“Tyee, come look.” She yelled, looking around.
“Must’ve been its home. Look at all these bones. No wonder hunting has been scarce here.” Tyee said, crouching over a large pile of elk bones.
Neala walked to the back of the cave where she found fur, leaves, and a pair of black beady eyes looking back at her. A tiny golden fluff ball called to her again. She crouched down, picked up the tiny kitten, and searched for more. She cradled the kitten close and brought her out to the front of the cave where she held her up for Tyee to see.
“Father come and see this.” Tyee yelled from the ledge.
The Chief appeared, looking at Neala and her new treasure.
“It’s too small to survive without its mother, we should put it down too.” The Chief reached for his knife.
“No! Please you can’t, it called to me.” Neala begged, holding the helpless kitten close to her.
“Neala she will need round-the-clock care, fed, kept warm and even then, there is no guarantee.” Kendrick said.
“I know but you have to let me try, please.” Neala said, sounding more assured, she wanted nothing as much as she wanted this kitten. Her father eyed her but conceded to her request.
“Milk the rest of the cat mothers’ milk, she is now your responsibility. You must train her and deal with the consequences. Maybe she will also teach you how to be more like her. He petted the kitten in her arms, who swatted at him. She was a beautiful golden color with her spots still on her back and a diamond shape on her forehead. She was so small she fit between her two hands. Her blue eyes were open a little with fluids in the corner.
Neala did as she was told and helped Tyee get the big cat down. She went back to the horses with her new companion as the rest of the hunting party continued their hunt. As she fed the little kitten, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for it. They were both motherless, and the village would not accept the lion either.
“I will protect you now.” She whispered to the kitten. “Gemma.”
Neala went back to her stallion with the tiny kitten, giving up on the hunt. She hollowed out an alder stick the best she could and tried to feed her. At first the kitten howled in protest, so Neala put some milk at the kitten’s lips and she seemed to understand. Once she had her fill, the kitten nestled against Neala and fell asleep. She put the small kitten under her shirt to keep her warm and to conceal her from any prying eyes and explored the outside world while the others were away.
The other hunters returned with an elk, a few deer and some grouse. Along with the mother lion, they loaded their horses down and they made their way back to the tunnel. When they got back to the mountain, the King hopped off his horse, walking to the gate. He placed both of his hands on the walls; they rumbled before bursting open revealing the tunnel welcoming them home.
When they got back, Neala helped them hang up the animals.
“Father, I need to get the kitten warm. Can we wait to harvest the lion until tomorrow?” She asked, eager to get the kitten safe.
“Yes, I will have her cleaned, but the rest is for you. Don’t get your hopes up for that little one, she is too young to be without her mother.”
“I am her mother now.” Neala said. She kept the fur ball close and hurried back to the castle. She raided the kitchen supply for some goat’s milk and tincture tubes from the infirmary. Praying that it would be enough to keep her sustained.
Up in the tower, Neala made a bed right next to the fire where she was planning to sleep with Gemma. The kitten called out and searched for her mother most of the night before nestling up to Neala. Every few hours she answered the cries for milk and stoked the fire to keep it roaring through the night.
After breakfast the next day, Neala walked to the hanging area to face her fears and look into the eyes of the Mountain lion that almost killed her. Hanging up by the feet and tail gave it the look as if it were a rug. The King gave her permission to do whatever she wished with the animal and a rug seemed fitting. Now that she was looking at the beast up close, she could appreciate how beautiful yet strong it was. She knew she needed to be like the lion, so this was to be her changeling dress and her warrior suit.
Chapter 4
A History
Neala waited on Gemma hand and foot, seeing to her every need. She fed her every few hours, keeping her warm and making sure she stayed clean. She kept her in a satchel everywhere she went to make sure she was warm and cared for. The snows had come and gone before Gemma was strong enough to survive without Neala’s constant attention. Being a healthy independent feline didn’t stop Gemma developing into Neala’s new more fierce shadow.
One morning Neala awoke to an oversized kitten pouncing on her, a favorite game Gemma started. The cat bit into the blankets, pulling them off and pouncing onto her again.
“Ok, Ok! Geez, you are worse than papa!” Neala ruffled the cat's head. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, stifling a yawn. Outside her window was darkness. The sun only showed up for a short period if at all this time of year. Neala put logs back in the fire to warm up her bones and bundled up in her thick furs and leathers. Gemma started and gave out a weak growl before she batted her bowl.
“I’ll grab you some scraps from the kitchen. We don’t want to keep Della waiting.” Neala said, opening the door and starting down the tower. Gemma pounced out the door behind her.
After grabbing the food from the kitchens, they headed out the castle into the frigid morning air. On their first outing a few weeks before, Gemma had trembled with fright walking on the cold path and had protested by lying down and refusing to get up. Now she darted across the trail and climbed up on any log or boulder that they passed. They reached the greenhouse, and Neala motioned Gemma to stay behind her before entering.
“Ah, my dear, yes, yes, come in.” Della said, shuffling her body over to give Neala room at the table.
“Good Morning, mum.” Neala said, letting out a yawn before putting on her apron.
“You let that cat s-sleep with you again, didn’t you? B-bad for such an animal to be so tame. Gemma should be your protector.” Della scolded her and glared at the cat, who showed no concern as she started playing with the scrapped plants.
“I know, but she is still young. Shouldn’t she be free to have fun and be cared for before I force her into that role.” Neala said. She didn’t have the heart to turn Gemma into some wild beast like her father and brother wanted. Gemma was playful and loving, nothing like the memories she held about her mother.
“She is a w-wild animal Nia, you must be the alpha female, or she will never obey you.” Della gave a stern but affectionate look at Neala and continued grinding her herbs.
Neala spent the morning with Della making remedies and cold tinctures to store for the apothecary. Neala ran around the greenhouse getting supplies and plants for Della and then she would explain the properties, how to extract their oils and how to store them. Della told her they could grow most of their own medicine plants, but the trades were vital in their stores. She told Neala of the wild jungle plants that have a putrid smell but can cure most pain and ailments.
Neala packed up her supplies for the day and assisted Della off her stool and to her walking stick.
“Tonight, is the retelling of our o-origins, yes?” Della said, stopping in her place and turning to face Neala.
“Yes mum, why?” Neala had a gut feeling she didn’t like where this was heading.
“Just remember, the past does not equal the future. The way things have always been is not the way things have to be.” Della said and then tapped her walking stick on the grounds and continued out into the cold without another word.
Neala walked back to the castle, thinking about the old woman’s words. She was never told much about their origins, and if they were, she wasn’t listening. It was common knowledge that the Gods passed on their abilities to the humans long ago, blessing them as Daemons. For years it is said that they lived i
n harmony with the other Daemons, but war broke out and they formed the tribes. Her father never talked about it and called it “digging up the past.”
Neala ate lunch in the castle, avoiding the fearful or disapproving glares. The council had heard concern about Gemma’s presence and moved to ban the beast to the stables, but her father wouldn’t hear of it. Said it is a sign of a true Royal Terra to have her animal guide, much like he had Griffin. He sidestepped the fact that Tyee hadn’t received the ability of animal tongue.
The two of them were alone today as her father and brother were mending some huts in the village that needed repairs from the heavy snows. The dining hall was full as people from the village made the long trek to the castle to warm up. The fires were always roaring in the dining hall, making it her favorite place to be this time of year.
Before heading off to the armory for afternoon combat training, she ran up to the tower to fetch Gemma’s leash, heeding Della’s advice about training. Neala grabbed the thick braided leather leash for her to practice walking beside her and meat scraps. With the leash on, Gemma drug her down the tower and out to the grounds.
“I don’t think this leash is working, girl. You are too strong.” Neala said, pulling Gemma closer and patting her head. She gave out a hearty purr and slowed down to a gentle walk. Halfway down the path Gemma halted and crouched on the ground, looking ahead of them.
“Gemma?” Neala said as the cat belly crawled on the ground. She gripped the leash tighter, fearing she would pounce when Callista appeared up the path. Gemma stood up, doing a flip in the air.
“Hey, Nia. Hi Gemma, you good girl.” Callista said, averting all her attention to the feline.
“Cali, she is a vicious predator, stop scratching her belly.” Neala said, trying to keep a straight face as the cat purred and flopped on her back. Neala tugged on the leash again to get the cat walking again, and they made their way to the armory.
“So, when are you going to come to the village and have dinner? I must show you my changing dress. Mum made it out of the last of the cotton we had. And I need your opinion on the ceremony. Since my change is the first of our age, I want it to be over the top!” Callista said, skipping with glee.
“I am free tomorrow after chores I will see if father will let me go.” She said, turning to her friend.
“Maybe if Tyee comes with me, he will let me go.” Neala tried to keep a straight face as Callista almost stumbled to the ground. Neala couldn’t hold it in anymore, and the two laughed the rest of the way.
Class with Merek was a little more bearable after they had declared her as Della’s apprentice. His full attention in class was now on his own apprentices. This meant that Neala and Callista couldn't pair up anymore. Callista was being tested today in hand-to-hand combat and arena fighting. The boys and young daemons she was fighting today were more than twice her size, but she was agile and deadly accurate with her blows.
The class gathered around the fencing once the warriors started their scrimmage and cheered on their favorites.
“Sir! Callista is fighting dirty again. She threw sand in my face!” Laith yelled.
“I don’t fight dirty, boy; I fight to win. Your enemies will do whatever is necessary, and so will I. I’m doing you a favor by toughening up such a soft Terra.” Callista spat at him.
“That is enough Callista. Laith for God’s sake use your brains!” Merek said, growing angry at his hand chosen warrior.
Neala watched from the fence as they squared off again. The challengers could use whatever was in the pit, rocks, blunt spears, wooden swords, and the ground itself. Merek called for battle, and Laith charged Callista with a wooden sword. She kept low and just as he was about to reach her; she ducked down swiping one leg out from under him causing him to fall to the ground. The crowd cheered, including Neala. He stood up again, but this time grabbed the spear and charged her forcing Callista back to the fence. Laith gave a forceful lunge and Callista backed up but this time Laith’s mouse faced friend Asco stuck his leg out from under the fence and Callista fell back just as Laith lunged his spear at Callista’s face.
Neala heard the sickening crack as the spear struck Callista’s face. Neala screamed from the fence and ran to her friend, at the same time a sudden jerk forced her grip to let go of Gemma’s leash and in a blur the cat dove onto the back of Laith’s legs sprawling him out on the ground. A mix of screams and roars as Merek and the others tried to separate the cat from tearing into Laith’s legs any further. Neala got to Callista’s motionless body and rolled her onto her back. Blood was oozing from a large gash on her forehead, and her left eye was swelling.
“Gemma, come, now!” Neala said, desperate to get both of her friends to safety.
The cat wriggled free from Merek’s arms and ran straight to Neala. The cat turned in front of the two girls and paced back and forth with a warning growl.
“You get that thing out of here; it is a menace.” Merek said, pointing to the castle. He was now red faced and huffing from the scuffle. He struggled to hold up a sobbing Laith.
“The only menace here is the boy you are holding sir.” Neala said standing up, Gemma sat next to her rubbing her head on Neala’s legs.
Merek seemed taken back as his mouth opened and closed more times than she could count, but kept it shut when he looked down at his wounded warrior.
“We need to get her to the infirmary now.” Neala tried to lift her friend but Callista was heavy, too heavy to lift by herself and the crowd stood shocked and scared.
“Get my brother and alert Della to meet us at the wing.” Neala yelled to Merek now, fearing that her friend was in grave condition.
“It’ll be ok. Lay back. You’re ok.” Neala pushed the hair back where she could see a thick gash on the top of her head that made Neala nauseous. She ripped off a piece of her cotton sleeve and pressed to her friends’ head to stop the bleeding and stop the sight of blood. Callista moaned at the pressure for a moment and stopped moving again.
The ground shook as Tyee burst into the armory. Finding Neala, he ran to her, breaking through the fence. He went wide-eyed as he saw Callista lying there. Without saying a word, he swooped her up and ran to the hospital wing, using the ground to propel him. Neala and Gemma sprinted after him and burst into the castle breathless. There was a commotion in the main hall as Tyee’s abrupt entrance pulled in a crowd.
“Father!” Tyee called to the table where their father was meeting with some elders. Kendrick stood up and looked at the unconscious body he was carrying.
“Go get her mother, make haste.” Kendrick commanded his closest warrior.
Her father wrapped an arm around Neala’s shoulders and pulled her close.
“She is a fighter. She will be ok, my sweet girl.” He looked down at her. Neala could only nod as her insides twisted into knots. They hurried passed the kitchens to the infirmary.
Della had already prepared the wing with a roaring fire and was busy pouring over a table full of mixtures.
“Yes, Yes, lay h-her down.” Della instructed Tyee. Tyee laid her down on the bed. With his shaking hand, he pushed her hair out of her face, exposing her swelling eye. Neala watched her brother’s face as it turned from soft and distressed to dark and cold as ice and he turned on his heels and fled the wing.
“Tyee, stop!” Her father called after him and retreated the way her brother did.
Della shuffled to the bed with an arm full of materials. She placed them on a side table and turned her attention to Callista. Neala sat on the bed and took her friend's hand as Della assessed her. Della started from her head and worked her way down. She seemed to palpate every bone, looked at Callista’s eyes, ears, and mouth. She put her head on Callista’s chest and belly. When she completed the exam, Della started putting leaves and oils on her head wound and her eye.
“Hold this on her head.” Della said, handing Neala clean dressings. Della grabbed some needle and thread.
“Hold her d
own.” Della demanded, and she went to work sewing up the gash on Callista’s head. She dabbled some tinctures and then wrapped the head again.
When Callista looked like a half-wrapped mummy, Della sat down wiping her brow and smiled at Neala.
“I heard r-rumor that you avenged her attacker.” Della said as a smile broke out causing her wrinkles to hide the glee in her eyes.
“No, I didn’t. Gemma did, I just helped Cali.”
“Young one, y-you told G-Gemma to attack.”
“No, I didn’t! She went on her own. I stood up to Merek though.” She said.
“G-girl, the elders know what t-they were told. You will understand more tonight”
“I am not leaving her.” Neala said. She was getting annoyed with Della’s usual cryptic message.
“S-she will be fine. It looks w-worse than it is, her bloodline is strong. And a s-scar on a warrior will be a nice touch. You will be at the gathering tonight, there is much to learn.”
Neala stayed with Callista and her mother for as long as she could until Della shooed her out of the room. Gemma led the way down the stairs to the great hall. They had arranged the room into a gathering circle. The elders sat close, elbow to elbow, pounding on the ceremonial drum.
Neala took a seat alone in the back, she missed her friend. People started trickling in and sitting around her. Gemma lay down next to her and rubbed her face on her leg to let her know she was there. Neala patted Gemma on the head and gripped the leash tighter when she saw Merek and a hobbling Laith who was now sporting a new black eye. Laith took a seat far away from her while Merek joined the warriors and shot Gemma a scathing look.
Once people had filled the room, the Elders began singing in the ancient tongue, causing everyone to get on their feet. The ceremonial dance to the Gods began. Their feet beating in time with the rhythm of the drums and sang their blessings to the Gods. Neala could remember the words from the years of tradition, but she couldn’t remember for the life of her what they meant. They learned the ancient language long ago, and it had never appealed to Neala.
The Hybrid Princess Page 3
