Adina cursed again as another of her teachers got through her defenses. The way she was going she was going to be nothing but a big bruise when they were done. Swinging wildly she grunted when her sword was stuck in a beam that was beside her.  Cursing, frustrated she tried to wrench it loose to no avail.
 
A sudden clapping behind her had her whirling a hiss issuing from her throat her fangs bared. “Think again about teasing me brother!” Adina growled as her brother backed up his paws in the air a wide smile on his face.
 
“I’ll take my chances for the time being,” he told her as she growled even more.
 
“I will learn these skills if it kills me!” She yelled as her sword came loose with her falling backwards on her butt. This of course caused another round of laughter from her brother. Adina arose, stalking her brother her sword before her. “Beware brother!” She warned as she issued another hiss.
 
Drawing back she was about to strike when she felt the sword wrenched from her grasp none too gently. “ADINA!” She heard the growling roar of Ambrose. “It is not above your standing to be executed for attacking your brother! He is a sub-king, attacking him carries a heavy penalty even for you!”
 
Adina turned her mouth agape; bowing low she begged the forgiveness of Ambrose. Then she turned toward her brother Typree growling trying to apologize. “I’m… I’m,” she managed to get out.
 
“You apologize for trying to attack me?” Typree stated with a straight face. When all Adina could do was nod affirmative Typree Sighed. “I also apologize to you my sister. I know you are taking your duties seriously. I have never seen you try as hard as you are now. In actuality I am impressed; a few days ago you couldn’t even hold a sword. Now you were not only holding it, you’re holding it correctly.”
 
Adina’s eyes got large then narrowed as she stared at her brother. “If all you are going to do is make fun of me then leave!” Adina hissed.
 
Sighing Typree nodded as he turned to go. “You should take it easier on him Adina. He’s only trying to protect you,” Ambrose told her.
 
“Protect me? I am not a little cub, I proved that with you. At least I thought I had. What, you think I am a little cub also don’t you?” Adina spit out.
 
Sighing Ambrose shook his head, “I…”
 
[I am no weakling I thought I had proved that enough to you.] Adina thought to Ambrose.
 
Sighing Ambrose knew she wasn’t going to let it go. [I know you are no weakling, what you are, is hardly skilled to protect the queens and the other Paladins. There will be cubs one day and…]
 
[Cubs! So you are thinking of children!] Came Adina’s excited reply.
 
[Yes and if a word of this escapes to their ears there are other forms of punishment we could try. Perhaps going back to Mandria in a type of exile for a while? I know you missed me but this would be worse. So, your answer?]
 
Adina hung her head, [they won’t hear it from me, cousin.]
 
Niaco, Glenna, and Twitty were watching shaking their heads. “Alright Mileen, please continue. I have to go train more with your mate though.” Here Ambrose scratched his chin. “I might train a little with all seven of you. In order to injure Thomas like you did, you obviously have a few tricks he is almost defenseless against.” Ambrose said with a grin.
 
Mileen smiled blushing as she bowed to Ambrose. The praise felt fantastic as did the fact that the King was acknowledging her skills. Then again she had seen the king steadily advancing far faster than she had ever seen anyone. “Thank you sire, though at present you are advancing quickly. I doubt I could defeat you easily now.”
 
Ambrose’s eyes went wide then he nodded. “I am still not completely trained though I am giving your mate fits.”
 
Mileen nodded then giggled as did his mates. “Oh yes Sire. He has mentioned you are improving, I believe he said.”
 
“I think that’s enough mate!” Came the voice of Thomas from the doorway behind them. “We don’t want the king to get killed from a swelled head!”
 
Again there was quiet giggling from his mates and Mileen. Then suddenly Niaco was laughing full out. When Ambrose stared at them with a fierce look they all started to laugh harder. Niaco suddenly stopped, and walking up to Ambrose whispering in his ear, “I am sorry Sire, there is only one swelled head I am interested in!” She licked the side of his face, purring as she walked away, leaving a shocked and blushing Ambrose.
 
Looking over at an also blushing Adina, Ambrose growled giving her an intense look. Walking further out into the exercise yard Ambrose stood ready. He had to get better as he was now his uncle could kill him easily.
 
Thomas had Ambrose stretching before they started. Then suddenly Thomas attacked bearing down on Ambrose giving no quarter. “Come on you pompous little cub! I know you are better than this, are you still trying to hide behind your father’s legs?”
 
Growling Ambrose started to swing then pulled back feeling the anger trying to overpower him. Blocking a thrust from Thomas, Ambrose smiled as he felt the anger shift, putting the energy into his parries and thrusts. For the first time Ambrose was backing Thomas up as he began to viciously hack away at Thomas’s defenses. Finally Ambrose twisted the sword out of Thomas’s hands.
 
Dropping to a knee Thomas bowed his head. “I concede Sire, you have finally mastered what I have been trying to teach you. I am forever your knight, my life is yours Sire.”
 
Ambrose nodded as Thomas retrieved his sword. “Bah! You defeated the easiest of us!” Came a voice from behind him.
 
Thomas growled, “We can easily put that to a test Gwayne!”
 
“You would lose as easily as you did against the cub!” Gwayne hissed. 
 
“I think you might find it harder to defeat me than you think Knight.” Ambrose growled feeling his ire rise.
 
“Oh?” Gwayne laughed wiggling his ears at Ambrose. “We shall see cub!” Gwayne advanced then struck with a ferocity that Ambrose had come to expect. “Ah! So the cub has finally grown claws!”
 
Again Ambrose felt his ire rise again rechanneling inside. Coming in again Gwayne tried to sweep Ambrose low, at the last bringing his sword straight up. Surprise registered on Gwayne’s face as Ambrose not only blocked it but pushed Gwayne back. Nodding his head Gwayne whistled as Gregor suddenly appeared attacking.
 
Ambrose’s eyes went wide then he was blocking everything that Gregor and then Gwayne threw. “This cub is only half grown. You asked me to help with one as worthless as it!?” Gregor said a serious look on his face. Ambrose was doing all he could to defend against both assailants. The last comment had pushed his anger quite high though Ambrose himself was surprised he’d managed to use it to fuel his strength and speed.
 
Suddenly Ambrose felt as if something that had been holding him back broke! Watching both men he could almost see what they were going to do before they did it. It was truly an eye opener then Gwayne’s sword was flying from his hands. 
 
“Ah! Just you and me now big cub!” This time Ambrose smiled causing Gregor to pause then smile also. “I fail to see what there is to smile about big cub, you are about to die!” Again Ambrose could see what Gregor was about to do.
 
Easily Ambrose parried everything that Gregor threw at him, causing Gregor to smile more. Finally Gregor went for a killing blow leaving himself open as Ambrose caught Gregor’s sword sending it flying past a kneeling Gwayne. Shocked only a moment a huge smile came to Gregor’s face.
 
Both of the knights knelt before Ambrose as Thomas Knelt behind them. “We concede sire, you have finally mastered what we have been trying to teach you. We are forever your knights, our lives, our swords, our honor are yours Sire.”
 
“Pitiful!” They all heard behind Ambrose, and then they saw Roth approach in his armor. To think I once thought all three of you were on the same level as me! I could defeat all of you easily!”
 
“One should hold one’s tongue. As I remember you couldn’t handle your own mate. At least I took mine on to a standstill!” Thomas spit back at Roth.
 
Roth growled as he drew his sword advancing toward Thomas. “That can be decided easily. I am ready to go anytime you wish Thomas. I suggest after we finish with the old cub!”
 
Ambrose growled then hissed, “You assume much old one!” Roth’s eyes went wide then a smile slowly crept on his features.
 
“So, you think you are as good as the a first knight? The general of the Xendran forces? It is you who assume too much cub.” Roth said as his smile grew larger.
 
Both combatants met with swords drawn the heavy clang of steel ringing out in the air. Ambrose was having a much harder time seeing what Roth was doing though he was holding his own against him. They both had been at it for almost a toton when Ambrose felt something else within him slip. ‘What the hell was going on,’ he thought.
 
Suddenly Ambrose felt a surge of power that he hadn’t felt before. Looking around it appeared as if everything was frozen as he brought his sword down on Roth’s knocking it loose. His mouth open Ambrose could only stare at Roth as Roth did at him.
 
Dropping to his knees he saw Roth bow his head. “That was the final move of the royal power. I concede Sire. I could not defeat you no matter how fast or good I was. I saw your uncle use it in aid of your father. It almost killed him, Sire are you feeling well?” Ambrose nodded then felt his knees start to buckle. “You are the only other to defeat me Sire. My life, everything I have and am is yours!” 
 
The other Knights came up behind Roth kneeling also. “Thank you my knights. Though at the moment I think I need to go in while I still can.” All four of the knights nodded as they helped Ambrose inside as fast as possible. They were met at the door by Typree who had a worried look on his face.
 
“Damn it! I was afraid you had that ability. By the Great Feline! If you have father’s, mine, and Adina’s you might possess Aunt Trianna’s! Damn I hope not! Especially as strong as you are.” Ambrose nodded as all five of them were moving as fast as they could.
 
A moment later they were joined by all five of his Paladins and his three queens. All of them were worried though none as much as Adina. Typree was whispering in her ear when her worried look got more intense. “HE WHAT!” She was suddenly shouting causing Typree to cringe. “And you let him!”
 
[That’s enough Adina!] Adina heard loudly in her head.
 
Grabbing her head she let out a little yelp. [I’m sorry cousin, father died from using that power like you did. I couldn’t stand if you did also. He grew so weak then he was gone. Please before you do that again, get stronger.]
 
Sighing Ambrose nodded, [I will Adina, though at the moment the only way I can make them stronger is to use them.]
 
[Yes use them, though not to their full extent!] Ambrose heard Typree’s thoughts.
 
[I thought she and I were the only ones who could use this.] Ambrose told Typree.
 
[As long as she is nearby I can also, though not as well as the both of you. I have also noticed what you mentioned. I can almost do this without her being near.] Typree told them.
 
[No fair brother! I’ve had no ability at moving things. Can’t you also stop them?] Adina asked.
 
[Yes, though not as well as I can move them. Please cousin make them stronger before you use them to their full power.] Typree asked of Ambrose.
 
[I’ll do my best.] Ambrose said while his knights their mates and his own kept looking back and forth at all three of them.
 
“I’m sorry it’s something in the family. I…” Ambrose started then saw that both Twitty and Glenna were staring at him with huge eyes.
 
“The ancient prophecy!” Both of them were mumbling. 
 
“I had forgotten the last part of the old prophecy.” Twitty said in awe as she continued to stare at Ambrose. “The enlightened savior of the kingdom and our people. Now I know why the religious leaders have been searching for him for so long!”
 
Glenna was also unable to take her eyes of Ambrose. “The great savior of the present, of the past. With a power a long time not cast. The future of the kingdom that started long ago, a message delivered so all will know. We are not the people we thought we are, we are much more our home in the stars. When at last the savior’s home, freedom will, again be known.”
 
Roth and Niaco’s eyes were wide also as they were staring at Ambrose. “By the great feline!” Roth said then smiled. “I helped to train the savior!”
 
“Please!” Niaco started, “he is the same Ambrose we all know. If we start to treat him different he might get a swelled head. As I told him there is only one swelled head of his I will ever be interested in.” Pressing a paw toe to Ambrose’s head she continued. “It is not this one!”
 
This of course caused Ambrose to blush a deep red color. It also caused all the females to start giggling. It also had all the Paladins looking at their mates panting a bit.
 
Sighing Ambrose caught Niaco’s paw, “I told all three of you we have no time for this. Afterward we would talk of such things but not now.”
 
“Oh I know.” Niaco replied. “I thought I’d remind you since with all this going on you can get somewhat forgetful.”
 
Ambrose rolled his eyes as Niaco walked away with a huge smile. Shaking his head he thought damn it that female is starting to get out of control.
 
None of this was lost on Adina who could only watch with a sad look on her face. Sighing she consigned herself to the fact that she’d never find another like her cousin.
_____________________________________________________
 
 
On the planet of Talandia, Conrad Nox was fuming, the Ocicat clan had failed him. All attempts to contact the Jaguar Clan were unsuccessful. From what he’d heard all the Ocicat clan lands had been seized by his nephew. Then there was the fact that the little bastard had taken the throne, almost all the nobles were happy with him! Damn it where was the loyalty; those rich pigs flipped their loyalties at the slightest thing!
 
Smiling he still had a few cards to play, a wicked smile on his lips he had the prisoner brought in. “So you little whore. I’ve been told you have a power that could aid me?” Conrad’s wicked smile faded as he brought out a whip striking the female across the chest eliciting an ear piercing scream. “Now then feel more like talking? Good now answer the question!”
 
Taking a deep breath the small female spoke in almost a pained whisper. “Yes you bastard, I do. Though I suggest you kill me now as I will kill you later.” Here a smile crossed her features, “that is after the true king rips both of your arms and legs off!”
 
Conrad’s eyes got huge then he grabbed his head screaming as did both the guards holding onto the small female. Conrad could feel her trying to get into his head drawing back he barely was able to strike her again across the face raising several welts. Laughing the woman looked at Conrad as the welts appeared on his face eliciting another scream from him.
 
Grabbing a metal cover Conrad placed it on his head. Swinging the whip the female laughed ’til finally the wounds accumulated faster than they healed. Passing out Conrad saw that both the guards were bleeding all over their faces and necks chests and arms. Damn it Conrad thought that had been close he had to get something on her. Snapping his paw toes an even more evil smile crossed his mouth.
 
Leaning down to the apparently unconscious female he whispered, “I know you can hear me you little whore. I know where your daughter is. Though I don’t know if she has power like you, I do know I could kill her easily. I suggest that you cooperate or the next report I give you will be with her next to you being beat ’til she bleeds. It takes a lot for me to tire so I am sure her unbroken skin will give me plenty to work on.”
 
“I don’t think you have that much reach you bastard. I also know that she is with the true king. Good luck getting close to her!” The now open eyed female.
 
“Oh I have ways, especially now that you can’t see anything about me. I know that I can change how things come out. You help me then after I am king I will reunite the both of you. Keep denying me and I’ll just end you now!” Conrad sneered in the female’s face.
 
“As if it would matter! I am dead to all of them I have been for years you bastard! My death now would mean nothing to them.” The small female spit out at Conrad.
 
“Perhaps not though I think you might change your mind when I have your little useless daughter here!” Turning Conrad started to order several people. Nodding he walked to the small female. “She should be here in a half a toton, I will so enjoy peeling the flesh from her skin right before your eyes!” 
 
“You lie you bastard! Your reach is no longer within the palace! I watched as all your spies and agents were executed.” Then a small smile lit up the females face. That includes your son and daughter that were there. You are pitiful Conrad Nox. You lost two children and a third that denies you, you have lost even before you start.”
 
Slapping the female as hard as he could Conrad watched her fall with a thud. Placing a cover over her head Conrad laughed then sat to think of ways to hurt the female’s daughter when she arrived.

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