The Tiger Within

The Realm of Shadows

In the darkest point of the night, so many souls were shown their way into the gardens . The Lord of Shadows was quiet as he watched from the tower as the souls found their homes . His sons guided the new children of his land to their homes based on their colors . So many pure souls pa.s.sed through the gates each night and yet the wicked often far outlived them . This truth was something he had noticed long ago .
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Those willing to live well and refused to cheat or murder for their own gain often became prey to the strong and wicked who were willing to use their lives as stepping stones lived long lives sending good to the grave . His Children had been the equalizer of the greatest of wrongs . Tyrants who uselessly killed, or family leaders with too much ambition often found themselves curbed by his kindred . His wives had always been ladies of honor and n.o.ble intentions . As he thought of her, the tiger he had loved he wondered where he had gone wrong .

The only wife to have been unfaithful . The only wife to turn her back on his children and the promise that she made, and yet her sons and her daughter were perhaps the best of his children . Though the boys died early, each had chosen to stay at his side and tend the dead as shepherds of the souls . His daughter, a healer and a peace keeper of the land still breathing . He was proud of them, it is true, but What of her?

Keric waited several moments before approaching his lord . The look on his face was so dark and deep, the wolfling knew his master"s thoughts were drifting to his past and all the things that had happened through the years . "Keric?" THe Lord asked finally, turning away from the large window and glanced back at his loyal servant . "Aren"t you supposed to be tending Kyera?"

"Yes but I have things to report…" Keric explained bowing low in his canine form before turning human at his master"s feet .

"Oh?" He asked softly sitting at the table and waving a chair into being for Keric . Both master and servant took their seats facing one another on a even field .

"Yes . I am afraid that lady Kyera does not forgive her mother for leaving them . They have reunited and Kyera… Is less than pleased . She also had the unfortunate task of telling the elder tiger of the boy"s fates . The Queen Maiden was Unaware of her son"s deaths . Though she refused to tell her more than the basics . I can"t really blame her either . " Keric explained and the lord shook his head . A short angered laugh barked from his lips .

"I see . I thought… hoped she was at least aware of her children"s lives after she left . Kept some sort of ties, but alas she truely abandoned them . I chose a useless mother for my children . My poor babes suffered for their father"s mistakes . " The Lord of Shadow"s self loathing was almost tangible in that moment . Keric nodded slowly . "I can not blame her for not forgiving the woman . A lot of Kyera"s suffering could have been avoided with their mother there . Not only that but forcing her to relove it so she could know what she caused… no . I will deal with my darling wife when she arrives here . "

"Agreed . I came to the same conclusion but… there is something else . " Keric added and his Lord sat back waving for him to continue speaking . There was a certain unease to Keric"s stature as he thought of how to break this news to his Master . It was hard to tell how he would react to this information . It was uncommon even among children of the G.o.ds . "I think Kyera has… Adopted a family . "

Several long moments pa.s.sed as this information hung on the air . The sound of a drawer opening broke the silence as he pulled a orb from his desk . It did not glow from within as those filled with a soul would . This purple stone glittered in his hand with the magic contained within . Magic that had to be activated before it could show its true power . He forced his power into the stone and coaxed it alive . It began to spin and wind in his hand . Faces began to show in the smooth mirror like surface .