The Tiger Within

"I will take care of your brother and niece . I love you and my nephew very much . I don"t want either of you to be in a dangerous situation, unless you must be . So until the Harvest, you take care of your mother . This isn"t easy on her either . Half Eye will be here in the next couple days . With any luck she will be back on her feet and if she is she will need you here to guide her . " Kyera pointed out as she let back . She couldn"t help but smile and lightly tap Morvin on his nose . He giggled and laughed softly .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"Thank you, Kyera . You are my sister, no matter what anyone says . " Vella replied kissing her cheek, before adjusting the baby on her hip .

"Vella why don"t you take Morvin and go say goodbye to Clovis and Raina? I have a few things I need to discuss with my sister . " he suggested with a smile . Vella nodded, knowing what they were going to talk about . It had been a long conversation between them both the night before . She smiled and nodded, walking off to bother her brother who was petting the horse and getting familiar with her .

"Alright, out with it . " Kyera folded her arms over her chest as she looked back at him . Her expression was annoyed but her silver eyes were laughing and teasing . Mordrin could only smile at her, chuckling as he realized his sister was trying to be light hearted .

"I have a gift to give you . I have been meaning to give it to you for a while, but I haven"t had the chance . Vell doesn"t want the responsibility of holding this seal . She isn"t a fighter and doesn"t understand them . With the Knights needing to stay with the remainder of your people, I thought it would be a good time to pa.s.s this on to you . " He replied offering her a small black box, about the size of a jewelry box .

Kyera took it, raising an eyebrow as she opened it . It was clear by her expression that she had an idea of what he was offering her . He couldn"t read her expression though . There was something in her eyes as she took the small silver cage out of the box, it was the size of her thumb .

Inside the cage, there was a small pearl, or at least half of one . It was dark in color, nearly pitch black in the sunlight . Where the pearl and been cracked in two, it was smooth and polished . There was a pretty detailed carving of the hawk, its wings outstretched as the trees rose at it"s feet . There was a sword across the top and a arrow across the bottom . It was clear that the beauty of the carving was matched with the power of its meaning .

"Is this half of the War Pearl?" Kyera asked, already knowing the answer while she was rotating the cage in her hands . The silver wire was carefully woven around it, holding the pearl so the flat of the pearl was prominently visible . The simple, braided leather cord seemed as though it was meant to tie around a ponytail . around her wrist or perhaps her ankle . She could even attach it to her sword if she so chose .

"Yes, if that old b.a.s.t.a.r.d decides to give you a hard time, I expect you to present this and say the word . If you do, my own pearl will glow and I will mobilize my troops . I will be there to a.s.sist you as quickly as humanly possible . I will not tolerate the concept of you being mistreated while you are out of our hands . " Mordrin replied as he used the cord around his neck to pull the other half of the pearl out of his shirt . "A princess of the Shadow Kingdom has always carried that pearl, just as the Prince carries this one . Shadow Veil Siblings carry the right to mobilize our army . Don"t let that man or his women forget that . "