Hiya! Here is another really cool chapter. uh, enjoy! I am sorry for not
updating soon enough. I don't really have an excuse; only that having five
rabbits, one goat, and one cat, takes up some of my time with feeding and
cleaning them. Then I have a crazy family, I'm the only calm one. I wanted
to update thanksgiving week, but luck has it, grandma has no Microsoft
word, only works. So I couldn't bring it up on the computer. It almost
killed me, not being able to write. Well, just to warn you, I may be
busier, what with December being the month of Final exams and all. Icky. I
will try to write more to this story as soon as I can. If not, hopefully,
I'll be able to have Christmas week to write. I'll write when ever chance I
get.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but three tigers and the tiger mistress, Kalita.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
The Tiger Lady
Chapter 13
Kalita dreamed that night, a slightly disturbing dream.
~*~ She was in a dark room, dark, empty, and frightening. She couldn't help her shivering. It was cold and dreary, and she could tell something was wrong. She heard screaming, a man's and a woman's scream. She became scared. She wrapped her arms across her chest, trying to warm her body. The screaming got worse, and worse, till it suddenly stopped. Then she heard a door open, and a light came on. But she still couldn't see, her eyes were blurred with tears. Someone ran to her, and pulled her in to a tight hug. "Kalita, Kalita," a voice kept repeating franticly. It was a female's voice, and then a male's voice, who also kept repeating her name. Stronger arms wrapped her in a hug also; she was being hugged by two people. But who? Someone dried her tears and wiped her eyes, till she could see. She gasped, and said two words. "Mother, Father." She wept. She reached out to touch them, but they vanished. ~*~
Kalita woke up with a start, sweat soaked and tears running down her cheeks. "No!" she shrieked, and rushed out of bed, in result, she fell on the floor. Not caring to see if she was hurt, she got up quickly and ran out the door. Rajani ran after her, trying to get her to calm down. Jasmine growled at Rajani.
~ Don't you have anything better to do, than do chase that sorry excuse for a tiger care taker? ~ The tigress asked Rajani.
Rajani turned and glared at her, ~ No, mother Tigress, Kalita needs me. And I will do anything to keep her safe. ~
~ Fine, be with her, for all I care. But don't come running to me when she throws you away for some two-legged male. She won't want anything to do with you or the rest of the tigers. ~
Rajani snarled at her and ran off to search for his mistress. ~ Kalita! ~ He called after her.
Kalita turned around and looked at him. "No, Rajani, let me alone. Let me go," she screamed. "I can't take it any more!" She fell to her knees and wept in her hands. Rajani knew he could nothing to help her, so he just sat next to her and rubbed his head against her to give her comfort.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George woke up suddenly when he heard a scream. He franticly got out of bed, thinking Kalita could be in trouble. He has gotten protective of her since he met her, and he doesn't know what he would do if she got hurt or something worse. He looked to the woman beside him. He shook her awake. "Alanna, wake up. I think Kalita might be in trouble." He pulled on some clothes and threw Alanna's clothes on the bed.
Alanna woke up with a groan. "Fine, fine. I'm up." She got dressed, slowly, then collapsed back on the bed.
"Yes, but are you awake?"
"Just barely."
"Well, good, at least your awake, now lets -go-," George said firmly, pulling his wife out of bed and dragging her to find Kalita.
They found her and Rajani sitting very close, with Kalita crying in her hands, in the hall, near Kalita's rooms. "What's wrong?" George asked.
Kalita looked up at him, her face red and tear stained from hard crying. She shook her head and put her face back in her hands. George went to her after a glance to his wife and wrapped his strong arms around the young girl. "Kalita," he said gently. "Please tell me what's bothering you." She didn't look up at him, so he placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face up so he can look at her. She tried to pull away, but he held strong.
"I-I had a dream," she managed to choke out. "I was in a room, a dark room. I heard screams. Then it was quiet, and I saw my parents." More tears leaked from her eyes. "Then they were gone."
George took a handkerchief and dried her tears. "Now listen here," he said firmly. "This dream you had must mean you will find them, and that you've got to keep looking. So, keep looking."
"Do you mean it?"
"Yes, little one."
Kalita got up slowly and looked George in the eye when he stood also. "Then, will you help me look for them?" George nodded and smiled.
"Yes, I will help you look for them," he replied gently. Kalita grinned and jumped into his arms.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Your welcome. Now, we should gather supplies we would need to travel," George said then turned around when he heard Alanna clear her throat. "Yes, dear?"
"Well, I certainly will not let -you- go on a adventure with out me," the lioness said firmly, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"That's up to Kalita. Kalita? What do you say, Alanna stays or comes with us?" George asked the young girl.
"She can come, and so can Daine and Numair if they like. As long as I find my parents."
"Alright." George said, and then turned to Alanna. "Alanna, will you please go with Kalita to pack what she needs. I'll go get the others." Alanna nodded and took Kalita's hands, pulling the young girl to her rooms. George went to find Daine and Numair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daine and Numair were in their rooms working on something for the King. Numair was working on letters on Pirate's Swoop news and Daine was working on changing the feed for the palace horses, for during the winter season, when they heard a knock at their door. Both mages went to see who it was and opened the door to find George smiling at them.
"Hello, dear happy couple," he said with a smirk.
Daine, getting annoyed with his remarks, asked, "What is it George? Do you need us for something?"
"Why, yes, Lady Wildmage, Kalita requests that we go with her one a little..road trip."
"Why?"
"To..find her parents," George replied simply.
"Now?"
"Aye."
"But we're kind of busy."
"Nonsense, you can never be too busy for Kalita."
Numair finally spoke up, "Yes, we can. We were doing something for the king."
"Oh?" George grinned. "Surely Jon would understand if you put what ever you were doing off for a few days. Look, Kalita, right now, needs her parents more than anything. And right now, she's more important than the king's reports, which can wait, Kalita can't. She's been waiting all her life for her parents. She needs them."
Numair sighed and Daine looked exasperated. "Fine, we'll go. Now, go on, so we can pack," Numair said as he shut the door on George's face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hours later, the entire group was finally ready for their search for Kalita's parents. They all had what they needed and the horses were saddled up and ready. Darkmoon for Alanna, Amira for Kalita, Cloud for Daine, Spots for Numair, and a white mare George called Snowshoe, for well, George. Kitten rode with Daine on the back of Cloud. Once they were all mounted up, like 30 minutes later, since Numair couldn't get on his patient gelding, he kept falling, but he finally made it on the horses back and they set off to begin the journey to find Kalita's parents.
Rajani walked behind the humans and horses with Jasmine and Orion. He kept quiet while watching Jasmine and Orion in the corner of his eye. ~You don't have to come along. I know you don't wish to. ~
~Don't worry, deary, I shall leave you soon. ~ Jasmine replied. Rajani nodded to her and focused his attention on the road.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kalita rode at the front of the group next to George. Ever since they met, there's not a time when their apart, except when it's time to sleep. She rode silently, thinking about everything that has happened in the few weeks since she's been at Pirate's Swoop. She patted her mare and smiled wearily. She's going to find her parents! Then her smile faded. -What if I can't find them?- She thought. -What if their dead? Am I just setting myself up for disappointment?-
George looked at her and saw her discomfort. "What's wrong?" he asked her.
She just shook her head. "Nothing," she said in barely a whisper. -There's no way I will let him know that I doubt finding my parents.- She thought stubbornly.
George sighed and the group rode on for hours, only taking a stop to eat the midmorning meal. After that, they moved on, not knowing where to go to find Kalita's parents. At night, they rested and slept. This went on for a few days until they came across an inn. They all smiled, glad to finally have a real rest and a bath.
After they dismounted and led their horses to the stables, the group walked toward the inn. Kalita stayed behind them with her tiger friends. George knocked on the inn's door and a ragged old man opened it and looked at him. "May I help ye?" the old man asked, his voice deep and husky.
"Aye," George said. "We wish for a few rooms." The old man looked at them one by one.
"I have some rooms open. Though, them there tigers, why do you have them?" the man asked, eyeing the tigers.
Kalita walked up to him, her eyes narrowed. "Kind sir, the male tiger is my companion; the tigress and her cub are his friends. Please let them stay in my room. I can control them." She folded her arms as if daring him to deny her request.
"Now what would a lass like you be doing with such a fierce feline?" The man asked her. "Don't ye know Tiger's can't be tamed?"
"Hogs wash," Kalita snapped. "I can take care of my self. I'm not as unable as everyone seems to think I am. I've traveled on my own since I was five. It's a simple yes or no question; can my companions stay with me?"
"Can't they stay outside?"
"No."
"I'd feel much safer if they stayed outside."
"Fine, then let them in a stall."
"Then that'll scare the horses."
"So?"
"I see I'm not going to win this, am I"
"No."
"Very well, your tigers can stay in a stall very far away from the horses." The man sighed. "But you must take them yourself."
"You have my thanks." Kalita said as she turned and walked toward the stables. George followed her, along with the other tigers.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
I am so sorry this took so long. I didn't mean for it too. Well, I'm going to end there, because I won't be able to write more till during Christmas break, what with exams and all. Again, I am so sorry it took this long.
Thanks to all those who reviewed.
~ Tigress Warrior ~
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but three tigers and the tiger mistress, Kalita.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
The Tiger Lady
Chapter 13
Kalita dreamed that night, a slightly disturbing dream.
~*~ She was in a dark room, dark, empty, and frightening. She couldn't help her shivering. It was cold and dreary, and she could tell something was wrong. She heard screaming, a man's and a woman's scream. She became scared. She wrapped her arms across her chest, trying to warm her body. The screaming got worse, and worse, till it suddenly stopped. Then she heard a door open, and a light came on. But she still couldn't see, her eyes were blurred with tears. Someone ran to her, and pulled her in to a tight hug. "Kalita, Kalita," a voice kept repeating franticly. It was a female's voice, and then a male's voice, who also kept repeating her name. Stronger arms wrapped her in a hug also; she was being hugged by two people. But who? Someone dried her tears and wiped her eyes, till she could see. She gasped, and said two words. "Mother, Father." She wept. She reached out to touch them, but they vanished. ~*~
Kalita woke up with a start, sweat soaked and tears running down her cheeks. "No!" she shrieked, and rushed out of bed, in result, she fell on the floor. Not caring to see if she was hurt, she got up quickly and ran out the door. Rajani ran after her, trying to get her to calm down. Jasmine growled at Rajani.
~ Don't you have anything better to do, than do chase that sorry excuse for a tiger care taker? ~ The tigress asked Rajani.
Rajani turned and glared at her, ~ No, mother Tigress, Kalita needs me. And I will do anything to keep her safe. ~
~ Fine, be with her, for all I care. But don't come running to me when she throws you away for some two-legged male. She won't want anything to do with you or the rest of the tigers. ~
Rajani snarled at her and ran off to search for his mistress. ~ Kalita! ~ He called after her.
Kalita turned around and looked at him. "No, Rajani, let me alone. Let me go," she screamed. "I can't take it any more!" She fell to her knees and wept in her hands. Rajani knew he could nothing to help her, so he just sat next to her and rubbed his head against her to give her comfort.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
George woke up suddenly when he heard a scream. He franticly got out of bed, thinking Kalita could be in trouble. He has gotten protective of her since he met her, and he doesn't know what he would do if she got hurt or something worse. He looked to the woman beside him. He shook her awake. "Alanna, wake up. I think Kalita might be in trouble." He pulled on some clothes and threw Alanna's clothes on the bed.
Alanna woke up with a groan. "Fine, fine. I'm up." She got dressed, slowly, then collapsed back on the bed.
"Yes, but are you awake?"
"Just barely."
"Well, good, at least your awake, now lets -go-," George said firmly, pulling his wife out of bed and dragging her to find Kalita.
They found her and Rajani sitting very close, with Kalita crying in her hands, in the hall, near Kalita's rooms. "What's wrong?" George asked.
Kalita looked up at him, her face red and tear stained from hard crying. She shook her head and put her face back in her hands. George went to her after a glance to his wife and wrapped his strong arms around the young girl. "Kalita," he said gently. "Please tell me what's bothering you." She didn't look up at him, so he placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face up so he can look at her. She tried to pull away, but he held strong.
"I-I had a dream," she managed to choke out. "I was in a room, a dark room. I heard screams. Then it was quiet, and I saw my parents." More tears leaked from her eyes. "Then they were gone."
George took a handkerchief and dried her tears. "Now listen here," he said firmly. "This dream you had must mean you will find them, and that you've got to keep looking. So, keep looking."
"Do you mean it?"
"Yes, little one."
Kalita got up slowly and looked George in the eye when he stood also. "Then, will you help me look for them?" George nodded and smiled.
"Yes, I will help you look for them," he replied gently. Kalita grinned and jumped into his arms.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Your welcome. Now, we should gather supplies we would need to travel," George said then turned around when he heard Alanna clear her throat. "Yes, dear?"
"Well, I certainly will not let -you- go on a adventure with out me," the lioness said firmly, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"That's up to Kalita. Kalita? What do you say, Alanna stays or comes with us?" George asked the young girl.
"She can come, and so can Daine and Numair if they like. As long as I find my parents."
"Alright." George said, and then turned to Alanna. "Alanna, will you please go with Kalita to pack what she needs. I'll go get the others." Alanna nodded and took Kalita's hands, pulling the young girl to her rooms. George went to find Daine and Numair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daine and Numair were in their rooms working on something for the King. Numair was working on letters on Pirate's Swoop news and Daine was working on changing the feed for the palace horses, for during the winter season, when they heard a knock at their door. Both mages went to see who it was and opened the door to find George smiling at them.
"Hello, dear happy couple," he said with a smirk.
Daine, getting annoyed with his remarks, asked, "What is it George? Do you need us for something?"
"Why, yes, Lady Wildmage, Kalita requests that we go with her one a little..road trip."
"Why?"
"To..find her parents," George replied simply.
"Now?"
"Aye."
"But we're kind of busy."
"Nonsense, you can never be too busy for Kalita."
Numair finally spoke up, "Yes, we can. We were doing something for the king."
"Oh?" George grinned. "Surely Jon would understand if you put what ever you were doing off for a few days. Look, Kalita, right now, needs her parents more than anything. And right now, she's more important than the king's reports, which can wait, Kalita can't. She's been waiting all her life for her parents. She needs them."
Numair sighed and Daine looked exasperated. "Fine, we'll go. Now, go on, so we can pack," Numair said as he shut the door on George's face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hours later, the entire group was finally ready for their search for Kalita's parents. They all had what they needed and the horses were saddled up and ready. Darkmoon for Alanna, Amira for Kalita, Cloud for Daine, Spots for Numair, and a white mare George called Snowshoe, for well, George. Kitten rode with Daine on the back of Cloud. Once they were all mounted up, like 30 minutes later, since Numair couldn't get on his patient gelding, he kept falling, but he finally made it on the horses back and they set off to begin the journey to find Kalita's parents.
Rajani walked behind the humans and horses with Jasmine and Orion. He kept quiet while watching Jasmine and Orion in the corner of his eye. ~You don't have to come along. I know you don't wish to. ~
~Don't worry, deary, I shall leave you soon. ~ Jasmine replied. Rajani nodded to her and focused his attention on the road.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kalita rode at the front of the group next to George. Ever since they met, there's not a time when their apart, except when it's time to sleep. She rode silently, thinking about everything that has happened in the few weeks since she's been at Pirate's Swoop. She patted her mare and smiled wearily. She's going to find her parents! Then her smile faded. -What if I can't find them?- She thought. -What if their dead? Am I just setting myself up for disappointment?-
George looked at her and saw her discomfort. "What's wrong?" he asked her.
She just shook her head. "Nothing," she said in barely a whisper. -There's no way I will let him know that I doubt finding my parents.- She thought stubbornly.
George sighed and the group rode on for hours, only taking a stop to eat the midmorning meal. After that, they moved on, not knowing where to go to find Kalita's parents. At night, they rested and slept. This went on for a few days until they came across an inn. They all smiled, glad to finally have a real rest and a bath.
After they dismounted and led their horses to the stables, the group walked toward the inn. Kalita stayed behind them with her tiger friends. George knocked on the inn's door and a ragged old man opened it and looked at him. "May I help ye?" the old man asked, his voice deep and husky.
"Aye," George said. "We wish for a few rooms." The old man looked at them one by one.
"I have some rooms open. Though, them there tigers, why do you have them?" the man asked, eyeing the tigers.
Kalita walked up to him, her eyes narrowed. "Kind sir, the male tiger is my companion; the tigress and her cub are his friends. Please let them stay in my room. I can control them." She folded her arms as if daring him to deny her request.
"Now what would a lass like you be doing with such a fierce feline?" The man asked her. "Don't ye know Tiger's can't be tamed?"
"Hogs wash," Kalita snapped. "I can take care of my self. I'm not as unable as everyone seems to think I am. I've traveled on my own since I was five. It's a simple yes or no question; can my companions stay with me?"
"Can't they stay outside?"
"No."
"I'd feel much safer if they stayed outside."
"Fine, then let them in a stall."
"Then that'll scare the horses."
"So?"
"I see I'm not going to win this, am I"
"No."
"Very well, your tigers can stay in a stall very far away from the horses." The man sighed. "But you must take them yourself."
"You have my thanks." Kalita said as she turned and walked toward the stables. George followed her, along with the other tigers.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
I am so sorry this took so long. I didn't mean for it too. Well, I'm going to end there, because I won't be able to write more till during Christmas break, what with exams and all. Again, I am so sorry it took this long.
Thanks to all those who reviewed.
~ Tigress Warrior ~