Karina and Mowgli had just been taken out of the throne room that continued to enjoy the revelry that was the celebration and laughter from the fiasco that had happened at the end of the performance between the Primate Queen and, Karina.
"Eww." Karina groaned in disgust as her fur and hair all over her upper body were completely sticky from the grape juice that had fallen on her. Her tanned coat of her body was stained purple and her one almost got stuck within her hair as she tried to adjust it as she walked with, Mowgli close by her side. One of the guards was leading them while another guard followed close behind keeping his spear pointed behind them to keep them going and to make sure they didn't get an idea while they took them to where their, King told them they would be staying for the rest of the night.
Mowgli stayed by his friends side very concerned about her. He hated what had happened to her back in the throne room. It was horrible to see, Karina all dirty and sticky and made such a mockery of. She was a very kind and sincere wolf. She was kind and caring and did not deserve what had happened.
Karina noticed that, Mowgli was looking up at her with worry in his eyes, but she gave a gentle pat on his back assuring that she was okay though that was entirely the truth. She was very humiliated and full of rage at this moment. But she could let herself do something foolish not while they are in the middle of the palace with so many guards about. To try something now would be entirely foolhardy.
"Keep up now!" The Lead monkey in front of the two told them as they came upon a familiar spiral staircase that made, Karina think they could be heading to where she was bathed in such a humiliating way and dressed in the disgraceful outfit she was adorned in.
They moved down two stories and, Karina saw downward that the stairway was getting darker if they go down one more flight they would be indeed heading for the chambers where she had been disgraced just as bad as she was at the end of the performance she had practiced with, Queen Abra all day.
Before they could head deeper down the stairs the lead monkey stepped off on the floor before they could go any further. "Keep following." He ordered as the monkey behind the two slaves pointed with a fowl smelly finger between, Karina and Mowgli telling them to obey as they did.
Karina was now curious where were they going? It was obvious now they were not being taken back to the dungeon nor were they being taking to what she would call the bathing chambers where could they be taken to? King Louie said they were going to rewarded she only hoped that this reward he spoke of was not going to be anything that would just add to both her and, Mowgli's misery.
Mowgli took, Karina's hand and squeezed it fearfully. He was worried that perhaps this reward could be something terrible. Having spent his whole day with the terrible, Beretta he worried that his and, Karina's safety was at risk. Karina held, Mowgli's hand and gave him a kind smile trying to assure that they will be okay though she too was having doubts as they followed the monkey through the halls and outside they could see the sun was already down and only what little light was left shined in the distance indicating it would be dark very soon.
The group past more patrolling guards as it seemed one cannot walk anywhere without being spotted this would put a great damper on, Karina and, Mowgli's escape efforts. Many primate eyes looked upon the slaves and snickered and laughed. Some even whistled at, Karina as her outfit made her bodily features look quite attractive for a wolf, she returned their gestures with glares and growls but all that did was make them laugh more.
The two were led through some of the halls till it seemed they reached the far side of the palace where they came upon a wooden door that was guarded by two monkeys. "Here is where you will be staying for the night as ordered by our, King!" The Monkey that lead them said.
"What's in there?" Karina asked holding, Mowgli close.
"You will find out, girl. Now stay where you are while I make sure I get what, King Louie said to be provided." The Monkey ordered before brushing past, Karina knocking into her shoulder on purpose with a sly smile on his face as he left down the hall leaving, Karina and Mowgli to be guarded by the one who escorted them and the two guards at the door.
The Two slaves remained where they were as they did not want to provoke the guards by any means. Karina only wished she had a blade in hand. Recalling how they were first captured she was subdued only by being rushed by a great number of monkeys but if the numbers were smaller and they didn't come at her all at once then she would have had a chance.
It pained Karina recalling how she and, Mowgli were captured. With the sudden subduing of, Exon and their escorts it was up to her to protect, Mowgli and she failed when she allowed herself to be taken down like she was. There was no excuse. The numbers were against her, but she still failed and now she was suffering for it along with, Mowgli how could she face, King Rama and Queen Raksha for this if she and, Mowgli found a way to escape?
The two waited where they were for almost an hour. Mowgli couldn't stand anymore and sat down to rest his feet. He was greatly exhausted as he never knew so much work before and the thought of, Beretta crossed his mind. He shivered as her cold and careless nature chilled him to his bones. She was without remorse and mercy forcing him to clean without hardly a break and she even threatened to hurt him if he dared even complain. She already did scare him to the point where he felt his life would be in danger and she already hurt him by dragging him to the throne room earlier.
He couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her as she told him of her suffering throughout the years and how she lost parts of herself due to cruelty. She and her race were banished for their actions ages ago but for what was done to her by two cruel humans no one should suffer that. But what she was doing now was no different. What all the primates were doing to them only added to the reason why they were banished so long ago. If only he and his friend could escape, then he could warn his father and mother about what they are planning.
Eventually the very guard that lead them to where they were returned with two more monkeys behind him. They were female possibly handmaidens or lower servants and they were carrying a tray filled with various fruits and the other had a jug and two glasses in her hands. Karina suspected that jug was carrying juice she scoffed as she had enough juice for the evening as her body was soaked from it from, Queen Abra's childish knock at the end of their performance in the throne room.
"Here you are, slaves. Food and drink curtesy of my, King." The Primate presented as; Karina only gave him a glare. Nothing would bring her satisfaction than only having her and, Mowgli's freedom returned and retribution for all that has happened to them under the Primates.
"Do hope you enjoy the accommodations this evening. Its usually my King and Queen who only use this room." The Monkey told them with some slight jealousy in his voice as he had the female monkeys take the food and refreshments into the room.
"I don't think we will at all!" Karina huffed as, Mowgli stood back up.
The Monkey gave an angry look. "Its that kind of attitude that would see you punished more often than rewarded. Be thankful, girl!" The monkey servants exited the room their hands empty walking past the wolf and mancub to return to their duties. With the door slightly opened a very warm wave of air came from it. It was almost calming and felt like it was the dry time of the year within it.
"Get inside and don't make a fuss!" The Monkey ordered pointed towards the open door. Karina and Mowgli had no choice and reluctantly walked to the door as the warm air within hit them like a wave on a raging river.
Karina was first to enter then, Mowgli just as walked inside the monkey then slammed the door shut and locked the door from the outside trapping the two of them in the room. Mowgli sighed turning to face the door not noticing what was in front of them as, Karina was looking on ahead with surprise.
Mowgli put a hand on door and looked down sadly. "Karina…I…I just want to go home." He whimpered getting, Karina's attention. Karina came up behind, Mowgli putting her hands on his shoulders and rubbed them gently.
"There there, Mowgli." She cooed. "Have faith. I know soon we will find a way out of this and I am certain your father has sent a party out to look for us. I believe in my heart they will find us. Now, come let us make use of what apparently was given to us."
"What do you mean?" Mowgli asked wiping a tear that began to form in his eyes. Karina turned, Mowgli around and showed him what they were given. He was taken by surprise what he saw.
At center of the room he now understood why the air was so warm there was a small pool that steaming water come up from it. It was a warm spring that didn't look very deep but the water itself was undoubtably warm if it was able to heat up the entire room. He spotted the tray of fruits and the jug of juice and glasses near the pool and there were three torches upon sconces on the walls to light up the room as it was already getting dark.
There was a partially broken mirror on a stand near the wall with a cushioned chair in front of it. And upon the wall near it was oriel window that shown outside. Karina immediately ran over to it and reached up to it but the bars upon it were unfortunately sturdy. There was rust upon them and they were planted deep within the stone there was no way to remove them without a heavy tool to bash through them. It was too much to hope for as she turned back to see, Mowgli walked up to the pool to test the water sticking a finger into it to see that it was indeed warm.
"I'm sorry, Mowgli but the bars are strong there's no way we can leave until the Primates come for us." She apologized as she walked to the pool and sat down near its edge slowly submerging her legs into it and sighed as the warm water relaxed her aching feet from all the dancing she had done earlier.
Mowgli nodded in understanding as he crawled to the plate of fruit and grabbed a mango to eat. He was hungry as the days work now had caught up to him. He was still rather hungry as he only got to eat so much before he was made to watch the entertainment consisting of, Queen Abra and his friend.
Karina enjoyed the warm water that spring had. Within the swamp as the ruins were once built a warm spring must have been found and they constructed a room around it within the palace. Now she knew why the monkey mentioned that their, King and, Queen were the only ones who used this room. It figured they would keep some of the palaces luxuries only to themselves and rewarding both her and, Mowgli a stay in this room only showed their intentions were to truly keep them for a long time.
This angered, Karina but for the time being she had some gratitude one that she would not say out loud as the warm spring offered her the chance to cleanse herself and clean up her sticky fur.
She slowly lowered herself into the water letting her body become adjusted to warm and clear water. After all she went through this day it felt so relaxing. She closed her eyes as the water cleansed her of her sweat and her exhaustion as the day's trials were more than what she could take, and the spring was a great relief.
The Water only was deep enough for it to reach her knee's which made her completely submerged herself into the pool to let her entire body be absorbed within. She raised back out of the water taking a quick breath and began to rub her body down cleaning off the remnants of the grape juice that spilled all over her body.
Mowgli had finished his mango and was helping himself to a few grapes that were on the plate when he looked at the pool to see, Karina washing herself. He was awe as the water washed all the filth that was left over her body. She rubbed over every little purple spot on her washing them away. She scrubbed hard on some of the spots that required some work as her natural beauty began to show again.
The Mancub's face started to go red as, Karina looked so ravishing as the combination of warm waters and steam rising from the pool made, Karina seem a flower freshly blooming. Karina had her hair over her should and tried to wipe it clean when she noticed that, Mowgli was staring at her. The second her eyes made contact with his, Mowgli looked away from her so embarrassed that he bit on his finger with his face aflame with embarrassment.
Karina smiled and giggled as, Mowgli's shyness was ever a delight and with how they were stuck together in that room he shouldn't feel so sheepish.
"Aww…Mowgli its okay. No need to feel as you are." She assured as she finished rubbing through her hair feeling that she had gotten the last of the sticky substance out of it and lowered her head back underwater letting her hair get rinsed off and rose back up throwing back her splashing it about unintentionally splashing some water fragments onto, Mowgli.
"Hey!" He yelled from the sudden splash of water falling onto his skin making, Karina giggle as she shimmied around the side of the pool tell she was near, Mowgli.
"Why don't you join, Mowgli? The water is nice and warm." She welcomed putting up her left leg kicking out some of the water wiggling her toes before lowering it back under the surface.
Mowgli didn't know what to say. Was it alright? The Pool did look quite welcoming but with, Karina occupying it he wasn't sure but, Karina gently grabbed his left hand. "Come in, Mowgli. Come and relax with me." She slowly pulled him to the water where he stepped in and immediately, he felt a wave of comfort from the warm water and quickly settled himself next to, Karina sighing in relief.
"See? The water is quite relaxing isn't it?" She asked as she laid back letting the pool relax her just as much, Mowgli.
"It does feel good." Mowgli admitted though he was sitting right next to, Karina and seeing her all cleaned up and dripping with water made her figure look heavenly that he looked away again.
Karina noticed this and smiled putting an arm around, Mowgli pulled him next to her. "Are you well, Mowgli? You weren't hurt when you were alone, were you?" She asked.
Mowgli shook his head. "I wasn't really hurt but, Beretta…she did scream and yell at me a lot and she did pull me around when I was being taken back to the throne room." Karina growled angrily hearing that. The Primate responsible for their capture dared treat, Mowgli in such a manner. If only she could have just had five minutes with her. She would regret the very moment she believed she could treat him like that.
"I'll skin her alive for this!" She vowed making, Mowgli look up in concern making her realize she was starting to scare him.
"Oh, no. I'm sorry, Mowgli. I'm only angry at, Beretta, not you." She apologized bringing her other arm around him pulling him into a hug and, Mowgli did the same feeling so safe and cared in her arms. They stayed in their hug for nearly minute as they both were relieved that the other was alright and that they had each other's company brought great relieve in their hearts.
Slowly they let go of each other as they remained by each other's side. Mowgli smiled at, Karina as she gave him hope and made him believe that there could be a way for them to get of this palace and away from these primates. For now, he was just happy to be alone with her. He reached out from the pool and pulled the plate of fruit over so that, Karina could have something to eat.
Karina petted, Mowgli's head thankfully as she quickly helped herself to some of the delicious fruits that were left for them in the room. Mowgli made him himself a glass of juice from the nearby jug with the cups that were left for them as well as he sipped the tasty substance as, Karina ate a banana and an apple.
As they both ate and drank, Mowgli's thought went back to the celebration earlier that day. He couldn't help but think of, Karina. He remembered how she was dancing. Her style and poses were something to behold but he remembered she maintained a hateful and sour look as she performed. He was so used to seeing her smile and enjoy herself as dancing was a passion of hers. She now was hating it and it made him feel terrible.
Seeing Mowgli was becoming upset, Karina quickly finished her apple. "What's wrong, Mowgli?"
"Its about that party we were a part of. I'm so sorry, Karina." He sighed.
"Mowgli, its not your fault at all." She assured not truly understanding what he meant.
"I'm sorry you now hate what you once loved." Mowgli said feeling bad for his friend.
"And that is?" The Wolf girl asked.
"Dancing. Its how we first met. I remember seeing you for the first practicing with my aunt." Mowgli recalled his happy memory. "Then how you invited me to dance with you and how it was the start of our friendship."
Karina smiled recalling that wonderful memory it only seemed like yesterday. "Yes, I remember and such a wonderful day it was."
"When I ran away you made me realize my mistake. You stayed by my side when I faced my parents. You taught me how to use a bow and took me on my first and successful hunt and we danced together during the Moon Festival." Mowgli continued to recall those great times with, Karina. If it wasn't for her she wouldn't' know where he would be now.
Karina held, Mowgli gently as his recollection of their past times together made her smile. Each of those memories were something behold.
"I'm sorry that you are now hating to dance. I understand how much you like to but because of this you hate it now." Mowgli apologized.
Karina cocked her head at, Mowgli in confusion. "Mowgli, I don't hate dancing because of her current enslavement. I despise that I have to dance and entertain our captors against my will, but I don't hate what I take pride in." She said to him gently petting his hair.
Mowgli was glad to hear that she didn't hate it but still felt bad that she had to do something she loved by being forced to. "Still I'm truly sorry we are here."
"Don't worry at all, Mowgli. We will be alright. I just know the spirits are looking out for us and soon we shall be free again." She smiled and thought of a way to show him that she still loved one of the things she was most passionate about.
"To show you that I still and always love to dance would you like me to dance for you?" She asked standing up stepping into the center of the pool as, Mowgli looked up at her in surprise.
"Would you really do that?" He responded only for her to affectionately take hold of his chin.
"For you, Mowgli I would do anything." She posed with her body to side holding onto, Mowgli's chin with a soft smile as, Mowgli smiled up at her before she let go and began to wave her arms in the air.
She slowly waved her hips side by side waving her arms about. She twirled in a small rhythm letting her mind play gentle tune for her as she began to perform for the one, she cared for. Mowgli watched with a large smile as the wolf girl moved her arms up and down and waved them about like a snake slithering through the grass.
Karina lifted up her right leg and posed for a moment not taking her eye off, Mowgli unless having to blink she hugged her body and twirled a little faster to send ripples through the water as the steam from the pool added to her flare.
Mowgli sighed dreamingly as he watched, Karina perform for him. He felt gentle waves in the water as she shook her hips and would turn around letting him see her entire body. He wondered how she ever became so proficient at dancing? All he could figure was years of practice. As he did first meet her when she was practicing with his, Aunt who was known to be the greatest of all dancers known in the Wolf Kingdom which is how she became a teacher for it to all young ones in her elder years.
Karina kept her private performance going for, Mowgli. She may have tired herself out from the party earlier but now that she was alone with, Mowgli and in need for something to keep his mind off their situation and to show how much she did care for him she continued her dance for the young prince.
Her body waved about like a snake coming from a pot. The water upon her body added to her performance and the dimly lit torches made her look ravishing within the tiny room. To Mowgli this was, Karina's greatest performance yet. He was honored to have her giving him a show. He was humble and something within his heart started to make him feel something like a lit flame upon a candle that started to make his heart melt. Karina was a true being of good. He didn't know if it was luck that he came across her or was it a blessing but either way he was so happy to have her.
Karina then stopped standing in pose with her left hand on her hip and her right arm extended outward in a final pose to finish her performance as her hair dangled over her shoulder and she gave the mancub a heartfelt smile.
"How was that?" She asked.
Mowgli took a few moments to let himself ease. The Performance he had watched left him rather hypnotized. Karina was something else entirely and he had no words to say. All he could do was bring his hands together and clapped while giving her the biggest smile he could make.
Karina giggle seeing how her little show for, Mowgli left him speechless which was exactly what she was hoping for. She bowed lightly at his applause for her and stepped out of the pool. She shook her fur getting as much water off of her as possible some of it splashing a little on, Mowgli's face getting him to completely snap out of his trance.
"Hey! That's twice now!" He complained through his smile still amazed by what he had just watched as he stood up dripping wet stepping out of the pool himself.
"Sorry." Karina replied with a giggle as she adjusted her hair rolling some of it and squeezing what little water remained over the side of the pool. Mowgli realized that the room lacked any kind of cloth or towels. He and, Karina had nothing to dry themselves with.
"Oh, man we don't have anything to dry ourselves with." He said with a gruff.
"Maybe so. But the room is rather warm from the pool." She told the mancub. "We can let the humid air dry ourselves off."
"Good idea." Mowgli approved as he wiped himself off with his hands trying to at least get most of the water off of him. He was still partially wet along with, Karina but her suggestion may prove wise to follow.
Karina then yawned as now she was more tired than ever. She could see outside the window the moon was already in the sky and the days trials now had caught up with her. She moved over to where, Mowgli stood and sat down against the wall.
"Mowgli. Why don't you sit me again?" She offered with her arms out as, Mowgli was surprised by her suggestion.
"Are you sure?" He asked as the previous night they did sit together with him laying in her lap though it was kind of her he still was rather shy about it.
Karina grabbed, Mowgli's wrists and pulled him down to her and settled him on her lap. Mowgli shook nervously in her grasp as they both were still rather wet from the warm spring, but she held him gently and with care.
"Relax, Mowgli. Its alright." She cooed placing his head just under hers and nuzzled his hair and hugged him close. Mowgli relaxed in, Karina's hold and smiled taking his hand and gently grabbed onto her hand which was wrapped around his chest. He couldn't have a better friend she made him happy and safe even in this circumstance she made him feel hopeful and grasped upon that hope and with, Karina with him he knew that her words had to be true. They may escape from this madness somehow. Tomorrow held a mystery but for the time being he was glad to be within the arms of the wolf girl he was proud to call his friend.
Karina gently rocked, Mowgli. He felt so small in her arms. His bare wet skin upon her fur tickled a little as she rocked him. She had grown to greatly care for, Mowgli not only due only to their current predicament but they shared so much in common despite their differences in nature. They each have gone through great trials in their young years and so many have been against them for what and who they are.
Karina found something within herself that made her compare with, Mowgli. She wished she could express it but didn't know what, Mowgli would think if she did say it. As her mind dabbled with questions, she heard a light snore come from under her head. She stopped her rocking and moved her head over to the left to see that, Mowgli had fallen asleep upon her. He snuggled a little into her chest and with a slight smile on his face.
"Aww…" Karina quietly mewed as, Mowgli looked so adorable. "Good night, Mowgli. Pleasant dreams, my sweet prince." Karina kissed the side of, Mowgli's head as he mumbled from the sudden affectionate move. If he was awake, he would have realized what had happened, but he was already within the realm of dreams.
Karina laid her head back holding, Mowgli close and shut her eyes as she eventually fell asleep and prayed that the spirits would aid them in their time of need.
"Confound it!" Exon growled as he had been searching the surrounding swamp for any sign of the primates that took, Karina and Mowgli. Ever since his father had sent out the scouting party to follow what little trail the wagon that possibly was carrying his brother and friend that lead further into the swamp he and rest of the warriors that remained searched the area along with his father, King Rama.
All day they had split up into groups to search for anything that could lead them into finding the lost two subjects of the Wolf Kingdom or any kind of trace of the Primates. But the days search was a failure. Every wolf that had gone out from where they had found the deepened tracks of the wagon found nothing. The Swamp proved unfavorable as not a single clue could be found within the confines of the foul swamplands. Their enemies had proven they were far cleverer than they once were in ages past. They managed to throw off their trail by trekking through such a mire place.
The Moon had risen into the sky by the time every wolf except for the forward scouting party returned to, King Rama who had remained near the sunken tracks of the wagon trying to examine what had happened.
All the wolfs including his son gave their unfortunate reports. King Rama understood they all had tried their best in their searches and dismissed them all and called upon those he would assign watch for the night as the others would get some rest.
Exon however refused to find a clean place to sleep as he stomped around in the muck out of frustration. "Where are they?!" He screamed. "How could I not find anything?" He was so angry he immediately ran to a tiny tree and began to punch it repeatedly.
"Stupid!" Exon grunted in rage as he threw another punch upon the small tree covered in mold. "Thieving!" He bashed the tree again his fists becoming sore from the repeated hits that started to crack the tree. "Despicable tree dwellers!" With one more hit from his fists filled with rage he cracked the tree enough to cause break in half as it fell backwards.
Exon fell to his knee's as his hands now were greatly sore. The Pain did not bother him as something far worse plagued him. Guilt over losing his brother and friend while they were under his watch. He was entrusted to protect them, and he failed miserably.
A figure walked up behind him and kneeled next to, Exon. "Are you done now, Exon?" Exon looked to his left to see it was his father, King Rama.
Exon looked down in shame bringing a hand to his face. "Father…I'm…im sorry." He apologized realizing he was letting his anger get the best of him.
King Rama put an arm around his son. "Its alright. I know. I too feel your anger, my son. But harming ourselves will not help our lost ones."
"Its my fault." Exon moaned. "How could I fail? I protected an entire group of our subjects from lions. To be subdued by mere trickery that allowed my brother and, Karina to be captured. Every minute their missing could be their last. I must find them, Father. I already live with the shame of losing them. I just cannot…" Exon felt fresh tears come to his eyes. He loved his little brother very much. Karina was a good friend who was there for, Mowgli when he needed someone the most. She had proven her good will and earned the trust and faith of the royal family and that faith prove fruitless as he had allowed their capture to happen under his watch.
King Rama sympathized with his son. His heart was filled sadness and rage but he couldn't let his son feel as he did and he couldn't falter for a King cannot let his inner emotions take over not while there was something of importance at hand and all needed to see they could rely on their strong willed leader.
"Exon don't feel like this your doing. As you said before it was trickery that subdued you. Not a face to face confrontation." King Rama said pulling his son around to face him. "The Primates may have gotten clever, but they lack any sense of honor. The honor less have no place in life and they will answer for it. And we shall find your brother and our young friend. In my heart I know they are alive."
His Father's words brought some comfort to, Exon but he still was worried. "Then why are we resting? We should be continuing our search. We must expand our eyes outward and search farther." Exon suggested.
King Rama shook his head. "Not until every wolf here which includes you and me to rest up. We won't find, Mowgli and Karina with our eyes half closed due to lack of rest."
Exon sighed knowing his father was right, but he did have a question. "About the party you sent out to follow the trail of the wagon something tells me there's more to it than what you told them. What is it?"
"I feel there's something afoot about this." King Rama answered. "Think about it, Exon. You just captured two living beings and need to bring them to your domain. That would mean they would wish to take the quickest route. Why go through a swamp when they would slow them down and possibly halt their progress?"
Exon tried to think for a moment. "I…I'm not quite certain but perhaps as a means to slow down pursuers?" He suggested.
"A sound theory." King Rama agreed. "But with our discovery of finding the tracks of the wagon deep within this harsh and unforgiving environment it showed that they stopped. Was it due to the wagon having sunk into the mushy ground or did they stop for a reason? There had to be a good number of primates pulling that wagon to switch out if one grew tired which means they wouldn't have stopped to rest."
"And what does that all mean, Father?" Exon asked.
"That is what I am hoping our party we sent ahead will find. It may give us a clue to find out where our enemies are residing and rescue your brother and, Karina." King Rama answered. Exon nodded in understanding though his heart pained still over his past failure.
"Now, my son. Don't let feelings get the best of you. I need you and your brother and, Karina need you. Which is why instead of dominating the surrounding tree's find a place to rest. We shall expand our search area tomorrow. And that is order, Exon." King Rama told his third youngest son. Exon had to obey his, Father and King's order. Defiance is never allowed by anyone not even the kin of the King.
Exon nodded and stood up. Rama smiled glad to see his son would follow his command and gave him a quick hug before his son left to find a spot to rest. Rama looked around to see many of the wolves were fast asleep some lying on their belongings or some side by side to prevent having to rest on the filthy grounds. Those that were appointed for watch duty were patrolling around to keep any eye out for anything that would try to harm the group.
King Rama then went up next to a tall tree that looked to be rather clean only with some pockets of mold in the upper parts and laid down next to it. He looked to the clear sky above through tiny openings from the foliage above to see the moon was high in the cloudless starry sky.
"Be safe. Both of you. May the spirits watch out for you and show us the way to your salvation. Sleep well, Mowgli, Karina. I will find you." Rama prayed and vowed before he looked back down and shut his eyes to rest and regain his strength for the next day and hoped it would yield better fortune.
