WilyKit moved quickly and quietly through the jungles around the ever growing Thunder City. The city was a perfect blending of ecology and technology. Giant tree several hundred feet tall and more than fifty feet thick grew all around the city. Among the branches and inside the trees, many cats made their homes. There were several building made of stone or marble, each carefully placed among the trees.
In the center of the jungle, there was huge clearing. This was the heart of the city. The Cat's Lair could be seen in the distance, like an ever vigilant sentinel keeping watch of the inhabitants of the city. The huge pyramid was in the exact center of the city. The great temple of Bastet. The Great Mother of cats. Obelisks and columns lined the beautifully courtyard. To the right of the temple lay the Royal Palace. WilyKit looked down from the branch of one of the trees and hoped he could avoid the palace. He suppressed his emotions, something he was becoming quite good at.
He had traveled throughout the city listening to gossip for any news on a lost female leopard. There was none. The news on every cats tongue was the impending announcement of a future royal heir. Lion-O's new queen, Amnextria must be with cubs by now. Kit rolled his eyes which no cat saw due to the hooded cloak he wore to conceal his identity. He traveled among the trees and decided to get closer to palace. With the stealth of expected of a veteran Thundercat he edged closer to the palace. There was a procession of some sort, he could make out of line of cats, ornately dressed at that, entering the palace.
A trumpet sounded and Lion-O prepared to enter the audience hall of the Royal Palace. He dreaded this day. The nobles of Thundera along with a many prominent leaders, were gathering in the palace today. He knew what they expected to hear. He allowed his gaze to fall on his wife, Amnextria. He forced himself to couple with her again, but nothing. She sent females each night after they coupled, he refused. The next night she would come and the pattern repeated itself from a week.
What she was planning, he did not know. Surely she would see that he would not couple with any of the other females she sent, all lions. What is her game?, He thought as he narrowed his gaze at her. She no more enjoys our coupling than I do. And if what Kareala suspects is true, she would not enjoy the company of any male. And why does she keep sending concubines to him? His new wife was up to something, this he was sure of, but what? He came to stand beside her and offered his arm. She took it, her hand rested lightly on his forearm.
Her expression bore no emotion. She too knew what was expected today. The nobles would be greatly disappointed that Thundera was yet to have an heir. A young tiger dressed in the uniform of the Palace Guard opened the immense double doors that led to the filled to capacity hall. Lion-O and Amnextria entered and every cat bowed. The row was lined with Royal Guard, each dressed in white armor with rich flowing purple cloaks. They carried pole arms and shields, the honor guard were the only cats standing in the room.
At the end of the hall were two thrones on a raised dais. Lion-O and Amnextria walked down the aisle. Lion-O glanced around and noticed his friends. General Panthro was at the end of the hall. As Lord General of the Thundercats, he was given a place of honor second only to Lion-O and Amnextria. Chancellor Tygra was seated next to the panther general. Cheetara took her seat among the other nobles on the High Council were Lynx-O also sat.
Lion-O and his queen climbed the steps and took the seats. Once he was seated, the crowd stood and sat as well. Chancellor Tygra came to stand by a podium off the left of the throne.
"All hail, the Lord of the Thundercats and his new queen!" he shouted.
"Thundercats Ho!" the sound reverberated throughout the hall.
"His Majesty has graciously consented to host this gathering of the High Council and all the noble families of Thundera. If there is any new business to be conducted, the king will hear it now," Tygra continued.
Amnextria's father rose and proudly walked to the podium. He was a huge well muscled lion. He stood nearly a foot taller than Tygra. Tygra inclined his head slightly and backed away from the podium
"Your Majesty, we have all gathered here in hopes of hearing glorious news. Does my daughter carry my grandchild and the future ruler of New Thundera?" he said. Blunt and to the point, Tygra thought shaking his head. And he let it be known that the future leader of Thundera would be his grandchild, as if anyone needed reminding.
Lion-O looked at his wife. She held her passive expression. She simply looked out over the crowd. Lion-O rose and walked to the end of the dais.
"Regretably, no Lord Trion. My queen is not with child," Lion-O stated as a collective gasp went through the crowd. Lord Trion looked at his daughter and then back at Lion-O. He glanced back at his daughter who refused to look at her father. Lord Trion felt embarassed and and awkwardly returned to his seat.
"Is there any other business at hand?", Lion-O asked. Amnextria inhaled sharply as an elderly leopard male walked toward the podium. Lion-O turned and gave her a startled look. She refused to hold his gaze again. Tygra offered to help the old leopard stand but he refused as he leaned on the podium for support. His rich green eyes held much wisdom as well as sadness.
"My lord, I am Khanon, last of House Crimson Claw, along with my granddaughter."
"Welcome, Lord Khanon," Lion-O said. Kareala's grandfather, her only family. She had told Lion-O many stories of her valiant and wise grandfather.
"It is with great sadness that I come, milord. I fear some terrible has befell my beloved granddaughter. She has been missing for several days. It is unlike her to be gone with no notice," the leopard said, his voice breaking slightly. "I had hopes, my queen had some information of Kareala's whereabouts," he finished bowing his head and then raising it. His green eyes resting on Amnextria as were all eyes in the hall.
Hold it together, she mentally told herself, they know nothing. Lion-O looked at her intensely. She rose with practiced dignity. "Lay Kareala has served me with honor, Lord Khanon. But I am sorry, I know nothing of her comings and goings from the palace. My attendants are many, they come and go freely unless I summon them."
"Is there anything more, Your Majesty," the elderly leopard pleaded his voice tight with emotion, his heart breaking. "Please, milady?"
Amnextria just stood there, not sure what to say and refusing to give in to the emotional pleas of Kareala's grandfather. Lion-O stepped forward and eased down the steps. He held the elder leopard's shoulders.
"Know this Lord Khanon, I will send a team of Thundercats searching for your granddaughter. I swear by the Sword of Omens that I will do everything in my power to find her," he finished. Both for you and for me, he thought. Tygra gave him a look but Lion-O refused to back down.
"This meeting is adjourned," the Lord of the Thundercats stated.
"You are most gracious, Your Majesty," the old leopard said smiling, clearly hopeful of his granddaughter's return.
Amnextria stood fuming as Lion-O returned to his throne. She dutifully took her place by his side swearing that she would make him pay for this humiliation. Kareala's grandfather had just given Lion-O justification to search for his lover, though she doubted old Khanon