by K MacBurn
Taylor’s eyes lingered on the knife, her father had always told her a good knife was essential in any outdoor excursion. It was then she really missed him and wished he was there.
“I don’t suppose you have an extra knife?” Taylor asked, trying to distract her mind from her father. Tarak looked surprised for a moment but then gave a benevolent smile.
“Don’t worry. I will protect you. You won’t need to use one of these.”
Though his intentions were good, Taylor balked at his superior tone. Her mother had also scoffed at the idea of Taylor knowing how to use a knife, but it had been at her father’s insistence that she learned.
Her father had been a very successful hunter and ran a hunting supplies store on the reservation. It hadn’t been very lucrative, but it provided a steady income. Her mother had never become accustomed to regular life and divorced him before Taylor’s first birthday. Linda had been a debutante from a rich white family and her time with her Cree husband had been a rebellious stage she had grown tired of.
She had spent a lot of good summers with that man before he passed, and he had been a wealth of knowledge. Knowledge she wished she had paid better attention to now.
Tarak collected a map off the small table and held it out so she could see.
“This is where we are heading.” Tarak traced the finger down the map from one dot to a larger one. “We should be there with plenty of time to meet Jarden.”
Taylor was committing some bigger landmarks to memory before Tarak rolled up the parchment and tucked it away in his bag. The rain came down in sheets and the teen had to duck her head against the wind. The foul weather seemed a fitting start to this questionable journey. As Taylor followed close to Tarak, they wound their way through the thick woods trail. The only good thing about the rain was the fact it eased some tropical heat.
The only thing heard over top of the downpour was the rumble from the large river to the south. That was until a shrill scream broke through everything.
Tarak snapped back around to the north where a pillar of smoke was raising in the distance. The scream came again.
“The village?” Taylor started, but the Tiger gave a savage growl.
“Don’t leave this trail. I will be back for you. Stay here, stay hidden!”
With those words snapped at her he took off at a full run back to the north.
The teen hesitated, she knew she should listen to him and stay put until he came back but those screams were so loud, and so real. Those people needed help, and she wasn’t going to there to wait and see what happened.
There was no way she could catch up to Tarak but her own speed was enough to get her back to the Temple village in under twenty minutes winding through the dirt path and over the roots.
The scene that met her eyes was like one out of a movie. There were people running every direction, being hunted down by a hoard of lightly armours Sabre’s. Buildings burned as flasks of oil tore through the roofs. And the crying. It hurt the heart to hear.
She couldn’t see Tarak anywhere, but she saw a disoriented child in the doorway of a smoking hut.
Nothing else mattered, and she forgot her own safety.
The rugby captain bolted for the hut and slid down to throw her arms around the boy just as some ceiling collapsed. The branches hit her arm but the leather cloak prevented it from burning her.
With the tiny deer holding tight, Taylor sprinted from the hut towards the tree line where she saw other Animen running.
She grabbed a passing female Deer. Panicked eyes turned in horror.
“Here!” Taylor gave a growl of her own. “Find his mother.”
“OK!” She cried clutching the child to her breast and running.
To Taylor’s left, she saw an older Boar on the ground with two Sabres standing over him.
To the right, the teen saw another Sabre throwing flaming flasks of oil onto a grass hut. With a quick decision, she deemed the Boar in more immediate danger.
Before she could even take a second step, Tarak’s cloaked form cut her off.
He shoved her back towards the tree line hard enough so that she stumbled, his eyes locked on the Sabre’s in front of him.
Grabbing a burning branch off the ground, he rushed the pair. The wood exploded into a thousand embers as it shattered across the first Sabre’s face. He then snared the second by the throat and turned with his momentum sending the Cat flying, its throat left behind in the Tiger’s claws.
Tarak skidded to a stop before turning back to tackling the first Sabre to the ground. His teeth locked into the big cat’s arm with a burst of blood as he swung a leg up over its shoulder to lock it in place. Flexing his entire body, he pulled the arm out of socket and took the chuck of flesh.
The Sabre clawed and tried to bite Tarak, but the Tiger was too fast and kicked it away as he rolled up to his feet in one movement.
The crippled and bleeding Sabre scrambled to regain his stance, then came at the Tiger with claws slashing face height. Tarak leaned back just enough the claws skimmed his hood before rushing in behind it with his own natural weapons.
The raider avoided the claws to its own face, but it was not so lucky to the second set that slashed across its stomach spilling its intestines onto the ground.
The villagers seemed to rally around Tarak as he headed deeper into the village.
“You, run!” He yelled over his shoulder when he noticed her still standing there. The defenders then pushed farther in.
A group of Deer circled one unlucky cat and used makeshift spears to stab and pin it to the ground.
Taylor decided that maybe it was best to head back into the woods but as she turned to do that, she found her way blocked by more fighting.
The second safest place to be in this fight was right behind Tarak.
She caught up to his little defense group close to the village center. Defenders were struggling with the Sabres but Tarak was dispatching them with no real skill, just brute strength and viciousness.
Taylor tucked herself into a corner so she could help if anyone needed her to but was still not in the way.
The village square got more crowded when the remaining Sabre’s formed ranks against the villagers and their Lieutenant came to the head to see what was causing so much carnage.
Still hidden beneath the cloak, they couldn’t see Tarak’s face, but since he was holding a Sabre by its throat two feet off the ground, he was obviously the biggest threat. Not to mention, he was at least a head taller than any of the other defenders.
The Tiger snapped the neck of the big cat he was holding and threw him to the feet of the Officer.
“You dare interfere in Sabre business?!” He growled. “This village is being razed for interfering in a Sabre investigation. Unless you want to go with it, I suggest you walk away.”
The villagers did not move. Instead they all looked to Tarak for his response.
The Tiger sunk into a low fighting stance before motioning the large Sabre to come at him.
Rain hammered the ground in sheets, making the impromptu arena a muddy mess. Smoke from the fires also added even more distortion for anyone watching the events unfold; still the Tigers actions were crystal clear.
The Sabre officer was not as brash as his subordinates, and did not take the bait right away. Instead, he grabbed a spear from one of his men. He gave the weapon a few masterful spins before settling into his own fighting stance.
“If you are in such a rush to die, come on then.” The Sabre bellowed.
Tarak seemed unfazed by his now armed opponent as he waded into the Cats defense.
The spear stabbed out and slashed horizontally before stabbing out again in rapid succession. Tarak blocked each with just a slight move of his body or swat of the paw. He wasted no energy on elaborate moves; he simply moved the spear until he was close enough to launch his own strikes.
The Lieutenant deflected the first few open-hand strikes wide with the spear shaft, the third made it thr
ough but the Sabre could still lean his head out of the way.
This fight would not be won by simple brute strength. Both were fast, and both were smart.
Tarak spun with a risky kick, but was rewarded as the spear blocked the spinning hook, and snapped in two.
The Officer threw the pieces back in Tarak’s face and used the moments distraction to claw strike the eyes.
Tarak rolled off it with two shallow gashes across his left cheek. He didn’t let the injuries slow him down any; instead he threw out a front ball kick with a snap making the Sabre stop his initial assault.
The two took a step back and eyed each other up again. There was a reluctant respect there, at least for each other's battle prowess. Even so, both resolved to be the one that ended this fight by any means necessary.
The Sabre came in with a flurry of punches, and a kick of his own. The hook kick just missed taking Tarak’s head off by a hair’s breadth. Tarak capitalized on it though, and superman punched the Sabre in the side of the head as he continued past before turning and facing off again.
There was a second’s pause as Tarak’s cloak came apart at the shoulder. The Sabre’s claws had taken a substantial chunk out of the fabric.
Tarak ignored it and focus more on his next attack.
Taylor couldn’t keep up with everything that was going on; they were moving so fast. Most attacks were turned wide but the ones that hit landed hard with audible thuds and occasional bursts of blood.
The Sabre officer threw another claw attack, but, as Tarak dove forward, his already damaged cloak snagged on the Sabre and pulled off. As he spun around, he found the Lieutenant and the few remaining Sabre’s were just staring at him.
Tarak gave a growl as the Lieutenant laughed in such a way it sent chills down Taylor’s spine.
“Imagine the praise I will get when I bring the Lord a human and a Tiger pelt all in one day! I smell a promotion in my near future!”
“You are a little premature in your celebrations, I am afraid,” Tarak’s face remained emotionless, but a growl continued to vibrate his chest, “The kill is not yet yours...you have to finish the job.”
“With pleasure.”
The Sabre attacked with renewed purpose and Tarak was put on the defensive.
The village defenders had heard enough, it seemed, and they also attacked with vigor. The Prey tribes swarmed the remaining Sabre’s, overwhelming them with sheer numbers.
Tarak was caught by the front of his vest and then thrown over the Lieutenants hip to the ground. He landed hard, but kept the Sabre with him. The moment after they landed on the ground, he wrapped his legs around the other Cats middle and squeezed.
With a roar, he flexed his entire body. A few sickening cracks could be heard from ribs breaking. The Sabre clawed at the young Cat, catching flesh but not doing enough damage to break Tarak’s grip.
The Tiger threw his arms out, pushing the Sabre’s hands wide, giving him a moment to grab the big Cats face. They stayed like that for a moment as both pushed back but Tarak won the advantage as he pierced the Cats left eye with a claw, and, as the Sabre howled in pain, he twisted the top of his head to the right, and his chin to the left with a quick snap.
Tarak kicked the body off him and roared in triumph. The villagers took care of the rest.
Taylor came out and stood close to where Tarak knelt, still growling.
She said nothing as her eyes took in all the blood and bodies. It was horrible. The videos and pictures in history class, and all the documentaries on TV couldn’t have prepared her for the actual sight of war. There was even a smell to the death, copper-ish.
“Tarak,” an old Boar said as he came forward, “Are you alright my boy?”
“I am fine, Kikor’an. I am sorry I was not here sooner though.”
“They were bound to come back; I had hoped we would have had our defenses prepared, but we hit a few snags of our own.” He picked up the cloak and used a clasp off his own coat to secure it back around Tarak’s shoulders. “We will clean this up, and they will never know this unit was here. Now, I believe you have a higher purpose to fulfill?” He looked to Taylor’s cloaked figure.
“Yes. I would not let my father’s duty go unattended. I will make him proud.”
The boar had a sad smile on his face as he gripped Tarak’s shoulder.
“He is proud of you my boy. I can feel his spirit with us, even across the great Bridge.” The Boar squeezed the Tiger shoulder. “Let's get those wounds cleaned and we will get your two on your way.”
The rain finally started to slow.
Chapter 5
By the time they got back on the road, the rain had eased to a simple drizzle.
Tarak walked in silence; he was fuming about the human disobeying him and putting herself in danger, making it even harder for him to battle the Sabres. Every few minutes he had to look back, to make sure she was still safe.
Taylor had so many questions concerning the encounter, but she didn’t think it was an appropriate time. The Tiger’s mood was poor, and she didn’t want to stir the pot any more than necessary.
It was getting on late in the day before they stopped to break for lunch. It was a good thing too because Taylor was feeling the heat and her Converse weren’t made for long distance treks through the rain forest.
She wasn’t sure how Tarak looked as though he hadn’t even broken a sweat from the battle or from the hiking, but whatever the Tiger’s secret, she needed it.
Tarak handed her a water flask.
“Thank you,” she muttered as she took a long drink.
“Why didn’t you stay on the path when I told you to this morning?” He asked, his tone held an edge that gave her pause.
The teen figured she owed him an honest answer since he had put his life on the line for her, twice now.
“The villagers were in trouble, and I wanted to help since it was my fault I put them in that situation.”
Tarak squatted in front of her and spoke as if his words were meant for a toddler and not a young woman.
“It won’t matter who is in trouble if those Sabres get their claws in you, do you understand? If they catch you, you will damn everyone in Nexus to a life under the thumb of Ransidius. You need to listen and keep yourself out of harm's way.”
“Look, I get it, but I will not just stand by as they kill people!” she argued back, getting a little annoyed with the way he spoke to her. This might not be her world, and these were not her people, but she wasn’t a spoiled little princess that expected others to fight her battles for her.
He gave a frustrated growl.
“You came through my gate, making you my responsibility! For me to keep you safe you have to do as your told!”
The statement sent a wave of anger through her chest.
“Do as I am told? I am not some little kid that needs you to hold my hand. I might not be a fighter like you, but I am more than capable of taking care of myself.”
He laughed at her. It was the worse thing he could have done at that moment.
“When I turn into a pet on a leash, I will let you know. Until then keep the arrogance to yourself.”
Tarak lost his temper at that point as well. He grabbed her upper arm and leaned in so his face was right in front of hers.
“Arrogance? I am doing my job by protecting you! You think I enjoy taking lives? You think I want to spend my life protecting a species that can’t even have enough sense to flee a battle? I am glorified nanny, and you are the spoiled cub.”
Taylor was done arguing. If this cat wanted to be like that, she would prove him wrong. Pulling her arm from his grip, the very stubborn teen turned on her heel and walked away. The equally stubborn Tiger folded his arms across his chest and stared after her.
Twenty minutes later there was still no indication he was following.
Taylor wiped at the tears of frustration and continued to stomp along the woods trail.
Who was he to talk to her like that? She kne
w they were not playing a game, and that the Sabres were real threats but to assume she would follow without thinking was too much.
Maybe she wasn’t as fast, as strong, or as stealthy as him, it didn’t mean she wasn’t capable. Her father had taught her some tracking skills, and hunting tricks to cover up her scent and such. He had also taught her how to keep her bearings in the woods. Like right then, she knew she was traveling south west, and from the map Tarak had showed her, the teen knew she would hit a river soon and that following it would lead her out into the plains.
Of course, once she got there, Taylor couldn’t just walk up to this walled city. They would recognize her in a heartbeat. Not to mention, she had no money to buy the supplies she would need to even survive.
Taylor stopped in her tracks and cursed out loud. It was plain that she had overreacted, and now that the clearer thoughts had seeped in, she realized just how much was at risk by walking away
The Tiger hadn’t even done anything that wrong. Sure, he had said a couple things she didn’t like, but that wasn’t enough to have a temper-tantrum over. Her only explanation was that the battle in the village had put her on edge.
“Damn you, you fool,” she whispered to herself, “He was just trying to help. Geeze.”
She turned to head back up the path.
It wasn’t there.
Taylor had just been on the path a moment ago. That she was sure. Looking around, she positioned the sun to her left, front which let her realign her bearings so she could back-track.
After a hundred paces to the northeast, she still saw nothing familiar. Still, there was no way she had been that distracted to lose the path, altogether.
She did a quick three-sixty, looking for any landmarks.
A little way to her left was a rocky outcrop, sticking out between the trees.
Somehow, she had not noticed that before.
The sudden appearance put her on edge; she had to wonder if there was something else at work here.
Taylor turned her back to the rocks and walked the opposite direction for another hundred paces. The trees all looked the same. Not like trees would normally look similar, but they looked the same, like deja vu.
