the Quest of Catmandu (standard:fantasy, 4479 words) [1/6] show all parts
Author: nightshade	Updated: Jun 07 2001	Views/Reads: 4181/2376	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
long after man has destroyed himself, the princess of the tiger clan begins a quest to bring peace to her world.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story


Shae and Kaeten watched the animals in the lightening distance as they
roamed the open spaces. Deer, antelope, thin-coated wood buffalo and 
other herbivores fed on their chosen diets with caution and constantly 
moving eyes watching out for hungry predators. Bears could be seen 
taking to rivers to dine on fish. some came away with their fill, 
whilst others sought better luck elsewhere. Birds and squirrels 
scrambled around like headless chickens in their quest to gather food 
for themselves and their young. 

As life went on with oblivious contentment, a lone figure sat with
crossed legs upon a flat rock that protruded from the eastern bank of 
Stripe river, some ten miles south of the clan's central camp. 

With stoic concentration, the woman closed her eyes and with intricate
signals of an ancient and unspoken language, called out to unseen 
spirits for protection and guidance. 

Parnak, though relatively young and only recently named as her tribe's
new holy woman, had performed this particular prayer several times 
before with Tromal, her predecessor, who had trained her from early 
childhood to her present calling. The old one had recently died of 
natural causes, leaving this to be Parnak's first solo calling, 
although the intent was no less special or important. If anything, the 
prayer held a greater need than ever before. Something was giving 
Parnak the impression that this day was the first day of 
change...drastic change. 

The twenty-six year old holy woman, wearing only arm and neck sheaths
made of buffalo leather adorned with pearls and jewels, of no monetary 
value to the people of this world, ended her pleadings with a deep sigh 
of apprehension and hope before opening her eyes and watching the river 
which sparkled with movement and teemed with life. With a nod of 
finality and a smile, she got to her feet and started on her way back 
to central camp. 

Three quarters of the way there, she saw someone coming towards her. It
was Juno, one of the only two elders remaining of their breed. She 
didn't seem as old as she was, which was how all the people aged. It 
still amazed Parnak...the old woman was a month short of two hundred 
and fifty years, yet she had the energy and health of an eighty year 
old. 

They came into contact and both smiled. "Juno, it's time." Parnak
announced as they closed the distance to the camp where the rest of the 
Tiger clan awaited. 

It had been a rousing three days of mating ceremonies, group hunting and
games. Spiritual rites had ended each day, and no-one had missed a 
moment of anything. At the camp, the clan was up and into their morning 
routines, ready to greet the new day. 

Princess Shae sat around the central fire with her mate Faelix, her two
bodyguards, a few of the territory guards and the clan's scribe. The 
cubs ran around playing tag and she watched with amusement as they 
jumped on each other and tumbled through the bushes. 

Before long, the cubs came over, one of them being Shae's four year old
daughter Lynnar. 

"Mama, can i go with Kylan and Kaeten to watch for Parnak and Juno?"
Lynnnar asked. "Alright, but stay within sight of the camp." The 
eighteen year old mother watched as the three cubs ran south and 
disappeared over a rise in the distance. They appeared again only to 
round the bend, hidden by the nearby forest that ran along the river 
about a mile or two along from the nearby bridge. 

Before long, the cubs came racing back and screaming with delight.
"They're coming! They're coming!" 

Everyone watched as the two women came into view, especially Shae.
"Tynak, Charval. get everything ready." she said. Immediately, her two 
tigress bodyguards, who had grown up with her and were her best 
friends, came up on both sides of her. 

"Time to go?" Tynak, the eldest at nineteen,asked "To my father's site?
yes." Shae answered. "But when do we start our journey?" Charval, the 
youngest of the three at seventeen, wondered. "Have patience, you'll 
know." "Come on, my whiskers are itching for action." Tynak urged. 

"Patience, children." came an old voice from behind them. they turned to
face Kronat, the eldest male of the clan "Kronat," Shae acknowledged as 
she hugged the royal advisor and gave him a lick of greeting. "Feeling 
better today?" "Much better child, thank you. I wouldn't miss this day 
for the world...you'd better go get Parnak now. She's headed for the 
woods." "Very well, old friend." the princess agreed. "Charval, 
Tynak...i'll see the two of you shortly." 

She jogged into the woods after the holy woman and caught up with her
halfway along the winding trail that meandered through the forest for 
about three hundred meters before coming to a small clearing. There, a 
sacred ceremonial circle was arranged in front of the statue of Shae's 
father, the mighty king Rae. 

The awesome memorial was started in it's present spot ten years ago upon
the conclusion of the war of the Catfight mountains. The king had died 
before Shae's eyes after a victorious outnumbered battle. The stone was 
painstakingly chipped at for two years by Kronat, Juno and the clan's 
stone worker, Voran. After it was smoothed and the details were refined 
to absolute perfection, the women of the clan at the time stain-colored 
it until the colors matched exactly...from the orange and white to the 
black stripes of his fur, and from the emerald green to the whites of 
his eyes...his commanding, majestic eyes. The toughest detail went to 
his royal winter cloak which hung from his shoulders in a frozen wave 
as if blowing in the wind. 

Shae went right to the statue, knelt at it's feet as she had so many
times before, and cried till her throat hurt. Parnak was unable to 
understand why the princess's grief still hadn't subsided or at least 
lessened by now, and feared that the king's death would rob his 
daughters future of all happiness. 

When the tears stopped, Shae stood and licked the black nose of the
face, imagining that her lick would float down to the ground beneath 
the statue were the king's body was buried. 

Shae remembered why she was in the clearing and joined Parnak, who was
sitting within the circle of stones and skulls near a fire which was 
burning in the center. As she sat on the opposite side, Shae watched 
Parnak close her eyes as the flames seemed to envelop her face. The 
vision quest had begun, and Shae closed her eyes as well. 

After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, the holy woman's eyes
opened and stared into the heart of the fire as her mind began to 
travel through the mists of time. When something came to her view as 
being pertinent to Shae's knowledge, she spoke. "Much will be learned 
about all clans if you are open to learning." Parnak announced. With 
eyes now open, Shae focused on the holy woman. "A certain discovery 
will lead to journeys that even i cannot foretell. "What?" Shae 
remarked "Disaster will befall this land and all clans will suffer 
great loss." "What kind of disaster, Parnak? what loss?" the princess 
asked curiously. There was, not surprisingly, no answer. "You will 
rescue a new love from an old death." Shae's eyes squinted and her nose 
crinkled in confusion. "What do you mean Parnak? Explain yourself." 
Again, no answer. "You will free those who are captive and do not know 
it." "You will guide them home to end a clan's despair and add strength 
to a family's number." "You will rally an alliance to restore all 
numbers that are found." "You will pass through gates of conflict with 
the aid of unexpected allies." There were too many questions running 
through Shae's mind now, and then the vision quest was over as Parnak's 
mind snapped back to reality and her eyes fell upon the bewildered 
young princess across the dying flames with a look on her face that was 
full of questions. "You're not going to give me any answers, are you?" 
Shae said. "If i did." Parnak smiled, "Then you wouldn't learn 
anything." "Why do you smile after telling me such fortunes?" "It 
wouldn't help if i got depressed." 

They returned to the open spaces of the central camp to find the whole
tribe waiting. Everyone was anxious for the send off, but Parnak had to 
address the occasion. 

With full travel sacks behind them, Shae, Tynak and Charval received
hugs and licks of love, luck and encouragement from their mates and 
relatives. Faelix had to coax Lynnar away from Shae with deer jerky to 
keep the toddler from licking her mother's face raw and bare. It 
wouldn't have gotten that far anyway, but even if it had, shae wouldn't 
have minded at all. When it was time to leave, the princess and her two 
companions wouldn't see their clan for a long time. 

"We're here," Parnak began as everyone quieted, "To mark the beginning
of a journey...a journey that we hope will answer questions and 
mysteries...a journey that we hope will widen our scope of 
knowledge...a journey we hope will bring all clans peace...a journey 
that I believe marks in itself the spark of new life. In this journey, 
things will be learned, new skills will be gained, many obstacles will 
be thwarted and passed, many people will be met, and many rights will 
be upheld." "Not to mention," Shae included, "The wrongs that will be 
set right, wherever they are." "Well said, princess." The holy woman 
nodded. "As well, this journey will also culminate in princess Shae 
taking her rightful place as queen of the Tiger clan." The clan erupted 
with roars of approval and excitement "One of our greatest needs will 
be hopefully be met. That is peace, because of the war history of 
Catmandu, all clans have suffered varied losses and undeserved 
hardships." "Not every hardship is undeserved." Kronat interrupted. "As 
valuable as your input is elder," Parnak noted, "I must tell you...that 
is not true. Punishments are deserved as befitting the crimes that they 
are put to. Hardship, as it is defined, is not deserved by any means. 
We shouldn't wish hardship on anyone. It is the will of Tigress that we 
make every effort to show love and compassion...until otherwise 
required." "We can't dismiss the need for an alliance with our other 
members." Kronat suggested. "True, elder. Thank you." Parnak declared 
in deference to the wise old advisor. "However, it should be everyone's 
hope that one day there will be no need for alliances...that there will 
be an end to the wars, violence and misunderstandings...that there will 
be full communion between all clans...not just an alliance. we need 
that kind of change too much to ignore it. We have suffered too deeply 
to this point, as our history attests. Wars and raids have harmed our 
numbers severely, as they have our sworn enemies as well." 

"The enemy deserves it." Clawd, one of the hunters, replied. "Please,"
the holy woman said "If I may continue." "My apologies." Clawd bowed. 

"We need to increase our numbers...perpetuate our clans to avoid
extinction, the fate that befell the humans who ruled this world before 
us...and the dinosaurs before them." "But again," Rhachyl, the clan's 
ambassador, prodded. "Again," Parnak said, "For any of these plans to 
succeed fully...for all of our kind to survive...we need peace." 

Shae stepped forward in agreement. "Parnak's words ring true and i agree
with them. Does anyone wish to dispute  the facts she has put forth?" 
None challenged. 

"Shae," Parnak declared, "The route you take will be up to you in as far
as you take into account the fact that you are required to enter each 
of the known territories. Visit the royal camps of those clans that you 
would dare to. You must have the strength to help those that need help 
and fight to right the wrongs you come across...and, if necessary, to 
fight those who may refuse peace. Trust your instincts and wisdom to 
know who would assist you and who might deceive or wish you harm." 

"How are we to know which direction to go in order to reach each clan
territory?" Charval asked. In answer, Parnak held out a rolled and 
warapped scroll and put it in the princess's hands. "This scroll is a 
map of our lands and was used by the kings and queens of our clan since 
it was first drawn up, twelve generations ago." 

Shae unwrapped it and gasped in shock. The map looked to be in perfect
condition, like it had just been made. "How has his map stayed in this 
condition for so long?" She queried. "That is not important at this 
time." The holy woman replied. "It is time for you to leave." 

Pangs of longing overflowed the three young travelers as they received
and returned final hugs and licks in this difficult farewell. "I'll 
miss you terribly, my star." Faelix lamented. "And i you, my love." 
Shae sniffed. "I'll miss you too, mama." Lynnar cried as mother and 
daughter clutched each other. "Come on, Shae." Tynak urged, having 
already said her goodbyes to her mate. "The sun waits for no-one." 
Charval chimed in, "Not even princesses." The youngest of the trio 
picked up her sack after giving her mate one last quick lick, as did 
the others. And with eyes blurred slightly by tears, they were off. 

Hours later, the sun was high overhead, having cleared the wall of
forestry to to the trio's left. Despite their heavy sacks, they had 
alternated between walking and running as if trying to outrun the 
homesickness that was starting to set in. It was funny, geographically 
speaking, they were still in the center of their own territory and they 
get homesick? Shae called for a rest. 

Tynak looked down toward the river, and noticed a particularly soft
looking flat of grass. Since no-one wore any clothing in warm climates, 
she took it as a great comfort. "Shae," She began... "Hey, look." 
Charval pointed. "There's a nice patch to rest on by the river." "Let's 
go then." Shae agreed. 

They made it down and found the grass to indeed be soft. Using their
sacks as pillows, they laid down and smiled, enjoying the grasses cool 
temperature and the tickle as the feathery blades touched the hairless 
skin between their thighs. Shae's eyes closed as she relaxed, and she 
purred as her thinly furred body soaked up the no longer harmful rays 
of the sun, as did Tynak and Charval. 

While Charval dozed, Tynak looked at the princess. "We don't know what
we're in for, do we Shae?" She asked. "Not by a long shot." the young 
ruler sighed. "At least not by my view." "Well, we can only hope that 
nothing happens while we're gone." The older bodyguard remarked. "The 
first forty miles have gone smoothly and i swear to Tigress that i 
would love it if the rest of this journey could go as smooth." "Wishful 
thinking, i'm afraid." Shae sighed. "Then i will pray, at the least, 
that Parnak's prediction about disasters doesn't find it's way to 
reality." "Yes, the travelling wil be hard enough as it is without that 
thought hanging over our hearts." "personally," Charval added, after 
waking and overhearing the concerns, "I think we've already had enough 
heartbreak to last for the rest of our lives." 

By mid-afternoon, the young travelers had rounded the south end of the
king rae forest and were admiring the magnificent view provided by the 
mix of maple, birch, poplar and ash trees. Charval spotted a flying 
squirrel clinging to a old oak, and was quick to make a snack of it as 
that kind of rodent was her favorite treat. Tynak and the princess also 
had a little fun rooting out their favorites as well...Shae found a 
gopher and Tynak found a tree rat. Ah, the small comforts of home... 

A while later, they were halfway along the valley between the king rae
forest, and the Emerald forest which started forty miles further north 
and stretched all the way to the shores of the Emerald strait. tTeir 
north easterly direction took them on a shallower upgrade, making their 
ascent out of the valley easier to bear. 

They made it to the Emerald and were working their way north when Tynak
spotted a herd of elk a quarter of a mile ahead. A unaminous vote. 
Fresh meat, save the travel supply for later. Much later. 

It was now a matter of deciding which one to go for, they looked across
the potential buffet and were just about to come to another vote when 
their eyes fell on something better...and bigger. 

Coming out of the forest through a thick gate of honeysuckle and wild
draceana, near the wide open herd, a gigantic and magnificent bull 
strutted out into the sunlight towards his followers. "We have a 
winner." Charval declared with a smile of awe and appreciation. 
"Agreed." Tynak said. "Hold on," Shae cautioned. "We have to hope that 
he strays from the rest." "And if that doesn't happen?" Charval asked. 
"Then the solution is simple." Tynak suggested. "We run like crazy at 
the whole bunch and tackle the one that does split from the others." 
"Oh yeah...real simple." Charval joked. 

As luck would have it, though, the bull did stray from the meandering
troupe, heading towards a small pond. the young tigresses took that cue 
and closed the distance as cautiously as possible. The grass was waist 
high, enabling them to stay low and get close enough further 
inspection. They now hid in the grass on the other side of the pond. 
Thankfully they were downwind, not to mention that the rustling of the 
grass had masked the sound of their movements. The bull was now 
munching on some grass that were growing around some rocks and 
boulders, and it seemed oblivious to its admirers. The tigers were 
admiring the elk deeply, especially the most impressive 
characteristic...the rack. it was enormous, and Shae knew it would make 
a good trade item. "It's a beauty." charval purred. "And that's all 
it'll be if we don't make a move now." Tynak whispered pointing north. 
"Look." The herd was coming to join the bull, and now was only 
thirty-five yards from the tigers. "Let's do it." Shae growled with 
excitement. 

They exploded from their cover, with Tynak running at the approaching
herd to scare them off, while Shae and Charval darted after the bull to 
keep him separated from the herd and bring him down. 

The bull put up some great effort, jumping and zig-zagging while it ran,
but running was ultimately futile. The creatures neck was broken and 
his throat was ripped out, allowing the blood to splash the hunters. 
With red-stained fur and droplets falling off their breasts and faces, 
the threesome looked at each other, and smiled with the joy of the 
hunt. 

With the sun half buried in the horizon, Charval was sent to retrieve
the threesome's travel sacks while Shae and Tynak carried the bull elk 
in search of an area where the grass wasn't tall and annoying. A 
momentary stop was taken to disembowel the carcass and leave the offal 
to scavengers. 

It was dark by the time the younger bodyguard found her comrades and a
fire was struck. The meat was soon cut into strips and set out to be 
smoked, while the liver was shared by the friends. Shortly after, all 
three were found a nearby pond to wash the blood from their fur. When 
they stepped from the water to the cool grass, they were once again 
clean, their stripes jet black, the orange fiery bright, the white 
sheer and solid. 

The fire was strong, and with an overnight supply of the wood nearby,
the end of the day was due. The young tigress's unrolled their sleeping 
rolls, stretched out and watched the mesmerizing dance of the flames. 
While the meat smoked and cured, inner tensions of homesickness 
continued building. 

"We haven't even come close to leaving the territory,and i miss everyone
already," Charval said as she ran her fingers randomly over her breasts 
and on down to her inner thighs, "Especially Wherrel." "Well, why not" 
Tynak sympathised. "The two of you were mated only yesterday." "As were 
you and Karnak, Tynak." Shae stated glumly. "So you should be feeling 
just as homesick as Charval." "I know." Tynak grumbled. "And you, 
Shae?" Charval queried. No response came as Shae gazed at the flames 
while tears threatened to overflow. She knew as well that it hadn't 
been a full day since they started this trek, but she was already 
aching to be home with Faelix and Lynnar. 

The royal camp was thirty eight miles from the eastern end of the Catear
mountains, and those in the camp had decided to relocate to the 
abandoned camp north of central camp on Orange river. Shae would miss 
out on the packing and moving. Moving may have seemed menial and almost 
trivial, but it broke her heart to miss out on a family task. 

In an effort to lighten spirits, Tynak changed the journey's topic to
the traveling. "Shae, how long should it take us to reach Cheetah 
territory?" "Hold on." the princess replied. "Let me dig out the map." 
The canvas was soon unrolled and the threesome stared in awe at the 
picture before them. It was an aerial depiction of their homeland and 
the surrounding territories and islands. The legend seemed quite easy 
to interpret and follow. Shae, Tynak and Charval read the markings and 
quickly identified boundaries, borders, mountains and forests, lakes 
and rivers. They took particular interest in identifying every camp on 
the lands, both occupied and unoccupied. the differences were easy to 
distinguish, with an 'X' identifying an old or abandoned camp and a 
star representing each clan's central camp. "Look," Tynak pointed 
excitedly. "That must be central camp right next to...is that Stripe 
river?" "It is." Shae affirmed. "That would make the forest next to 
central camp...your father's forest." Charval deduced. "That's right." 
the princess agreed. "So, this big forest next to my father's forest 
must be the Emerald forest." "That's where we are...at the north end." 
Charval smiled. 

Shae would have lent further comment, but a groaning yawn escaped
instead. "That's it." she declared. "we'll continue this in the morning 
while we eat." "Very well," the bodyguards agreed. With the fire 
stoked, they fell into slumber, Tynak standing guard. 
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