"What you don't recognize your own beloved?" She asked raising her eyebrow a bit, that glint of ice still in those patient eyes.
It took a few moments for Veron's expression to show his thoughts to what she was trying to say. She didn't want to do to Talis what her Mother had done to her. She was never meant to be a warrior, she was a leader and had a knack for finding and disabling traps. Not to say Kyera wasn't a fantastic warrior, it just wasn't her calling. Unlike some who revel in the thrill of war, it wasn't something that pushed her buttons. However, hunting traps and the moment of discovery and the feeling of success when it was no longer a threat was pure ecstasy to her. Keeping her people safe, that was her calling. Being General, Princess, and teacher fell into her lap with the death of her brothers.
"Do you see now? I know your father won't approve but if he continues to force him down this path, he will have to find another teacher. I won't train Talis to die." Kyera replied folding her arms finally putting her foot down. Too many children died because their parents would force them into roles they weren't meant for. Families focused on the lineage and prestige and ignoring the talents of their children. Her mother had been one of them. Her brothers lost to her ignorance. She would not see the same happen again.
THe silence stretched longer as Veron flipped through the files in his hands. 1 was old and weathered. Kyera Shade of the Moon was the title of one the other two Talis Quiet Claw. The similarities are uncanny. No wonder she was standing her ground. He could tell she saw herself in his struggle. If he saw it, there was no way she did not. Her pain was no secret to him. The fire of her anger when he had called his brother a coward made sense. Deep inside he felt the uneasiness grow and blossom into the black petals of regret.
"I see. He really is not cut out to be a warrior, but he has the makings of a good leader. If we decide to go a different route, what would you suggest?" Veron's words had hardly left his lips when the door to her home crashed open. The inhabitants both jumped, one pulling a blade the other grabbing a chair ready to hurl it at the intruder.
In the doorway was a 9 year old little girl known as Kaylee. Sweat poured down her face as she panted hard looking between the two. Her eyes dilated with fear. Kyera put the chair down and grabbed her staff from its place beside the bed. "Kyear, emergency.. Help Brother…" the girl whimpered between pants. The tears and her lungs protest making it hard for her to speak clearly.
"Where." Kyera demanded, her voice firm but gentle with the frightened youth. The girl pointe and Veron followed Kyera in that direction. She scanned the horizon and realized she was pointing back toward the main town.
"Just past the Blue berries on Monkey swing Creek." The girl whispered and Kyera nodded taking off as fast as she could, leaping up into the tree and dashing from branch to branch. Smelling the air for hunters, traps or the metallic scent of metal in the undergrowth.
The smell of humans, the faintest hint touched her nose and she turned to tiger form. A searching mewl rumbled from deep inside her chest, followed by a series of low chuffing. Her ears flicking back and forth as the noise of the creek grew nearer, the smell of water and earth tumbling down the stream.
A roar of pain filled the air and the gnashing of jaws sent a chill down Kyera's spine. Low to the ground, her belly pressed to the dirt hiding beneath the grass and vines as she approached the source of the noise. A tiger, maybe 15 caught in a metal clamp. Blood pouring down the forearm of the beast. Veron nearly rushed in, but Kyera shook her head slowly, raising a paw infront of him. She looked to Veron pointedly. Their eyes met, a nod and the pair split up circling the sound, ensuring there were no hunters waiting in the undergrowth. The oder was faint, hidden by other smells smeared over it… but the three tigers were not alone.