245 Please Don't Scream....

The Gardens

The sun had begun a slow descent as the winds danced through the trees shimmering light upon the ground. Sounds of combat filled the air as Lazren once again tried to teach the Fourth Prince how to fight. Despite his attempts to talk Clovis out of it, the prince had demanded they train despite the bruises on his side and rib cage. Speed and fierceness seemed to increase the longer they continued. Hand to hand combat was something they had practiced often but the Prince had never seemed so determined to improve.

"Break." Lazren barked, his chest was burning from the combat's exertion. Clovis nodded, lowering his fists and allowing himself to breath deep and heavily to replenish is oxygen. Nearby Moon was in the water, her focus was deep in the water where the river dropped off and became much deeper. Clovis watched as his companion crouched and watched the waters depths.

Suddenly she lunged forward, her head submerged for but a moment before she came out. In her teeth was a large fish thrashing and snapping its long snout, light flashing off yellowed teeth like needles. She threw the creature far inland and dashed after it. The fish was nearly 4 foot long slender and a body made of thick muscled bands. Its face long and thin but the needle like teeth poked out in each direction. There was no doubt in his mind it could do some damage to anything that wandered into its territory.

Clovis smiled as he walked over to his White Tigress, rather interested in her kill. The long tooth fish was well known in this area, but very few actually survived in the rivers and were more a worry in the ponds found deeper in the forest, not so close to the royal palace. He had seen one a few years back while inspecting the outer territories with his father. It had torn a mans leg to shreds. Finding one here was just a tad worrisome.

"Well done, Moon." He praised petting her forehead. Moon looked up at him and tilted her head those golden eyes connecting with his again drawing a smile from his lips. Having her back around was quite a relaxing thing. "At least I know your claws aren't for show." He teased and Moon glared back at him. Despite not having normal facial features the little silver patches of fur above her eyes made perfect eyebrows and slanted in as she glared making it clear she felt insulted.

"Hey easy now. Don't take offense, I was just thinking about the trials. Finding food is one of my concerns." Clovis explained and Moon's ears perked up. She stared at him expectantly. He stared back. She wondered for a moment if she should just talk to him. Afterall, baby girl knew she spoke and though rare, humans believed full blooded animals could talk if they learned the language and were intelligent enough to. She was definitely considered intelligent by their standards and she had already proved herself to have emotions… despite it not being her intentions.

She glanced back at Lazren and raised her lip, giving him a glimpse of her sharp fangs. He caught her meaning instantly and nodded. Moments later he melted into the shadows, and dashed away leaving the pair alone. Once he was gone Moon looked up at Clovis sitting down beside her kill drawing herself up to sit tall. She considered the first words she would say to him as a tiger carefully, but then...went for it.