The White Tiger

The Black Tiger

Kai started to hyperventilate.

"This- This cannot be happening... No... No! You lie!" She collapsed at Jorh's feet, her hands feeling weak. "You died..."

"Kai, listen to me at once. We have to leave." Jorh maintained his cold tone as he looked at her.

"J-Just... Be silent!" Kai roared, her eyes dilated and she stood up.

Jorh suddenly took her by the wrists, one hand over her mouth, and shoved her out of the tent; his eyes bearing into hers.

"Be quiet and listen to me... please... If you alert the guards then you have no hope to get the boy out, or dethrone Hertha." Jorh hissed into Kai's ear "We both know you want to save him, and I wish to overthrow Hertha once and for all. She broke our family... tore us apart... drove Hel mad, and hunted you to no end... Kai... Sister... Will you listen to me?"

Kai gave a small nod and as Jorh let go of Kai, she looked into his eyes with hurt and betrayal lining her pale features. Within the second, her hand flew up to his face and collided with his jaw in a harsh smack.

"Liar." She said, venom in her voice, "You're no brother of mine." Her eyes glaring at him with pure hatred.

Jorh took his jaw and rubbed it, taken aback by her sudden gesture. After he had regained his bearings, he sighed, feeling as if he was talking to a small child.

"Kai, if you want to save the human, I can help. You won't get past the outer wall of Hertha's castle without me, I guarantee that." Jorh said to her, offering her his hand.

Kai looked at it, then with a sigh of defeat, she took it and followed him deeper into the forest.

"Come. I will tell you my story..." Jorh said, sitting Kai down on a rock.

Kai was silent, she might as well listen.

"Mother and Father lied to you when they told you that I had died. I was taken from them when I was a cub, unable to transform into a human at that point in my life. I remember this well... I was taken to a camp and sold to someone. My captors just... gave me up. This happened five times and I was almost big enough to transform, but not before I was sold one last time. This time, to a royal guard."

Kai growled lightly.

"Yes I know how you feel about them." Jorh noticed her reaction immediately.

"The guard and his peers took me across the plains and we ended up at the gates of the King's castle. He took me to him and the King gave me to Hertha who took me in and raised me. I grew in my strength and wisdom because I knew that the King was a threat to our people. His mannerisms and actions proved this when he brought you all to the capitol, years later. At that time I was already a high ranking officer in his army, and in the years he kept you all at the capitol, I was plotting to kill him. But... Hel snapped first and did the hard work for me. The only setback was that Hertha started to become like her father after Hel killed him and Nolo, and thus I was forced to plan against her behind her back..." Jorh stopped, making sure Kai was still following his explanation.

"But your plan failed! Hertha captured and tortured me for two years!" Kai growled, crossing her arms.

"Kai, have you ever wondered how you, and only you, got out of Hertha's dungeons?" Jorh asked, raising an eyebrow. "It wasn't a guard forgetting to lock your cell, I did it. I knew Hertha had you as soon as her mood changed from a raging beast, to a happy kitten. So I put off my plan to kill Hertha until I had a foolproof plan to free you. I went to "Inspect" the guards and drugged the ones on night shift, then came back and unlocked your cell, leaving you the map that put you out into the forest."

Kai stared, it all made sense now. It had been him all along!

"What about Mother and Father?! You said they are alive!" Kai asked, her voice worried and intrigued at the same time.

"Yes, Mom and Da are alive. At least, I know Hertha didn't kill them. You and Hel made sure of that." He said, a faint smile on his lips as Kai's face softened.

"How did Hertha not find out about what you did?" Kai suddenly asked, her face changed. "It must have been a miracle."

"Well, I had tried to divert all contact between Hertha and the dungeons to give you a head start, but two days after your escape, I was called in by Hertha. I thought she had found out about what I had done, so I was prepared to kill her on the spot and forfeit my life right there. But she merely wanted me to track you down. And so I had no other choice but to gather my men and start the search. When we found you, I ordered them not to kill you, but I knew that by this point, Hertha wouldn't have cared if I brought you back dead or alive... unfortunately one of my men did shoot you, and I'm sorry about that. I hope you weren't too injured?" His face changed and Kai saw regret in his eyes.

"No, not too injured. I was able to walk a few weeks after Jay found me and took me in. About eleven days before you came." Kai said, mentally forgiving him.

"Ah yes... about that... I returned to Hertha without you and nearly lost my head... she was furious. So I fled with some of my men and happened to come across your abode. I knew it was you because of our family link, but you, having never met me face to face and... not know that I was your brother at the time... confused you. But I did like the use of grandmothers name." He chuckled as Kai smiled, feeling clever.

"Indeed. I liked that one." Kai said, nodding. "Now, how did you find us at the camp? There are many of those along the mountains!"

Jorh smiled mischievously.

"Well, I sent my men home, as they were weary anyways. So I traveled alone in Tiger form by night, and on foot by most of the day, following the boy's sent. It's very distinct." He explained.

"What? How could you have tracked us in the rain!? Wouldn't Jay's sent be washed away?" Kai asked, confused.

"Ah! See, I had already reached the outpost the day before you arrived! Before the rain! I had caught up to you about two days before you reached the camp and then just ran ahead of you and waited the rest of the time until you arrived." Jorh laughed as Kai sighed defeated.

"I guess there goes my training..." She held her head in her hands and laughed as well.

"I waited until you got there and set up camp to make myself known. A fitting and dramatic entrance if I do say so myself!" Jorh's face looked pleased with his plan, his sister laughing at him.

"Da always did love the dramatic! Guess you got it from him then!" Kai nodded her head, playing with her hair. "Well, I would say that's enough explaining for now, the sun is almost up and I should get back to Jay." Kai stood up, a small but warm smile graced her lips as she looked at her lost brother.

"He won't be there Kai." Jorh said suddenly.

"What? Why?" Kai sounded confused and worried, her eyes widened. "What did you do!?"

"Don't worry! I've ordered my men to take him to a safe place! I found a handful of soldiers who are willing to help me overthrow Hertha, I have a plan! Trust me..." Jorh's eyes pleaded with his sisters, he took her hands. "I needed a way to get you to the capitol, I'll pretend to bring you in and together, we shall put an end to Hertha and her corrupted rein, once and for all! Make it safe for our people again!" Jorh's voice sounded full of hope.

Kai sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I swear, Jorh... if any harm comes upon him..."

"Nothing will Kai! I promise..." Jorh reassured her.

"Very well... lead the way, brother..." Kai stood.