Lion-O walked across the savannah. Amnextria wanted him to meet her and their son, Leonydas here for an evening meal. Far away from the crowded city. A chance for them to grow close as a family. What is she up to? he thought. His wife's behavior since the birth of his heir was erratic. She refused to allow her father to see the child. She stayed locked away in her private chambers with Oona most of the time.
Only his closest friends were allowed to see the cub. And then only after Lion-O insisted. And now, this request to meet out in the middle of nowhere. Lion-O increased his pace as he caught sight of her tent. A family camping trip, he whispered. The absurdity of the idea caused him to laugh softly. He wanted nothing more to do with Amnextria but he agreed to this if only for the chance to be close to his son, the one bright light in all of this. Thoughts of Kareala weighed on him heavily.
"Where are you, my love?", he said as he continued forward
Tygra stared in awe at the female leopard. Lion-O's lost lover, where had she been this whole time and what did Kit have to do with it? To many questions and he would finally have some answers.
"Tygra, where is Lion-O? Why are you detaining us?" Kit asked furious at the tiger.
Tygra growled at the wildcat, startling him. "You will answer my questions first," Tygra demanded. "You had this female the whole time! You knew, Kit. You knew Lion-O was searching for her and yet you said nothing. You did nothing!"
"I couldn't. When I found her, she was near death. I didn't know who had harmed her or why. How could I come to you? How could I without putting her in more danger?" He answered.
"You could have trusted me. We are your friends, Kit. Lion-O.."
"Lion-O what? Would have protected us? Trust me, I know first hand how well Lion-O protects those he claims to love," Kit released the words with such anger that Tygra stepped backwards, struck by the level of hatred in the wildcat's voice.
"There isn't time for this, Lord Tygra," Kareala interjected. The tension in the room was growing thicker by the minute. "Lion-O is in danger. I will explain everything later, Please tell us where he is," she pleaded.
Tygra looked at all three of these cats, meeting each of their eyes and holding their gaze for a moment. Kit, Lion-O's lost lover, and a former huntress.
"He has gone to the savannah. Amnextria wanted some private family time," he finally told them. His instincts told him to trust the leopard female. The young huntress was above reproach. Cheetara had personally selected her. Kit...that was another story. This was the final straw the broken trust between them would take time to rebuild. He would never hold the wildcat in the same regard.
"Oh no," Kareala exclaimed. "They will try to kill him. I know it!"
"Who," Tygra asked. "Amnextria wouldn't dare!"
"She would dare many things, Lord Tygra. We must leave at once," the leopard female stated.
"It will take time to get a hovercraft ready, but I will see what I can do," Tygra said. He turned to face WilyKit, staring down the wildcat for several seconds. Kit forced himself to hold the gaze even though it was very uncomfortable. Tygra snorted in disgust before rushing from the room.
"What was that about?," Taramis asked, she reached out and touched Kit's arm. Her touch was like pure heat that traveled throughout his whole body. Kit closed his eyes and turned to the ocelot.
"One day, I will tell you," he said looking in her eyes. She lowered her head and blushed slightly. The intensity of his gaze was more than she could bear. Many males had lusted after her but this time, she returned the feeling. The longing in his eyes was matched by her heart and soul. My duties as a huntress are over, I could...
"No time for that now," Kareala said interuptting her thoughts. Kareala gave her a knowing glance. "Lion-O is in danger," she said looking at WilyKit sharply. He could not look at her. There was so much he hadn't told her. "Tygra needs to hurry."
"There are others ways, Lady Kareala," Kit said, turning to face the windows.
"What ways?," she said grabbing Kit by the arm and forcing him to face her, "I don't know what your problem with Lion-O is, but if you have the means to help me, Speak!"
"Magic," Kit said looking down at the floor.
"Magic?" Taramis asked.
"Yes, I know a spell that could have us there instantly," Kit answered.
"Do it!" Kareala said.
"But, Lady Kareala, aren't such things dangerous?," the ocelot female asked.
"I don't care, do it! Now!," she demanded. She pulled her a sword from her scabbard and looked at Kit. "We should be prepared when we arrive."
Taking the hint, Taramis pulled her bow from her shoulder and checked her arrows.
Kit took a deep breath and pulled in the shadows and darkness. Just like Mumm-Ra taught him. A cold shiver went down his spine as he reached out for the darkness.
Lion-O reached the camp and found his wife sitting by a fire alone. The hairs on his neck stood up. There was danger about. Instinctively he reached to his side for the Sword of Omens. Damn, in his haste he left it at the Cat's Lair.
"What is this about, Amnextria? Where is Leonydas?" He asked
Amnextria stood and faced him. "Milord, My son is safe."
"Don't you mean our son?" he asked, looking at intensely. "My heir. The reason for our passionless coupling?"
Amnextria snorted in disgust. "Yes, the degradation I endured while you pawed and panted over me. Lion-O, the great lover," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Oona eased up from her hidden position in the high savannah grass. She moved with practiced stealth, but Lion-O turned sharply and their eyes locked. He turned back to face his queen.
"Ah, yes! Your passion lay elsewhere do they not, milady," Lion-O said matching Oona's movement. He wouldn't be caught between them. "Lady Oona, my wife's lover. I should have known you would be about. You never leaves my wife's side... or should I say her bed?"
"So you know. You are smarter than I gave you credit," Amnextria taunted. "It is of no consequence now! By morning, Thundera will enter a new age." She motioned at Oona. Both lionesses drew wicked-looking barbed swords.
"I will see in chains for this my queen," Lion-O threatened. Slowly, he faced Oona, "And you, I will see dead." He lunged at the muscular female lioness...