Page 102 of Tiger's Quest
I started to climb down. Kishan caught me around my waist and lowered me the rest of the way.
“Ah ha! So my theory was correct. This really is like the Garden of Eden. The animals don’t hunt.”
“It appears you were right. Still, just to be safe, I’d like to put some distance between us and the lions before we camp.”
Later, we saw other predators—wolves, panthers, bears, and even another tiger. They made no moves against us. In fact, the wolves were as friendly as dogs and approached us to be petted.
Kishan grunted, “This is strange. It’s unnerving.”
“I know what you mean, but . . . I like it. I wish Ren could see this place.”
Kishan didn’t respond except to urge me to leave the wolf pack and move on.
At dusk, we stumbled into a clearing in the middle of a forest that was full of daffodils. We’d just started to set up camp when I heard the soft, haunting music of a flute. We both froze. It was the first evidence of people.
“What should we do?” I asked.
“Let me go look.”
“I think we should both go.”
He shrugged, and I trailed quickly behind him. We followed the lingering notes of the mysterious sound and found the source of the music sitting on a raised stone near a brook, playing a reed pipe. The creature held his pipes gently between two hands and blew air softly between pursed lips. As we hesitantly approached, he stopped playing and smiled at us.
His eyes were bright green and set in a handsome face. His shoulder-length silver hair hung loosely down his back. Two small, brown, velvety horns peeped out of the top of his shiny tresses, reminding me of young deer just growing antlers. He was slightly smaller than an average human, and his skin was white with a slight lilac tint. He was barefoot but wore pants that looked like they were made from doeskin. His long-sleeved shirt was the color of a pomegranate.
He hung his pipes around his neck and looked at us. “Hello.”
Kishan replied warily, “Hello.”
“I’ve been waiting for you to come. We’ve all been waiting.”
I asked, “Who’s we?”
“Well, me for one. Then there’s the Silvanae and the fairies.”
Puzzled, Kishan asked, “You’ve been expecting us?”
“Oh, yes. For a long time, in fact. You must be tired. Come with me, and we’ll provide you with some refreshment.”
Kishan stood rooted to the ground. I stepped around him.
“Hi. I’m Kelsey.”
“Nice to meet you. My name’s Faunus.”
“Faunus? I’ve heard that name before.”
“Have you?”
“Yes! You’re Pan!”
“Pan? No. I’m definitely Faunus. At least, that’s what my family tells me. Come along.”
He stood up, hopped over a rock, and disappeared through the woods on a stone path. I turned around and took Kishan’s hand. “Come on. I trust him.”
“I don’t.”
I squeezed his hand and whispered, “It’s okay. I think you could take him.” Kishan tightened his grip on my hand and allowed me to lead him after our guide.
