The Tiger Within 300 The People Quit Listening

"I intend to take Lady… well I suppose Princess Kyera Mei as my wife." Clovis replied honestly. It wasn't that he couldn't sense the tension in the room. However he wanted to start this relations.h.i.+p honesty. There was a sudden increase in fast chatter, Kyer sighed hearing the growls and annoyance. She knew the mistakes he made, but he only realized one.

"Did you not heed the Old One's words? Your family has taken the life of one daughter who took the chance to marry your kin. You dare think we will trust you with the Princess Kyera?" A young jaguar demanded. He was maybe a teen and much more hot headed than the elders here.

"Not to mention your kind are not true to your wives. You treat them as collectables and put them in gla.s.s cases where they are seen never heard. Kyera has too beautiful a mind to be some Delicate Prince's doll!" this was a tracker that had once trained with Kyera and Verone. All the insults and demands were made by the throng of children and people were a bit overwhelming to Clovis and he didn't have a chance to address one before 6 more were tossed his way. Kyera looked toward Daxin who seemed to be the only one pondering though his expression was intense dislike. She knew he would not like it.

"Wait, everyone please, I want to address your concerns." Clovis tried to gain control again but the pack mentality didn't recognize his voice or pleas. He held his ground even as the throng gathered closer.

"My Kin, Come now we can speak freely but we must be willing to let the other side speak." Oslo tried to calm the crowd, seeing as the prince could not. He glanced toward  Kyera who was staring at the rafters with a sense if alarm. Before he could speak she moved forward and tried to alert the crowd but her hand shot out. There was suddenly a splash of blood and silence.

A swish, the m.u.f.fled sound of metal embedding in skin and and a rough cry of pain was heard. Kyera's hand was pierced through by a arrow bolt that hung from her now bleeding palm. She had seen the archer the second he released the bow string, his target being Clovis' throat. She tried to grab the arrow but instead it pierced her hand. Clovis grabbed her pulling her behind him in case there was any more of an attack.

The s.h.i.+fters cried in alarm and began the hunt for the attacker. "The rafters, there!" Kyera instructed as she snapped the shaft off the bolt and pulled the arrow from her hand. Clovis turned and saw him trying to jump the rafters toward the window. In the split second he had to decide between protecting Kyera and catching the would be a.s.sa.s.sin he grabbed a crossbow bow from Race's belt and shot a single arrow.

It flew true caching the would be a.s.sa.s.sin in the ankle. He plummeted to the ground with a cry of pain.  s.h.i.+fters young and old surrounded him, using rope to bind him up. Clovis turned to find the tiger had turned to a man and was tending Kyera's hand. He recognized him as the boy from the Market. Her lover's brother. Suddenly his hostility seemed less unfounded.

"Are you okay?" Clovis asked trying to get back to her but the man was already busy bandaging her hand and kept between them.

"She is fine." Talis growled at him shooting him a glare. This man meant to prey on his sister he had another thing coming.

"Talis, I can speak for myself. It is a simple wound. My hand may be useless for a while but if I take care it will heal fine." Kyera replied calmly. She was sort of glad she was shot, at least it aimed the throng at a different  enemy for a moment.

"You sure?" he asked honestly more anxious than she would have liked. It was just a flesh wound.

"Yes, I am mainly annoyed it took me getting injured for my people to take a moment to let us speak." Kyera replied with a cheeky grin.