Lily ran with the speed of a winter wind. She nearly collided into Alana. 'Lily where is your mother?' Cloud inquired nervously. He knew that the return of only one tigress was not a good thing. 'Humans have taken her,' Lily said, frightened and angry. 'No, mama,' Alana cried out. 'Hush my child. We will find her,' Cloud reassured his young cubs. 'And then I shall give those filthy beings their punishment' he spat with rage and malice.
Demia entered the cell of Vetus Tutela with a wry smile gracing her flawless features. "I have taken your mistress Vetus Tutela," she said quietly. "Now that this task has been done, you are free. However, you are not to go to earth and search for her for doing so will result in immediate punishment," Demia continued cruelly. "Thank you, Demia," Vetus Tutela whispered, her eyes cast to the ground. She silently vowed to go to earth and find her mistress. Demia's threats did not break her resolve. The guardian rose and left her cell. She made her way to the gates of the heavens and slipped through unnoticed. She landed near the tigress's den. Three fiery eyed tigers glared at her.
"Please do not harm me," she begged, getting down on one knee and bowing to the graceful predators. 'Who are you and why do enter our forest?' Cloud questioned. "I am Vetus Tutela, the ancient guardian of the enchantress, your mate," she explained. "Dad, she knows Mama," Alana said with hope. 'You will help us search for her?' Cloud requested. "Yes, of course," the guardian said. "I would have saved her before those horrid beings took her---" she began. 'Then why did you let her captors succeed?' Cloud said angrily. "Demia, the sun goddess locked me away so that I would not be able to reach her," Vetus Tutela murmured. 'Enough. We hunt tonight,' Cloud said with great intensity.
The four set out, with Lily in the lead. 'This way,' she said as they came to the brush. The three tigers leapt gracefully through while Vetus Tutela glided over. Lily was about to head off through the forest where she had seen her mother taken when Vetus Tutela stopped her. "Please wait, young one. I shall call out to her and see if I can find her," the guardian said. Mistress. It is I, Vetus Tutela. 'Vetus Tutela. Y-y-you did not come' a sleepy Circe answered. I know. It was the work of Demia. 'You are free now?' the tigress questioned. Yes and am with your family. We shall come to you in the night. 'Follow the path laid before you until the setting of the sun. You shall find me there,' she said and then sleep was too great. The tigress had succumbed to its lull. "We are to follow this path until the setting of the sun. We will find her there," Vetus Tutela said triumphantly. They rushed into the forest. Cloud took the lead and they moved stealthily over the roots and fallen leaves.
As night fell, they came upon a small clearing in the forest. A large fire was blazing in a small circle of stone. The three hunters lay around it, in various states of sleep. Raju emitted loud snores as he rolled over, his foot precariously close to the fire, his dark red hair covering his face. Serena's long blond hair was spread like eagles wings fanned out under her head. Her light blue eyes were barely visible. Helenai rested her heard on a rolled up sack of clothing. Her golden blond hair and fiery grey-green eyes were in shadows. When all three hunters had given in to sleep, Cloud, Lily, Alana and Vetus Tutela moved into the camp. Cloud immediately saw the small barricade that held his mate. By nightfall, the sleeping draft from the dart had worn off. She paced uneasily around in circles. Mistress. We have come for you. 'Yes, but do not make noise. It will only disturb those filthy creatures and you would all be in danger,' Circe answered. The search was over. The rescue had just begun.
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