Chapter 2: Into the Jungle
A few hours later, Q'Wasim had reached the western outskirts of Erussim. The jungle stood there waiting for him. Within moments of him entering the familiar landscape of teak and rosewood trees, drooping ferns, fallen leaves, and ripening wild fruit, he had slowed his pace to a steady walk so that he could appreciate his surroundings.
Q'Wasim loved the jungle. It calmed him in a way Kaxa could not. Something about the sounds here, the sense of rightness and even the smell of the place, leather and dew with a hint of drupe. Although today, the effect was marred by the smoke in the air. The animals were hiding and everything seemed still. The marked difference was a reminder of why Q'Wasim had come here in the first place. It was not fair, but as was too often the case, Kaxa was right.
As much as Q'Wasim had respected and admired Gaven, he was the Crimson Tiger first to everyone. It had been that way since Gaven had first taken on the mantle at 19.
Ever since that day, Gaven had become more legend than man. Everyone had loved him. There had practically been a sub-religion devoted to him, but it had mostly been about his title. The Crimson Tiger, the protector of Takanda and its high priestess, the very embodiment of D'Shar, the tiger of D'Vati, was the country's hope and their strength. And now…
Gaven was dead and Q'Wasim could not reconcile himself to it. He was a rock filled with deposits of grief, disbelief, worry, anger, guilt, and deepest and most sinister of them all, anticipation. Because despite his angry words to Chinmay yesterday, his rant to Kaxa, and his own guilt, Q'Wasim was excited. He could not stop his mind from thinking about how the Crimson Tiger title was there for the taking a year early. A whole year, he wouldn't have to wait to earn the title or ask for Priyansi's hand in marriage.
The idea of it enthralled him almost as much as it disgusted him. Priyansi's brother was dead, and yet here he was coveting the title the man had left behind. He couldn't even be like Gaven's best friend, Chinmay, and claim he wanted the title for the country's sake. Q'Wasim just wasn't that pure. Of course, he cared about Takanda, but that was nothing compared to how he felt about Priyansi. He had so wanted to go and comfort her today. As it was, he'd be lucky if he saw her before the tournament ceremony.
So, there was the ugly truth. Gaven's cremation ceremony had just ended and instead of properly mourning his friend and mentor, Q'Wasim, just like all the rest, was plotting how to replace him. To his shame, that had been one of the first things on his mind after the shock of Gaven's death had worn off and it was still on his mind now. The tournament was next week. Without Gaven, Chinmay would be the hardest opponent, though the rest of the competition would be tough as well.
Q'Wasim stopped walking. He was halfway to the nearest mosan mine, but he shouldn't be out here at all. He should have gone to the training grounds in the Vajra section of Erussim, but habit had brought him to the jungle.
Q'Wasim sighed. He could imagine Gaven's face if he told the prince about this stupid mistake. His old friend would let out a hardy guffaw and slap Q'Wasim on the back way too hard. Then Gaven would say something like: "Wasi, you have to be the densest man I know. Must be why you like those rocks so much."
Their audience, for Gaven almost always had an audience, would laugh with him. If it was a good day, Priyansi would be there too. Her mouth would twitch into that playful smile that she liked to hide while she was in public. The image was so real and so familiar that it hurt.
Q'Wasim held onto the tree beside him and looked out into the jungle. He let himself breathe in the smoky air and for a long while, Q'Wasim, truly mourned for his friend instead of contemplating the tragic death of the last Crimson Tiger.
However, all too soon, the other part of Q'Wasim's mind told him, he was wasting time. The tournament was next week and the training grounds were available for use. He should be practicing.
Mother goddess protect him.
Q'Wasim turned towards Erussim and put aside his conflicted feelings for now. Gaven was dead, but even the prince had known the importance of the Crimson Tiger title. He would understand, probably better than anyone else.
It was time to leave the safety of the jungle and return to society. If Q'Wasim hurried, he could probably make it back to the city in an hour or so.
