The Tiger Within 35 Brotherly Love Part 3

It was true that one had to get up very early to get the drop on that tigress. Even the sun sometimes failed to concede to the moon before she rose. Often the rays of sunset would find her dancing with the wind and whip. In truth he didn't expect her to be at her tent, and even if she was she would likely not be in her bed. It was just the last place to check before going to the Stained Land. If she wasn't home, there was a good chance she would be there especially after all that had happened the last few days. Too bad he had brought Talis along. It was too late to shake the boy… he could only hope he was wrong. Bringing the boy there… he wouldn't understand the solomness of that land.

However that hope was dashed when he saw no smoke curling through the center of the tent. Without bothering to enter, he pulled back the flap of hide making up the door. Inside the fire was dead, no coals smoldered in the circle. Her breakfast still sat by the table. With a heavy sigh his eyes landed on her bed. The furrs crisp and clean, no one had slept in them the night before. There at the head of the bed, nested on her pillow was a simple smooth stone. Fire scorched, and etched with paths that twisted and turned across the surface made it easily recognizable. Verone reached down and drug his fingers over the stone, tracing the four hearts intricately hidden at the center of the stone.

"Well now what?" Talis asked glancing around then back at Verone. Truth be told. He felt a little out of place. It was a strange thing to be in a woman's room with her there… but worse so when she wasn't. Like an invasion of her privacy.

"I know where she is now. Judging by all this she never came back in after i left her last night." Verone replied leaving the stone where it lay on the pillow. He turned walking toward the door and offered him a soft smile.

"Should we go after her?" Talis asked, sensing there was more to his brother's words than perhaps previously detectable. The look in his blue eyes was deep and concerned but tinted with a deep sadness. Instinct hinted that perhaps this had to do with the past that Kyera keeps so quietly. If it did, perhaps it was best not to follow her at all.

Verone shook his head "We should at least check on her. Chances are time has just gotten away from her. We may as well go on up. Worst comes to worst we can just head to the training grounds from there." He replied leading him toward the door.

The brothers walked down a older path, one they both knew well. The road well worn as they entered the bazaar and headed for the north end. Merchants calling to each other and trying to entice the other s.h.i.+fters to try their wears. Through the center of town, the pair pa.s.sed walking to the sentry who lay in Lion form at the trees marking the edge of town. He raised to four paws and stretched, eyeing the two tigers closely.

Verone felt his brother tense and shot him a glance. It was instinct on Talis's part. He was far too young to remember the night a lion had wounded the Kin. There was bad blood between the tiger's and the lions ever since the Lions tried taking Kyera away for their prince's bride. In retaliation he had betrayed the Tiger kin and even his people now bowed their heads to the tigers. Deep regret for the rift that was torn between them. Very few Lions were part of the guard, and even fewer were sentries. One bad apple had ruined much of the barrel in the eyes of the s.h.i.+fters. Even the wolf and the jackal felt disdain and distrust for the Lions and their pride.

"Heading up to the Northern hunting grounds." Verone told him and nodded respectfully before s.h.i.+fting shape. After a moment's hesitation Talis followed his lead.