SPIRIT ANIMALS FANS MUST READ!!! I created a idea for Spirit Animals series #3

Chapter Eleven: Kirat

THE MEETING

The Citadel was packed. More people had gathered for a simple meeting than Kirat had seen in a long time. Most were standing together, holding bags and crates or leaning against the rundown walls watching the passing travelers.

Kirat saw dozens of spirit animals winding their way around the legs or perched on the shoulders of marked individuals. One woman was chasing a coyote who had decided to steal some poor man's cat that meowed helplessly, clawing in fury. She attempted to grab the animal but missed and barreled into the wall. She pulled back, cursing and shaking her fist, then giving chase once more.

Running his hand through his lion's mane that was padding alongside him, he felt the soft fur against his rough, weary hand. Cabaro let out a purr and pushed up against his leg, almost knowing the boy over.

"Knock it off." He said, finding his footing. The lion only lashed his tail and whipped Kirat in the back, his way of showing affection. "I know there are a lot of people, but show a little care. This is a big honor to be chosen to attend this meeting as a Greencloak." He muttered and followed the big cat. Huffing, the boy rounded a corner and nearly collided with a blond-haired girl, her hair tied up like a crown. He yelled in surprise, leaping out of the way and up onto a tall crate.

"Kirat!?" She yelled in shock, wings beating behind her. He saw her face and inhaled with relief. "Tasha!"

The girl dipped her head, a green cloak whirling at her feet, and white feathers sprouting from her back. Niniani bent her head around and honked loudly at him, her black eyes somehow looking angry. The swan spread her wings once more, making it look as if Tasha was a sort of angel that could rise to the ceiling and disappear in a blur of white. Her eyes sparkled in delight as she tapped the bird's beak, telling her to be quiet.

"You sure jumped high. Did you learn that from Cabaro?" She asked jokingly.

He felt his face go red and he laughed, ignoring the creaking crate below him. Then in the blink of an eye, he fell through the wood with a snap, sending splinters shooting about. Cabaro leaped sidewards while Tasha and her swan sprang out of the way of the incoming points.

Kirat looked down and saw that he now stood in a broken mess of glass vases, their blue and red designs shattered. Oh no. That's not good. He thought, stepping up and out of the mess he had made.

A Zhongese man came running over, his face full of horror when he saw the shards. Bending down he lifted a piece and pointed it at Kirat in rage. "Why!" He shouted furiously and as a spiked lizard shot from his sleeve, hissing with the same rage. "These were for the leaders, peace tokens from the Emperor!"

The lizard launched itself at Kirat's face, a ball full of barbs, but was batted away by Cabaro when he roared a caution and hit the animal back into the man. Pulling out a knife from his boot, the man yelled with fury, throwing it at the boy with a line of speed. Reaching for a sword that was at Kirat's side, he beat the weapon to the ground with an echo of metal. Lifting it threateningly, he spat. "You talk about peace but get offensive when I accidentally broke your vase. Good example."

"He is correct." Spoke a voice to the side of The Greencloak. "Maybe we should wait until my own guard can control himself to give a peace offer."

Kirat looked upon a tall man who had short golden hair that looked as if it had been dyed with oil paint. A jagged scar ran over the left side of his face and sealed his eye closed, making him look like a war hero. His tunic was tightly fitted and decorated with red, green, and white leaves around the collar.