Authors Note: Thanks for pointing out that spelling error, Shishio. I can see how it might be confusing. I've fixed it in this update.

Chapter 8: The Cat's Eye Tribe

Star stopped a ways away from a forest Orko guessed was about half the size of the Syndisian Forest, Dregan's home.

This is where Cassandra lives," the unicorn informed Orko. Just go in, and when they find you, tell them you have a soul for her.

"Aren't you coming in?" Orko asked as he slid off to float before Star.

No. But you'll be safe. And I'll return tomorrow to carry you home to Eternia, I promise.

"Okay." Star flicked his tail a couple of times, and bounded off, leaving Orko wondering why he hadn't gone to meet Cassandra, too. Then the Trollan shrugged and went in.

Inside the forest was like something out of a fairy tale. The leaves were emerald green, the grass soft and thick, sunlight slipping between the branches above to dapple the forest floor below. Orko half expected a centaur of some other mystical being to appear at any moment.

And he was kinda right.

"Who are you, and what purpose do you have in being here?" asked a voice in a growling tone. Orko jumped in surprise, then turned to see a snow white lion slipping through the trees, a two foot tall female fairy on it's back. While the lion was growling softly, neither seemed openly hostile.

"Trolly-molly... um... I was told to take this - " He held up the gem pendant. " - to Cassandra Lionspaw." The two looked at the gem, then at each other.

"Is she up for that?" the fairy asked, it's dusty-lavender blue wings fluttering worridly for a moment.

"Best let her decide for herself," replied the lion, no longer growling. To Orko he said, "Follow us." They led Orko through the woods, and after a few moments he heard voices. Then Orko gasped, as a village came into view, a village of elves! They were everywhere, standing between four and a half to five and a half feet tall in the adults, the men wearing simple tunics and pants, the women dresses. Each garment was colored in forest tones, varying shades of green and brown.. Most wore boots, and many of the women wore simple jewelry of stone beads and shells and the like. And even more to Orko's amazement, all of their homes were in the tree branches, like children's treehouses. One elf paused in wherever he was going when he saw them.

"We need Chief Toby," the lion said, and the elf jogged off, to return at the side of a three and a half feet tell, faun-colored... cat!

"Trolly-Molly..." Orko whispered. The cat, Chief Toby, wore a tunic and pants as did the elves, but he also more a necklace of stone and shell beads that seemed a status symbol in their simple elaboratness. His grass green eyes blinked curiously as he looked Orko over, then he looked at the lion and fairy.

"Lenon? Peri?"

"He's got a Gem, Toby," the lion answered, and Toby frowned slightly.

"I don't know if Cassandra has the strength for that yet. It was only early this morning..." Orko tiped his head, getting the distince feeling that he was missing something. Toby turned to Orko sudenly. "Hey, you're a Dreamer, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I guess." Toby sighed softly, then smiled.

"Well, we'll ask her if she feels up to it." He led them all to a tree home,a nd he and Orko went up the rope ladder. There Toby knocked before quietly opening the door.

"Cass?"

"He's awake, so don't fret, my love," came a female voice from within. They entered fully, and Orko got this third shick within thirty minutes.

"Trolly-Molly!"