The Tiger Within

"I see . Thank you for your pearls of wisdom your young majesty . May I go now?" She asked seeming almost annoyed with Clovis"s pretty words . He raised a elegant eyebrow, surprised at her quick dismissal and prod at his age .

"You wish . Thank you for your a.s.sistance, Little Warrioress . " He replied with a genteel smile even though his words clipped slightly on Little, making the word seem sharper than the rest . She shot him a look for a half second, but then realized she had started it and nodded in understanding .

"Fair enough . Till we meet again?" She asked picking up the bits of her cloak and laying them over her arm .
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"I look forward to it . " He agreed dismissing her .

She walked to the princess and knelt down offering the shy child a smile . "I enjoyed our Sword Dance, Princess . Please accept this as a token of protection . If ever you find yourself in the forest, wear this proudly dear one . " she told the sweet girl, taking a silver cuff off her ear as she did so . A purple stone set into the small silver bead . Using her teeth she tightened the tiny gap that fit over the outside bone of the ear, and slipped it into place on the Princess .

"Be safe young one, May the shadow"s guide you . " she says softly, careful so only the child could hear her . The little one blushed, and out of nowhere threw her short arms around Kyera"s neck .

Kyera jolted in surprise looking at the prince and his guard to make sure no knew knives were pointed at her . A few gave her very disapproving looks, though Kyera couldn"t understand why . The child hugged her, why was it her fault?

She shrugged it off and noticed a couple were surprised but all swords and knives seemed to be firmly in their sheaths for the moment, and she couldn"t resist hugging the little darling back . A feeling warmth gathering in her chest as she did so . It lingered even in the moments after the Princess let go .

The ladies were not the only ones affected by this little show of affection and grat.i.tude . Clovis watched with a smile as his little girl interacted with this strange warrioress . She didn"t speak, but he didn"t expect her too . Raina had always been a quiet and shy child . At least she was coming out of her sh.e.l.l a bit with the hug, but he really wouldn"t hold his breath for much more .

"Be good now, Princess . " Kyera added tapping the baby on the nose with one small finger before rising, crossing one hand over her wais and the other out she bowed at the waist in a interesting fashion . She waited for the prince to nod before leaving, walking down the path into the heart of the forest .

Clovis stood there a moment, watching her walk away . His hand found itself holding a small bit of smooth warm skin as his daughter slipped her hand into his . A smile found its way onto his lips as he looked down at her and winked . A sweet fatherly gesture only reserved for this little girl .

"I think Grandma and Grandpa are probably worried . Should we go calm them?" He asked scooping her up into his arms .

The little girl was still focused on the forest edge, her little eyes deep in thought . Once Clovis picked her up she flashed him a sweet little smile . It hurt him a bit .

She was starting to learn how to survive in the Palace . Her innocent feelings of excitement, and love were becoming a thing of the past . She was becoming a Princess and for some reason… that wasn"t a happy thought for him . He was proud of her yes, and knew this was unavoidable, however it isn"t what he wanted for her . She had just turned 3, afterall . There were a few years yet before etiquette would set rules her life .

Clovis sighed mounting his horse and turning his head back toward the palace . At least she was safe . Yet not for the first time he wondered if being safe in a cage was the same as being free and at risk .