Fantasy Tigerborn, and other true stories. (most of the time)

[AEONmeteorite]

Alyss returned to the castle with blissful strides. Something quite unbecoming of a princess, yet she didn't quite care. The glee continued all the way to her room where she wished to change and prepare to dine. With that though, she ushered her maid to go relax as well. The same debacle occurred, but eventually Lacie had been convinced to leave Alyss' side again. The princess hung up her cape and began to work with her dress. Removing it from her person until she wore but her under dress and turned around while moving her hair to her front. She peered over her shoulder. From what she could tell, the stripes hadn't grown further. Torso and neck. It'd been the same. It gave her enough information to choose out her dress for the evening. One with a high collar this time. "I would find myself wise to speak with a doctor," she muttered and moved to her closet. "I feel fine." She placed a hand on her chest to check her breathing and heart, as though she'd know what to look out for. "Yes. Fine."

The princess changed and after some time, went to dine with her family. They further congratulated Amare and brought forth food that would provide him with energy for the next day. They also discouraged him from eating any dessert for fear that it'd weigh on his stomach, thus further encouraging Alyss to take the dessert to the gardens as she had planned. She wouldn't want to, 'make her brother jealous'. She made way into the gardens with a servant. A shawl loosely fell over her arms and she wore thin gloves with her hands clasped in front of her while she waited. It wasn't too long after when Leon came.

"You needn't worry if you are late for arrangements such as these." Alyss reached the the cart while lifting a hand to urge the servant that they are free to let them be. He left and she took up a plate. "Raspberry Kuchen with icing." She handed him a small, decorated plate with a small fork. A good size to walk and eat. "Eat and come, I've something I wish to show you."

 

[Calibutcher]

Eventually, Amare was pulled from the drunken crowds by the will of his father and mother. Both saw how willing he was to join in a drunken stupor with the other well-wishers and those who were at the festival simply to have a good time. They sent a servant into the crowd three times to tell their son to come back. He ignored each call claiming he was almost done or just a bit longer. Seeing all their servants turned away Father stood and motioned for the captain of the guard. The same captain instructed his son daily and led the other guards' training. Amare saw his father and the captain speaking before the captain could come to retrieve him. Amare slipped out of the crowd and returned to his father's side smelling of Ale and standing as straight as he could.

The captain seeing the matter resolved on his end returned to his post. Father and Mother berated Amare on the way back to the castle. A bath was drawn for Amare and he made it to dinner greatly sobered and under watch. He exclaimed his displeasure at being denied dessert but did little else to object when both King and Queen gave him a deathly glare. It was up to him to win the festival. They expected him to do well. So he was lectured further as Alyss was dismissed with dessert.

"Rasberry Kuchen?" He struggled with the new word foreign to his mouth but he recognized cake well enough and he liked the taste of raspberries so he gladly took the plate and shoveled the first bite before her invitation to follow. He quickly chewed and swallowed. "I will gladly follow you." He spat out perhaps a bit too soon as a piece of cake fell from his mouth. He quickly closed his mouth and wiped at his face he made sure to finish swallowing before continuing. "Sorry." He said looking bashful. Hoping to change the subject he inquired. "What do you have to show me?"

 

[AEONmeteorite]

With delicate fingers and a light touch, Alyss turned the fork in her hands and graced the side of it against the top of the kuchen slice. The metal slid through the baked delight until it faintly clinked the fine plate and she turned up her eyes to Leon just as she witnessed his mouth failing as dam. He fixed himself up fast, all the while she held her fork still in the slice. It began with a single snort as she flipped her fork to lift the piece she'd cut. She hovered it over the plate for a time and before the thought to put it in her mouth came, another huff billowed out before she poured into laughter. Once her laughter died, she finally popped the piece into her mouth and swallowed as he hadn't managed to do at first. "You needn't be so flushed over such things." On the contrary, Alyss enjoyed the less stuffy demeanor. She began to walk, taking lead while carrying her plate and setting out for another piece.

"Over the millennium use of magic has waned greatly, hasn't it? Knowing of any cleric who has been bestowed such power is a rare thing. In the past, it was far more common and they could do far more things. They could create entirely new plant life. After all these years, we are certain of only one flower here that had been created by man, the Vigint. I'm sure you've heard of them. Unfortunately, we've had to lock them in the greenhouse in the middle of the garden. We don't have enough to let them survive on their own outside." Between her words she took up pieces of the kuchen as they made their way to center of the gardens. "They only bloom every twenty-two years, just the same as the appearance of the silver tiger. They continue to stay open for a month, longer than the festival, but short enough to remind us that if the silver tiger is still alive upon their closing, we've taken too long."

 

[Calibutcher]

he could not hide his folly at spitting out cake but among the princess's qualities was kindness and his minor spill was quickly excused and forgiven. He watched for a moment how she ate her cake in comparison to him. It was a gentle affair with how she ate. He followed and took another slice of cake trying to follow her example and take his time with the next piece of cake. He still finished another piece well before her but at least refrained from making another mess.

"The use of magic has waned much.." He said slowly curious as to where this conversation would go or what she had to show him. He knew the Vigint, many of the guards did. It was one of the reasons the gardens even had a patrol assigned to them. "I've never been allowed inside. I've only ever been told to guard the greenhouse."

 

[Calibutcher]

"Those with royal blood are themselves the key, however," she walked up to the entrance of the greenhouse and placed her empty plate down on another cart that had been placed specifically for their arrival. She reached to her high collar, delving her finger past the fabric to grab at a chain to pull up, where at the end hung a key. "I am not of royal blood. So I must do things in the old fashion way." She removed the necklace and unlocked the door while turning the knob. "Care to gaze upon the Vigints with me?" Alyss cooed and extended her arm while sweeping it toward the opened door before waltzing in herself.

The greenhouse was, by all means, tiny. It was shaped in an octagon, but even her room extended greater space than it did. Even with it being so meager in size, it was packed with the remaining Vigints. A single pathway coursed around the room where flowers vined and bloomed on the walls. In the center was a fountain and flowers surrounded the base of that too. Only the domed ceiling was made of glass. It appeared as though gems had been tossed into the white space, as all the flowers glittered a vibrant silver just like they were metal.

 

[Calibutcher]

Leon followed pace with Alyss and arrived at the cart with his long-finished piece of cake. Her foresight in having a cart ready was impressive to him and he was relieved to not have to worry about the delicate plate while they viewed the flowers. Their entry was permitted by a key that she carried and he readily agreed to go look. "It would be an honor to see what I have helped guard.

The dazzling lights reflecting off fountains and flowers alike earned an audible gasp from him, followed by a reverenced silence. He stepped closer to a flower and clasped his hands behind his back leaning in close to examine but keeping his hands well away for fear of breaking them if he were to touch them somehow.

"There magnificent." He said as he stood up straight. He turned and looked at Alyss. "I would visit here often if I was allowed the privilege. It's a shame they are so few. Something this splendid deserves to be commonplace." He paused at his statement. "Why are they so few?"

 

[Calibutcher]

"No one is for certain." Alyss peered at the same flower he had been viewing. Her eyelids half closed as she took in the beauty and scent. "We've some ideas. Many of our credible gardeners agree that it may be due to their lack of produced seeds per season. Each one only gives one. If that were the case though, we would have much more than what we see here, even with failures. Some believe it is due to a change in the seasons, but it hasn't gotten better even after we've placed them in greenhouses. The amount here is a tad under the amount I remember as a child or about the same. Enough die or fail each year for it to dwindle slowly."

Alyss straightened her back as well and sighed, "The last option is the most farfetched and I would have to agree that it is outlandish. I suppose the clerics worship our Makers or what many call, our Watchers, and receive their power through them. These flowers, being that they are a creation of life, are the utmost reflection of the specific Watcher's power that had been used. Whether or not they're real, whatever power was used could very well be dying or leaving us. As in, deciding that they are done with watching us." She folded her arms and contemplated that thought. "Unfortunately, some evidence may back this up, considering any other known plant made my man has withered to time. We were unable to make them last. It isn't just a single instance, it is all of them. I wouldn't know what that would mean for us, but it would appear life works the same as it always has."

 

[Calibutcher]

"It is a shame there flowers are not reproducing correctly." The balding man in grey robes sighed. "They do not understand the correlation or importance of the flowers and the Tigers."

"At least not fully." Replied the man in yellow robes. "Perhaps this time the people may notice why the flowers do not reproduce when they only ever seek slaughter."

"If they are fortunate. They may." The man waved his hand in dismissal. "Now is not the time for such discussion. Her transformation will begin again soon."

^^^

"regardless of why it happens it's a shame that they are slowly dying out." Leon had heard of the watchers before but shared no interest or belief in them. A tale for children or the feeble minded. Leon need only rely in his brother in arms and his own training. He would find success in life on his own. "Thank you for allowing me to see them. Perhaps we should allow more people to see them before they are all gone?" He questioned. "It doesn't seem right that such a beautiful thing remain hidden."

 

[Calibutcher]

"Yes, that would be a nice thought," Alyss lifted her shoulders and shook her head. "I find it more likely that it will be sealed off from the public. So rare. So delicate. People, well people can be mean." She tilted her head and finally let her shoulders fall. "If things go smoothly though, between you and I, you may see them far more often. And, speaking of," Alyss pointed to the ribbon on his wrist, "forgive me for being so forward in front of so many people. Speaking of mean. There will likely be rumors."

 

[Calibutcher]

"I have every hope and intention of things going well. You seem more worthy of a cause to care for than even these flowers. Indeed I hope this will not be our last visit here." He said with a smile. It felt easy to let those words fly from his tongue they were honest and true and he would endeavor to keep them that way.

He turned his wrist slightly as he looked at the ribbon. "There will be rumors. I've no doubt. I can weather what the people will say. Let them gossip. When I earn my knighthood, I will be free to ask for your hand." He paused and reached out to her hand. "If you will have me?" He queried.

 

[AEONmeteorite]

A peculiar mix of emotions churned inside Alyss' mind. The larger of the group was, luckily, sheer happiness. Everything had gone so smoothly. Exactly as she had hoped for, despite she, the woman, making the first approach. And now, he spoke of the future she wished for, but worry and fear held down her immediate excitement.

Royalty, dukes, viscounts, aristocrats, many of those in higher privileged lives were married for political or monetary gain. Engagements occured at young ages, sometimes right at birth. She'd been fortunate her parents let her pursue love rather than status. While she believed her reasons were just for taking a liking in him, she had to wonder where his reasons lied. Was this just a step up in society for him? People could pretend romance.

It didn't feel like ulterior motives. Not now, at least. His stature appeared genuine and he planned to gain stepping with his own abilities through knighthood. "There is an end of festival ball." Alyss' eyes slid back to the silver flowers. Her head tilted just so to help her study them and, more than anything, to help avoid making contact with his eyes. "Know that my heart flutters at such a request, but I bid you to ask me forthright then once more."

 

[Calibutcher]

Her request made sense. His asking now was a tad soon. But he wanted to be certain there was interest. He was elated to hear her request for him to ask again later. "I will do just that princess. I will do so as a knight." He gave her a warm smile. He fought back a yawn, the rigors of the day and the lack of proper food catching up to him. "I wish we could spend more time together. But I need to go rest. I have many more feats of strength to accomplish, sparring to win and a tiger to hunt!" He said enthusiastically. Despite his tired body, he was still excited both at his prospective knighthood and his new discovery of a reciprocated interest in the princess.

With these thoughts and victories in his mind, he bid Alyss farewell and goodnight and gave her hand a gentle kiss before he left. He hurried away feeling a bit overcome with emotion and fighting back embarrassment. He returned to his barracks managed to find some food and upon laying on his cot nigh instantly fell asleep with pleasant dreams.

^^^

Amare was already asleep after having been lectured by his parents and being sent off to his room without dessert. Sleep found him quickly as well. But to before he reminded one of his servants to have him woken before dawn.

As instructed he was awoken before the sun took to the sky on this new day. Feeling sore he slumped out of bed and limped to the window. The early morning streets were already showing signs of activity as people prepared for the next day of the festival. Feeling the fatigue from the previous day Amare called upon a servant to help him dress and don his armor. The process was quick with help but even so, the morning sun crested the horizon and with it, the sounds of the festival began to pick up.


Amare like usual went to check on his sister. He moved through the hall a bit slower today but held his head high in the pride of his win the previous day. He knocked on the door "Oh sister!" he called in a cheery but tired voice. "Your handsome Leon will be so lonely if you are not on the stage to greet his weary eyes..." HIs sister giving Leon a ribbon of her favor was something he decided to speak with her about. Already rumor would have surely spread like wildfire. He wanted to prepare his sister for it, and defend her from it if he could. Leon to would have to deal with raucous guards and there talk as well. But he suspected the man could handle himself.

 

[AEONmeteorite]

Alyss lay on her bed, one hand grasping the other as her eyes trailed over every design whittled into the ceiling. Her mind replayed the kiss bestowed onto her hand over and over. Every time she calmed her fluttery heart, she burst back into a blush. Making the moment seem more glittery in her head than it truly had been. At some point, she'd lulled herself asleep, for daylight broke between the near closed curtains and stirred her from slumber.

Her hands still held one another as her eyes flitted. Alyss' vision kept blurry and gradually came into focus. Inhaling sharply, the princess shot up and pulled her hands close to her face. There weren't many and they were thin, but stripes had grown there now. She rubbed them together as though washing them without water in an attempt to rub off the marks. They didn't budge, to which she threw off her sheets and ran to the mirror and pulled up her sleeves. The stripes had made way down her arms, gradually dissipating. "A sickness? Ailment? Plague? But I feel fine," she muttered to herself, but then held her breath. Did she feel fine? Something felt off. Something tugging. Something swaying. Her brows knitted as her hands pushed against the sides of her thighs and she inch by inch hitched up her nightgown until she just barely saw it. A tail. One with black stripes and silver fur.

Many heartbeats past the time by as she stared at herself. There'd been more that had gone unnoticed. Random strands of hair seemed to have aged, as they were silver. Her canines were more prominent than before. Alyss was no fool. The pieces shoved together in her head and the dawning realization made her heart sink. "I'm becoming the silver tiger." Those words hung in the air and she hadn't any idea what to do about them.

What did she do next? Well, she got ready. She'd have to call off her maids again. Figure out a way to claim that the strands of hair were a kind of ornament to allude to the Vigints. Wear gloves. Long sleeves. She could do this. Surely. But how long did she have? What was she to do if the entire transformation occurred? No dress could trick the eyes. Eventually those knocks came from Lacie and Alyss did as she had planned, her maids left her to her own dreading mind.

"I have a tail." Alyss looked through her dresses. "A tail. I'll have to find a corset that doesn't hit the base of it. That would make me mighty uncomfortable. Why must this be a debate?" Her fingers slipped from the dresses and she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh why deity have you chosen me to revive thine self?"

Another knock echoed from her door and her brother's voice came. "Amare I do not think I am..." she paused as she felt her new tail twitch. Eventually, he, her brother, one of the mightiest in the festival, would be hunting her. She didn't want that. The princess grabbed at her underskirts, covered in all white and not yet donned an actual dress, thus the stripes on her arms and neck still showed. Alyss raced to the door, threw it open and reached out to grab the prince's wrist. "Amare, I need your help."

 

[Calibutcher]

Amare tilted his head at the sound of his sister's voice. She sounded out of sorts. “You don’t think you are what?” He began. Could she be this nervous about Leon? It seemed unlikely to him. Had some rumor already reached her, some crappy duke perhaps taunted her to tears already? He would confront whoever was responsible for this.


He approached the door and was about to ask permission to enter when she threw open the door and pulled him in. Her cry for help became quickly apparent. As the door closed behind him he stared in disbelief for a few moments. “Alyss…” He pointed at her with a shaky hand. “You are striped, and-” he glanced behind her slightly. “Is that a tail?”

Fear gripped him as he tried to process what he was seeing what was happening. The silver in her hair, the stripes, the tail. She looked like she was turning into the Silver tiger. “How long?”

 

[AEONmeteorite]

Alyss pinched her lips as he audibly pointed out her changed features. The shame and embarrassment welled up. She rubbed beneath her eyes and groaned, "Since yesterday." She took both her hands and gestured at herself. "It began with some stripes. I can still cover this up, but if it continues... the situation is becoming too precarious for me to handle."

 

[Calibutcher]

It was overwhelming to see. His sister was becoming the silver tiger. His initial reaction was fear. Somehow she was becoming something else. But the thing she was becoming was evil in nature. The silver Tiger always needed to be killed. Or else the kingdom would fall to ruin. Or could this be witchcraft of some kind, a treachery wrought by evil spirits and black vulgar magic? "Precarious is a gentle way to put it." He said with a great amount of trepidation. "if anyone discovers you..." He didn't finish the sentence. It didn't need to be said. Not out loud not now.

Something else festered in his mind though. What if she deserved it? Surely the watchers would only punish the wicked with such a curse as this. "Sister have you sinned? Performed some great misdeed?" He stepped closer and spoke fervently. "Have you tried your hand a Dark magics?" He was hesitnt to make the accusations but surely something had gone amiss. If it was a wrongdoing then it could be fixed. Something could reverse the changes. So he hoped.

 

[AEONmeteorite]

A shiver ran up her spine upon thinking about what may happen to her if this continued. Her brother couldn't even outright say it. While she waited for words of comfort, none came, rather Alyss paled at the thoughts and assumptions he pulled up. "Excuse you!" she jeered and took a step back from Amare. "I am no cleric. I've no abilities in magic. I have done no such thing to hurt my stature or my kingdom. If anything..." Alyss stopped and furrowed her brow. She sniffed. Sniffed again. There was something in the air. Something sweet and unique. She'd never taken in such an aroma before. "Interesting. A better nose too it would seem. Either way, you need to help me keep up a facade."

 

[Calibutcher]

He did not apologize for his attempts at seeking out wrongdoing. It seemed likely she was not some sort of cleric, but something must have gone amiss. He found it hard to ignore the stripes and tail and for a few moments staring at his sister before returning to his senses and pondering her question. "A facade.." He said quietly. This would be difficult to hide, but a deeper issue lingered here. She was turning into the silver tiger. His sister of all people. Turned into the very thing the kingdom relied on slaying once every 22 years. The being that had seen them ruled over and enslaved in ages past. A dark thought crept through Amare, but it was not something he could easily brush away. For the sake of the kingdom. The tiger would have to be slain.

To do so now would still be wrong, but when the beast took over, the deed would still have to be done. By him or another. His hand clenched into a fist. "You must cover yourself." He turned his eyes away from her, uncertain of how to think of her. Was she still his sister or should he think of her as the beast she would become? "I will help you, but let us meet again tonight after the festival. We need to discuss what may happen. What others would do if they discovered your- condition." What he would have to do to uphold the kingdom. "What can you best wear to cover yourself?" He forced himself to look at her again, and he tried to hide the conflict in his eyes.

 

[AEONmeteorite]

"Most of the alterations can be concealed," Alyss said and returned back to the over gowns. "Once covered in a proper gown, nothing should be seen, well, except the hair." She chose a gown with lengthy sleeves and a high collar as she had done for when she walked with Leon. "Oh, goodness, Leon," she let out an exaggerated sigh. "I would like he did not see me in such a disheveled state." Alyss began to put on the over gown, what with it being clothes being put on top of clothes, she simply went to work to cover the markings.

Her brother continued as she finished readying herself. She nodded upon them meeting again, but pulled a sour look upon hearing herself have a 'condition', as he put it. "Yes, we can meet at the Vigints. Only royalty may enter and I doubt the king and my mother will waltz in."

 

[Calibutcher]

He set to work helping her don her clothing, her hair being the exception she did for all intents and purposes look like the normal princess and sister he knew her to be. He set to reassuring his sister. "You still look like the princess you always have been." He straightened a piece of her clothing and took a step back. "You are a fair state away from disheveled. Keep your wits about you... And let me know if anything, changes." He motioned to her as a whole but he meant if any of the tiger bits progressed along.

"I will see you at the Vigints tonight then, so we can better plan for what to do." He had many more questions. And many more thoughts about what this could all mean. Or what was the right thing to do about it? "Let us go. We do not want to be late and arouse any suspicions." He gave her one final look over, nodded his approval that all looked right, and took her by the hand. "Come sister, we will face this together." He said in as cheerful a voice as he could muster. Though in truth he feared what tomorrow would hold for them both.

He led her out the door and they walked side by side to the Festival. They were still where they needed to be when expected. They had time before the festival would start, now for the first obstacle. There parents.

It was their mother who noticed Alyss's hair of course. "Greetings my dears." Father echoed a nonchalant call of good morning to them as well. When mother turned she raised a brow at Alyss. "Silver hair?" She questioned. She seemed more surprised than upset at the new color, but still waited for an answer.

 

[AEONmeteorite]

Despite Amare first dwindling courage in the matter, he began to uplift her again. One could not look at her face and simply know. If she could manage to keep her wits about her, then she'd survive at least another day. While he straightened out her wardrobe, Alyss slipped gloves on, covering the small stripes there, then extended her arms to be sure her sleeves wouldn't ride up. "I shall let you know if any such changes occur. Thank you dear brother." And the two left to head out toward a tightroped day.

Her steps held elegancy with each stride the entire way to meet with their parents. It lasted a mere moment upon standing in front of them, for her mother took no time to point out the obvious. "My hair? Yes," Alyss squeaked out, and the back of her dress rose momentarily from her tail reacting to her stressed emotion. "They are silver thread. Temporary indeed. Just as the Vigints. I wish to reflect their symbolism of the festival. Although, they were not ready for me yesterday."

 

[Calibutcher]

The queen pursed her lips for a moment as she considered her daughter's actions. "Hmm" She tilted her head slightly before looking away. "I quite like it, maybe I shall do the same. What do you think dear?" She questioned the king. He waved distractedly. "Yes, do as you please." He was busy eyeing some of the knights preparing for battle from the other kingdoms. No doubt examining those who seemed most a challenge.

The queen huffed and rolled her eyes but excused the distracted king. "See if you could have some of the thread sent to my room tonight Alyss. Tomorrow perhaps we can match." She said with a faint smile.

Amare who had been holding his breath through the exchange exhaled finally. "Son no reason to be that nervous." Chided the king.

"Indeed father." He forced himself to start breathing normally and to look at his competition. "These knights from Pineshrew do not seem like they will be too difficult to best."

"No, we have prepared well for this day." The king said with pride. "Let's begin." He stood from his seat and called for the people's attention.

"Today we prove who is ready for the fight and hunt of the Silver Tiger, in the oldest test of strength. Trial by combat!" The crowd met the king's announcement with raucous applause and he called on the first knight from Pineshrew, a younger lad by the name of Wren. He was to be challenged by none other than Amare himself.

Amare stood and looked at his sister. "Wish me luck." He said with a grin. The opportunity to fight brought clarity to his mind as he made his way down to his squire who had his sword and helmet ready. Amare donned the helmet and put on his gloves. He was armored head to toe now and ready to fight. He grabbed his sword and walked into the arena.

^^^

Leon awoke to the jostling of his fellow guards. "C'mon lover boy don't want to be late for your second day to impress the princess eh?" Said one of the older and more grizzled guards. A guard just younger than Leon gave a light tug to the ribbon tied on Leon's wrist. "No time for sleeping in, you gotta do us proud out there al'right?"

Leon sat up and pulled away his wrist with the ribbon still attached. "Ah, lay off you lot." He stood and quickly got to getting dressed. Despite the teasing and prodding his fellow guards helped him put on his armor and one guard even brought him a bowl with breakfast. Any jealousy they had with Leon courting the princess was overruled by the pride they had in Leon representing them and their kingdom.

Leon was jostled out the door and he made it to the arena in time to see Alyss take the stand. He watched as Amare took to the arena to start off the fights for the day. It quickly became apparent that Amare far out killed the other knight and in typical Amare fashion made a show of the fight. Taking his time parrying blows and dodging his opponent's slow strikes with ease. Leon made his way around the arena while the fight went on and approached the stand used by the royal family. He attempted to gain Alyss's attention with a brief wave. It was then that he noticed her hair had changed color as well. He didn't think much of it but found it rather fetching.

 

[AEONmeteorite]

"Yes, of course mother, I'll be certain to have Lacie send some to your room," Alyss answered immediately back and let her shoulders rest. She blowed out a sigh of relief, visible in a puff of fog caused by the chillier morning. She moved to her chair, placing a hand on one of the arms and sat, only to yelp a bit and stand back up. Sitting on one's own tail wasn't a concern she had prior. Her mother shot her a glance and she muttered, "Blast these spiders," wiped her fingers at the seat and finally settled in.

The announcements came and the fighting began. Alyss' fingers wrapped the armrests. She pushed her nails into the wood, scratching at it as a means to keep calm. "F-father?" she asked, to which the King didn't answer. After clearing her throat, she said again, "Father!?"

"Hm? Yes?" he said but his eyes kept on the battle ahead.

"How many of the knights will be allowed to hunt for the silver tiger? Just the champion?"

"Nonsense," he leaned forward and pulled his fingers into a fist as he watched his son perform beautifully in the arena. "One knight against the most fearsome foe of our kingdom? All are encouraged to hunt. It is the grand event after all."

"All?" Alyss swallowed and the air suddenly felt all the more cold as she eyed the span of people fighting.

"YES! That's my boy!!" The King hollered.

The Queen gave a gentle clap in celebration, then further elaborated on the matter, "All may join the hunt, however when they may begin hunting is determined in this arena. If they are too injured, then they are not to go and must heal. Those who remain healthy may join. The winner will have all three days, by the second half of the third day, everyone must hunt. Usually those who place near each other work together in the hunt Though, pray that we never send off the last placed knight. We would have failed in our training of our guard if we send the weakest."

Alyss' eyes had kept roaming and eventually found her knight, Leon. She smiled and she briefly lifted her own hand to wave just as she was informed that knights may party together. That could benefit her for those who joined Amare. "Let us say that Amare and Leon take first and second place, then...."

"Oh, haha, oh no," her mother laughed and flicked her hand. "Those who top high would never show such weakness and share their glory."

"Ah," Alyss' heart sunk and her smile fell before she turned away from Leon. With that way of thinking, it wouldn't be unrealistic to believe that the top five or ten knights would hunt on their own once allowed. It would have benefitted her if no one grouped. Now she'd have to face strong men or large forces. She'd just need to survive three days, she could...

"If they don't..." Alyss began again and stumbled over her words, "They uh... if they do not slay the tiger in three days, what shall we do?"

"What else? We must continue to hunt. Those from other kingdoms would return to their homes to defend their land in case the silver tiger decided to leave our borders. Our knights would rally against it." The Queen sat back in her chair as two strangers duked it out in the arena. She turned to look directly at Alyss. Studying her daughter's face and caliber. "You needn't fret my daughter. The kingdom has only ever succeeded. I do not believe the silver tiger yet roams the surrounding forests. You ask many questions, but you have not lived during a hunt yet within your life. You shall see. No beast will harm you. Your knight and brother would not allow you to be even scraped by it."

 

[Calibutcher]

He had been hoping to talk to her somehow but with the ongoing fight and her being on the stand there was no way he could carry a conversation with her. He had burning questions. Mostly he wondered if she would want to meet again. He suspected he would have to wait again till after the tournament, and for now he needed to focus on his turn to fight. Amare had been toying with his contestant but finally he wisened up and took the fight serious. He lunged forward and dropped into a series of moves until he grappled the other knight to the ground.

The crowd cheered and even the king roared his approval at seeing his son best his first opponent. It was clear enough that the young knight of Pineshrew was not trained to the same level as Amare but after the fight Amare met Wren with a firm handshake and words of encouragement. Before long the two were out of the arena and each left with a grin on there face.

There were many rounds of fighting but eventually Leon entered the ring against another knight of Pineshrew. Esmeralda was a strong red headed women with a serious expression and a firm stance. She wore lighter armor and as she shifted she looked to be light on her feet. A fast oppenant.

Leon braced himself for a difficult fight. The call to action was given shortly after Leon put on his helmet. He stood his ground and held his sword at the ready position he spoke in an even tone, “Make your move Knight.” He raised his sword slightly and held gaze with her.

 

[Calibutcher]

Alyss’ mind held up with her gradual transformation. Torments of fear and wonder what was to come eating up her thought. She felt sweat bead at her brow as opponents faced each other again and again. That is, up until Leon took to the arena. Her heart jumped about and she straightened up in her chair. Fears slipped from her mind as her intrigue consumed her.

The twain of soldiers faced one another. Circling. Sizing each other up, or at least, that is what it appeared to Alyss. One of them, from Pineshrew, was a woman no less. Velthin didn’t often have females as soldiers and usually they came from long lines of them, trained by pasts before them. And, somehow, Alyss felt an infectious jealousy tamper with her heart. Truly, could he find more attraction toward a woman who could fight? Would they speak after? Will the soldier’s talents be better recognized than her own.

Finally, Esmeralda strikes. She stepped forward, turned her entire body, and aimed for his shoulder. However, when the blade came close to him, she pulled back on the sword with her other hand and, from what Alyss could tell, spun it toward his other side. “Fast,” Alyss whispered and tensed.