The Tiger Within

"Child, thank you for being the perfect daughter . You saved me, Raina . When I thought all was lost for me, there was you and your father . I love you, now do your best out there and no matter if you win or lose, last 10 seconds or 10 hours You are Princess Raina, the Pride and Joy of kingdoms beyond your own . Place your trust in the shadows, they will always guide you back to me . " Kyera kissed her forehead and her daughter smiled and nodded .

"Daddy?" Raina turned to her father who looked anxious . He knelt down .

"You do your best but if they are hitting too hard or you feel tired just Yield . You have nothing to prove to them, you hear me?" Clovis ordered her without hesitation . He didn"t want her to do this, but the choice really wasn"t his to make it was hers . She had worked hard for this, he couldn"t stand in her way .

"She will knock him down before she has a chance to be tired . " Mordakai laughed as he walked forward . "However your father is right, if something feels off and you get the feeling that something isn"t right, yield . This isn"t worth you getting hurt . " He added at Clovis" death glare .

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Mordakai knelt down and smiled at her . "You trained well, I know what you can do . This will be nothing for you . Just believe in yourself . " Mordakai ordered her, and he took out a belt with scabbard and sword attached .

Raina took the sword belt and looked at the intricate carvings on the leather . It was beautiful and depicted a forest a woman peeking from behind a tree, a small silhouette nothing more . "Raina, this belt was not made for you, but it is meant to be yours all the same . The children of our kingdom are told the stories of Kyera the Forest Spirit and reminded she protects us all even now . The young knights are presented with this at the start of their training because they have shown promise and it is a reminder that they are to fight alongside the Spirit of the forest and defend the people and the land . Now, I present it to you . "

Raina put the belt on and locked it in place . It fit snug and secure on her waist . It felt heavy, but that was to be expected . "Thank you Grandfather Mordekai . I must go to the stage now with Mommy . "

Kyera nodded and escorted her daughter onto the stage where the other mother"s waited . Melania and Lalia both smiled in greeting, their children standing in front of them . Kyera hugged them both and greeted the children .

Nathaniel and Daniel were both dressed in thin leather armors, but baby Dryn was in a dress fit to welcome her Daddy back from war . Raina curtsied to her cousins who bowed in response . They were surprised to see her dressed in leathers as well .

"Do you intend to fight, Princess Raina?" Melania asked a bit worried . Raina had no proper training that they were aware of but she didn"t look out of place with the sword on her hip .

"Yes Princess, I plan to spar with the experts just as  my cousins will . " Raina replied delicately . She seemed so sure of herself that Melania just nodded .

"That will be a joke to watch . Wielding a sword is a lot more than looks Princess . You should stay where you belong, on the side lines . " Keen strutted over arrogantly with his mother behind him .

"Now Keen, you must not belittle your cousin . She is smaller than you despite being older . She has big shoes to fill . " Feya reminded him and Kyera wanted to slap this woman . She could smell the connection, the blood bond . She hated it with every fiber of her being, but it could not be removed .

"Raina don"t pay any attention to Keen . He is younger and thus still learning his manners . " Nathaniel offered smiling softly . To the outside, he had just defended Keen but in truth there was reproach and malice hidden in the older boy"s eyes . Obvious loathing was frowned upon, but veiled hatred couldn"t be proven .

"Yes, of course Cousin, I would never hold such things against family . " Raina agreed with a courteous smile . It was clear she was giving him face .

"You will be sorry you treated me this way once father becomes Emperor . " Keen threatened but Kyera chuckled .

"Yes, that will be a day to be sorry for, because it will be the birth of a new revolution . When that time comes, your family will bare the consequences . Afterall a country is not as easy to abandon as a child, don"t you think, Feya?" Kyera asked tilting her head slightly while those golden eyes froze like Amber in winter . Fear flashed in Feya"s eyes as she directed her son away from them .

"Come it is almost time for this to begin . " Feya ordered as she walked to her place with Keen

Melania and Lalia both looked uneasy . They had never seen Feya so… pale and ruffled .

"What was that about?" Lalia asked but Kyera just frowned grimly .

"Some truths are too dark to be spoken . " Kyera warned them both as the Empress Vivian and the Emperor stepped onto the stage .