We continued on our way to our destination, investigating the attacks that had been happening to a number of Ursus caravans, of which Athena called one home. She was one of the lucky few who had survived the attacks. I wondered why only her.

The forest was thick, filled with wild animals, deer, foxes, rabbits. It was kind of nice to be outside of the city, not just for dad’s camping trips.

“It’s just like the orchard, but wilder,” said Tigra. She was enjoying herself; it had been a while since we’d been out here together. “How long will it take to reach the first site?”

“About a day,” I replied. “Tomorrow.”

“I know we are on a mission, but…” She hesitated.

“But?” I looked at her.

“Shall we have some fun while we’re at it,” she was beaming with excitement.

“We shouldn’t really,” I began. I didn’t want to let Master Lance down, but my excitement was just as bad as hers, after all it was only a recon mission, check the sites, they didn’t say we couldn’t have some fun on the way. “But I don’t see why not, they didn’t say we couldn’t.” I smiled.

“I knew you’d say that,” she smiled, and we raced off.

We mainly stuck to the planned destination, taking the route I had planned to go, but on the way, we found a little opening which we investigated further.

In the opening was a small lake, which looked to have originated from the large lake which surrounded most of Cathopia. It was filled with fish, surrounded by wildflowers, and shrubs.

I licked my lips, fresh fish. We glanced at one another before diving into the water after the fish.

Flailing about we struggled catching any fish, until I started cheating. I used Larana to create a current under the water too strong for the fish to swim against, right out of the water, where Tigra was preparing to pick them up.

“Now what?” wondered Tigra now we had caught the fish.

“We do this.” I smiled, setting up a little campfire and setting the fish up on sticks to cook.

“You really remembered everything from camping with your dad,” commented Tigra.

“I love camping with dad,” I responded. “But I think it’s another excuse to train me in something.”

“I always have my meals prepared.” Tigra looked at the cooking fish.

“Well, you are a princess,” I commented.

“I want more than to be a princess,” she looked at me. “Can you show me how to be more than a princess.”

“I think you already know,” I smiled. “We start by having a race.” Tigra nodded and we jumped back into the water. I’d heard that most Feles were afraid of water, I didn’t see why, it was an amazing feeling swimming in weightless water and the fresh fish was the best to eat.

No matter how many laps or times we raced it always ended in a draw. I had to promise not to use Larana to cheat, even if I had used it she would have noticed, couldn’t get anything passed her.

When our fish had finished cooking, we dug in. Watching as the sun begun to sink below the tree line.

“Best mission ever,” laughed Tigra.

“Remember we can’t tell anyone about this messing around part,” I mentioned, blowing at my fish.

“Of course not, this is our little secret.” She chomped into her fish, an expression of complete bliss on her face. “I don’t know why but this is the best fish I have ever had in my life.”

“All it takes is practice,” I responded quickly finishing up my fish. “Now to set up camp.” We had only been given basic canvas tents, which had to be set up manually compared to those magic tents, luckily dad had shown me how to set them up. I laid out my tent, then used Larana’s power to blow it into position and then pegged it down.

“You’re getting really good at using her power,” commented Tigra.

“Since using her against that monster at the orchard, I’ve felt a stronger connection with her,” I answered honestly.

“Combat is the best way to bond with a talisman spirit,” mentioned Tigra.

“Not all talismans,” informed Larana appearing on my shoulder. “Each spirit is different; our bond grew because of his will to use my power.”

“I see,” nodded Tigra.

“Others through a test of strength, a will to help others, trust in an ally,” smiled Larana. “Anything really.”

“You may lend your strength to those chosen, but we still know so little about talismans,” admitted Tigra.

“Our secrets remain with our masters,” said Larana. “Your family is a gifted one, you have no need for our power.”

“True,” shrugged Tigra. I was surprised, I thought that sounded like an insult or something. “Can you do my tent too?” She grinned.

“Have you never put a tent up?” I asked.

“Well no.” Tigra shook her head. “I have servants for that.”

I looked around. “It seems you haven’t brought any with you.”

“Very funny,” said Tigra. “Come on, please.”

I just couldn’t say no to her, those eyes looking at me made my heart flutter. “Fine.” I tried to remain calm and act cool.

“Thank you,” she cheered.

“You are such a sucker,” laughed Larana. I glanced at her and she shut up. I quickly used Larana to raise Tigra’s tent, then staked the lines to the ground.

“Shame we didn’t get one of those fancy ones, like dad showed us,” I said finishing.

“I think your rank has something to do with it,” responded Tigra.

“Well, I have the princess with me, shouldn’t you at least get one.” I had hoped having Tigra along might have given me some better perks in the tent department.

“It doesn’t really matter.” She put her thumbs up and smiled. “Great Job.” I smiled back knowing she was just messing with me. Once Tigra’s tent was up, she headed in, setting up her sleeping bag. “Well night.”

“Night Tigra,” I smiled.

I sat outside on guard. I would keep her safe. I had never stayed up all night before, but I was determined to do so, but while staring up at the starry sky I fell asleep.

-

“Are you serious,” laughed Tigra. I opened my eyes to see her face close to mine. “You couldn’t stay awake for one night.”

“Wow.” I backed away, going straight into the side of my tent. It buckled, collapsing on top of me. Tigra just continued to laugh as I struggled to free myself.

“Stop laughing and give me a hand!” I shouted.

Tigra lifted up an end and peeked in at me. “You still have a long way to go before you’re a Guardian.”

“So.” I shrugged.

“Let’s pack up and get going.” She held the tent open, while I crawled out.

We packed up our stuff and moved on, even though we had spent most of yesterday messing about. I had still managed to get us going in the same direction as our first location.

“Well, we are almost there, right?” questioned Tigra.

“Oh, you noticed,” I responded.

“I wasn’t born yesterday, and I know how much you want to succeed at your first mission,” said Tigra.

“Can’t get anything passed you,” I smiled.

“You can try.” She joked, if only she knew the emotions I harboured within my heart. I wished I could have told her, but I knew I had no right to walk that path with her. A baker’s boy with a princess, I’d be slaughtered by the king or worse, especially with how his moods were lately.

“Our first target is over in that direction,” I informed as we headed over there. “This one happened a few weeks ago, so I doubt there will be any survivors.”

“You can’t know that,” snapped Tigra.

“Yeah, I suppose,” I shrugged.

We made it to the first site, we found a burnt out shell of the caravan. The report Gual had given me had stated that all Ursus from this caravan had been burned to ash as there was no bodies found.

I looked about the whole site, there was no signs of a struggle, this had either been done by someone they had known or an ambush, but from what I could tell it was caused by one Animalia.

The burnt out shell reminded me of the creature who had attacked the orchard, but this was done by something far more powerful.

“Only a monster could have done this,” commented Tigra.

“Perhaps it was.” I sniffed the air; this site was too old to pick up on anyone’s scent.

I circled around the caravan again, no claw or teeth marks. I was certain this was caused by something that could use fire projectiles, talisman maybe.

As I stared at the shell of the destroyed caravan I could see the fine vapours of dark energy coming off the frame. It was the same dark energy coming from Dumah, could he somehow be connected to these events.

I couldn’t be certain as this dark energy was far denser and filled me with this overwhelming feeling of dread, perhaps even fear.

I touched the crumbling frame. My eyes widened as I saw a pair of piercing red eyes filled with so much malice I could hardly manage a single breath and my body shivered uncontrollably.

“Alex!” Tigra cried out to me, bringing me back to my senses.

“I’m okay.” I quickly calmed her. “What was that?”

“You saw something didn’t you?” she questioned.

“Something eviler than what has possession of the king,” I answered.

“What.” She was surprised, and no wonder, what could be worse than something that could turn a strong, kind spirit like the king to a darkened path; the cause that is who or its master.

“I wonder if the other sites are the same as this one and…” I hesitated thinking about Athena’s friend.

“He’ll be alive” said Tigra, her voice filled with determination.

“Let’s hurry then.”

“Right,” nodded Tigra.