Approching Summer

Masika watched the unicorns play. For a moment, her worries evaporated with the antics of the youngest foals.

"Your father is awake." The voice was soft and reassuring. Masika turned to Xerxes. The starborn held secrets he was not prepared to share. She quietly followed the young man back into his cottage.

Xerxes had given his bed to her father. The tiger looked small under an intricately embroidered cover that could not conceal all of the horror of his old wounds. She wondered who had loved the starborn enough to put forth such effort on bed linen.

Masika whispered into her father's ear, "Welcome back."

"Where are we, Masika?"

'When' are we, she thought suddenly, was a more appropriate question.

"Enjoying starborn hospitality," Xerxes said cheerfully, helping her avoid the answer.

"Are you a cousin of Athena?" the tiger asked.

"I am beginning to think so," the starborn answered with a chuckle.

"But she is so light, and you are so dark."

"One of life's many mysteries." Xerxes gathered some pillows. "Ready to sit up, my lord?"

The tiger raised his one eyebrow in curiosity, but nodded. Soon daughter and starborn had him comfortably situated, and ready for breakfast. Masika had made sure to remove the beautiful spread, although Xerxes seemed not to notice. She could not bear food soiling it. She caught a knowing glance from her father that suggested that she had, as always, done the appropriate thing. Although a warrior woman, she had assimilated the manners of Thunderan nobility by his example.

Her father took a little meat soup. Xerxes then shooed her back out of the cottage. She was relieved to have been freed of assisting her father with grooming.

She decided to walk, following the line of trees near the cottage. If Masika had any doubt about the finality of the strange journey she and her father had taken, it vanished. Another time, another dimension. All they had known was lost, but perhaps all they had desired was restored. The question propelled her forward into the unknown.

*****

Masika studied her surroundings, and discovered she had crossed to the west. The trees had begun to thin. She suddenly stumbled onto a wide path. A caravan was in the distance. Faint music drifted on the breeze.

Thunderans. Her mind raced back over the different races her father had spoken of over the long seasons. An immensely fat panther handled the reins. With a tug and a grunt he stopped the horses. A handsome Thunderan sitting next to him played the lute. "Need a ride into the king's city, young one?" the golden cat asked with a smile. The name of his clan had eluded her.

The panther eyed her with suspicion. "You are lost," he said calmly. "Myr'an'dra!" he unexpectedly bellowed. A lean figure opened the window of the wagon. "We have another guest," he added. "Perhaps she can take some tea with you."

The pantheress regarded her neutrally. She indicated the back of the wagon.

I must know more! Masika decided.

*****

The caravan crossed into the city. Street upon street carried Thunderans of many races. Masika turned to Myr'an'dra. The tea was hot, but the silence cold. "The King?"

"If we let you out here, cross the plaza. The young lord should appear on the balcony of his palace as is his daily habit." The pantheress leaned forward, "That should answer your question, Tygra's daughter."

"How did you--"

The wagon halted. Myr'an'dra opened the door. "The truth, warrior woman," she said gesturing toward the plaza.

It was a day wherein explanations only clouded reality. Masika nodded, and jumped out of the wagon. A playful orb of rainbow light fluttered past her head. "Good luck, youngling!" the fat panther declared.

*****

The sun had reached its zenith. The trumpet heralded the approach of the king. He appeared not on the balcony, but walked calmly through the crowd, his guards alert, but considerate of the people. The king was tall and golden, resplendent in robes of yellow silk. His thick, red mane was his only his crown. He smelt of spice and wine. As he breezed past her, Masika murmured his name, "Lion-o."

The king halted. "Yes," he replied. His gaze was warm, and his smile genuine.

Masika put her hand to her heart, and bowed her head. "May your reign be long, and your sons many."

He laughed, a smooth, comforting sound that invited friendship. "You must know Tygra, for he always gives me the same blessing."

"Perhaps," she said with a calmness she did not expect, for her heart pounded. That she had found any voice amazed her.

The king eyed her carefully. "Such a dark mane and eyes. Rare tiger beauty," he remarked with approval. He gave a slight wave of his hand. "If you should see my wayward architect, please tell him to come to the palace at once."

She touched the tips of her fingers to her lips. "I joyfully carry your words." The response had come from a place deep and ancient within her.

*****

Masika had always been a good tracker, and headed easily for the starborn's cottage. Another mile or two, and she would rejoin her father. And tell him what? she wondered. If Lion-o lived, might not the others her father had known? A disturbing thought arose: How great would be the shock if he saw himself young and whole? She stopped, and thought of the mother she had lost. Or how great the joy?

There was a gust of wind, and a high pitched sound. Masika froze in place. "Don't take me without him!" she cried in panic.

"He will go before you, of that I am certain."

Before her stood a tall white tigress. Her black mane cascaded down her shoulders, a stark contrast to her green robes. The female was young like she, but burdened by the sorrow reflected in her dark eyes.

"To take him, you must fight me."

"I will not take him. He is of another aspect of space-time, as are you. He has a twin in the reality, but you do not. He will fade."

"What evil magic is this!" Masika exclaimed.

"No magic, just a temporal distortion. It manifests from time to time. It cares not for what happens to your father."

Masika advanced on the female. Before her eyes, she disappeared. "I just thought you should know." Her words floated on the breeze, but gave no comfort, for help was not forthcoming.

"Why should you care!" the tigress screamed at the sky.