Lion-O reclined on his bed, clad only in sleeping pants. He inhaled deeply, trying the relaxation techniques Tygra taught him. Thoughts of his long time friend brought feelings of guilt. He should not have spoken to Tygra that way. He would apologize the next time he saw his friend. He could not find peace. Kareala's absence tormented him. Where was she? He had no cat to turn to. He was having an affair when he should be spending his time fathering cubs with his new queen. Who would understand? He confided in Tygra, perhaps he would help search for her.
He rose from the bed throwing a pillow across the room.
"Is there something wrong, milord?", a voice said from across the room. Lion-O turned as his wife walked into the room, clad in a sheer gown that left little to the imagination. She gracefully sat on the edge of their bed.
Blessed Great Mother, I cannot couple with her tonight, he thought. "No, milady. There on things on my mind tonight," he said hoping she would take the hint and leave.
She stood up and walked over to him, "Perhaps I can help relieve some of the burdens on your mind this evening," she said, her meaning clear. Lion-O studied her for a moment. What game does she play? She no more desires me than I do her. He smiled softly at her, taking both of her hands in his and kissing them.
"Forgive me, Amnextria. Tonight, I cannot..." he couldn't finish but he turned away from her.
He did not see the clinched fists at her side. It's because of her! How easily I could stab him through the heart, with his back turned he would never see it coming. She tried to calm herself down. How dare he refuse me! She closed her eyes and turned from him. "Very will, milord. I will be in my attendants' chambers if you change your mind," she called over her shoulder.
In your attendant's chamber or her bed, Lion-O thought. Kareala was one of Amnextria's attendants perhaps she would...
"Milady, wait!," he called. Amnextria turned around sharply surprised by the urgency in his voice. He pushed aside the guilt, to ask her would be wrong but he had little choice.
"One of your attendants, a leopard female. I have not seen her in some time. Is she well?," Lion-O asked, eyeing her intensely.
Amnextria visibly bristled. He has the audacity to ask about her. Then alarm rang in her mind. Does he know? He couldn't, we were very careful. She tried to hide her concern by appearing hurt.
"You desire her tonight?" she said faking sadness.
"No, no! It's just that...I don't know many of your attendants," Lion-O said walking to the window to hide his feelings. With his back turned Amnextria's face hardened.
"Lady Kareala is a fickle and flightly thing," she lied. "She jumps from one lover to another. I was thinking of dismissing her. She will bring only shame to the Royal Court."
Lion grabbed the ledge of the window and nearly splintered the wood he was so angry. Luckily, his back was to his queen. He composed himself before speaking to her.
"That is all, milady. You may return to your chamber."
And now he dismisses me like some common concubine. You will pay for this shame, Lion-O she thought as she stalked from the room.
Lion-O fell back on his bed. Laying on his back and staring at the ceiling. "She would not do that! Lies! I won't believe it," he whispered though for the first time doubt creeped into his heart.
The old panther elder examined the leopard female in WilyKit's home. If you could call it a home. It was nothing more than a hollow tree with some bedding and personal items. The female mixed herbs and spread them on a cloth, wrapping the female's head. She stirred occasionaly groaning.
"Change this bandage every day. The wound is bad but it will heal if treated properly," the old female said. Rising and handing WilyKit some extra bandages. The young wildcat took them and she gathered her bag of herbs and healing potions.
"Thank you, elder," WilyKit answered. The wildcat turned to his back to the elder and kneeled beside the leopard female. The elder stood at the doorway before she left, her dark green robes blending in with the jungle.
"One more thing, make sure she eats when she returns to consciousness. She will need her strength, Capt. WilyKit."
"I understand, elder," Kit answered still looking down on the beautiful female.
"No, I don't think you do. This female is with cubs, not very far along, but with cubs none less," the finished before disappearing into the jungle.
WilyKit looked down on the female. Shocked. Who tried to kill you? Something sinister was at work here. Who would try to kill a pregnant female? WilyKit looked the female over carefully. He had seen her before, perhaps on one of his rare visits to the Cat's Lair or the Palace. Thoughts of the Cat's Lair caused him some concern. His feelings about Lion-O were bittersweet. He was the savior of New Thundera, no cat would deny that. But if he had never left to begin with, my sister and I would have never...he closed his eyes and tried to force the thoughts from his mind. A part of him would never forgive Lion-O for abandoning them.
The females eyes shot open, looking around the room. Her vision slowly cleared. She tried to raise up but Kit gently forced her down.
"It's OK, you are safe here. I will allow nothing to harm you," he said trying to reassure the female.
"Who are you? And how did I get here?," she asked.
"I am WilyKit, a captain in the Thunderan army. As I said, you are safe. Can you tell me your name?", he asked, taking a wet cloth and wiping her forehead. A retired captain in the Thunderan army he thought. He had long since retired his comission and sought the solitude of the jungles.
The female winced, her head ached. It felt as though her whole head was splitting open. She tried to remember who she was and where she came from but nothing came to her.
"I...I don't know," she said. WilyKit dropped the cloth back in the wash basin. Her head injury! Her memory was gone.
"It's alright. You can stay here while you heal," he answered, his concern growing. He tried to calm the visibly upset female. Who was the father of her cubs? Who bashed her skull and threw her body in the river? He kept this information from her for now. He would have to journey to the city and find answers for this female. He only hoped he didn't have to speak to Lion-O...