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Literature Text
Sachin walked through camp, just as he came back from a hunting session with Lyra. The apprentice hybrid seemed to love to spend the time she wasn't training with him. Not that the tiger hybrid complained, it was through those "hang outs" that he learned a rumor. A rumor which could only be enlightened upon by the one cat that Thanatos and Scae told him to get close to and avoid.
"Excuse me?" Sachin called into the, hopefully occupied, leader's den. "Domina Andromeda? If you're not to busy, may I speak to you for a moment?"
'Domina' Andromeda stirred from her nest where she lay, resting her paws and giving her fur a wash after having diposited her dirtied armor neatly beside her nest. She would take care to clean it later, after she had washed herself and checked on her cubs. She looked up as a voice floated in from the entrance. It sounded like one of the newer felines. She set her licked paw down and sat up.
"You may enter," She called, curling her tail over her paws. Her nest was situated in a corner of the cave, where an indent in the stone provided a decent sleeping arrangement, and the floor sloped suddenly upward like a tiny step to the nest. Two oil-fed torches created by Abella lit the inside of the cave, and stood on tripods on either side of the indent in the den wall.
Sachin gave a small nod at the call to enter, ignoring the fact the snow leopard leader couldn't see him. The tiguar hybrid entered the den and glanced around at the torches, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the familiar glow that was the fire light.
"Sorry for bothering you, Domina." He started, standing before the resting leader. He closed his eyes in thought for a moment. "I was out hunting with Lyra earlier when she told me about something she called your 'cold order'. She insisted I ask you in person, since I had yet to meet you."
Andromeda dipped her head in reply as the hybrid came into view. Sachin, if she wasn't mistaken. He was indeed one of the newer gladiators, and besides the inital meeting him to accept him into the empire, she had not conversated with him yet. She listened calmly as he explained why had he had come, and when he was finished, a tiny smile graced her maw, although it was easily missed. Ah he had heard of the Cold Order. Who had not? She paused before she began.
"What are your feelings toward the Hunters, Sachin?"
Sachin gave a small pause at the question before confidently replying. "Other for the fact that they killed one of my brothers, forced my entire life into that hell they call the coliseum, gave me my current scars, and the general fact that I want them all to experience the same pain they force innocents through in those pits? I have no issue at all with them."
Andromeda sighed. "I'm sorry to hear about your brother." She murmured. "They took one of my own as well." She paused, remembering her dear brother and friend. Sadly enough, too many stories of new empire members sounded this way. Her voice grew stronger. "But that is what they do. They take our loved ones, and give us pain. That, my friend, is what the Cold Order amends. It gives my empire permission without repricussion to do to them what they do unto us. To capture any tresspassers and serve justice by penelty of death."
"I'm all for repaying any and all hunters in the same way they treated me and my family, /any/ trespassers?" Sachin questioned, suddenly feeling very lucky that it had been a sheltered apprentice who had found him and brought him back here. "Those who come from other empires or those who seek refuge when they come to ou-I mean the empire's land," Sachin stumbled for a moment over the fact he was considering this empire a home of sorts. He wasn't sure how the snow leopard would think if he started calling himself a full member of the Empire so soon, "I mean to say that those cats aren't treated as the same kind of trespassers as aggressive, or even non-aggressive talk your ear off, hunters, correct?"
The snow leopard leader shook her head. "There are differences between escapees seeking refuge and a hunter out for blood." She stated. "Pardon me if I had confused you. We will offer help, healing, and a home to any who need it, such as yourself. We all came from the same place. All endured similar cruelty. Those who are brave and strong enough to make it this far deserve a place among the empires. To live another day and fight for something they believe in, not because they are forced." She paused. "But hunters that are found here act differently than an innocent cat would. Sometimes they may act similarly, depending on the individual and the situation at paw. Which is why any and all tresspassers are challenged until their identity becomes known. And should they be a hunter, then my gladiators will not hestitate to hold back."
Sachin nodded, filing the information that Andromeda just gave him and grateful that she didn't comment on his slip of tongue. "Thank you for your reassurance on that matter. I had a couple of friends I was forced to leave behind during my escape. Forgive me for saying your original response had me slightly worried for their welfare should they escape one day." He said, dipping his head in respect towards the snow leopard. "With that clarified, I can tell you that I would not hesitate myself should the situation arise." He told her confidently. "Though I must ask, do the hunters come this far out often? I haven't smelled any since you allowed me to take part in the patrols."
Andromeda studied the hybrid cat closely as he spoke, confirming he would not hesitate if he had the chance. "While I do appreciate your rediness, I could not ask you to do such while you stay here without having formally joined; I would not burden a guest with such bloodshed."
She paused to draw a deep breath to answer his last question. "As of late, /most/ of the Hunters have stayed away." She informed, acutely aware of a certain lynx that seemed to come and go as he pleased. "Perhaps they've caught word of the Cold Order and are simply too frightened to venture here?" She suggested with light amusement... that died to a more serious tone. "But I believe we are overdue for a visit. Just as birds go silent before wolves attack."
No they did not know of this Cold Order, nor was Sachin sure how soon they would know of it. "I've heard that saying more than once, and seen it come true just as often, but I hope that this is one instance where we are proven wrong." He told the leader before pausing in thought. "Forgive me though if this is over stepping my boundaries, but what if I no longer wish to be considered just a guest among the Empire? Your Empire has shown me kindness and has treated me as more as a family member than I have ever experienced since after I was taken from my mother. I wish to repay that kindness and," Sachin paused, unsure of how to word his request. "And I wish to know how I can prove to not only you, but to the entirety of Fire Empire that I both wish to stay here and assist in any way I can."
The leader looked at Sachin with interest, having had a feeling the request was coming. He was strong, he was disaplined and polite, and he was willing to fight for a cause larger than himself. "If there was anyone more suited to join us, it would be Ignis himself." She murmured, and rose to her paws to step down from her nest. She stretched upwards a bit to reach his shoulder and laid her head against it, as was custom. "I welcome you, Sachin, as a formal member of Fire Empire. I thank you for your descison and willingness to aid us." She took a step back. "Your joining will be announced to the empire later today." She informed. "Until then..."
A moment's brief pause as she continued to contemplate giving him this offer. But as new as this cat was, she could see no one better or more deserving for such a position as he. "Some of my gladiators will be training to reach new heights." She began. "They will be training under myself to learn lethal techinques and become more than ordinary gladiators- they will be training as /assassins/, who will be ready to kill in order to defend this empire from Hunters." She locked her eyes to his. "I would like to extend this offer to you, but I will only make it once."
Sachin dipped his head in respect after Andromeda made him a former member of the empire, surprised at how easy it was. 'Go three days without eating and then killing a bear.' He mockingly thought to himself. 'Hah! Not even close, Myan.'
"Thank you, Domina. I-" He said before freezing at the sound of her offer. Assassins? In the Empires? Isn't that how Pallis and Scaeden trained him to be? Isn't that how the humans trained /hunters/ to be? As much as his judgement told him accepting could very easily be a bad idea, Sachin's heart and majority of his mind told him this was the best opportunity to both prove his worth and use the very skills he had been trained for. "Domina, I am honored that you extend this offer to me, and I will give my all to to training and fighting for this, but are you sure you wish to have me by your side? As you made mention to earlier and just did, I am just now a member of the Empire." He told the snow leopard, almost afraid that this was a trap.
Andromeda turned and stepped back upon her nest, turning around and sitting the same way she was when Sachin entered. "A feline as selfless as yourself is a perfect candidate for this." She insisted, her voice and expression calm as ever. She flicked an ear after a short pause. "...However if you have your doubts, I understand. Not every cat is made for the kind of trials the assassins will endure during their training. It is not for the feint hearted."
Sachin stood up straighter than before, proud to be given more of a sense of purpose of his being here. The words that the snow leopard spoke possibly where the kindest he had heard from a superior. "I hold no doubts, Domina, no doubts, no hesitation would linger in my mind. I would be proud to train under you for this, no matter how grueling the training." He told her, confidence gleaming in his voice, even as the nightmarish memories of almost long days and night of training under Pallis and Kallen seeped into his mind.
Andromeda breathed a slight chuff of humored breath. "Besides getting some good sleep tonight, no." Restless, she stepped down from her nest again. Her cubs were probably wanting her. She hesitated for a moment but looked up at the younger cat. "Come with me," She summoned, and padded toward the den entrance.
Sachin watched the snow leopard in surprise before following behind her, resisting the urge to question their destination.
Andromeda emerged from the den into the late evening air. It was cool and peaceful, and held the promise of a warm summer. Hearing his pawsteps behind her she did not faulter in her steps but led the way to the nursery, just behind the stone she lived in and spoke from. She parted the vines and moss drapping over the entrance to keep light from the sensitive eyes of the cubs and entered. This den was warm compared to outside, and as the snow leopard ventured carefully over to a particular nest, sounds of mewling came from it.
Sachin followed Andromeda outside, the tiguar taking a moment to breathe in the forest night air. It had been a thing he would've never believed could be so warming before coming out here. He then hurried after Andromeda, who he just saw disappear into one of the dens he had been avoiding.
"Your little ones, Domina?" He questioned as he came in to the small, fragile sounds of cub mewlings. It was no secret within the Empire that their leader had a litter earlier in the month, but Sachin had made no movement towards visiting them, often telling Lyra how he had never seen a true newborn cub during his time in the cages. And what memories he did have of cub hood were filled with annoyances.
"Yes," Andromeda purred, and laid down beside them as they began to wake and scrabble toward her for milk. "Forgive me for moving our chat here, but I can't leave them hungry all night." She said softly as she licked each of them. "This is Polaris," She said, laying a gentle paw on the largest. "...Antares," her paw moved to a tan colored cub covered in small spots. "...And Aries." She touched the last cub, a dark gray female that looked a lot like Andromeda had at that age.
Sachin glanced at the cubs as Andromeda introduced them. "I don't mind moving here at all." He said, moving his gaze from the cubs to their mother and back again. "Though thank you for giving me a chance to get Lyra off my back for not visiting them sooner." He said, making what was probably a poor attempt at a 'joke'. "They look strong and healthy. You must be proud." He told her, refocusing on the snow leopard.
Andromeda smiled, recognizing his joke. Lyra could be a bit much sometimes, but she showed a lot of promise. She followed his gaze to her cubs and blinked lovingly. "That I am," she murmured and paused. "They may not have been here for long, but I've already learned so much from them."
Sachin nodded to Andromeda's words absently. He didn't really understand how one could learn anything from cubs, but he wasn't about to question her words. "I'm sure." He muttered.
The snow leopard ignored his muttered words and gazed at them proudly. "In all my years, I never believed I would love any other felines so much." She murmured. "I thought I would only ever be filled with the hate and anger the hunters left in me after they took Soren away... I thought I would always be a prisoner to my vengence..." One of the small cubs cried out, and Andromeda bent her head at once to quiet it, licking it gently on the head until it resumed kneading her belly. "Yet here I am. Despite all the anguish I've endured...I couldn't possibly be more happy to share the world with these young ones. Funny, it's taken me this long to realize such strong love and compassion can exist after such dark times..."
"The night is darkest just before the dawn." Sachin muttered, quoting the words he had once heard Pallis mutter while watching that cougar and her cubs. He watched the very cat he was constantly cautioned about because of her dangerous ferocity, gently handle the cubs. Sachin gave a slow blink before a slow question hit him. A question that had been bugging him and could now possibility get the other side on. "Forgive me for asking, if this stretches my boundaries, but I've heard that name a few times now. Who is Soren?"
Andromeda sighed, a look of sorrow crossing her eyes. She should have expected he would ask. He was an official gladiator now, so of course he deserved to know who he was. A few moments passed before Andromeda opened her maw, mouth suddenly dry, to speak. "Soren was leader before me and...and he was my mate." Her ears swivled back at the memory of finding the blood stained clearing. "He was murdered...by a Bounty Hunter... named Scaeden."
Although even now anger rose like bile in her throat at his name, the snow leopard's thoughts were on her former mate, and she looked away. It wasn't often she had to explain who he was; most already knew. New members were usually informed by older members to spare Andromeda the pain of revisiting those memories. She wished sometimes, that she could forget everything. The bloody clearing, the anguish, the bonds of love that had broken into infathomable hate. But no matter how she tried to move on, the scars on her heart still remained. And they would, forever.
Sachin winced as he saw the effect that his question had on the leader. The news that they had once been mates was new to him but his killer's name was not. 'Ol Silver Tongue', as his father calls the former leader, may have never bragged about his kill of the Fire Empire, but the entirety of the hunters had heard how Scaeden took down not one, but two empire leaders. One of the leaders was Soren, the "coward leader of Fire" who couldn't kill the four hunters held in his camp, and instead threw them out into the elements. Every time he had asked his closest 'friend' here, Lyra told him that Soren was "a great leader" but how the story was complicated. He had guessed he must have family in the empire but never would he have guessed that his mate would be leader. 'Maybe this is why Father says to stay away from relationships. If losing one cat could cause that much pain, why get close?' The hybrid thought to himself.
"I'm sorry," He said out loud, hoping to break the leader from her thoughts. "Had I known it was such a personal question and painful memory, I would've refrained from asking."
After a quiet moment Andromeda looked his way again; the threat of red eyes had passed. "It's alright," The murmured. "You have a right to know who he was." She paused, becoming aware that the crickets had begun their songs. She cleared her throat quietly, speaking a little strongly but not much louder as to not rouse the newborns. "Now then, unless you have further questions, it's best you return to the gladiators den and get some rest before tomorrow's training. You'll need all you can get."
Sachin dipped his head one last time. "No Domina, I have no more questions. I thank you for everything you have done for me, and not just tonight's events." The tiguar said before padding out of the den.
Andromeda dipped her head in reply and watched him leave. He was different than most of the new escapees they usually welcomed into their ranks. He had a polite discipline she had only ever known in military cats. He would be an asset to the empire if he could survive assassin training. Maybe he was destined for even more. The snow leopard made a mental note to keep an eye on his progress.
Just then her cubs rustled and squirmed, and the leader smiled, bending her head to nudge them with a purr. She'd think about all that tomorrow, during training. For now, she would enjoy what few moments she could with her young cubs. The snow leopardess laid her head down beside them and to the warm sounds of purrs and cricket songs, drifted into sleep.
"Excuse me?" Sachin called into the, hopefully occupied, leader's den. "Domina Andromeda? If you're not to busy, may I speak to you for a moment?"
'Domina' Andromeda stirred from her nest where she lay, resting her paws and giving her fur a wash after having diposited her dirtied armor neatly beside her nest. She would take care to clean it later, after she had washed herself and checked on her cubs. She looked up as a voice floated in from the entrance. It sounded like one of the newer felines. She set her licked paw down and sat up.
"You may enter," She called, curling her tail over her paws. Her nest was situated in a corner of the cave, where an indent in the stone provided a decent sleeping arrangement, and the floor sloped suddenly upward like a tiny step to the nest. Two oil-fed torches created by Abella lit the inside of the cave, and stood on tripods on either side of the indent in the den wall.
Sachin gave a small nod at the call to enter, ignoring the fact the snow leopard leader couldn't see him. The tiguar hybrid entered the den and glanced around at the torches, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the familiar glow that was the fire light.
"Sorry for bothering you, Domina." He started, standing before the resting leader. He closed his eyes in thought for a moment. "I was out hunting with Lyra earlier when she told me about something she called your 'cold order'. She insisted I ask you in person, since I had yet to meet you."
Andromeda dipped her head in reply as the hybrid came into view. Sachin, if she wasn't mistaken. He was indeed one of the newer gladiators, and besides the inital meeting him to accept him into the empire, she had not conversated with him yet. She listened calmly as he explained why had he had come, and when he was finished, a tiny smile graced her maw, although it was easily missed. Ah he had heard of the Cold Order. Who had not? She paused before she began.
"What are your feelings toward the Hunters, Sachin?"
Sachin gave a small pause at the question before confidently replying. "Other for the fact that they killed one of my brothers, forced my entire life into that hell they call the coliseum, gave me my current scars, and the general fact that I want them all to experience the same pain they force innocents through in those pits? I have no issue at all with them."
Andromeda sighed. "I'm sorry to hear about your brother." She murmured. "They took one of my own as well." She paused, remembering her dear brother and friend. Sadly enough, too many stories of new empire members sounded this way. Her voice grew stronger. "But that is what they do. They take our loved ones, and give us pain. That, my friend, is what the Cold Order amends. It gives my empire permission without repricussion to do to them what they do unto us. To capture any tresspassers and serve justice by penelty of death."
"I'm all for repaying any and all hunters in the same way they treated me and my family, /any/ trespassers?" Sachin questioned, suddenly feeling very lucky that it had been a sheltered apprentice who had found him and brought him back here. "Those who come from other empires or those who seek refuge when they come to ou-I mean the empire's land," Sachin stumbled for a moment over the fact he was considering this empire a home of sorts. He wasn't sure how the snow leopard would think if he started calling himself a full member of the Empire so soon, "I mean to say that those cats aren't treated as the same kind of trespassers as aggressive, or even non-aggressive talk your ear off, hunters, correct?"
The snow leopard leader shook her head. "There are differences between escapees seeking refuge and a hunter out for blood." She stated. "Pardon me if I had confused you. We will offer help, healing, and a home to any who need it, such as yourself. We all came from the same place. All endured similar cruelty. Those who are brave and strong enough to make it this far deserve a place among the empires. To live another day and fight for something they believe in, not because they are forced." She paused. "But hunters that are found here act differently than an innocent cat would. Sometimes they may act similarly, depending on the individual and the situation at paw. Which is why any and all tresspassers are challenged until their identity becomes known. And should they be a hunter, then my gladiators will not hestitate to hold back."
Sachin nodded, filing the information that Andromeda just gave him and grateful that she didn't comment on his slip of tongue. "Thank you for your reassurance on that matter. I had a couple of friends I was forced to leave behind during my escape. Forgive me for saying your original response had me slightly worried for their welfare should they escape one day." He said, dipping his head in respect towards the snow leopard. "With that clarified, I can tell you that I would not hesitate myself should the situation arise." He told her confidently. "Though I must ask, do the hunters come this far out often? I haven't smelled any since you allowed me to take part in the patrols."
Andromeda studied the hybrid cat closely as he spoke, confirming he would not hesitate if he had the chance. "While I do appreciate your rediness, I could not ask you to do such while you stay here without having formally joined; I would not burden a guest with such bloodshed."
She paused to draw a deep breath to answer his last question. "As of late, /most/ of the Hunters have stayed away." She informed, acutely aware of a certain lynx that seemed to come and go as he pleased. "Perhaps they've caught word of the Cold Order and are simply too frightened to venture here?" She suggested with light amusement... that died to a more serious tone. "But I believe we are overdue for a visit. Just as birds go silent before wolves attack."
No they did not know of this Cold Order, nor was Sachin sure how soon they would know of it. "I've heard that saying more than once, and seen it come true just as often, but I hope that this is one instance where we are proven wrong." He told the leader before pausing in thought. "Forgive me though if this is over stepping my boundaries, but what if I no longer wish to be considered just a guest among the Empire? Your Empire has shown me kindness and has treated me as more as a family member than I have ever experienced since after I was taken from my mother. I wish to repay that kindness and," Sachin paused, unsure of how to word his request. "And I wish to know how I can prove to not only you, but to the entirety of Fire Empire that I both wish to stay here and assist in any way I can."
The leader looked at Sachin with interest, having had a feeling the request was coming. He was strong, he was disaplined and polite, and he was willing to fight for a cause larger than himself. "If there was anyone more suited to join us, it would be Ignis himself." She murmured, and rose to her paws to step down from her nest. She stretched upwards a bit to reach his shoulder and laid her head against it, as was custom. "I welcome you, Sachin, as a formal member of Fire Empire. I thank you for your descison and willingness to aid us." She took a step back. "Your joining will be announced to the empire later today." She informed. "Until then..."
A moment's brief pause as she continued to contemplate giving him this offer. But as new as this cat was, she could see no one better or more deserving for such a position as he. "Some of my gladiators will be training to reach new heights." She began. "They will be training under myself to learn lethal techinques and become more than ordinary gladiators- they will be training as /assassins/, who will be ready to kill in order to defend this empire from Hunters." She locked her eyes to his. "I would like to extend this offer to you, but I will only make it once."
Sachin dipped his head in respect after Andromeda made him a former member of the empire, surprised at how easy it was. 'Go three days without eating and then killing a bear.' He mockingly thought to himself. 'Hah! Not even close, Myan.'
"Thank you, Domina. I-" He said before freezing at the sound of her offer. Assassins? In the Empires? Isn't that how Pallis and Scaeden trained him to be? Isn't that how the humans trained /hunters/ to be? As much as his judgement told him accepting could very easily be a bad idea, Sachin's heart and majority of his mind told him this was the best opportunity to both prove his worth and use the very skills he had been trained for. "Domina, I am honored that you extend this offer to me, and I will give my all to to training and fighting for this, but are you sure you wish to have me by your side? As you made mention to earlier and just did, I am just now a member of the Empire." He told the snow leopard, almost afraid that this was a trap.
Andromeda turned and stepped back upon her nest, turning around and sitting the same way she was when Sachin entered. "A feline as selfless as yourself is a perfect candidate for this." She insisted, her voice and expression calm as ever. She flicked an ear after a short pause. "...However if you have your doubts, I understand. Not every cat is made for the kind of trials the assassins will endure during their training. It is not for the feint hearted."
Sachin stood up straighter than before, proud to be given more of a sense of purpose of his being here. The words that the snow leopard spoke possibly where the kindest he had heard from a superior. "I hold no doubts, Domina, no doubts, no hesitation would linger in my mind. I would be proud to train under you for this, no matter how grueling the training." He told her, confidence gleaming in his voice, even as the nightmarish memories of almost long days and night of training under Pallis and Kallen seeped into his mind.
Andromeda breathed a slight chuff of humored breath. "Besides getting some good sleep tonight, no." Restless, she stepped down from her nest again. Her cubs were probably wanting her. She hesitated for a moment but looked up at the younger cat. "Come with me," She summoned, and padded toward the den entrance.
Sachin watched the snow leopard in surprise before following behind her, resisting the urge to question their destination.
Andromeda emerged from the den into the late evening air. It was cool and peaceful, and held the promise of a warm summer. Hearing his pawsteps behind her she did not faulter in her steps but led the way to the nursery, just behind the stone she lived in and spoke from. She parted the vines and moss drapping over the entrance to keep light from the sensitive eyes of the cubs and entered. This den was warm compared to outside, and as the snow leopard ventured carefully over to a particular nest, sounds of mewling came from it.
Sachin followed Andromeda outside, the tiguar taking a moment to breathe in the forest night air. It had been a thing he would've never believed could be so warming before coming out here. He then hurried after Andromeda, who he just saw disappear into one of the dens he had been avoiding.
"Your little ones, Domina?" He questioned as he came in to the small, fragile sounds of cub mewlings. It was no secret within the Empire that their leader had a litter earlier in the month, but Sachin had made no movement towards visiting them, often telling Lyra how he had never seen a true newborn cub during his time in the cages. And what memories he did have of cub hood were filled with annoyances.
"Yes," Andromeda purred, and laid down beside them as they began to wake and scrabble toward her for milk. "Forgive me for moving our chat here, but I can't leave them hungry all night." She said softly as she licked each of them. "This is Polaris," She said, laying a gentle paw on the largest. "...Antares," her paw moved to a tan colored cub covered in small spots. "...And Aries." She touched the last cub, a dark gray female that looked a lot like Andromeda had at that age.
Sachin glanced at the cubs as Andromeda introduced them. "I don't mind moving here at all." He said, moving his gaze from the cubs to their mother and back again. "Though thank you for giving me a chance to get Lyra off my back for not visiting them sooner." He said, making what was probably a poor attempt at a 'joke'. "They look strong and healthy. You must be proud." He told her, refocusing on the snow leopard.
Andromeda smiled, recognizing his joke. Lyra could be a bit much sometimes, but she showed a lot of promise. She followed his gaze to her cubs and blinked lovingly. "That I am," she murmured and paused. "They may not have been here for long, but I've already learned so much from them."
Sachin nodded to Andromeda's words absently. He didn't really understand how one could learn anything from cubs, but he wasn't about to question her words. "I'm sure." He muttered.
The snow leopard ignored his muttered words and gazed at them proudly. "In all my years, I never believed I would love any other felines so much." She murmured. "I thought I would only ever be filled with the hate and anger the hunters left in me after they took Soren away... I thought I would always be a prisoner to my vengence..." One of the small cubs cried out, and Andromeda bent her head at once to quiet it, licking it gently on the head until it resumed kneading her belly. "Yet here I am. Despite all the anguish I've endured...I couldn't possibly be more happy to share the world with these young ones. Funny, it's taken me this long to realize such strong love and compassion can exist after such dark times..."
"The night is darkest just before the dawn." Sachin muttered, quoting the words he had once heard Pallis mutter while watching that cougar and her cubs. He watched the very cat he was constantly cautioned about because of her dangerous ferocity, gently handle the cubs. Sachin gave a slow blink before a slow question hit him. A question that had been bugging him and could now possibility get the other side on. "Forgive me for asking, if this stretches my boundaries, but I've heard that name a few times now. Who is Soren?"
Andromeda sighed, a look of sorrow crossing her eyes. She should have expected he would ask. He was an official gladiator now, so of course he deserved to know who he was. A few moments passed before Andromeda opened her maw, mouth suddenly dry, to speak. "Soren was leader before me and...and he was my mate." Her ears swivled back at the memory of finding the blood stained clearing. "He was murdered...by a Bounty Hunter... named Scaeden."
Although even now anger rose like bile in her throat at his name, the snow leopard's thoughts were on her former mate, and she looked away. It wasn't often she had to explain who he was; most already knew. New members were usually informed by older members to spare Andromeda the pain of revisiting those memories. She wished sometimes, that she could forget everything. The bloody clearing, the anguish, the bonds of love that had broken into infathomable hate. But no matter how she tried to move on, the scars on her heart still remained. And they would, forever.
Sachin winced as he saw the effect that his question had on the leader. The news that they had once been mates was new to him but his killer's name was not. 'Ol Silver Tongue', as his father calls the former leader, may have never bragged about his kill of the Fire Empire, but the entirety of the hunters had heard how Scaeden took down not one, but two empire leaders. One of the leaders was Soren, the "coward leader of Fire" who couldn't kill the four hunters held in his camp, and instead threw them out into the elements. Every time he had asked his closest 'friend' here, Lyra told him that Soren was "a great leader" but how the story was complicated. He had guessed he must have family in the empire but never would he have guessed that his mate would be leader. 'Maybe this is why Father says to stay away from relationships. If losing one cat could cause that much pain, why get close?' The hybrid thought to himself.
"I'm sorry," He said out loud, hoping to break the leader from her thoughts. "Had I known it was such a personal question and painful memory, I would've refrained from asking."
After a quiet moment Andromeda looked his way again; the threat of red eyes had passed. "It's alright," The murmured. "You have a right to know who he was." She paused, becoming aware that the crickets had begun their songs. She cleared her throat quietly, speaking a little strongly but not much louder as to not rouse the newborns. "Now then, unless you have further questions, it's best you return to the gladiators den and get some rest before tomorrow's training. You'll need all you can get."
Sachin dipped his head one last time. "No Domina, I have no more questions. I thank you for everything you have done for me, and not just tonight's events." The tiguar said before padding out of the den.
Andromeda dipped her head in reply and watched him leave. He was different than most of the new escapees they usually welcomed into their ranks. He had a polite discipline she had only ever known in military cats. He would be an asset to the empire if he could survive assassin training. Maybe he was destined for even more. The snow leopard made a mental note to keep an eye on his progress.
Just then her cubs rustled and squirmed, and the leader smiled, bending her head to nudge them with a purr. She'd think about all that tomorrow, during training. For now, she would enjoy what few moments she could with her young cubs. The snow leopardess laid her head down beside them and to the warm sounds of purrs and cricket songs, drifted into sleep.
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Word Count: 3297 | + EP
Setting:
March 24, 46 BC. Evening. Fire Empire's camp.
Summary:
An undercover hunter, Sachin, hears about Andromeda's Cold Order and requests more information. After becoming an official member of the empire, Andromeda extends to the promising gladiator the offer of training as an assassin.
Characters:
Andromeda, played by OneLifeRemaining
Sachin, played by Scarflash
Polaris jr, Antares, and Aries jr as NPCs
© 2015 - 2024 OneLifeRemaining
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