A Tale of Three

Chapter 13: Revolution

"I said we should use magic to wake her! It has been three days; it doesn't matter how important her memory is."

"Omnes said she needed the vision so Cyrene will complete the vision! Lili, quit being so self-absorbed."

"Oh yes, I'm selfish for caring about her wellbeing? She can't stay like this!"

"She is perfectly fine and you know it. Stop acting like you care!"

Cyrene opened her eyes to see Lili and Alba yelling at each other. They stood just feet apart. Alba only reached her shoulder, and had his head turned upward so he could glare at the leader.

"Can you please not yell?" Cyrene pushed herself out of her moss bed. The fibers beneath her were tightly packed as if she had been lying there for a while.

"Cyrene!" Alba turned to face her. His anger seemed to have evaporated. "I'm sorry the way I acted; I know I shouldn't have reacted so harshly. I was scared."

She laughed nervously as she saw Lili look back and forth between them. "Okay. Well, thanks."

Lili threw her muzzle in the air and coughed, ending her and Alba's brief exchange. "Since you have missed three days of this society, you'll be making it up to me by having hunting duty. Alba will join you."

"But Lili-" Alba whined.

"Alba, I don't know where your newfound bravery came from, but I suggest you go back to your old ways," Lili growled before marching out.

Cyrene sighed and made her way towards the exit. She didn't say anything to Alba.

"She's never liked me. I didn't even get a ceremony. I asked her why while you we're out. She said I don't follow orders well. It's so stupid! I follow all my orders but apparently having a sense of humor is a crime." Alba shook his head and sat down in front of her. "I can't believe she is making us hunt. I hate hunting. When felines have magic, catching deer is easier that catching your breath. All they do is show off. Last time I went, the deer ended up turning blue, growing tentacles, and flying into a tree."

"At least it won't take long then. We'll just catch a squirrel each and head back. It'll be prey. She can put up with it." Cyrene got up and headed for the den exit.

She looked over her shoulder to see Lili walking back to her den. The panthress hissed at her retreating form.

"I hate Lili," Cyrene started. "She's so sure of herself. It's like she thinks everyone will always listen to her. You know, in Pacifing they have an advisory council. In Astute they have an advisor. The leader actually listens to the glaring. Here Lili is always doing her own thing. She lets every other glaring die, but won't let us, the strongest glaring, do anything to help. I'll be happy when Jade finally kills her."

"Jade's rebellion has already started really. More wildcats are starting to stand up to her. She hates it," Alba laughed as they walked towards the center of the cavern.

A group of felines had gathered in the center to form a hunting party. They jumped and laughed together. In their midst she could see several shapes made of smoke, along with solitary rainstorms, and balls of fire. She felt herself smiling as she rushed towards the center.

As Cyrene walked towards the hunters, she heard a whisper in her ear. It was like just a breeze of wind but it seemed to be halfway shaped into words. She looked up to see an owl flying over her head. She knew she had heard that voice before somewhere, but it was too faint to recognize.

"That's one of Fida's shapes," she heard Alba say beside her. "Poor owl flew over the Sapiens Nation's border, and she killed it. The birds didn't mind. They claimed it was a just punishment."