Page 73 of Tiger's Destiny
“I am.” He cocked his head. “I was just wondering why your two warriors didn’t leave with the others to seek your trophy. Have they no interest in pleasing their queen?”
Kishan strode forward boldly, shoved Lightning, and spat, “Do not presume you understand the wishes of our queen.”
I intercepted. “Of course they will hunt. I expect nothing less from them. But first they will escort me to the tree where I will watch for the first hunter to return.”
Ren and Kishan each took an arm and walked me over to a stand of fire trees that were darkened in sleep. I handed Ren a handkerchief that I’d had the Scarf make. He read the embroidered message and handed it to Kishan. Both men changed to tigers and trotted out of camp. Lightning gave me a suspicious look and then dimmed his light and left the camp as well.
Dawn would come soon, and I had a lot to do while everyone was gone. Using the Fruit, I filled a goblet with firefruit juice and drank it down. After two more cups I felt much better.
Renewed, I returned to my tent and gathered the weapons, the Phoenix egg, and our other belongings that had been confiscated from our packs. With Fanindra on my arm and a newly made backpack, I dimmed my light and moved through the darkness until I’d found the corral Lightning had shown me the night before.
Closing my eyes, I sent out a message to the animals I sensed resting not far away. A soft whicker and a clop of hooves was my answer as several of the beasts drew near the fence. The lead Qilin approached me. It nudged my hand and blew a hot burst of air from its nostrils.
You have returned, princess. We have waited for you.
Are you ready to be free once again?I asked the animals.
They stomped their hooves excitedly, which created a shower of different-colored sparks over the ground in the otherwise dark night.
Do you know the way through the cave?I asked.
We do, but many of us will be lost on the journey.
Not if you eat these firefruit, I thought and asked the Golden Fruit to create a mound of firefruits in the Qilin’s corral.They will heal you and help you to stay awake.
Firefruit! These have been lost for generations! It is a precious gift you’ve given us, princess.
The Qilin devoured the fruit noisily, biting through the tough outer skin with their dragon teeth. I made more until they’d all eaten their fill.
We are ready now for our journey.
Please be careful. The hunters are out tonight. Move swiftly to the cave. They are unlikely to follow you inside.
I made my way over to the gate, which was secured by a complicated system of braided ropes. Simply untying them was impossible because they were so tightly knotted.
Taking the Scarf, I tried to use it to loosen the ropes. Threads shot out and touched the cords but after a few attempts, the threads recoiled. Alarming patterns and colors flickered over its surface momentarily before stopping.
Once again I tried to wiggle a section loose. My long fingers were awkward to use and, frustrated, I yanked my index finger free of the section I’d dug into and angrily ripped my Rakshasa claw across the surface of the rope. The knot fell to the ground.
Quickly, I used my claws to cut the other ropes. Curious, I picked up a severed piece of the silky rope.
One of the Qilin explained,The cords are made from the manes and tails of our dead brothers. It is very strong, and the demons know we cannot break it.
I’m sorry that I had to cut them then.
Do not be sorry. They would have been happy that we are freed.
The Qilin directly in front of me snorted and whispered a warning in my mind:Someone comes, princess!
I tensed and crouched in the dark shadows. The dragon-horses were so still, I couldn’t even hear their breathing, though I could feel the presence of the herd behind me. My Rakshasa eyes could just make out the shape of a man carefully walking toward me.
As he neared, I heard his quiet whisper, “Kells?”
“Kishan? Over here,” I whispered back.
He skirted some trees and edged behind some undergrowth until he could grasp my hand. “Are you alright?” he asked.
“Took you long enough to find me,” I said with a smile. “Where’s Ren?”
