The Tiger Within

Things had quiet down since the Lady Fate had made her a.s.sault on his kingdom and the King of Shadows was able to focus on his work. So many lost souls had to be found and guided home after the debacle. They were still gathering some who had died while the portal were closed plus keeping up with the War to the north, and a forest fire near the Winter Rain"s Forest. There was one soul that was driving him mad though. Where was he?

"Ping, have you had any luck? He should have died near the falls, has there been any sign of a wanderer in that area?" The Master asked the The fox in human form. Ping sighed shaking his head.

"No Master. However Verone always said he wished to dance in the moonlight rather than come here." Ping pointed out, a bit uncertain. His expression was concerned and a bit like he had something he couldn"t bring himself to say. The Master watched him for several moments knowing how timid Ping could be. Not that it made since, the Fox had been serving him for several decades now… Why would he feel so timid still?

"You want to say something, Ping. Please do." He prompted and Ping was pulled from his thoughts to look a bit surprised.

"To be honest, Master I am not sure that Verone died on that river." Ping had to gather his courage to admit this. After All there was no solid proof, but there was plenty lacking to prove death either.

He had expected anger and perhaps a layer of intimidation to fill the air, but to his surprise the Master seemed to be considering his words carefully. Several long moments pa.s.sed as his words hung on the air between them. "We can"t let this get out until we know for sure. It would tear Kyera"s heart to shreds once more if he abandoned their people. What Proof do you have?"

Ping flinched, having expected this question though he knew he had no good answers to it.

"There is nothing to suggest he did. I found the essence of a fight in the dirt and the body that was thrown into the river was indeed Verone. I found traces of blood taint in the water and the sand of the river bank. The issue I"m having at the moment is no matter how far I follow the river I found no signs of a body. No signs of death. He was a soldier of the Shadows, he followed the codes and your daughter so closely that I see no way he could have died without leaving marks in the shadows. Unless…" Ping fell silence. Though being honest and open was a large part of exploration and investigation reporting some things were left unsaid. Sometimes for no other reason than the speaker didn"t have a death wish.

"Unless?" The Lord of Shadows asked raising his brow. He knew there was something more bothering the fox and his patience was a bit taxed dealing with him but Ping had fantastic insite. It was worth the frustration.. Most days.

"Unless Verone wasn"t true to Kyera?" He offered and his Master paused. There was a darkness in his eyes as he considered these words. The air seemed to change and bristle with electricity as Ping waited.

"Ping, Keep looking. Report back if you find him. Dead or alive." The Master replied, standing to walk to the window behind him. Ping nodded bowing low before walking out of the study. "Verone, I knew your heart was a fickle thing and your adoration for My Kyera seemed true. If you abandoned her… it would have been bad enough. Yet the torment of your death has nearly taken her life from her. If your dead, then find solace in the moondance. If you are alive, I pray you never come before her again."