by Phil Stern
Sitting very still, the sorceress forced herself to take a deep breath. Then, extending her magical sensitivity to the surrounding area, she tried to find Pend again.
But Caylee came up empty. Apparently, Pend could drop off the magical radar screen anytime she wanted.
All right, fine. Twirling a twig between two fingers, Caylee considered. She wasn’t in the mood for a game of hide and seek with a teleporting tiger. So if she just stayed here, Pend would surely get curious and just come back…
A surprised unicorn bugle burst through the trees, along with an angry hoof stamp. Groaning, Caylee leapt up and raced back to her companions. A menlar later she came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the encampment.
Unfortunately, things were much as she expected. A clearly irate, fully-awake Tornado was staring down at Pend, who was standing twenty feet before him. Long tail swishing back and forth, the baby tiger expectantly waited.
When the unicorn made the slightest move forward, Pend disappeared and instantly reappeared on Tornado’s flank, giving him a playful swat. By the time the shocked uni whipped it’s head about to orient on her once more, the tiger had vanished again. A moment later she appeared on Tornado’s other side, swatting and escaping once more.
Still, Tornado showed remarkable forbearance, keeping his deadly horn well clear of the cavorting tiger. Caylee suspected he could have timed Pend’s pattern and skewered her if he really wanted to, but the unicorn seemed to realize this was just a baby animal playing with someone new and different.
Thus, satisfied that bloodshed wasn’t about to ensue, Caylee merely folded her arms and leaned against a tree. Utterly disinterested, Saja irritably wandered off to nibble at some spare tufts of grass.
And on it went. Pend got in several more love taps on the ‘corns flank and rear, scrambling right across his back at one point. She even popped into view before his equine face, gently tapped his magical horn, then teleported behind him again. Still, when the precocious tiger finally began darting between his sharp hooves, Caylee knew someone was bound to get hurt.
“All right, Pend. That’s enough.” Clapping her hands, the sorceress formed a gentle magical barrier around her unicorn. When Pend reappeared on Tornado’s side and tumbled forward for another love tap, she was quite surprised to encounter this odd magical energy. Drawing back in confusion, the cub stopped to consider matters.
Yet Tornado didn’t hesitate. Turning to one side and executing a full unicorn lunge, the ‘corn’s horn flashed out at the cub. Reversing his strike at the last possible instant, the tip of Tornado’s horn merely grazed Pend’s furry neck. Distracted and slow, Pend hadn’t teleported away in time.
For some seconds the cub’s wide, shocked eyes stared right into the unicorn’s steely gaze. Then, with a frightened whine, she turned away and padded straight over to Caylee, hiding behind her legs once more.
“Tornado, meet Pend.” the enchantress gaily announced, reaching down to stroke the cub’s head. “Pend is a local tiger princess.”
Still breathing heavily, Tornado rolled his eyes.
“She’s also very excited to meet a unicorn,” Caylee persisted, now bending down to put an arm around Pend’s neck. “And like you, she doesn’t always know how to behave! I think you’ll be great friends.”
Tornado didn’t take well to this playful criticism. Grumbling, he turned away and began wandering off through the trees. I need to talk to you privately, he complained. Right now.
Taking a deep breath, the sorceress gave the cub another reassuring squeeze. “Stay here,” she firmly whispered in Pend’s ear. “I’ll be back very soon. All right?”
By now more miffed than frightened, the cub sat back on her haunches. Fine, she said. Maybe I’ll just talk to the horse.
“That’s a super idea. But no playing, just talking.”
Fortunately, Saja now meandered back into their clearing. Standing tall again, Caylee asked if she could keep Pend company for a bit. Saja agreed, immediately engaging in polite small talk with the cub.
Brushing back long, blonde hair into a rough ponytail, the Coven witch then struck off after her peeved unicorn.
He hadn’t gone far, stiffly standing beside two tall trees. Even though pointedly facing away from her, Caylee ran around and threw grateful arms around Tornado’s strong neck.
Squeezing with all her strength, she then pressed her face into his wonderful fur. “Tornado, you were amazing yesterday! Thank you so much.”
Shifting slightly, he tried to look back at her. You mean that?
“Of course!” Giving him a consoling surge of earth fire, she then walked about to face him directly. “I’d be dead if it wasn’t for you! That second ronga would have gotten me for sure.”
Ronga?
“Yeah, that’s what those horrible lizards are called, apparently. But wait a menlar.” Stepping back, she touched her earth stone, concentrating. Tornado watched with sudden interest.
In a burst of green magic, a basket of buttery croissants formed on the ground between them. Chortling in pleasure, Tornado’s bright eyes went from the basket, to Caylee, and back down again.
“Go on,” she urged. “You’ve earned them.”
But Tornado still hesitated. Croissants, he airily informed her, should not be treated like a mere bucket of oats.
“Fine.” Reaching down herself, the teenage magician plucked one from the basket and presented it out to him. “I’m sorry. Here you go.”
Tornado bashfully eyed her while munching on the treat. Was I really good?
“Of course. And so brave! That ronga could have easily killed you.”
You aren’t mad that I didn’t go after the first ronga? he asked, even while peremptorily kicking at the basket again. The one you killed on your own?
“No, I had him handled.” Caylee obediently provided a second croissant. “You were right to cover my rear. I didn’t even consider there might be more than one of them. But you did!”
Now beaming in pleasure, his pure white tail eagerly swished back and forth. I knew that was my job, the unicorn said. But I didn’t know if you knew that.
“When we get back to Haven, I’m going to tell everyone how brave you were.” Idly, Caylee realized that, unlike last night, she was now assuming she would make it home in one piece. “You’ll be a hero.”
Almost coyly, Tornado glanced down at the basket yet again. I was so afraid you didn’t think I did a good job, he said.
“Nonsense.” Plucking out the last two, she gave one croissant to her unicorn, then bit into the last of them herself. “And I’m so glad I brought you here! But I need you to do something for me.”
What?
“I know Pend is a little much,” she patiently continued. “But she’s very sweet, and wants to help us. Can you put up with her? At least for a short while?”
Maybe, Tornado conceded. But she can’t bat at me all the time.
“I’ll tell her that, I promise.”
So we’re staying here in Lysandy? Tornado asked. We’re continuing with our mission?
Thus prompted, she made a sudden decision. “Yes, we are,” she declared, patting him on the side. “Lewn is getting better, and we’re all in one piece. Our mission awaits.”
Returning together to the others, a mildly-chastened Pend solemnly promised to behave around Tornado. After some initial glowers, the unicorn allowed the young cat to pad up and gently sniff noses.
Caylee waited until mid-afternoon to break camp, so Lewn would have more time to heal and Saja could get some additional rest. Then, with the injured battle hawk perched on the back of her saddle once more, they left the tree oasis and were on their way again.
*****
With the temperature soon to drop, Caylee was back in standard Coven jeans, boots, and white shirt. Blonde hair flowing behind her, their little party made good time across the savannah.
Indeed, with the grass growing shorter and additional collections of smaller trees popping up, the la
ndscape was beginning to seem more like traditional plains than wild safari. Breathing a small sigh of relief, the sorceress realized they were probably leaving the preferred ronga hunting grounds far behind.
Though she’d been a little worried on this score, Pend easily kept up with the larger equines. If anything, it seemed as if the precocious cub was dialing things back in order to accommodate the lesser beings she was traveling with. The young tiger would romp through the grass for a bit, gradually falling behind everyone else. Then she would eagerly leap up into the air, sailing an impossibly long way parallel to the ground before touching down again some distance ahead. It wasn’t quite flying, Caylee decided, yet was clearly another potent magical ability.
They soon passed herds of various animals, including the Lysandy versions of buffalo, antelope, and giraffes. Welcoming and even playful, some of the faster creatures would run out and travel with them for a time before peeling off and returning to their herd. Caylee suspected that but for Tornado’s looming presence, they might even come right up to directly intermingle. Though they hadn’t seen any other unicorns about, the locals obviously recognized the breed as a fighting animal.
On the other hand, the Lysandy herbivores didn’t seem to regard Pend as a threat. When Tornado was off to one side, they would naturally run with the young tigress on the other, treating her almost as a long-lost friend. Perhaps she really was some type of local princess.
Still, the sorceress was a little concerned when three adult tigers popped up over a low rise, rushing out to intercept them. Stunningly beautiful predators, each was easily five hundred pounds of muscle and potent magic. Carrying themselves with smooth grace and deadly purpose, they obviously commanded massive reserves of power. Caylee had little doubt how they’d react if anyone felt Pend was in even the slightest danger.
Pulling up to a sudden halt, Caylee firmly called Tornado over to her side. Posturing right now wouldn’t help anybody. Indeed, watching Pend go on ahead to meet her fellow tigers, she hoped the little princess would make it quite clear that everyone was on very friendly terms.
For nearly two menlars the Coven operative watched Pend consult with the three massive cats, who now stood uneasily in a semi-circle facing her about a hundred feet away. Casually sitting back on her haunches, the little cub was clearly doing most of the talking, though Caylee wasn’t close enough to listen in. For their part, the newcomers would regularly glance over Pend at Caylee and her equine friends, their eyes twirling in feline irritation.
As this went on and on, the young witch began feeling quite exposed. At this point her little party was even deeper into a hostile dimension. They obviously couldn’t outrun the Lysandy tigers, and if Pend wasn’t able to straighten things out…
Behind her, on the saddle perch, Lewn let out a defiant squawk. Tornado echoed the sentiment, declaring that he could easily fend off these potential new foes. First thanking her protectors for their input, Caylee then firmly instructed everyone to keep quiet.
As it turned out, they didn’t have much longer to wait. Obviously getting in the final word, Pend then spun about and bounded back to the Haven group. Following at a more dignified pace, the three adults warily padded closer as well.
Careening to a halt almost underneath Saja’s feet, Pend awkwardly shuffled backwards to proudly beam up at Caylee. Everything’s taken care of, the cub announced. When you’re ready, we can go on to the human village.
“Really?” she carefully replied. “And just who are your friends there?”
Pend raised a quizzical eyebrow. My royal guard, of course. Who else would they be?
“Oh, of course.” Glancing up, the sorceress noted that the three tigers were indeed waiting a respectful distance ahead of them. “But I didn’t know you had a royal guard.”
Duh! Luxuriously stretching her neck to either side, Pend gave a contented sigh. I told you I was a princess. Don’t you know what that means?
Princess my ass, Tornado softly muttered. Even Lewn let out a most un-hawk-like guffaw, giving her sorceress a frustrated head-butt in the back.
“Of course, Pend. A royal guard makes sense,” Caylee agreed, putting a warning hand on the unicorn’s flank. “But, uh, why weren’t you with them when we first met?”
Oh. Almost guiltily looking down, Pend’s tail gave a peremptory flip back and forth. Sometimes I just like to explore by myself, she mumbled. It can be more fun that way.
“That’s true.” Leaning forward in the saddle, Caylee smiled down at the cub. “I feel the same way sometimes.”
You do?
“Sure. But Pend, you shouldn’t slip away from them like that. I bet your mommy and daddy are worried about you.”
I guess, Pend pouted. With a most un-cat-like eye roll, the cute cub then pointedly looked away. But no one even goes near me when my royal guard is around! It’s very sad.
I’ll bet, Caylee privately thought, again glancing at the fearsome threesome patiently waiting on their princess. “Okay. But maybe now…”
And if I hadn’t slipped away from them, we wouldn’t have met and become friends! Anxiously, the young tiger held Caylee’s eyes. And that’s good, right?
“It’s very good,” she assured her, bestowing a sensuous, two-eyed cat wink on the cub. “You’re becoming one of my best friends!”
I think so too! Beaming in pleasure, Pend then peremptorily jerked her head around in the direction they’d been heading. Let’s go! The village isn’t far.
“Okay. But first, why not send one of your companions back to the pride, to let everyone know you’re all right?”
Maybe, Pend sourly allowed. But we’re heading in that direction anyway. They’ll know soon enough.
“Well, I hope so.” Hopping down from the saddle, the sorceress then casually conjured some bird and horse treats, the small items easily appearing in a tiny burst of earth fire. Surprised, all four tigers observed this with great interest.
Which was exactly what Caylee intended. Pend was no threat, but displaying her power for the royal guard might keep the entire pride on their best behavior.
Wistfully, Pend watched the blonde girl give oats to the horses and little bits of beef jerky to the birds. That’s really cool! she finally exclaimed. But isn’t there something for me?
“Oh.” Having momentarily alighted on Tornado’s back for his treat, Jarob then flew off with powerful wing sweeps. Readjusting her blown hair, Caylee considered. “What would you like?”
Thoughtfully purring, Pend then playfully swatted at a long stalk of grass. What do you have?
Frowning, the enchantress wondered what would possibly be considered a treat to a magical tiger cub. Then she recalled being on Earth and how Tiffany dealt with her house cat there.
Walking off to one side, Caylee gathered her power. This was far more intricate than oats and jerky. Bending down on the alien savannah, the still-wary adult tigers not far off, she formed a partial bowl on the ground with her forearms.
Earth stone humming, it took some moments to form this particular spell. But when the green fire finally faded away, four large cans of tuna fish sat complacently on the grass.
Unable to quell her insatiable curiosity, Pend was almost instantly sniffing at the strange metal containers. Patting her on the head, Caylee then retrieved four paper plates from her magical saddle bag. Returning to where the tiger princess was now experimentally batting the cans about, the enchantress pulled the top off one serving and shook it out on a plate.
Never in her life had Caylee witnessed anything like the pure rapture that spread over Pend’s face upon sniffing the tuna fish. First taking a sedate bite, the cub instantly licked her lips in wonder. Soon she was devouring the entire plate, munching on the tuna in absolute delight.
With Pend momentarily occupied, Caylee slowly approached the three adult tigers with the other plates and cans. “I have something for you as well,” she assured them, bending down about fifteen feet away from the nearest one. “And I think you
’ll really like it.”
Pouring out the cans on three plates some ten feet apart, she then backed up to a respectful distance. Soon, the royal guard was enjoying the tuna as well.
When everyone was done eating Caylee carefully incinerated the plates and cans. Then, with the three adult tigers clearing the way, they were off again.
*****
After some time the landscape began generally sloping up, the rough terrain now uniformly covered with a green, verdant grass. Oats and barely grew in patches, with a more general field and forestry gradually taking over.
It was certainly an interesting trip. At one point they ran next to a gently gurgling stream bordering a wood, with a strange breed of fox-like otters puttering about on the opposite bank. Later on they passed a vast sunflower field, the huge plants tended by even more impressive bees. Just beyond that a pair of friendly, brightly-colored parrot began pacing Caylee’s horse, flying right beside her on the galloping steed. After exchanging pleasantries, they then soared up once again into the cloud strewn sky.
The royal guard certainly knew their stuff. Early on one of the big cats flushed a boar-like creature from their path, it’s huge tusks and razored sides flashing in the late afternoon sun. Rearing up to it’s full height, the tiger pummeled the wild pig with tremendous cuffs to the head and throat, merely teleporting aside whenever the boar seemed to be ready to strike back. Dazed and bewildered already, the boar turned and ran for it’s life when Tornado entered the fray.
This little engagement was a great relief to Caylee, demonstrating as it did a surprising cooperation between her feline and equine companions. Even with a still-grounded Lewn limiting their air coverage, she now felt comfortable they could handle anything thrown their way.
Just as the sun was beginning to set they reached the base of a small mountain. Spread out beneath the heavily forested slope, on a small plain bordered by streams to either side, was a simple human habitation. Consisting primarily of several dozen wooden structures, the tiny village could house perhaps two hundred or so. The buildings themselves were of the log cabin variety, with crude chimneys in a few of the larger ones.
