That single word sent chills down kyera's spine. Put from her body a heavy, invisible presence like icy fog filled with pain and hatred blanketed the area. The oppression was stifling even though it was only aimed at Bina, everyone could feel it. Kyera didn't move, her eyes were focused at the ground, her hands curled into tight fists as she trembled.
Bina saw this as her body racked with guilt. Self hatred and self loathing pouring from her and projecting onto the others. She took a step forward as if triumphant and made brave by it. Afterall, the Mighty Tiger Princess was in the wrong this time. Everyone would see her true colors. Kyera would no longer enjoy the perpetually perfect pedestal the elders provider her.
Little did she know how close Kyera was to clawing her throat out.
Kyera's eyes raised to meet Binas. However before she could speak two men stepped up next to her. On one side was Verone who had been shopping for knives down the way. On the other was a middle aged man Kyera knew as Daxin. A Wolf shifter, the head of his clan powerful and dignified.
"That is a very heavy word, Jackle Woman. You better have a good reason to use it." Daxin's voice was smooth and relaxed, but edged with a subtle warning. Kyera was noble and after all she had been through… that charge was as ridiculous as it was serious. The Last Traitor of the Jungle Law took her family's life.
"I have more than enough reason, Wolf Elder Daxin. She murdered my brother in cold blood, in defense of the human scum." Bina leveled her charges at Kyera who had relaxed enough to look up and stand serene now. She reminded herself to remain a leader, drawing on her eldest brother's teachings. Sound mind sound body, think then speak.
"Is that true, Kyera?" Daxin asked, a edge of uncertainty in his heart. As good as Kyera was, she held the blood of Revina…
Revina was Kyera's mother, wife of the shadows. She bore 5 children, 4 sons and a daughter. Unhappy with her life among the trees, Revina had sought happiness at the side of humans. Draped in jewels and sleeping on silken pillows, turning her back of Shifters for the sake of humans.
"It is…" Kyera trailed off as her eyes searched the crowd. Without anyone else realizing it, she was counting the elder's in the clearing. Just as she suspected, Bina had decided to launch her campaign when the majority of the elders were shopping. Each one of the 13 present were staring at them. She smiled behind her mask of dignity. "true that I fought with your brother, shortly before he died in order to protect a human girl." her words were carefully crafted. Now to see if she would take the bait or stand down.
Bina growled, tears gathering in her eyes. "You beast, you can't even admit you killed him." she barked at Kyera who gave her a glance of warning. The elders faces shifted emotions as did the crowd. No one understood what she meant and their imaginations were running wild despite their heads reminding them that it was Kyera, she must have had a reason.
Some older Shifters remembered Revina however, and were quicker to judge the tiger than the others. Phrases were being passed around from numerous lips.
"like mother like daughter?"
"What did you expect?"
"traitor isn't far off."
And as these statements were circulating, Daxin turned to Kyera. His eyebrow raises. Unlike everyone else, he had heard her clearly. She had deliberately left out the details and he recognized the rope she was loosely looping around Bina's neck.* kyera smiled at her old friend.
"However, it was not I who broke the Laws, but him who you seek justice for." Kyera replied just loud enough for all to hear. Everyone fell quiet and looked to her. No one was sure what was going on.
"Shamless! Blaming the victim who can not defend himself because you took his life!" Bina howled in anger.