Chapter Two

Patience was fully awake when she heard the low growl of Targus. She moved closer to her brother, but stopped when Targus glared at her.

"Don't move!" he spat and she stayed perfectly still with fear in her eyes. Targus was in a full guardian stance and was ready to protect the children if anything was to attack. Patience stayed as silent as she possibly could without the help of her heavy breathing. She saw her brother stir and prayed he did not wake.

"Targus," Patience hissed, "what is it?"

"Quiet child! Do not make a noise or it will find you." Patience hardly knew what to think, for many questions had come to her mind. What would find her was the most pressing one.

After the longest minute Patience had ever experienced, Targus had begun to relax. Patience's breathing grew normal again and she glanced at her brother's sleeping state. She smiled to see that he had slept through it all, though there had barely been any noise.

"Targus, what was it?" Patience needed to know for her curiosity had taken over.

"It was a wild wolf and it was hungry. I shall watch over you child. You should rest." Targus stood up and walked over to Patience's side. She smiled and felt protected enough to shut her eyes and attempt another shot at the need she wished to fulfill.

What felt like a few minutes later, Patience was awoken by a tap on her cheek from her brother. She groaned, but reluctantly stretched her arms above her head and rose to her knees.

"Wake up sleepy. " Her brother chuckled, "It's time we moved on." He handed her his hand and helped her to her feet. He then handed her a handful of herbs he picked and a handful of nuts.

"Um, Alex?" She looked upon him with serious eyes and waited for him to give her his full attention. When he did she questioned, "How am I supposed to go to the bathroom?" Her brother fell to his knees and held his stomach as he was filled with laughter. "It's not funny Al." Patience had begun to blush, but a smile had appeared on her features.

"Oh, I'm sorry," He gasped for breath, "Maybe you should try leaves." Patience took a moment to consider.

"It sucks that I am not a boy right now." She mumbled as she headed for a private spot in the woods.

Targus came back into the clearing to see Alex on the ground. "Where is young daughter of Eve, son of Adam?" Targus questioned.

"She had to release a call of nature." He said with a slight chuckle, "And we do have names you know."



"She went into the woods, by herself?" Targus asked with urgency in his tone. Alex looked upon Targus with confusion.

"Targus?" Alex had started, but the tiger was gone in a swift movement heading in the direction of his sister.

Patience had finished her business quite pleased with herself at the accomplishment, but the praising only lasted a short moment. She heard a loud growl behind her and froze in her tracks. Afraid to move, but found her curiosity over rule, she turned and found the owner of the growl. It was the wild wolf from the previous night, she had guessed.

With a shot of adrenaline, she took off in the direction of their camp site. Soon she realized her move to be a failed attempt, for the wolf was on her tail in a second. She heard the snarls behind her and couldn't believe her luck as she tripped over a branch. She turned to face the wolf and braced herself for the impact which never came.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Targus attack the wolf. It was a proud sight as she watched Targus circle to wolf and show his teeth in warning. Patience was baffled at what she could do, but realized there was nothing she really could do.

Targus roared loudly and Patience saw the wolf shrivel to its belly. With an angered expression, the wolf turned and left howling as it picked up speed.

Patience felt a hand on her shoulder and realized she was not alone. Her brother had come to her side, but she had not known when as the sight in front of her had taken her complete attention.

"Come. We must move quickly. He will be back and not alone." Targus motioned for them to follow and they did not hesitate that time.

Once on the small boat, they took the same positions they had the previous day and watched again as Targus crept through the woods. Patience looked at her brother and noticed his uncomfortable expression.

"Alex? Is everything alright?" She asked.

He took a short moment to reply searching for the words to say, "I'm sorry." Was what he managed.

"What for?" she asked curiosity in her eyes.

"I left you alone. I should not have done that. I am sorry." He bowed his head to her.

"Alex you silly boy! Of course you left me alone. Why in heavens name would I want you to accompany me to release my nature's call?"She laughed, "You don't have to apologize. You were there when you knew I was in danger. No need to get so worked up." She pinched his arm to bring his eyes to hers, "I'm the one who is supposed to protect you, remember?"

He smiled and went back to his rowing.



After many hours of finding things to talk about and playing "I Spy" games, darkness was crept upon them. Alex was exhausted from rowing all day and Patience tried to keep the smile on her brother's face. It had been a long time since they had talked for as long as they did. They were always separated after he had come to say hello to her to spend time with Helen. Patience had missed her brother terribly and after they had talked, she felt she knew him again.

He certainly had changed, but in a good way Patience thought. He used to get into fights to show that he was strong enough to defend himself, but after he enrolled into his schooling, he learned it had taken more courage to walk away. He was a kind and gentle person and he had many friends. He was also the smartest person in the school and was allowed to skip a few grades. Patience guessed the influences of the Kensington's had something to do with it, but decided against mentioning anything for her brother seemed proud of himself.

She had told him how thankful she was that he had thought about her while he was in school, giving her the knowledge that he learned. She had told him about her trials in the household, but never let him see her weakness. She had cried in secrecy when her grandfather Alan had died and she wasn't about to let her younger brother know that she had cried. He had only seen her cry once and that was the night their parents disappeared and once was enough.

She had also told him of what she had learned from grandfather Alan, how to be a lady and all of the different plant life she came to love. She then told him of her love for art and how good she was at it. He seemed pleased that she was happy and that had brought a smile to her face.

As the sun crept lower and lower and the sky had become a sunset colored sky, they called for Targus and came to shore. Again Targus anchored and Alex helped his sister from the small boat. They made all the same movements as the previous night except it was Patience who had fallen asleep first.

"Targus," Alex started after he knew his sister was asleep. When Targus looked at him he continued, "I'm sorry about this morning. I hope you don't have the wrong impression of me." He looked down and waited for Targus's reply.

"Son of Adam, I do not think wrongly of you, nor do I suspect that you have done anything wrong. I can tell your sister is important to you and that is all the proof I need to know that you are good and true. What happened this morning was a mistake that you couldn't have known. Do not blame yourself child." Targus replied with a reassuring smile. Alex smiled as well and then positioned himself on the ground. After a few minutes, he had fallen asleep and Targus had taken watch over the two children once again.

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