They had amazingly known what to call him. Nyxa claimed that she "heard" the mother call him Tyri-Anu, and was convinced that the mother possessed some kind of psychic abilities. Tyri seemed absolutely against leaving the forested area in which they had found him. It was a difficult first week with the cub. He seemed to think that his mother was still coming back for him. Nyxa and Vulcan wrestled with staying for awhile longer, but common sense and the need for safety prevailed and they moved on, forcing Tyri to decide whether to stay with the people, or chance the wild. The cub relented, and since then he stuck to Nyxa like glue, as Lucina did to Vulcan.
Lucina trotted playfully by Vulcan's side, pausing every now and then to pounce on his feet. Vulcan scooped her up and tussled her fur. She looked up at him, eyes gleaming with mischief, and playfully swatted him across the face with a paw. Vulcan and Nyxa laughed.
"You've sure got a fiesty one there Vulc," said Nyxa. Tyri squirmed out of her arms at the same instant that Vulcan set Lucina down. The two tumbled in the grass, pouncing on one another.
"I'm just glad that Lucina was here for Tyri," he said. "Tyri was so withdrawn that I was afraid that he would never leave with us. He's blossomed so much since then because of Luci." He watched as Lucina pinned Tyri to the ground and licked him affectionately.
"Vulc, have you ever thought of having these two as our first pair? They obviously like each other." Nyxa smiled at the two smitten cubs.
"Obviously, but it's completely up to them Nyxa. It's their lives, and we can't make decisions for such intelligent animals." replied Vulcan knowingly. "Actually, I was just thinking about their stages. They're about due for another change." A sudden rustling in the underbrush suprised Vulcan, and he whirled around. At the same moment that the noise was issued, four men stepped out of the surrounding foliage, bows at the ready.
"Prince Vulcan, we're here to escort you back to your father, and end this folly," said a man. Vulcan recognized him as his father's captain of the guards. Vulcan's posture changed at the word folly. He stood up straighter and regarded Reyali (the captain of the guards) imperiously.
"Reyali, you have no business here. I'm not returning. Tell my father that."
"Fine then," replied Reyali, "then if you will not cooperate, we will have to escort you, and the Duchess Nyxa, back to Comeltum by force." Nyxa glanced worredly at Vulcan. She knew that if that was to happen, she would not have an easy time at home. She was not as well off as Vulcan, and would not be as easily forgiven. Vulcan was undecided as to what to do. He couldn't risk any harm coming to Nyxa, or the cubs. The men drew their bows.
"Come your highness. End this foolishness. If you refuse to cooperate, we will kill the cubs at your feet." Lucina and Tyri growled warningly. The men laughed.
"Two cubs playing at guardians!" laughed one of the bowmen. "Now that's a sight to see!" Suddenly a blinding light enveloped the clearing, temporarily blinding all that were within the area.
"What's happening?"cried Nyxa. As the light died down, Nyxa and Vulcan glanced around the area, searching for their cubs. They didn't have to search hard. In front of each of them stood the cubs....err.....used to be cubs. Both had changed into teens, fur still glimmering eerily from the blinding light of metamorphosis. Both were crouched and seemed to be ready for the pending fight. Lucina and Tyri both let out a menacing growl and advanced upon the men encircling them. Lucina seemed particularily angry at being surrounded, and moved steadily towards Reynali, teeth bared. Renali glanced around at his men and backed off.
"We'll be back your highness, duchess," he said, bowing to each in turn. "You can count on that."
*to be continued*
To read the previous parts of the story, click on the links below. Tyri and Lucina's stories intertwine, so it would be best to read both.
Lucina
*first page (cocoon)*
*second page (cub)*
*fourth page (adult)*
Tyri-Anu
*first page (cub and cocoon)*
*second page (teen)*
*third page (adult)*
Lucina and Tyri's stories intertwine,so I've provided all page links.
