by K MacBurn
Ransidius turned and looked to where the lone warrior stood.
“If you are not worthy to be sitting at this table then what makes you think you are worthy to speak?”
“Politics is not everyone’s motives,” Tarak replied, “I do not strive for the rule or power, hence I am not at that table. But, don’t kid yourself Sabre; I am just as worthy to be here as you.”
There was a moment of shock from Ransidius that anyone would dare speak to him that way. A savage grin replaced the shock as he stood to face this new player.
“Very well. Tell me, what do you bring to this meeting then? The rebellion is already represented.”
“I am not a member of the Rebellion.” Tarak answered truthfully. “Though I am sympathetic to their plight.”
“He is here in the interest of the third party to this conflict,” Jarden replied.
“And what third party is that?” Ransidius demanded.
“Taylor’s.”
Rebellion members were confused by the declaration, since they had never met Taylor and didn’t even know her name. The confusion was different for the Sabres; they knew who she was, but did not know why this beast would claim he represented her.
Tarak stood up to this full height, making Ransidius take notice.
With confident strides, Tarak approached the bigger Cat, stopping a few feet away making, sure that nothing stood between them. The hood of the cloak was eased back to show his identity.
“As the Guardian of the East gate, she is my charge and privileged to my protection.” His voice was loud, and clear.
For once, Ransidius was put off guard, the last thing he expected to find at this meeting had been a Tiger. He sized up the young Guardian before speaking to Jarden.
“My, my, what else have you been hiding from me Jarden?” The Sabre lord almost purred. “Barely out of diapers this one. I am almost tempted to let you take him back to the den so he can at least hit puberty.”
Tarak stood unfazed by the Sabre’s jokes. Ransidius was feeling him out, seeing if he was hot headed and he wasn’t about to take the bait.
“I would hold that arrogance in check, Ransidius. Just because you have, thus far, bested any you have met it does not mean you are invincible.” Jarden sighed, and rubbed his temples.
The Sabre laughed and bowed his head to the monk.
“Wise words Jarden; I apologize.” He glanced to Tarak again, stepping even closer, so they were nose to nose. “Tell me cub, when did you become Guardian of the East gate? Arrow was the last Tiger there, and he fell in battle.”
“I remember.” Tarak’s face contorted with a slight sneer. “It was an epic battle, lasting long into the night. He died honorably. His wife and infant son did not. You let your savages tear them apart for fun.”
Recognition flashed across the Lord’s face.
“That was unfortunate. Arrow had an older son too, just starting his Guardian training…” He trailed off, eyes flickering over the front of Tarak’s vest. “I offered the cub a place in the Pride, since his father earned my respect. Then he gave me these.” Fingers touched a light set of four scars running down his cheek.
“You threw me to your rabid dogs after I clawed you,” Tarak opened his vest to show the scarred flesh. “Perhaps, you should have finished me yourself though; they didn’t do a superb job.”
“You had skill, even at that young age.” Ransidius recalled, looking like he was a kid at Christmas. “Lucky for me they didn’t finish the job. My only hope is you are at least half the fighter your father was.”
Tarak didn’t brag or boast. It wasn’t about his own prowess. So, he kept his response simple.
“I guess we will have to see.”
There was a moment of silence as the two stared each other down with an intensity that left the onlookers fidgeting.
“Do you want to settle this now, or wait for the big event?” Ransidius smirked.
“This can wait, but only because we haven’t discussed the fate of the girl yet.”
Ransidius decided he would test the character of this young fighter farther.
“You must have spent a great deal of time with the girl. Tell me, what are your thoughts on the human? Did you get to appreciate how far the human form has come since they pried themselves away from the tree branches? I know I have.”
Tarak remained stoic in stance and demeanor. He didn’t want to give the other big Cat any ammo to use against him.
“She is good too; smart enough to play the political game, even impressed my personal guard. Do you know she saved a Deer from becoming a play thing for some of my soldiers? Used the fact I would be angry if anyone laid a finger on her to her advantage. Smart.” The Sabre lord leaned forward for the next part, so Tarak could hear every word. “I couldn’t leave that unpunished though, so I took the Deer to my chambers; my intent was to make Taylor watch. Break her. Instead, she saved that Deer again. Offered herself in the Prey’s stead.”
Claws flexed, but Tarak remained rooted to the ground.
“I had her in my bed, moaning with pleasure.”
Tarak spoke to Ransidius in a calm but confident tone.
“And yet it is a Tiger tattoo on her side. Let me know when she adds a Sabre, and I might believe you were that good.” He stated.
Ransidius blinked, then gave the young Cat a genuine smile.
“You’ve seen that, huh? Well, this just got interesting.” Ransidius had to give the Tiger some respect. “I will bring her to the battle, even if the rebellion fails, but, if you somehow beat me, she is yours.”
As Ransidius turned and walked away, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time. This was a fight. A real fight.
Tarak didn’t move until the Sabres left the clearing. When he did, he saw Jarden sitting there with a sad smile.
“You handled that well,” Jarden said.
“You didn’t tell me you had a Tiger.” Larris growled.
The cougar was standing with his hands planted on the table. He didn’t have time to move before Tarak caught him with a right hook straight to the jaw.
The rebellion leader crumbled into a pile on the ground. When he came to, Tarak was still waiting.
“If you send another assassin, or if you lay a paw on her yourself, I will kill you. I am sympathetic to your cause, but her life is my main priority. You understand me?”
The cougar gave a meek nod.
Chapter 15
Taylor had spent the last twenty-four hours in bed, moving only when she needed a drink. Her stomach burned and she could barely stand, but that was better than the alternative.
A sudden scraping of stones and a burst of dust puffed out from the fireplace. Taylor sat up enough to see what was going on.
The young Deer servant stood in a secret passage behind Ransidius’ fireplace. Her eyes were wide as she looked around, nervous.
“What’s going on?” Taylor asked. She was feeling better but was not in the mood for some Sabre test.
“You saved me from their assaults, and Ransidius’ advances. You are a good person, Taylor; you do not deserve to be a captive here, so I am repaying my debt.” She whispered. “I know you are injured, but you must come with me now, it will be our only chance.”
Taylor nodded.
She managed to get up without pulling her stitches, but every step after that was torture. A well worn cloak was wrapped around her shoulders and secured.
“This cloak will cover your scent. Come on, we have a small window.”
The passage way spiraled down to the main floor and came out behind another fireplace in the servant’s quarters. No one was there at the busy supper time. They moved fast down the hall to the kitchen.
No one looked up and not one asked a question.
At a hatch carved into the floor they were joined by another Deer who passed them a bag. When the hatch was closed not even the edges could be seen.
“Everything is there, and Malina is wa
iting at the exit tunnel for you.” The other Deer said.
The first Deer nodded and started down the rope ladder. Taylor didn’t ask questions; she followed, aware her bandages were soaking through with blood.
This chute brought them into the dungeon. The Deer rooted through the bag and found an old copper key. She took Taylor’s hand and pulled her along. Being back in the dank dungeon did not make Taylor feel safe; the fact she couldn’t see only heightened her concern. The Deer spoke when they stopped outside a cell.
“Wolf,” the Deer proclaimed.
“What do you want traitor?”
The voice was that of the old wolf Taylor had met in the dungeon when she first arrived.
“I have a proposition for you Wolf. If you agree to help us in getting this human to the Croc monk Jarden, we will give you your freedom!”
“Bold thing to offer, little Deer,” he said, and Taylor heard him shuffle to the bars. “Why would you help this human?”
“I am paying a debt. If you will help, you must decide now; we only have a small window. If you are not helping, you will be left here to die.”
“I am helping.” The Wolf said, his voice holding a little more conviction now.
“We have your word then? On your honor?”
“Of course. You have my word I will get the human to the Croc monk Jarden.”
That was all the little Deer needed to hear. She used the copper key to open his cell door.
“Take her arm, she is injured, and can not see in the dark.”
The Wolf, who was thin from lack of food and water, still had strength in his grip as he took Taylor as instructed.
The Deer led them to another cell, this one was empty. At the back wall she knocked on the stone. It swung open and the other Deer, Malina was standing there waiting for them.
“The way is clear,” she hissed. The first deer nodded, and the group took off at the fastest speed Taylor’s condition would allow.
Dark tunnels went on for many miles.
“Once we come out of the tunnel, we will follow the river to the south. We will part ways at the Golden field. But I trust you will keep your word Wolf and deliver her to Jarden? Last we heard, he was with the Rebellion in the old ruins to the south west of the field. Battle is brewing, and there will be blood in a few days time.”
“I will hold true to my word. I am curious though, what made you act? It has been years since Ransidius took over that strong hold and never have the servants made any move against him.”
They came to the end of the tunnel and Taylor could see the Deer look at her and smile.
“It was because of her,” the Deer admitted, “She threw herself in harm's way to defend me from unwanted assaults, even stepped in and stopped Ransidius from using me to make a point, at great sacrifice to herself.”
Taylor blushed a little at the praise, not sure if she deserved it.
The Wolf regarded the teen with a softer look.
“That could not have been an easy decision.” The Wolf admitted.
“It was not,” Taylor agreed, “But I wasn’t about to let him do that to her, when at least I knew I wouldn’t be physically harmed.”
She tried to downplay it all, not wanting to face the truth of it, yet.
The group walked through the night to come to where the River forked off, and the Golden fields began. The little Deer pulled her away from the ears of the Wolf.
“This is where we will leave you,” the Deer said. She reached into the cloak pocket and handed Taylor a wrapped package. “This is for you. A last token of my appreciation.” The Deer then gave her a hug and kissed her cheek.
Taylor unwrapped the object and almost gasped out loud when she saw the carved Jade key for the East gate. She tucked it away inside her cloak. Now her hope laid in finding Jarden and Tarak before it was too late.
The Wolf pointed to a speck in the distance.
“Those are the old ruins,” he said, “If the Rebellion has taken up camp there, then the Deer is right; war is coming. I will get you to Jarden, but I can not guarantee Larris won’t have other plans.”
Taylor nodded; she had figured as much.
“Just get me to Jarden, and your task is complete.” She agreed.
They walked for many hours, straight. She refused to let him know her side was paining, and that a stitch or two had popped out, causing it to bleed even more.
They rested for a couple of hours the next day, but, other than that, they kept moving, rendering her condition even worse.
As they got closer to the ruins, they were much more cautious. The last thing they needed was to be killed by friendly fire.
They could see the gates.
“Maybe you should wait here,” the Wolf suggested, “I will bring out Jarden, and he can decide if you will go into the Rebellion encampment. I can’t get you to him if Larris decides you are his.”
“Fine.” She agreed
Under no circumstance would she be belonging to anyone ever again.
Once he left, she made it a point to hide herself, in case he brought back the wrong people. She curled under the branches of a thick tree and waited, pressing a fresh bandage onto the wound.
It took a long time before she heard people coming.
“I don’t know why you can’t just tell me why we are out here,” she heard Jarden complain.
“I made a deal, and I can’t afford to be overheard before I have done my part,” the Wolf insisted.
“Oh, yeah, that makes me feel so much better!” was the sarcastic reply. “When did you last eat? You look like you’ve caught the mange.”
“Just come with me, and you will see. I don’t know what you are worried about; you have a goddamn Tiger with you.”
A Tiger. Taylor didn’t want to get her hopes up too much; she saw Tarak go over the waterfall into a rocky grave below, but that was what she had just heard.
Her breath caught and she waited. Three males came into the small clearing. The Wolf, Jarden with his walking stick, and Tarak. His face looked a little drawn, and he had a few new injuries, but it was him.
“Well?” Jarden demanded.
Taylor didn’t give the Wolf a chance to say anything.
“TARAK!” She yelled and came out from the underbrush.
His eyes widened and he caught her as she grabbed him around the waist with a flying hug. In disbelief, he pulled back the hood of her cloak so he could see her. Her blue eyes shown up at him with pure joy.
“Taylor? By the gods! You are here! You are all right!” He breathed then returned her hug with enthusiasm.
For a few moments, Taylor did nothing but listen to his heart beat against her ear.
“How did you get her here?” Jarden asked in disbelief.
“It was she who rescued me. Apparently, she saved one of the servant Deer from unwanted advances, and, in return, they helped her escape. They made the deal with me that, if I got her to you, I, too, could have my freedom.”
The Wolf looked over at the pair.
“I think I made the right choice,” he said with a smile. “If you have no more need of me, I will be off. I would like to see my pack before nightfall.”
“Thank you,” Taylor said from under Tarak’s arm, “Thank you for bringing me here, and for keeping your word.”
“A Wolf always honors his word.” He said, “Enjoy these moments for they are fleeting.”
That was a sad truth, but Taylor was determined to make it count as she hugged Tarak close.
The Wolf trotted off leaving the three in the clearing.
Tarak pushed Taylor out to arms length with a smile, though, it turned to a frown when he saw her pale face and the smell of blood hit him. He moved back the cloak and lifted her shirt to see the horrific wound. Jarden leaned in.
“I can get that patched up as fast as I can make a pretty She-crocs pants drop!” Jarden declared.
“And to think, I almost missed you.”
“We should get to the temple;
it’s an old Tiger training academy, so only Tiger's may enter. You will be safe from the Rebellion in there, and we can get you fixed up before tomorrow brings what it will.”
Taylor nodded and smiled back at him. He gently lifted the hood of the cloak back into place so no one would see her; he then put a protective arm around her shoulders as Jarden led the way inside.
The ruins were bustling with activity as they readied for battle. No one stopped them on the way to the temple, and Taylor was sure all the Rebellion was giving Tarak a wider berth than necessary.
The temple itself showed clear signs of an old battle, but the stone door still stood strong. Runes carved in the door's center glowed blue as Tarak approached. Once he placed his hand in the circle, the door vibrated and swung in as if it weighed nothing.
They could see the same blue runes inside, lighting their way down the halls.
Tarak took the lead this time and brought them all into a large central hall that had a roaring fire going and several comfy seats surrounding it.
The stone temple was welcoming. Taylor, although in pain, removed the cloak quickly and deposited it in a chair. The last thing she wanted to do was smell of Ransidius in this place, with Tarak.
“Let’s take care of that wound.” Jarden said.
Taylor couldn’t agree more. Her side was throbbing like mad.
As she removed the bandage, she saw Tarak wince at the sight of the raw wound.
“It's not that bad,” she lied.
“Who did that?” Tarak asked.
“A Weasel. Ransidius said he was from the rebellion, but it's not like he told anyone that. He fell on his own blade when he tried to kill me. I didn’t realize he had stabbed as well until after he was dead. Avis tried to heal it, but she is an incompetent twat.” Taylor stated matter-of-factly. “Ransidius’ brother ended up stitching it and treating it for infection with herbs.”
“It is a good thing he did; had they not you would have been dead. Just sit still for a minute, and I can fix that right up.”
Jarden’s magic tingled as it absorbed through her skin. There was a crease in his forehead as he focused all his energy on the one spot. Inflammation went down and the pain dissipated.