The Hunt for Freedom

Chapter Six

The sun rose over a majestic garden and promised a beautiful day to all that would listen. Grandfather had requested my presence for sunrise breakfast and so I stood, nervous but excited for this day to begin.

I heard the whisper of robes that announced his arrival. Werecats were really quiet even in their human form! He was dressed in all white this time, his skin color looking all the more bronzed. His silver hair looked almost white as well in the morning light. He stood so straight and tall, I felt proud to be his grandchild.

"Are you the king? I asked. Everyone treated him as one but no one had spoken his name or title in front of me.

His eyes lit up with amusement. "My dear, no, I am not a black panther, only a black panther can be royalty. I am the alpha of our pride, however, and my feline form is a lion."

"May I meet your lion?" I questioned, always curious.

"Yes, you will meet, but not now. I have many things to teach you and not nearly enough time. Your mother says that you like to read?" He questioned.

"I love it, I wish I could read in my sleep." I giggled feeling like a little girl at the moment.

Good, I am sending you home with a lot of history books that you can't get in the human schools. I will need you to read them quickly and be ready to discuss. We will have daily video conferences and your mother will keep me aware of your progress." He looked like a teacher now.

"Will you be my new homeschool teacher?" I asked.

"No, and as a matter of fact, you will not be homeschooled anymore. You will need to go back to traditional school with the humans and learn to acclimate to their ways. I will be sending a few families that have young werecats to help guard you. You will not live together, but you will train together." He said matter of factly.

"Train? Are they gymnasts too?" I asked, completely oblivious still.

Poor Grandfather looked at me like I was clueless. "No, Katalea, you may keep up your gymnastics but you will need to find time to learn many other things. We will start with the ancient art of Tahtib."

"Tahtib? Was I hearing him right?"

"What is that Grandfather?" I asked, suddenly aware of two men, dressed as ancient Egyptian soldiers, fighting with sticks in the air on what appeared to be a floating television. Grandfather had conjured up a visual aid. I really needed to pay attention.

'"It is an ancient martial art that can be disguised as a dance. With the right training it can be quite lethal. One of the families that I am sending home with you hails from a long line of Tahtib masters and will begin your training immediately. We do not know what danger we are facing and we do not know when it will come, but we will prepare as if everyday is our last chance to train." Grandfather sat back as our breakfast was served.

Mounds of eggs were placed in front of us. A heavenly tuna smell mixed with the platter of eggs wafted up to my nose. There was toast and fruit, beautifully arranged, but I only had eyes for those eggs. As I scooped spoonful after spoonful into my mouth I almost wept with pleasure. Momma was going to have to make this!

Speaking of Momma, I suddenly caught a whiff of her scent. Something like flowers with just a hint of soil had always been the scent that bought me comfort. As I was thinking this, she swept into the room with a beautiful emerald top and full skirt that flowed almost down to her ankles. She looked so beautiful with her beaded necklace and bracelets shining like green diamonds in the morning light.