Page 48 of Nixx
I meditate on Lokk's words. Humans have indeed found a place in the heart of this Bastion and not only my companion. Their behaviors are totally in line with their clear and bright auras.
A groan draws me out of my thoughts and I realize that Sarah is lost in a bad dream. No need to look for who is responsible.
“Hush, Kitten, it's okay, you're safe!” I whisper softly to her.
I tighten my grip around her body and she calms down.
***
The next morning, I wake her up in the best way, tenderly, and after a quick shower, we go to the first meal. I see Kurr having breakfast with the humans and chatting amiably with them.
We join them and then, Sarah has planned to work with Holly in their "lab" as she calls the potions room. I don't have to worry about her running into Kryll there. I'm going to face him on the training field this morning. No doubt, I'm going to beat him to the punch. I just have to go over detail with Udoo and Gregory about the bridge being created and then I'll go join my men on the training ground.
Gregory shows me a clever system to temporarily dismantle the footbridge and be able to reassemble it just as easily, but with intelligent intervention only. This is an additional measure to secure access to the hanging houses. I like it.
“Nixx, get back to the training area immediately. Quickly!”
Lokk's distraught tone makes my blood run cold and I rush out. The scene beyond the training ground fills me with horror.
An oncifelis is standing next to my companion, holding Kryll's shoulder in its powerful jaws. This predator, feared by all, is next to my companion!
“Kitten, back away from that creature slowly. Don't make any sudden moves. I'll make sure it doesn't hurt you.”
“It's okay Nixx, Tigger has it under control. He stepped in when this evil creature came to me and insulted me and was about to attack me. For now, he can't hurt me, Tigger won't let him.”
I realize two things . . . or more.
This filthy son of a vork tried to assault my companion in my absence.
Tigger is not a babakotia, but an oncifelis!
My partner adopted an oncifelis!
My companion was not exaggerating when she told me that her Tigger was eating a lot and had become enormous . . .
My companion is not impressionable.
My partner adopted an oncifelis!!!
I don't think I'm going to get over it.
My companion can't stay next to a feared predator that will weigh its hundred kilos as an adult and be endowed with a deadly jaw.
I haven't regained my speech when Sarah intervenes again, putting her hand on the oncifelis's skull and gently scratching between his ears.
“Come on, Tigger, be cute. Let go of the ugly man. He won't hurt me now.”
To my great surprise, the monster releases Krill and turns to my companion, opens its enormous mouth and gives her a . . . 'affectionate?' tongue stroke.
By all the Winds! My heart is failing. This female will have my skin! Kryll, pale with rage, slowly gets up. His humiliation is total. All the Erians who were on the training ground, that is to say the majority of the warriors of the Western Bastion, saw him put down, struck down by the oncifelis who obeyed my companion.
In a last-ditch effort, Kryll tries one last time:
“Will you let this abomination disrespect me? Don't you see that she is evil incarnate and wants to disrupt our lives? She even brings monsters into our territory and even had you build bridges to allow them direct access to our families in the hanging houses. This vicious female has you by the balls and will be the downfall of us all!”
The oncifelis still under Sarah's hand rumbles towards Kryll before I do so myself. Kryll abruptly flies away and flies off into the distance. This son of a vork did well to disappear from my sight.
“Nixx, I assure you I didn't do anything to provoke him. I just came to give Tigger some hard-boiled eggs, he loves it and I come by every morning and pet him. This babakotia never found his family, poor guy. But I promise you that he never behaved aggressively. But when Kryll suddenly landed behind me and started to insult me and approach me in a threatening manner, Tigger came out of the thicket where I had just left him and jumped on him. I'm sorry if my babakotia caused any problems.”
