Seeking Knowledge

Karina's return to the Wolf Kingdom was met with surprise and praise as she hauled in a dead Leopard. Killed by the tribal girl who was cheered on by many who saw her haul one of the deadliest predators of the jungle. No one could doubt her as she was alone and without anyone watching over her. Some hunters may hunt alone but even the most inexperienced hunter would know never to hunt where predators would loom but when, Karina had reached the palace and the royals within were alerted to see, Karina's victory outside first she was met with relieve and high praise. But despite all that and knowing that her victory would be talked about for many moons to come she had something dire to tell them.

King Rama and Queen Raksha sat on their thrones while Mowgli and Exon along with, Meadow and Keva near them listened in on Karina's tale of battle. Exciting as it was frightening to know how she narrowly escaped death by a very cunning predator. Exon envied her. He had his own battle tale that made him quite famous among many for his defeat of the lion pack but for, Karina to outmaneuver and kill a leopard she deserved all the praise given.

But what was most troubling to hear is that a leopard came so close it was nearly at the walls of the Wolf Kingdom. For many years since the wolves made their stake there and with their overwhelming presence no predator had ever come close to the walls before. Just outside them had always been generally safe but if a predator of such ferocity came so close then that meant something was wrong in the jungle and they needed to figure it out before they could lose someone who is not as cautious or had, Karina's training.

After Karina finished her story Mowgli was the first to speak up after he hugged her so relieved that she was okay. His voice was full of shame when he spoke. "I'm so sorry Karina. Had I known this would happen?"

Karina shook her head. "You couldn't have known at all. This was unexpected and I must thank the spirits for watching over me in the fight. Even I was worried I wouldn't be returning through the gates." The Two shared in a kiss which many smile behind them could be seen. Mowgli and Karina were truly blessed and on the day when they join together in the matrimony union their lives would truly be as one.

King Rama rose from his throne. "Karina not only am I glad to know your unharmed, but I praise you for bringing us this troubling news."

Karina moved passed Mowgli and bowed slightly to her king. "I wish I had not brought such news, my King."

Sighing King Rama nodded. It was never easy for one to hear when there was trouble afoot, and it affected the lives of everyone in the Kingdom. He had to safeguard his people which meant they ensure their safety.

"Exon! Mowgli!" He called and both his sons came and stood in front of their father. "Find Captain Lance and tell him about, Karina's news. Double the guards on the walls and place patrols outside them. And no one is go out the walls alone. Only in groups. We cannot risk anyone's lives at this point, not until we figure out what drove a leopard to our part of the jungle. If one came this close there could be more and even others too. We cannot let what nearly happened to, Karina become true." He ordered.

"Yes, Father!" Both the wolf and the man confirmed and bowed to their King and Queen before they turned around and hurried out of the throne to inform the Captain of their King's orders.

Queen Raksha rose next looking at Karina pitifully. She was covered in dirt and grind if not a lot of blood that came from the leopard, but she did have some cuts and bruises. "Karina dear." She called over the tribal girl who stood up straight when she was addressed.

"Why don't you go visit Liara and have her take care of your wounds and wash up. You've had a busy day. We shall see you at dinner tonight." She suggested though even a suggestion would turn out to be an order as anyone knew.

"Yes, my Queen." Karina bowed to her and turned to leave the throne room but, Meadow and Keva followed her towards the door.

"And where are you two off to?" Asked Queen Raksha. The Two sisters stopped at the door when Karina went through them.

"The Library, Mother." Meadow answered.

"Perhaps the archives might give us some answers on why the leopard had shifted its hunting grounds?" Added Keva.

The King put a finger under his chin while Queen Raksha thought for a moment then nodded. "Maybe. See to it and if you find anything that may provide an answer do tell us girls."

"We will, Mother!" Meadow smiled and gestured to her younger sister to follow her out of the throne room.

When they were alone King Rama went up to one of the many paintings that decorated the throne room. Standing in front of one that showed many wolves in battle standing off against unknown enemies that were not placed in the grand portrait. The Soldiers on it were fierce and formidable. The Fight in the picture showcasing a battle from the ancient past was won due to the brotherhood and wolves fighting prowess. King Rama's latest battle came when he raided the ancient ruins and freed, Karina and slaughtered the Primates to answer for their transgressions against his son and his future mate and his kingdom. A Battle easily won due to the wolves disciplined training and brotherhood toppled their opponents and bested them with ease.

But it seems once again he is unaware of the troubles that are festering in the jungle. One of his own nearly lost her life and no one was there to protect her. A Danger had come so close to his own walls. He was failing once more. Looking down in distress the Queen came up from behind him and wrapped her arms over her king's chest.

"What troubles you, my love?" She asked soothingly. Rama took his beloveds hands and pulled her around to his side and held her close resting his head on her shoulder.

"It seems to be happening again, Raksha. Under my watch. I am letting our family down." Grumbled Rama.

Rama then got in front of Rama taking his cheeks in her hands making him look directly at her. "This is not your fault. Its unforeseen. No one could have known this would happen. We should be fortunate our son's future mate is still alive and that all that you and, Captain Lance and others have taught her saved her life. You're keeping all of us safe. Don't despair, my King." Said Raksha rubbing her head against her King's chest and, Rama's turned into a soft smile.

Taking his loves head in his hands he proceeded to kiss her. How she could always make him smile again when gloom seemed to take him over. Though the trouble was still out there least he knew he could rely on his family and his most trusted.

Meadow and Keva had made it to the Library where some of the elders were busy organizing the many rows of books or indulging themselves with one that talked about anything from the history of their kingdom while some were encyclopedias on creatures of the jungle and cultures and races from the outer lands.

Rows of books stacked on shelves that lined across many rows of the grand library that had centuries of knowledge gathered up from archivists of their kingdom and from those that came from the lands beyond to trade and share stories. Even the most insignificant of them had value to be installed in their history.

Keva found some scrolls in a section across where the books were. They were a lot more ancient than the books themselves and she was careful when opening one up after setting them down on a table and rolled one open to read it.

"What's that one you have there, Keva?" Asked Meadow as she sorted through the books looking at the titles hoping to find one that could have any relation to the answers they were seeking.

"These scrolls come from some of the earliest of explorers when the Kingdom was formed. They surveyed the lands and its creatures. Perhaps something can be found in them?" Replied Keva as she looked through the scroll she had but it offered nothing of value than just hand drawn mountain range with some description of it and what was found but nothing that, Keva was looking for. She went through another scroll while, Meadow continued to search through the rows for a book.

Keva continued to read but more and more she was met with disappointment. Some of the scrolls talked about some animals but all they had were locations where each group from birds to elephants would be found. But nothing with real detail. Seemed the explorers did more time seeing of the sights than they did describing them.

Meadow continued to trace along the rows going through the books some novels being bigger text than others, but she noticed her sister was becoming upset when she moved onto the next set of shelves behind her.

"What's wrong, sister?" Asked Meadow.

Keva dropped another scroll down and tightened her hand around the metal rods that held the scroll in it in frustration.

"Useless!" Spat Keva. "How could those from the past do more observing than documenting. Most of these scrolls just have pictures of landscapes that can barely be noticed now and those that do have animals just a quick note on where they would graze or hunt but nothing unique."

Meadow giggled at her sister. She wasn't one for patience. "You should know by now that when one seeks answers they are not easily discovered." Pointed out Meadow until she found grand text when her finger traced across it and the title on it read "Critters and Beasts."

"Ah! This one may have an idea in it!" She took out the book from the top shelf where she found it and joined with her sister at the table dropping the book down. It was covered with much dust, and it sprayed all over them when, Meadow dropped it causing them both to cough and wave their hands to get all the dust away from their sensitive noses and eyes.

"Easy to…tell this…book hasn't been…opened for some time." Keva wheezed between coughs until she finally was able to breathe again and, Meadow sat by her side and opened it up.

"Agreed. Now let's see…" Meadow scrolled through the index and found that it had the names of hundreds of animals all in order of the alphabet. When she reached the L's of the index she found what page the Leopards were on and turned all the pages to the right number marked the bottom left corner of the page.

The Words made of ink were still good and dry having been closed up all the years scrunched between rows of books protecting the inside from most decay. Meadow and Keva started at the top and read about the descriptions of Leopards. Their habits of hunting. The Danger they were should any encounter them. But one thing stood out. Leopards usually live in the outer parts of the jungle safely far from the reaches of the Wolf Kingdom.

But with Karina's encounter with one just recently it meant something was amiss with the known habits of the leopard. "Curious." Exclaimed Meadow reading faster than her sister.

"What is it, Meadow?" The younger wolf girl asked.

"It says here that Leopards let alone most who reside with their kind typically live and remain in their perspective territory. But they would move if their prey has moved too far out or that where they reside has become unlivable." Explained Meadow pointing where she saw it on the next page where they were looking now.

"But the prey out there is plentiful. We may hunt but we don't overdo it. We take what we need to live, and our domestic animals give us a lot. Surely that can't be the issue?" Puzzled Keva.

Meadow nodded in agreement. "You maybe right."

"Perhaps their homes have become unlivable now as the book states?" Suggested Keva but Meadow shook her head at that.

"But that would not explain one coming so close to our walls. Far too close even for them. If one attacked now then that would mean another attack could come if anyone outside drops their guard." Explained Meadow.

The Two girls sat in silence thinking for a few moments. The Book gave them insight, but it did not give them a straight answer as they hoped. But then one thought came to Keva's mind.

"Animals move when they must shift their hunting grounds or if their homes are no longer desirable or capable of staying at. But animals do flee if something frightens them." Remarked Keva. "Which means perhaps that leopard came so close because something scared it to come this far and get so close to a place where no predator would come."

Meadow snapped her fingers in her hand left. "You know you maybe onto something, sister!" She smiled but then her face went to a gloom.

"What is wrong?" Asked Keva concerningly.

"But that leaves more questions than answers. What could cause a leopard to flee its home and come this close to where its in far more danger and food would be more scarce to get? What would make a ferocious and deadly creature leave its territory for a more dangerous one?" Queried Meadow but Keva shrugged her shoulders.

"I cannot say for sure. But if that theory has a truth to it then I think the jungle has something dreadful in it and we should inform, Father and Mother of what we found." Advised Keva standing up and put the scrolls she looked through away being careful not to tear the old paper.

"That is a good idea, Keva. This may not be much, but I think we are onto something. I can only pray that we are wrong about this and there is nothing to worry about at all." Meadow hoped shutting the book and put it back in its proper place on the shelf.

"I pray too, Sister. I don't want to believe that again we could be under threat of invasion." Worried Keva but, Meadow took her hands and tapped them assuring her that her sister there to help her.

"We shall be just fine, Keva." Smiled Meadow warmly and, Keva smiled back at her. Once they were finished completely they left the library to inform the King and Queen of what they theorized. With all that the Kingdom went through six years ago none of them want for something like that to happen again but unknowingly to the two princess's their worries were justified as a dark presence in the jungle was growing more bolder and now he had additional help that came from those that desire the same vengeance on the wolves for destroying everything they built and would have eventually become should they not have been attacked by surprise and one particular boy had scarred up their leader before she fled the battle and was not heard from again until she crossed paths with one who promised blood and retribution on those that destroyed everything she had.