Mehk and Itna

Legacy

        As the day stretched on, Mehk, Itna, and Rayla sat in the oasis. They spoke of Itna's life alone for many years before travelling merchants and passersby came and went. Then they talked of Mehk and his appearance in the oasis. Rayla encouraged him to tell of his life before and why he had traveled so far. As the stories continued, the three grew closer in understanding and caring. Soon, Itna yawned.

       "Oh my, it is getting rather late isn't it. I'm afraid I've no place to stay the night." Rayla, rose, standing straight with a noble-like posture. Itna bolted up, starling Mehk and Rayla alike.

       "I have the greatest idea! You said you lived in Retlehs once, right? We could go down there tomorrow and fix up one of the houses for you to stay in. Nobody would expect you to be hiding from pirates in an abandoned village and who knows, we could slowly start to breathe life back into it." Itna's kittenish excitement, made Rayla laugh.

       "Alright kitten," Mehk got up, putting his arm around her. "But tonight we need to give our guest the tent again."

       Itna nodded. "Um... Rayla? You said you were close to my mom when you two were younger?" She nodded. "Could you tell me what she was like back then? I want to know..."

       She smiled, "Lay down, dear girl. I'll tell you one of my favorite stories of those days." Mehk laid next to Itna by the water as Rayla began. "Your mother was quite the beauty back then. We were about your age. She loved to run around in the desert and play in the dunes. She would come home covered in sand and talk of how beautiful of a day it was. Everyone loved her.

       "One day, she went out into the desert and stumbled upon a boy who had followed her. Rather than get mad or scared, she smiled at him, asking him eagerly to join her. That night, she wouldn't stop talking about him. She brought him over a few days later. He was a cheetah, like you and your mother, but colored tan with his spots as dark as the night. I could see their love blossoming from a mile away. When the Moonlight festival came, He asked her to marry him in town square. She said yes and the town roared in joy.

       "They were the town's sweetheart couple and everyone knew their names. When they married, the whole town threw a party and celebrated. Your mother even got a chance to dance with the chief. Those days were the best days the town had. Wanting to give the two some room, I took my first trip, traveling with a merchant to Darkbay. I fell in love with traveling once I had reached the docks. The trip, however, was only to sell a few goods and return to Retlehs with a few more. When I had returned, your mother had become pregnant. She was still as bright and joyous as ever. She told me how excited she was and said that I was to be the Godmother of the child.

       "As she settled down in her life, she tried to be a bit less reckless. Though you could never damper the excited gleam in her eyes. You are to carry on her memory now. Sunrae and Keith Lieta live on in you." Rayla kissed Itna's forehead and smiled at her now sleeping form. She then stood and walked to the tent, crawling inside. As Itna rested, her mind played images of her parents and their life in Retlehs.