The Tiger Within

The woodlands began to give way to gardens and Kyera sighed softly . Perhaps the trip was nearly done . She wasn"t sure how much longer her shoulder could tolerate the weight . Though the child was next to nothing compared to most the things she had carried, pain had started to dig deep into her chest .

Raina had fell asleep hours ago, holding lightly to Kyera"s soft fur . She didn"t mind, glad the child was resting as she picked her way through the forest . Soon she saw the forest trees giving way to smaller trees and vines, pretty flowers gently tended to form a oasis of safety and order . Years of tedious tending was evident in the fragrant blooms beside the beaten trail .

Advertis.e.m.e.ntThe smell of warm herbal tea and warm cooked meats floated on the air as if someone was having tea nearby . Kyera"s stomach growled as the smells of spices and cooked meat reached her and she involuntarily walked toward it . At first she went to chide herself and stop, but then again… where there was food and tea there would be humans . She needed to get the baby out of the cold air as soon as possible . The child didn"t need to get sick . After realizing this, she went ahead and headed toward the tea table .

Kyera began to realize this wasn"t the cold palace when she came upon the table . A old woman, late in age and draped in elegant silks sat at the table . The crown on her head was old and had a pretty petina from years of wear . Her hair was swept up in a black swirl on top of her head, some strands falling from the careful arrangement and cascading over her fair skin . Soft wrinkled hands swirled a tiny spoon in her tea, dispersing the honey into the warm liquid . A sense of sorrow and worry in her silver eyes as she sat alone in the forest .

A maid, a sweet older thing walked forward and bowed to her . "Any word?" The older woman asked and the woman shook her head slowly .

"I"m Sorry My lady Dowager . There is no word about our little Raina . " The maid replied setting a plate of stew and sandwiches on the table for her mistress to enjoy . The old woman sighed deeply wringing her hands .

"If I get my hands on that son of mine!" She growled angrily, a sound filled with sorrow . Kyera smiled softly, realizing they were looking for the lady she had found . Figuring it was safe, She began to walk out of the shadows . She chuffed softly, but the sound was more pain than she had hoped to sound . The Two woman looked over and went to shriek when the Dowager stood, her eyes wide with surprise .

"Help…" Kyera whimpered as her shoulder began to give out . The little girl on her back seemed to wake from the jolting motion of her moving cradle .

"Call for Clovis, Now . We have found Raina!" The Empress Dowager called to the guards before rushing forward to the pair . "Lea go get Lady Mally, I think this one will need tending . " She added to the maid before gently helping Raina off of Kyera"s back . Raina smiled at the Empress Dowager sleepily, before turning to see Kyera laying on her stomach, panting as the pain slowly ebbed and flowed through her body .

"Moon?" She questioned moving to her knees by the tigress . Kyera sighed as she felt Raina"s soft hand tracing over her forehead . It was oddly soothing to be stroked like that . With a bit of effort, Kyera b.u.mped her head into the little girl"s hand to make her feel better . "Great grandmother, will Moon be okay?" She asked looking back at the Empress Dowager who nodded slowly, looking Kyera over contemplation in her eyes .

"Yes, I think the tigress will be just fine . " The Empress Dowager soothed her Great Granddaughter with a smile . "Thank the heavens your safe my darling . "

"Thanks to Moon . She found me and brought me home . " Raina added with a smile, wanting to make sure they knew Moon was a good Tigress . The Empress Dowager grinned and ran her hand over Kyera"s neck and down her shoulder . Her eyebrows furrowed as she felt the heat gathering in her shoulder . The muscles were swollen from hours of agitation .

"We will have to see to it she"s well taken care of then . " The Empress Dowager stopped petting her, realizing there were places that could be worse off than the shoulder . Afterall hours of carrying the child had to be painful for such a beast .