Standing there still examining the strange mist Dumah had brought into the room when he entered. Gual strode over to me, he held such a strong presence. I shrank back as he got closer thinking he might have a go at me or something.

I gulped, maybe he still held something against me during our cat and mouse game or the fact I was always hiding with Tigra from him. I wanted to cry out ‘stop don’t come any closer.’ But all I could do was watch him, his piercing eyes staring right at me.

“I can see much potential in you, young Alex.” I looked at him. I guess he wasn’t as scary as Tigra thought he was, in fact I felt something completely different from him; he was a proud warrior who took his duty very seriously. “For someone so young, it takes skill to avoid an unexpected attack, train hard and do your linage proud,” he commented.

“Thanks.” Was the only word I could get out. I had no idea what he meant by do my linage proud. I had hoped he would say something else about that, but he didn’t. “You lied about Tigra didn’t you?” I asked.

“I did.” Gual acknowledged my questioned. “Tigra must be protected from that Leo.”

“Is he dangerous?” I asked.

“I am uncertain, but there is something about him that must not be trusted,” answered Gual.

“Um…”

“What is it?” queried Gual.

“King Alton said he was from the Leo Prides, where’s that?” I questioned.

“The Leo Prides reside in the lands beyond Panthera in a land covered by sands, completely different to our lands covered in forest,” explained Gual. “The Leo Prides are not like our city of Cathopia led by one king, there are many Prides like tribes led by one picked to be king of that Pride.”

I nodded, understanding. “So why is Dumah here?”

“I am not one hundred percent sure, but from what I can gather he is trying to create ties with Cathopia to protect his Pride from stronger Prides. I believe he is hoping we will do more than that, unfortunately for him we can only offer his Pride protection here. Cathopia does not deal with conflicts within other lands.” He had answered my questioned pretty quickly, like dad he knew so much stuff. “Any other questions young Alex?”

“What’s Panthera?” I asked.

“Cathopia sits at the heart of the land of Panthera, all the land under this name is ruled under King Alton,” replied Gual. “It has been this way for many generations.”

“Thanks.” I smiled.

“You’re welcome, if there is any other question you think off, do not hesitate to ask, seeing as you seem closely connected to Tigra I will do my best to guide you too.” He bowed his head slightly.

“I’ll remember that.” He was so humble and loyal.

“I now take my leave. I must watch over Tigra.”

“Okay.”

He turned to leave, glancing back at me. “Just so you know.” He grinned, pausing for a moment. “I know where you and Tigra are at all times.” His words sent a shiver down my spine as he went to leave the room.

After hearing Gual’s words, I knew we had never escaped him, not even during our cat and mouse games. Wait was he there too when we were eating fruit in the orchards, or perhaps even in my own home. I let out a gulp, I needed to be careful with him about, but then again, he was just there to keep Tigra safe, like I would one day.

I waited until he was long gone before heading back home to the bakery, looking around the grand hall one last time, thinking of everything that had happened today.

Returning home, I found Tigra talking to mum. I stopped at the door to listen, she was clearly upset about something, but I wasn’t complete sure what, I had already missed the most important part of the conversation.

“I don’t know why dad would bring it up now.”

“Do not worry Tigra, you’ll learn that things have a strange way of working themselves out.” Mum soothed her concerns.

“I’m way too young to be even thinking about it,” she moaned aloud. Hearing her so distressed made me feel uneasy, so I went ahead and entered the room. Tigra smiled when she saw me, but I knew that she wasn’t happy. I could tell when that smile of hers was a fake one.

“I’m staying for dinner,” she cheered, trying to hide how she felt even more. Mum was a little surprise by her sudden announcement but smiled anyway.

Tigra stayed with me for the rest of the day, it almost felt like she was trying to avoid something and while she was here, she would be escaping it. I didn’t care I saw this as my first test at protecting her and I would do my best in continuing to do so.

After dinner Mum set up two sleeping bags on the floor in my room, my first ever sleepover. I was so excited; we had a pillow fight. Tigra won, she was just so much stronger than I was. How was I going to protect someone who was actually stronger than me?

I noticed dad had yet to return home, I had not seen him since he gave me Larana and my first training session had come to end. I wondered where he could have been, but those thoughts disappeared while I was playing with Tigra.

“Got to do better than that,” laughed Tigra, she was happy again.

“I’ll beat you next time,” I laughed too.

“Time for bed.” Mum interrupted walking into the room.

“But…” We both responded.

“Come on, otherwise no pancakes for breakfast.”

Tigra and I looked at each other, mum did make the best pancakes and we didn’t want to lose out on eating them. “Alright.” We reluctantly put down our pillows and snuggled down in our sleeping bags.

“Now goodnight.” Mum smiled.

“Mum, can we have a story first?” I asked.

“Alright.” She came over to sit between our sleeping bags. “I will keep this one short.”

“But it has to be one of my favourites.” I demanded, wanting Tigra to hear my favourite stories too.

Mum laughed a little. “In this land of Feles a grand warrior was born to defeat a growing darkness, his power was unmatched, blessed by the goddess. He carried five powerful talismans including the swords of the twin lions. He stood as a protector, fighting off the darkness.” I listened intently, and so did Tigra. “This darkness could bring back past enemies, threatening the growing villages that would later be known as Cathopia.” I noticed Tigra glance at me, had she never heard this story before. “The warrior saw the lands fall under dark power, powerful creatures ruling and corrupting what he sort to protect, suffocating the life of everything, creating a world so barren no life dare grew and ancient creatures tortured for their power.”

“And the warrior.” Tigra blurted out, more intrigued than ever in mum’s story.

“And the warrior fought back this darkness like he had so many times before, fighting against Lupus, Scorpios, Leos, Aquila and Ursus all possessed by the dark power. As each one was defeated the dying land was freed, but his battle was far from over. He still had to defeat the eternal dark dragon.” Mum looked at each of us as she continued. “There battle raged on for six days and six nights, until both were consumed by the battle, no one knows the victor, but the legends say the warrior still fights the eternal dragon, protecting the innocent from the influence of darkness.”

“How can he still be fighting it now?” asked Tigra more intrigued than ever.

“That is a story for another day, I kept the ending a secret for another time” she smiled at Tigra’s question. “There is always conflict between those who carry the light and those who carry darkness within them. Fang was always the light and the eternal dragon darkness.” Mum stood up. “Next time you sleep round I’ll tell you the full story if you want.”

“Really.” Tigra nodded vigorously.

“Yes.” Mum tucked us both in tighter in our sleeping bags. “Sleep well, little ones.” She smiled.

“Night mum.” I mumbled, closing my eyes, I was ready to fall fast asleep.

“Night.” Tigra said as I heard mum leave the room. “Alex, what was with that story?” I looked to my right, opening my eyes to look at her.

“Haven’t you heard of the legendary Fang?” I asked.

“Not really.” She shook her head.

“I always listen to those stories before bed,” I mentioned.

“Can I hear more?” asked Tigra.

“Mum is the best storytelling, so next time you stay round.” I nodded.

“Okay.” Tigra seemed displeased with my answer, but she let it go “Night Alex.”

“Night Tigra.” I let out a relaxing sigh, closing my eyes as I fell asleep.