Taramis sprinted along the thick branches of an immense tree. She needed to clear her mind. She wanted solitude. There was a sick feeling in her stomach she could not rid herself of. Kareala was missing and the young huntress was sure Amnextria was behind the leopard's disappearance. It was too convenient. The day after she reported back to the queen, Kareala was not seen again.
The guilt was making her edgy, she wanted to be as far away from the city as possible. Kareala was always nice to her. The leopard female was the only attendant that was pleasant to the non-lion huntresses. Kareala offered advice on everything from hunting to swordplay. The other attendants only acknowledged the lion huntresses. And they were becoming more numerous. Each day a new huntress was added. Each day a new lion huntress was added, she thought while more deserving cats were sent home. Taramis had seen too many young females heart-broken by Amnextria and her cruel personal attendant, Oona. Thoughts of the well muscled lioness sent chills down the ocelot huntress's spine.
That was one odd female, she thought. Somehow, she always seems to be around when we are disrobing or bathing. It was unsettling to say the least. Taramis leaped down to another branch somersaulted over another before sailing through the air to another tree. She caught a branch using both hands to swing herself around, spinning and landing on another branch. This acrobatic display was impressive but a common skill among the smaller agile ocelots. She stood there and breathed deeply. The smell of the jungle was refreshing. It was home.
Taramis leaned against the tree as something caught her sight among the branches. Some cat was moving quickly. The hooded figure darted swiftly through the trees. Taramis shadowed the lone cat, keeping herself hidden. Her huntress training and her natural grace allowed her to move silently.
Could this cat be responisble for Kareala's disapearance, she thought as she eased through the upper branches of the jungle forest.
WilyKit moved along the jungle. He could cover a great distance in the dense jungle. There were many cats moving through the jungle. He had to get closer to the palace. He leaped and jumped through the jungle with ease. His Thundercat training enhanced by the natural abilities all cats seemed to possess allowed him to move ease. His senses told him some cat was following him. Some cat with skills. There was not a branch or leaf out of place as his follower pursued him.
WilyKit moved lowered down into the denser and darker part of the jungle. In certain parts of the jungle, little light penetrated the thick trees. He landed and moved quietly through the underbrush. He heard the footfalls of the unseen intruder. This cat is well trained, WilyKit thought. He could barely hear its approach. Closer, closer. He drew his sword silently and then lunged forward. Clang! His blow was blocked!
WilyKit stood there not sure what to do as his sword met the blade of this young huntress. She was beautiful, he thought. Long raven colored hair and hazel eyes which showed determination. Her gleaming breastplate armor covered her supple breast. WilyKit allowed his eyes to follow the graceful line of her body. Her midriff was bare. A short red kilt covered her slim hips. She wore knee high boots, WilyKit admired her the smoothness of her bare thighs. She noticed his gaze and slashed again. He easily parried her blow.
"I am a huntress, fool!" She stated proudly. A huntress and a maiden! She had caught the glance of many male cats, but her vow was sacred. Until her duty was done, she was pledged to remain a maiden.
"Forgive me, milady. I meant no offense," WilyKit said. The feelings of guilt and humiliation nearly overtook him. He could not couple with any female. Flashes of his sister and the detestable things Mumm-Ra forced them to do, with each other and with his own vile putrid flesh. WilyKit had never known the loving touch of a female. His childhood and his future were forever tainted. He had not felt desire like this in a long time.
"You will come with me to the palace. There you will give account to Lord Lion-O as to why you are sneaking around the palace," Taramis ordered. She pointed her sword at him.
"I mean no harm, young huntress," he said backing away from her.
She closed the distance, "You are coming with me! If you have done anything to Lady Kareala, I will personally..."
"Who is Lady Kareala?", WikyKit asked. His instinct told him to run but something inside him wanted to remain in the company of this young female for awhile longer.
"Lady Kareala, the Queen's missing attendant. A leopard female and if you have harmed her, you will suffer the consequences," she said.
His cloak hid his expression. So, she is the Queen's attendant. But who tried to kill her? There were still many questions. If she was the one of the Queen's attendants that meant Lion-O was going to be involved and WilyKit was not interested in dealing with him right now.
"I had nothing to do with the disappearance of this attendant. Now if you will excuse me young huntress, I will take my leave," he threw a pellet at the ground which exploded into a cloud of gas. His movement was so quick Taramis had no time to react. She was coughing and gasping. When she opened her eyes. The mysterious hooded figure was gone.
Amnextria was a bundle of nerves. Gone was the calm, confident queen. Her father had summoned her to his home. The palace her father lived in rivaled that of Lion-O. It was huge and lavishly decorated. The guards bowed before her and opened the wide doors allowing her to enter.
Her father was in the inner courtyard of his palace. There were several other lions around him. All of them noticed her and bowed deeply.
"Leave us," her father ordered. Amnextria's heartbeat raced. She hated being alone with her father. Every since...she refused to allow the memory to take hold. She was a grown female now.
"Follow me," he ordered her. She fell in step behind him as he led her to his private chambers. "Close the door," he said. Amnextria obeyed and as soon as she turned around, she met his fist. It slammed into her face knocking her backward against the wall. She knew better than to cry out. His private chamber was soundproof.
"Would you mind informing me, why you have been taking contreceptive herbs? What are you thinking? You should be with cubs by now! You will answer me!" he demanded.
She looked at him shocked. How did he know?
"Don't look so surprised. Do you think I have not spies of my own within the palace? Do you think you are beyond my grasp because you are now queen?" He closed the distance and stood over her menacingly.
Instinctively, her hand went to a dagger at her side, the move was a mistake. Trion lunged at her. He grabbed her roughly and threw her across the room. She landed on his large bed. He walked to her slowly, his intent clear. She kicked at him, not again, she screamed in her mind. Her father's abuse of her began when she was still but a young female. He was always rough and forceful. Sex with males was pain and degradation to her. During her later teen years, a female attendant of her father's taught her many things, what true pleasure was. A pleasure that could only be had with other females. Male love was intrusive and painful. She had sworn to never to allow a male to mount her, but her father arrainged her marriage to Lion-O
She tried as always to fight her father off. He held some dark power over her. She would always be that scared little female in his presence. She would let no other see her pain, not even Oona. He father ripped her clothing off her body and slammed her down on the bed.
"Perhaps, I will create my own heir. A pure blood heir. Lion-O will never know the cub is not his," he said beginning to get aroused by the power he had over his daughter. "It was done in a great many families on Old Thundera. Bloodlines had to be preserved," he stated as if giving his daughter a history lesson. She fought back fiercely. He grabbed her around the throat as he settled on top of her. She nearly was nearly unconscious. He was always careful not to leave too many bruises. Just enough pressure to force her to stop fighting.
"It has been too long that you have been away from me. It's time for you to know the touch of a real male again," he said as he slammed into her. He savagely raped his daugher. She only grunted and endured the humiliation. Silent tears ran down her cheek.