you want to talk about it, I will listen." I looked at her young face, probably never having left the city, never faced the hardships I have.
"How about you meet me at my hotel when you get off and we will talk about it over some take out." She nodded. I had grown to trust the collie, and figured if not I would never see her again when I left. I asked them to have the stuff delivered and bade her farewell. I went back to the scents shop as I walked back to the hotel and picked up my order. I went to the bakery next store and bought some rolls and cookies before gratefully reurning to my hotel room so I could rest.
I opened the door and stretched as I walked into the bathroom, putting the soap and shampoo on the bathtub before walking to the main part of the room. I put the bag from the bakery on the counter and decided to stretch since I couldn't do a full workout here. I started moving through a routine, starting with my head and working down to my feet. I was enjoying the burn when I heard a knock on my door. I finished my count on this stretch before walking to the door. It was the manager with all the clothes I bought on a trolley. I stepped aside and asked him to put them on the couch, tipping him two bronze sapas as he left. I finished the series of stretches and drank some water before walking to the couch. I knew that all the clothes wouldn't fit in my backpack; but I had a trunk at the Black Pyramid, and did not want to buy another. I would work on that later. And relax for the rest of today. I grabbed a glass of wine and a cookie from the bag and went to sit on the balcony. I heard music being played and realized it came from the collesium. I wondered if there was a match today, and figured there would be much more excitement if that was the case.
I lost track of time as I sat out there in the sun looking over the city, and was woken from my daydreams by another knock at the door. I stood, stumbling lightly and walked to the door, opening it to see Skye in a short, dark blue dress and invited her in. The music was still coming from the stadium, so after talking to her for a bit I asked her about it.
"Oh, that. They are marching the potential opponents to go up against Pumyra tomorrow. The top few choices will spar lightly to decide the-winner I guess-to go against her."
"So the match is tomorrow?" She nodded and sat on the bed. "I definitely want to check it out. Need any tickets to get in?"
"No. Just make sure you show up early to get good seats. And be excited." She laughed and then walked to the balcony, taking in the view of the city. I walked next to her and offered her a glass of wine. She accepted and I asked where she lived.
"About a mile down that way, middle class housing." I nodded and we enjoyed the silence before my stomach growled. We both loooked at it, then each other and laughed.
"What is there for take out?" I asked, confused. She thought it over for a minute before listing off a couple places. "What is the noodle place?" I was intrigued.
"You can choose which kind of noodles you want, sauce, meat and vegetables. It's really good."
"Let's do that! How far of a walk is it?"
"Well never walked from here,"she looked around some, "maybe ten minutes." I nodded and made sure my foot wraps were tight as we headed towards the door. "You are going out like that? I feel over dressed now." She mock pouted and I looked over my attire again. White blouse and brown pants. I gestured to the couch and she pulled out a black dress I got-it only had one sleeve and was very tight going to my knees with lace detailing over the black fabric. I sighed and held out my hand for it, going to the bathroom to change. My breast bindings were white, and for a minute I was afraid it would show through the black dress, but luckily it didn't. I undid the leather cord holding back my striped hair and quickly finger-combed it before leaving the bathroom. She nodded as we left and I let her tell me where to go, not worrying about getting attacked.
Walking in the to the small store, I was hit with the smells of peppers and onions. She showed me the menu, and let me look it over as she waited in line. I joined her after choosing what I wanted and ordered. It didn't take long for the food to be ready and we walked back to my room. We sat on the balcony and talked while eating. After the sun had been set for a few hours and she said she needed to get home, her boyfriend would start to worry. I nodded and thanked her again, showing her to the door. I changed into my blue shirt and sleeping pants that I bought and went to the bed, having a fulfiilled day.
The next morning I awoke and could feel the excitement in the air. It was fight day. I wanted to see this Pumyra, who I had never met in Thundera, and who held such favor with Mumm-ra. I ate the rolls I bought from the bakery and took a shower using the new scents I bought, dressing nicely in a dark green shirt and a black skirt and walked out of my room, heading towards the collesium. I was about to enter through another doorway than last time when I stopped, something catching on the air. I lifted my nose and pulled back my lips slightly to get a better tell of what and where the scent was coming from. I followed it to the left of the archway. About half a dozen yards down there was a smaller doorway, which had a few torches on the wall and headed downhill. I took another deep inhale making sure this is where the familiar scent was coming from.
I looked around and made sure no one was watching, and wishing at the same time I had a weapon on me. I could defend myself without one, but the weight was a comfort to me. I took a deep breath and descended into the earth. After a few minutes the passage widened and I gasped. All around were cells, filled. Some had lizards, some had birds, a few had dogs, and then even more species. But there, the second cell on the right, is the one that drew me here. I went up to the bars and looked in, ignoring all the cat calls. There, covered in dirt and mud and more malnourished then I have ever seen him was my old friend from the Royal Guard. There, in the muted light from the torches, was Bobcan. He was leaning against the back wall, and the tawny color of his fur was unkept the dark spot fading into the mud that covered him. I barely saw any of the white on his legs, but what I saw was bloodied. I rested my head against the bars, feeling the tears raising in my eyes. I whisper his name and his head rolls slowly.
"Who is there to mock me now?" his voice, no longer its full timber was now hoarse.
"Bobcan, it's me. Amura." I say softly, knowing his tufted ears would hear.
He scoffs. "No one survived that attack, unless they were taken a slave."
My heart felt constricted at his answer before a burst of anger coursed through me. "What happened to you? Whenever we used to joke about being taken captive, you would always say you would not rest until they all were dead. Now you are a mess and not even trying to escape." I was beathing heavily at this point and my voice raised.
"Only three people ever knew that." He gathered himself and stood, keeping his head down as he walked to the bars. "Of those three I know one is dead and another is miles from here." I could hear his deep inhale as he prepared himself. He kept his eyes closed as he looked up, and then the yellow- green eyes hit my forest green ones and he back pedaled a few steps before blinking a few times and slowly walked forawrd again.
"Amura. It cannot be," he reached out a hand to the bars. I put my hand against his, feeling how cold he was.
"Bobcan, you have known me since I was 14. You have watched me grow from a teenager to adult. You know my voice- all the joking and drills we went through together. If nothing else, you know my scent is the same, despite how different everything else has changed. "
He closed his eyes and sniffed the air. After a few seconds a look of realization came across his face. His eyes open slowly and he wrapped his fingers around mine. "Amura, how?"
"It is a very long story, but I don't want to tell you here. I will get you out of here. I promise." He smiled and thanked me, squeezing my hand.
"I will see you tomorrow. I don't care what it takes; I promise I will do whatever in my power to get you out of here."
I saw the water gathering in his eyes, his untold gratitude. I bit my lower lip and lowered my hand, slowly backing away. I sneaked out of the tunnel and joined the throngs entering the main part of the collesium. I was tossed around a bit by the crowd before landing in a seat. The first one in the arena was a species I was unfamiliar with; the head was boomerang shaped and he was slate colored, his skin like armor. In hand he held a scythe on a long chain. Even though I could tell he was battle worn, having many healed over scars, he seemed nervous about his fight against Pumyra, who I was excited to see fight.
In the box I noticed yesterday was a tall, well muscled male dog with spiked shoulder guards. Dobo. I needed to talk to him even more now.
"Thank you all for coming today. Today the opponent, all the way from the southern sea is Salik facing against the champion Pumyra!" The cheers around me were deafening as the queen that Mumm-ra showed me stepped into the arena. Prisoner she may be, but she was in immensely better shape than Bobcan. I watched her nimbly dodge all the attacks before shooting her wrist bow, injuring his shoulder before pulling his weapon from his hands and using it to finish him. The whole fight lasted less than five minutes and I was impressed. Before the crowd started moving I snuck around to head up to where the Pit Master rested. I was stopped by a pair of guards and was questioned.
"Who are you and why do you wish to see the Pit Master?" One asked.
I kept my voice level add I responded, "I have heard great things of th he Pit Master and wished to speak to him, if he would grant me an audience."
At that moment he emerged and eyed me. I met his gaze and he nodded for me to join him. The guards held back the red curtain and I got a birds eye view of the now mostly deserted coliseum. He offered me a chair and a glass of wine. "I am at a disadvantage young'un, you know my name but I don't know yours."
I offered my hand and he took it kissing the air above the knuckles. "Amura is what I am called." He nodded and took a minute before asking what I wanted. "Though I have heard about your feats, that is not why I came here. Originally I wanted an audience with the champion Pumyra, though that also had changed."
I took a deep breath and he gestured for me to continue. "I will admit I trespassed earlier. I was about to enter the coliseum when I caught a scent." Here I tapped my nose. He smiled, "I went into a tunnel that led to cells. There I saw one I recognized."
He responded here, "The Thunderean Tom." It was my turn to nod. We were both silent. "What is it you would like?" he was amiable, but I saw the hard glint in his eyes.
"I would like to negotiate his freedom." The Pit Master was pensive for a while, swirling his wine and looking at me.
"He may go free, on one condition." I figured as much and nodded. "It has been a long time since I was in the arena, and even longer since I was up against a cat. You defeat me in a non death match and he will go with you. Do you accept my terms?"
I thought it over, knowing that this decision would mean a lot. "If I were to be non victorious?"
"You stay here for your 100 victories before you are released." Another minute or so and I held out my hand. He took it and we shook soundly, solidify our deal. "Tomorrow at sunset, we will fight." I agreed, turning to leave.
"Dobo, who was the last cat you fought?"
"My former battle partner, Panthro." I nodded and let going to my room to prepare for tomorrow.
So, this was going to end with her entering the tunnel, but it flowed well. Ley me know what you think?
