Undiscovered Origins

Undiscovered Origins - Chapter 34

Chapter 34:

            It was strange following Stargazer as most of the time he kept ahead prancing on all fours. Every now and then he’d walk and talk to her about everything from how animals behaved in the cat world and asking questions about how humans were. He was a handsome young man despite his feline looks with broad shoulders, defined chest, and abs that looked more human than animal. She still looked at him strangely still not able to make a clear definition of what to think of him.

            There was an unnerving feeling tingling through her body as she watched in disgust as he ate the raw flesh off a boar. She sat content with her fresh picked mangoes and berries that tasted plentiful and sweet in her mouth. It was clear that most of Stargazer’s teeth were formed like that of a tiger to eat the raw flesh off of animals. Any romantically inclined thoughts Jade may have had about him were destroyed when watching him tear apart the juicy raw flesh. Still he seemed a nice enough guy to know as a friend and a protector. He seemed that he could be more vicious than all three men she had met during her travels.

            Stargazer seemed unsettled as he walked forward with a distant glow in his eyes. Jade walked closer to him and locked her arm around his right elbow feeling his fur warm her flesh. He seemed to shiver slightly before turning to her to look into her emerald eyes.

            “What’s wrong?” She asked.

            He stared at her for a moment of silence before inhaling deeply, “That is what I should be asking you.”

            Her eyes glanced away from his orange eyes for a moment to contemplate what he had stated. She did seem fidgety ever since she had come across the tiger.

            “What do you mean?” She tried to ask innocently.

            “Ever since you showed up you’ve been looking over your shoulder. There is something you are hiding from. Something is chasing you and you won’t say what. If this is something I should not be involved in… perhaps I should send you on your way in the right direction.”

            “Perhaps you should.” She whispered solemnly.

            He stopped in his tracks now and looked at her firmly, “What is after you?”

            “I am not sure…” She said.

            “Why the eastern sea?” He asked.

            “I must find Drake… before he leaves across the sea,” Jade paused and whispered, “if he hasn’t left yet.”

            “We could be faster if you had a pony.” He said.

            “I had a unicorn… oh my… I’ve left her there in that cruel place. We have to go back for her!” Jade exclaimed.

            “Relax Jade… I’m sure she is fine. Do you wish to go back; it might delay us reaching this Drake.”

            “But if I do find her and free her we will be able to travel faster with me on her back.” She reassured.

            “How dangerous is this place?” He asked.

            “We should not be seen. Do you know where the temples are?” She asked.

            “Yes.” He said before exhaling a large roar that shook Jade where she stood. “I love danger.”

#

            They were quiet through the jungle for the rest of the day until they reached the territory next to the temple. Surrounding animals weren’t so quiet and began to get louder and louder at their approach. It was dusk now and most of the small stone village had settled down, leaving near emptiness around the temples. Jade and Stargazer stared through the thick branches of a green bush. The stable was on the outside edge of the center of the village, but it was on the other side.

            “How are we going to get through unnoticed?” Jade asked.

            “We aren’t. Prepare to fight.” Stargazer responded harshly.

            “Jade… you shouldn’t have come back.” Came a thick elderly voice from behind her.

            She turned around rashly to face Lorimer standing on all four hooves. His face was hard and a sword was removed from his scabbard and in his hand.

            “You are a part of this as well are you not?” Jade asked reaching for her scimitar.

            “It is the only way. I refuse to go on hiding for my entire life.” He said.

            “There has to be another way.” She said.

            Stargazer beside her was now on all fours and on the tips of his paws with his front left a step ahead as if he were about to pounce. A low rumble echoed in his throat and his orange eyes stared cold towards Lorimer.

            “There is not. There are two choices for you now Jade. Join us, or die.” Lorimer sneered.

            “I choose a third option. I will never join you, but I shall not die either.”

            Lorimer stepped forward with his sword raised but before Jade could unsheathe her scimitar Stargazer had pounced and tackled Lorimer to the ground. Large snarls and rumbles came from the half tiger and both his paws crunched Lorimer’s shoulders to the ground.

            His head whipped around to look at her for an instant, “Go! Save your unicorn. I will deal with this.” He roared.

            She made a step towards him as if she wanted to help but then took two steps back. Turning to look at the stable she knew she had to go to it and free her unicorn now that there was a distraction. With one last glance at Stargazer, now tossed onto the ground with Lorimer swinging his sword at the cat, she dashed out of the bushes and into the stone village.

            There were several creatures staring her down as she made her way across the open space but nobody chased her. A sigh of relief exited her lips as she entered the stable to find her unicorn neighing at her approach. What she saw around the animal though brought an ache to her heart. Heavy chains were wrapped around her navel and body that attached to the grey walls. Jade’s tugs at the chains were unsuccessful.

            “Could you use a hand?” An icy voice asked from behind her.

            She turned to see Caldwell behind her with a flat face. He no longer held a cool smile like he had before. His white cotton shirt and brown breeches were torn and she could see through them to the several deep gashes that had healed over into horrific cobalt scars.

            “You’ve escaped?” She asked suspiciously.

            “Yes… it was more difficult than I expected.” He said.

            “What have they done to you?” She asked reaching out to his wounds.

            His hand acted fast to block hers and he stared deep into her eyes with his that were the deepest blue she had ever seen them, “Don’t touch.”

            She took a step back shivering from his cold exterior. He walked up and grabbed the chains that secured her unicorn and she watched as frost trailed up the steel until they snapped. Next he limped across the stable and jumped on a horse of his own that had a white hue but an aqua shade.

            “Let’s get out of this place.” He said.

            Jade jumped on her unicorn and instantly felt the connection between the two. It felt as if the unicorn’s spirit intertwined with hers to make her more powerful. When she sat with her unicorn she felt safe. Before Caldwell could speak another word she trotted outside the stable and rushed through the now built crowd out the way she came with him traveling close behind her.