Chapter 8: An old Friend
Disclaimer: Hmmmm............
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Miranda's Point of View:
I listened as Winter asked Jason, and I to join her, Bast, and Fran, in an elite group they were creating outside of the Resistance. I sat there listening as she explained how dangerous it would be, and how she would understand if I didn't want to risk my life for a mission they were not even sure could be accomplished.
"Winter, I began, I promised to protect you, and I shall not go back on my word. Besides if I didn't go I would miss out on all of the fun killing bad guys, and watching Bast try to survive the Paramina Rift ."
"That's good to hear Randa. Now Jason what about you? I can not expect you would want to come with us after all you have been through these past couple of days, although having you on our side would be a great advantage. Also I believe Randa, and I would be able to help you harness you power, since you have discovered it so recently." Winter looked at him expectedly.
" Two days ago, he stated in a quiet voice, I would not even have considered it. Now after everything I know has been destroyed, and my quiet life shattered, I cannot possibly say no. I will admit I am afraid of the journey ahead, but my enemies should cower in fear when they see me coming. They will pay for what they have done. They have destroyed two of my homes, one I have never laid eyes on, and one I have lived in, and loved all of my life. Mark my words I will have my revenge."
"I like your spirit Jason. Winter said after his speech, You will be a great ally, but remember this, Your enemies will feed on your weaknesses, and will stop at nothing to make you fail. Your words here today were strong, but your heart was weak. Shota will not hesitate to kill, and neither should you. I could sense how you felt about killing those soldiers, and if you had waited any longer Randa would be dead. Since you are a Singer who has just learned of his power, you will find that you can feel what others are feeling. This is a curse as much as it is a blessing. When you are on the battlefield you will feel not only your enemies pain, and terror, but everyone else's as well. Do not let that stop you. Randa, and I have been trained to suppress those feelings all of our life, and here you will be at a disadvantage. I know you can do it Jason."
With that Winter, took her leave to finish packing, and bid us to do the same. I looked over at Jason who was looking silently out over this land that had been his home for all of his life. I was surprised at the speech he had given. That was the most I had heard him speak ever since we had met. The desire to look into his mind was great, but I refused to give in to my feelings. I felt it a violation to simply enter someone's mind with out a good reason.
"Are you okay?" I said placing a hand on his arm.
"Yeah..." Was all he said, and then he walked into the hut he called home.
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Bast's Point of view:
"It is so damn cold out here! Winter, when is that fire going to be ready?" Bast said his teeth chattering. Night was almost upon them deep in the Paramina Rift, and the wind was howling furiously at them as if it were mad they were in it's territory.
"If you think you can do it faster in thirty mile an hour winds, then come do it yourself Bast!" Winter snapped back. Finally after much trouble the small fire burst into flame.
"Ahhh...... "Miranda said stretching out to warm her toes.
After a small meal of stew, and bread we all began to relax as much as we could after a long day of traveling through blizzard like conditions. My eyes were just beginning to get tired when I heard a rustling coming from behind some bushes that bordered the forest on our left. I pulled out my sword, and Fran her Bow just as a snow leopard that was almost as big as a horse jumped into the clearing. I moved forward to stab him with my sword, and Fran let loose one of her arrows when Winter, and Miranda both shouted ,
"No! "
Startled I lowered my sword, and Fran's arrow whizzed past the giant leopard just missing his tail.
"Hey watch it there! The leopard said, "I don't look this good for nothing!"
"Rio!" Shouted Miranda, and Winter Simultaneously, as they ran to hug this talking beast.
"Don't worry ladies there's plenty of Rio to go around!" He laughed deep in his chest, and it sounded as if he were purring.
I stood there shocked, not believing my eyes when Miranda said,
"Rio your okay!"
"Umm..." Was all I managed to get out.
"What haven't you ever seen a talking cat before?" Rio replied amused.
"Oh! Bast, this is Rio, Rio this is Bast, Fran, and Jason."Winter said pointing to each one in turn.
Fran nodded calmly, and Jason had backed far away from this strange creature.
"Uhhh.... Winter how does, how did he......." I stuttered.
" Well I had better let Randa tell this story." She gestured for Miranda to continue.
"Well, I found Rio when he was just a cub. His mother had died during labor, and Reo was the only cub that survived. I decided to give him to Queen Ileana as a gift. Snow leopards are extremely rare, and are highly valued in Idendryll. Queen Ileana bestowed many gifts on Reo here, as she patted his shoulder. One was the ability to talk, and she also gave him free will. No one was allowed to keep him chained up, and he was allowed to go anywhere he liked. Despite what you may think Reo is very wise, and the Queen was always quick seek out his counsel before anyone else's. After that I really cannot say. After Queen Ileana was killed, Reo left Idendryll only leaving me a paw print to let me know he was okay." She turned to hug Rio again.
"I missed you guys too. said Rio, After Idendryll was destroyed I decided to see if I could find out more about my family. As turns out I was just off hunting with my cousin when I smelled your scents. Winter's, and Miranda's I recognized of course, but not all of the others. I thought they might be in trouble so I came to help. "
"Can any of your relatives speak as well?" Bast managed to get out.
"Nope I'm the only one! So what have you been up too, he said turning to Winter. I thought you were killed in the attack on Idendryll."
So Winter began to tell Rio all that had happened to her since she left Idendryll.
"Well that settles the matter! I'm coming with you. There is no way the Queen would ever forgive me if I let you run off with theses blokes who could not even shoot someone as big as me with an arrow." Fran snorted, and I said,
"Excuse me, but I am the one you need to consult with before jumping in like that. I am the one in charge of this group here!"
Rio let out a mighty roar, and Bast, and Jason fell to their knees. Fran was to calm to be frightened, and Winter, and Miranda were used to it.
"Relax Bast!" said Miranda, "He was only laughing!"
"Your a tough one aren't you?" Rio replied laughing again, although more quietly." Do you jump at your own shadow too?"
"Calm down Bast." Winter said grabbing my arm I was getting angry.
"Alright everyone! Time to get some sleep, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow!'
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Winter's point of view:
I sat there in front of our small fire, and thought to myself,
I can't believe we found Rio today, or rather Rio found us. It seemed that more, and more of my past was coming back to me. Even though I tried to avoid it I could not help but think of the day my home was destroyed. Me walking through the deserted streets, the blood everywhere. My mother, my beloved mother lying there in a pool of her own blood. Her beautiful voice weakened, and slurred by the blood on her lips. Tears sliding down my face blurring my vision. I looked up, and realized that the tears were present not only in my memories, but now as well. I was going to get my revenge, not matter what the cost. I stood up angrily, and threw a rock as hard as I could, and then I fell to the ground. My body racked with my silent sobs. Sometime during all of this Rio came up, and warmed me with his body, and soothed me with quiet words. My last words before I fell asleep were,
"You won't tell anyone will you?"
"Of course not child now sleep......."
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