Chapter Fifteen

The Lion

The Lion saw them long before he was seen. He lifted his great shaggy head and watched the travelers’ approach, his tufted tail swished back and forth and he guarded his charge. He knew about the Nomadics, there role of backbone in this unusual band of misfits. The almost-man was vaguely interesting; he was the sacrifice, the saviour, the one for this time at least, he was not important from the Lion’s point of view. The Lion was rarely surprised, and never shocked.

However the boy and the girl shocked him. They were not from this world and the Lion saw that right away, he was always waiting for contact from the other world and never believing that it would come, however here it was, in the form of a boy and girl.

He was strong, loyal and torn between to worlds that he wanted to be in, and she was reserved, unsure but powerful, and the ties of love bound them. The Lion’s tail flicked again as the vagabonds stopped on the hill opposite to them, the long grasses flowing wildly as they watched, all with hands on there weapons except the female OtherWorlder.

The Lion turned and nudged the girl sleeping against his flank.

“Ariella,” the Lion said with a deep rumble that was frightening as it was gentle and enthralling.

The girl stirred and looked at him.

“What is it Rjardín?” Ariella asked.

“Travelers,” the Lion replied, “two are OtherWorlders.”

“Is that possible?” Ariella whispered.

“Yes dear one, I had hoped that you would be older, but now is the time,” the Lion replied.

Ariella and the Lion got up to face the travelers and she walked down into the valley with the great Lion beside her, she resting her hand on his red mane.

The travelers did not move, until the OtherWorlders walked down the hill, leaving the three from this world watching behind.

When Ariella was about six feet from the OtherWorlders she made a small, almost unseen gesture to the Lion who obediently stopped and sat down with his golden eyes watched the boy and girl very carefully. The boy seeing the Lion sit, stopped as well and let the girls handle this matter.

“Cara Matos, from the world beyond ours, author of this story,” Ariella said without having to ask Cara even her name.

“You know who I am?” Cara asked unsure of where to go from here.

“Of course,” Ariella answered, “I know lots of things.”

“Right, that’s why we’ve come here,” Cara began.

“To kidnap me? Or take me on my own free will? What you seek I cannot tell you,” Ariella answered.

Cara was silent her eyes flicked to the great animal behind Ariella and saw in his golden eyes.

“The Lion is surprised,” Cara said, suddenly remembering everything she had ever made up or was told about the Oracle.

Ariella faltered, she began to look back and then looked even more carefully at Cara.

“I know lots of things,” Cara replied.

Ariella smiled, “you and I are alike.”

“No, you know things to come, I know even the most detailed things about every major person or culture,” Cara answered.

“Naturally,” Ariella replied, and signalled for the Lion to rejoin her side. “You are the author of this story.”

Cara nodded slightly.

Ariella smiled, “don’t worry, it’ll make sense soon.” And she placed her hand again on the Lion’s back as it passed her and walked up to Cara.

The Lion saw the quick movement of the boy behind her and looked meaningfully at Cara. She understood and held out her arm.

“Don’t worry Kade, he won’t hurt me,” Cara said. Kade’s action’s slowed, but he did not leave her side while the Lion inspected her.

“How did you come to be here?” asked the Lion.

“That’s what we are trying to find out,” Cara answered.

The Lion growled slightly as though trying to think of the answer. But he turned to Kade and looked deep within him, piercing with those yellow eyes.

“Your heart is strong, as is your spirit. Do you find it hard to be here in this world?” the Lion asked.

Kade was quiet for a moment, contemplating an answer, “There are times when it is hard to stay here, but for the most part I’m alright.”

The Lion made that growl sound again, and sounded like a ‘hmmm’ but lion form.

“I still find it strange that you managed to come here. Only those who have been other worlds can go in them again. It is rare that a spirit chooses to transfer worlds and live in another body,” the Lion said, “you however feel the tear in the worlds, and that is how I know that you are not from this world, from this life or another life.”

“How do you know that I can feel it?” Kade asked, not afraid of the creature before him.

The Lion’s mouth twitched, “I just do.” Was his reply and the jowls of the powerful jaws were working hard not to smile.

“Do you know why we are here?” Cara asked.

“Of course,” Ariella replied, “and I will go freely with you.”

“That is not the only reason why we are here,” Cara replied.

“Bäldassare, I feel his presence,” Ariella said, she sighed and looked to the side, “his parent’s should have listened to me.”

“But they didn’t and now it is our battle,” Cara said.

“Battle indeed,” Ariella said, “do you feel it?”

“Feel what?”

“The Lady Helen has sent your messages, armies all over the Lost Isles are beginning to form, and all are marching on Shokjn,” Ariella said, “in the north of this island is where the battle for the Misty Islands will begin.”

Cara nodded, “when.”

“Now,” Ariella said, “you must meet the lord of Shokjn.”

“Where is he?”

“He is staying with troops,” Ariella said turning and motioning to come with her.

“Already?” Cara asked coming, the other four as well.

“Yes, though it took you longer to get here, there are many that have already gathered, from all of the isles.”

“And where are they?”

“Just over here,” Ariella said.

And the crossed the hill Ariella had been sleeping on. As they came to the top, the smell of cooking food came to them and they broke the crest.

Nearly fifteen thousands were camped there ready to fight.

“All of these men-” Cara began.

“Are here to fight, fifteen thousand from all over the isles.”

“There’s so many,” Cara whispered.

“And yet there is not enough.”

to be continued in part four: The Lost Prince