The Tiger Within 9 Shadows On North Peak Part 2

He cast a very uneasy look at Kyera. "Ky… where are we?" Veron's voice had a edge to it and the Tigress smiled knowing she had chosen well. He was aware, even if he wasn't sure what he was aware of. The lingering essence of the G.o.d whose hands had shaped this area into the perfect home for one of his most cherished disciples was not easy to detect. Yet She could see by the look in Veron's eyes and the sense of alertness in his face he had not missed the darkness swirling around him. THe very things that made this place home for his beloved stood his hair on end.

"We are here to seek aid for our friend here. Shaman Half Eye should be able to help." Kyera replied squaring her tigress shoulders and hips before sauntering toward the house. Veron hesitated to follow there was something about the way she said his name that worried him. A mix of fear and reverence perhaps? He wondered before following at a distance. The shadows seemed to react as soon as Kyera approached.

Black tendrils like swords dashed out of the shadows toward her, spinning and winding around her. Faster and faster growing darker as if increasing in anger, swallowing the unprotesting woman whole. "KYERA!" Veron screamed yet again in fear as she disappeared from site, but then the wind settled. The angry vortex of shadows seemed to slow and break off from her curling into odd shapes like vines of darkness.

Kyera stood in the same place she had been when Veron lost sight of her. Other than her furr being wind whipped and messy, there was no blood. The tigress stood firm and tall before glancing back at him. "Its over. You may follow me now." Kyera's rea.s.suring voice breaking the icy grip that held his heart and body still. Relief was welcome as it flooded through his limbs and mind.

Veron walked forward cautiously, his eyes darting between shadows. As if playing tricks on him the shadows seemed to form arrows pointing in Kyera's direction. One oddly hand like shadow seemed to shew him toward her. He took the last few steps toward her in one leap. Once he was at her side she shadows swirled lazily as if it was all in his head.

"so are we just going to ignore Kyera, she who Battles with Shadows?" the tiger asked his voice panting and weak as the poison seeped deeper into his system. Kyera and Veron shot him a look. Thankfully there seemed to be movement inside the cottage. A human form stretched across the window pane.

She went on ahead, stopping at the Door. After looking for a knocker on the thick wood, she found none. Instead the great cat like body reared back on its hind feet, reached tall to the top of the door and drug her claws down it. A great groan was created by her claws catching and slicing through small sections of the wood. Before she made it halfway down the door there was noise of banging and scuttling inside.

"d.a.m.n you Great cats can't leave a old man to his stew and cakes in peace!" yelled a voice from inside. A angry, ill tempered elderly voice followed by banging on the door. "you great house cat I will turn you into a rug!!!!" he screeched a man opened the door. Black tunic with golden roses embroidered on the fabric was a shocking contrast to the man's old weathered face and pale skin. Long pure white hair whipped, curled, and twisted across his shoulders and back like it had once been weaved into a long silken braid. The only hint of that elegant style was the twisting way the strands behaved like ropes that had been torn apart and left to their own devices. One long lanky arm was raised wrinkled skin bare as the cloth slid back revealing a tea kettle still red from the fire raised over his shoulder. His one black blue eye like the morning sky and the other top half blue to match, the bottom half milky white lit on Veron and the boy. A great ugly scar seperated his face diagonally, as though the claw of the beast had only caught the bottom of Half Eye's eye.

"a man like you here… you stupid grey beasts why did you let this great oaf into my lands!!!!" his rasping voice demanded. The shadows seemed to shake.