Bridges

Talitha considered the arrangement of flowers on the altar to Mrísena. The mix of blue petals from morning glories for healing and red ones from roses for devotion finally appeared in harmony. The white tigress knelt before the flat stone, and the wooden statue of the Goddess that her father had given her. Wind and rain had smoothed the delicate features of the face and the details of the sculpture. The companion statue of Irri'in, the winged god of knowledge that she had bestowed upon Tygra, had disappeared. The trailing bits of wood she had found suggested that some creature had decided to give the god a new home. As for what purpose, she was at a loss, but remained confident that forgiving Irri'in would not mind the creature's ingenuity. His domain included curiosity, which in his generosity, she was certain he would extend to the animals of the forest. When Tygra returns, I will gift him with a new statue carved by one of our people, she decided. And perhaps my father will honor the Goddess with another figurine.

The time of uncertainty had passed. The day that Tygra had left for the world of the Four Forms, she had swooned with shock before all present. When she had finally awakened, the touch of her mate across her soul was the barest whisper, yet it was in place. It was then that she knew he would come back to her. That she could console herself, and the others in the household, with this knowledge helped routine to return to the Lair.

Talitha smiled. The next pleasure had been unexpected. Tygra and her father. The first meeting had gone well. She recalled the day dream that had come upon her as she had worked alone in her hydroponic garden. The three of them had stood in a circle in a place of rainbow light where time had no meaning. My father still is the strongest empath known, she thought with pride. She touched a damp spot on her knee. And if he can occasionally find water as his dowsing ancestors have done, well, that is a good thing too, she decided.

My father will not allow harm to come to Tygra. Talitha chuckled in amusement. A kitten's omniscient vision of its parent eased her. Such a maidenly thought, she mused. She rubbed the flat planes of her abdomen. This body no longer commands innocence. Will I permit it to swell again next spring? She clapped her hands to disrupt the wanderings of her mind. "Enough pensiveness!" she ordered herself. "It is your turn to assist poor overworked Snarf."

"Can that wait a moment more?" A masculine voice had put forth the request.

Talitha rose and faced the Lord of Thundera. "Do you need my assistance?" she asked, suddenly concerned that her skills as a healer would be required.

Lion-o rubbed the sleeves of his yellow tunic. "I need your wisdom," he stated firmly.

Pleased. That is how she would describe the feeling rising in her heart. "I will do my best," she answered brightly.

"Our people and more formal ways will soon return. Must Tygra yield his status as a clan lord in order to pursue his duties as a mystic?"

Such an odd question, Talitha thought, but she provided an honest response to the serious young king. "Tygra's own people rejected him after his father's and uncle's deaths at Star Vale, although they did not name him outcast. I doubt that his relatives would find a place of power for him after all these seasons. For some time, his status as a noble has rested with the Lord of Thundera. Since your father has journeyed to the Silence, that continued courtesy has fallen to you to bestow. That is why his proper title is still Lord Tygra. As for mystics, we do not require one to relinquish noble status. The responsibilities of a mystic come first, above the needs of clan, according to our oath. When a mystic takes the oath, his initial training is complete. Those who have come to us from noble houses, choose to surrender their status as royalty, rather than be in conflict with that oath. A few have retained their status, but have made arrangements with their clan in the event of conflict. A son or daughter often can take up the needs of the clan. Tygra has not yet taken the oath; he has not finished his basic training by both my judgement and Tir'shan's." She watched the change in Lion'o's brows: first bunched in confusion, then relaxed with confidence. "Does that answer your question, my Lord Lion-o?" she asked formally.

He smiled. "The first part of it." The amusement on his lips quickly vanished. "You know the Tygra the rest of us do not. Only your eyes see the heart he shields and the pain that never leaves his soul. It is you who will know what he might say to my proposal."

"Or perhaps have the best guess," she agreed in a deprecating tone. "He can fool me easily if he chooses."

"That is because you trust him," Lion-o said breezily, then quickly gulped in embarrassment.

Between her laughs, because she recognized the truth and accepted it, Talitha managed to inquire, "What proposal, my lord?"

"A new clan."

The young king had said it softly and seriously. That the lion would even think to command tigers! "That is a difficult matter for any ruler of Thundera, my lord. It has not occurred often, and tigers are a proud race. Do you truly think they will allow you, despite royal law, to intervene in their politics, and form a new tiger clan?"

"Not a tiger clan, Talitha," Lion-o replied, a slight smile again forming on his lips. "It will be a clan for those of mixed race, or unfairly judged outcasts. It will be one closely tied to the mystics, for they have often given shelter and solace to those who have no true or comfortable place among the people."

"And Tygra--"

"Chi'ris'rin of that clan."

"Infinite gods protect us!"

"You don't think it would work," Lion-o asked dejectedly.

He had pinned his hopes on her response, and she had inadvertently disappointed him. The astonishment passed, and the wisdom and vision in his idea made her giddy. "Quite the contrary, my lord, you will make history!" A fleeting cloud diminished the sun, and returned her solemnity. "It will be difficult to create something new, and yet, on this new world, we will need new ideas."

"Would Tygra lead?"

"Tygra would go into the seven hells if you asked it of him," she stated firmly. "But be assured, he will resist at first."

"But he will do it?"

"With you and I and Cheetara to convince him...."

"And the mystic council?"

"Te'sara will see the wisdom in this because of our connection to those who have clan difficulties." Talitha tapped her chin. "There is one who should be included in this decision, but cannot be."

"Who?" Lion-o asked, shrugging.

"One who cannot speak, but one whose future we influence now. The son of your new Chi'ris'rin: Altair. He is technically of Cheetara's clan, as he was conceived at her request, born for her, nor Tygra. However, he will invariably become a part of this new scheme."

"That burden we accept," Lion-o replied, "for the benefit of the people."

Talitha nodded. "Then you must surround Tygra and his son with support."

"How can we best approach him?"

Talitha pointed to the altar. "Pray to Mrísena and Irri'in for enlightenment. Then, we will figure out what other gods we might need in our battle."

"Battle," Lion-o said with a sigh. "You are certainly right about the gods." He brushed the petal of a rose. "Who will receive the biggest temple from this, I wonder," he said absently as he knelt before the altar.

Who indeed? Talitha thought. She knelt beside the king. She arranged stones on the grass in a symbol of petition. My poor Tygra. Trel will be the least of your concerns now. The road rises to the mountains, and I have set you and your son on that path with my counsel. May all the gods who are listening help us!