Lion-O paced around the command center of the Cat's Lair. Team after team had been sent searching for Kareala. Blessed Great Mother, her grandfather Lord Khanon had placed a golden opportunity in his hands. He could now use the full resources of the Cat's Lair to find her.
An exotic looking amur leopard walked in the room and bowed before Lion-O, Capt Hothian one of the team leaders. Lion-O motioned for him to speak.
"No luck yet, Lord Lion-O," he said. "We searched all the way to the Wastelands and found nothing." Capt Hothian made his report and waited for additional orders.
Lion-O took a deep breath, "Thank you, Captain. Have your team continue searching."
Hothian raised an eyebrow, "But Your Majesty, we search every crevasse,every cave, every..."
"Search them again. And again after that. You will search a hundred times if necessary," Lion-O ordered. Captain Hothian snapped to attention, before he turned and left the room.
"Your Majesty, the Thundercats are doing all they can. Patience, milord, you must have patience," Tygra said. Lion-O turned sharply. Tygra looked at Lion-O his eyes full of concern. Lion-O's softened his stance and allowed his shoulders to slump. Tygra only wanted what was best for him.
"You have been here all day, Your Majesty. Perhaps you should return to the palace and rest," Tygra said coming to stand beside Lion-O, placing his hand on the shoulder of the Thundercat lord.
"I cannot, my old friend," Lion-O said. His voice nearly broke. It pained Tygra to see his friend this way. Lion-O was distraught.
"Lion-O, we will find her. Your place is at the palace beside your wife. Cats are beginning to talk," Tygra said.
"I don't care," Lion-O whispered. "I am done with this whole affair. Amnextria can remain queen but she will not bear my cubs," Lion-O said. He waved his hand silencing his friend, "I mean it, I should have never agreed to this. The lions will either follow me or they will not. From this day forward, Kareala is the only female for me."
Tygra nodded, "Very well, Lion-O. But you really should try to rest. You are working yourself to exhaustion."
"I will stay in the Cat's Lair until Kareala is found," He said walking to his private office.
Cheetara slowly made her way through the Royal Palace. She had come here to confirm the disturbing rumors she had been hearing. Several of her friends came to her complaining about the new queen. According to these reports, Amnextria was selecting only lion females among her attendants and worse yet, all the huntresses were lions as well.
She could choose any she wished as her personal attendants but the Huntresses of Bastet were to represent all the cats of Thundera. Cheetara did not look forward to her visit with the queen. She had no love for Amnextria but she knew why Tygra had pushed Lion-O to marry her. The cheetah made her way to the queens private chamber and grew angrier with each step. The huntresses in the outer parts of the palace were random cats. A tiger, a lynx, a panther here. A bobcat, a cheetah, a wildcat there. But the inner part of the palace, guarding Amnextria's attendants and the queen's own chamber were all young lioness.
Cheetara finally reached the queen's chamber. Two young lionesses crossed the pole arm weapons they carried blocking the female cheetah's path. Cheetara raised her eyebrow.
"None may enter here without Her Majesty's permission," one of the huntresses said. The young female had a look of utter contempt on her face. By the Great Mother, what are they teaching these females? Where is the humility, the sense of duty.
"Young huntress, I have permission to enter this chamber. Her Majesty is expecting me," Cheetara said trying to control her emotions. She would love to teach these arrogant young females a lesson.
The female exhaled sharply and allowed the cheetah to pass. Cheetara looked at them sharply, neither of the females could return her gaze. "Humility is a lesson best learned while you are still young. If I return here again and see this behavior, I will be most happy to... tutor the both of you," she said chastising them as she entered the queen's chamber.
Cheetara found Amnextria lounging on her large richly decorated bed. She didn't even bother to look up.
"Your Majesty," Cheetara said bowing her head. Amnextria did not bother to answer her. After several moments Cheetara spoke again.
"Your Majesty, I..."
"What do you want?" she said coldly.
"I came here to discuss the new huntresses you have selected."
"What of them?"
"Do you mind telling me why you only selected lionesses?" Cheetara asked her anger growing even more.
"Yes, I do mind," Amnextria finally turned around and rose from the bed. Standing before Cheetara with her hands on her hips, looking at her defiantly.
"Your Majesty, the honor of being a huntress must be allowed to all females. It is ...
"It is my decision, cheetah! I am queen here, not you," Amnextria said closing the distance between her and Cheetara.
Cheetara looked at her. She thought she could see bruises on Amnextria's neck. What is this? She has always been haughty but never hostile.
Amnextria noticed Cheetara's stare and pulled her robe tighter, "You are dismissed Cheetara."
"But Your Majesty, I want an answer!," Cheetara demanded.
"I said you are dismissed. I owe you nothing. I will choose huntresses as I see fit. Your service to me is no longer required."
Cheetara glared at this arrogant lion female. I would love to teach you a lesson as well, she thought as she bowed and gracefully left the queen's chamber.
Amnextria fell back on her bed and wept. It had been five days since her father's brutal attack. She could not let Lion-O see her this way. She had to pull herself together. She had even refused Oona entrance into her chambers. She felt helpless. She only allowed Cheetara here to finally put that cheetah bitch in her place. She won't be returning her anytime soon. Amnextria ran to her bath and quickly disrobed. She furiously scrubbed her skin. No matter how hard she scrubbed, her father's scent lingered on her. Was it only in her mind? She scrubbed even harder, tears falling.
WilyKit stirred the pot of stew. He had caught a small jungle fowl and prepared in for he and Lady Kareala. He informed her of her name but gave her little else. He hoped hearing her name would jog her memory. Nothing came to her. He fixed her a small bowl of stew. A female in her condition needed to eat.
The beautiful leopard ate soup. Her appetite was ravenous. He heard pregnant females often ate much and Kareala was proving that fact. Her morning sickness was no longer an issue. In the next few months, she would began to show. What then? he thought. Do I take her to the palace? And if so, would she be safe? Her attacker was still out there. Lady Kareala sat her bowl down and raised off the bed. Her covers fell slightly revealing her nude form. She was stunning but WilyKit's thoughts were on the young ocelot huntress.
He shook the thought from his head. He could not mate, the memories of the past...
"You seem deep in thought," Kareala said breaking his daydream.
"Oh, it's nothing," he answered.
"Really? Who is she?," she said.
WilyKit looked at her. How could she know?
"I may not have my memories, but you have scarcely looked at me, naked though I may be. There must be some female on your mind," she said. Her green eyes searching him.
He walked over to the other side of the room and handed her a package. She opened it. It was a simple tunic dress with a belt. She dressed quickly.
"I thank you," she answered.
"It's nothing. You can't go around naked all the time," he said eyeing her as she tied the belt around her.
"Soon this belt won't fit, will it?", she said.
"No, I suppose it won't."
She sat down on the bed and looked as though she could cry.
"Don't worry, Kareala. I promise I will find all the answers you seek," he said placing his arm around her shoulder. She leaned against him but he felt nothing for her. All his thoughts were on the ocelot huntress he encountered.
Why can't I get her out of my mind? And she's a huntress for Goddess's sake!
Had the day off today, so I thought I would bang out a few extra chapter today. I have hits on my story in the hundreds yet only ten reviews, what's up with that? Pretty please, tell me what you think of this story so far.
Later!