The Tiger Within 335 The Tiger's Tail

Clovis looked at Kyera expecting her to begin. "Empreor Mordakai, Emperor Damren thank you for taking a moment to hear the case. I am afraid, in their haste to protect their Mistress the Maids reported only part of what happened this morning." Kyera began but the Queen scoffed at her. Unsure of how to respond, Kyera looked at the Emperors her face soft and confused. There was a innocent lost quality to her eyes. Like a woman helpless as she tries to serve justice.

"Queen Kira, do you have something to say?" The Emperor askes, his tone a bit cold now.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I do. If she claims that the maids are only telling part of the story, should they not present first? We must compare the two sides of course. However, custom dictates the offended speak before the offender." Queen Kira offered and Kyera bowed, her hands firmly at her sides and her neck bared in the Emperor's direction. This was a act of fidelity she wouldn't dare without Mordakai being present.

"My apologies. I was unaware of this custom." Kyera sounded sincere. In all honesty, she had not known but even knowing it she felt she had been right. she was the one that had been wronged here.

"You were asked to speak, Kyera. I see no reason for you to bow to this logic." Mordakai all but growled. He could sense the fear in the maids he knew something was not right, and had a hunch what.

"That is true, but so is what Queen Kira said. We shall hear from the maids, then Princess Feya. Then Kyera may refute their claims all at once." The Emperor tried to make a stand but it was clear to see Mordakai was not pleased.

"So be it." Morakai replied sitting back and folding his arms. Inside he was furious like a raging fire watching this concubines game play out. This was why his royals only had one wife, the Queen of the nation nothing else. These games were cruel and the stakes were high.

"You there. You may start." the Emperor demanded of a maid who bowed low, her legs trembled under the oppression of Mordakai's gaze.

"We were out walking with our lady when we say Lady Kyera. She did not greet the Princess. That was her first mistake. The second was she got sa.s.sy when the lady corrected her then she attacked. She acted like a forest creature being as violent as she pleased!" she concluded with a flurry of her hands. Clovis held back his laughter but barely. If Kyera was truly violent with Feya, they would be talking murder not a dispute. However the Emperor's face was grave.

"That is inexcusable. Other maid is this what happened?" he demanded and the timid girl nodded.

"Yes. Yes, My lord." her voice trembled slightly.

"Feya, does your sequence of events differ?" The Emperor continued and Feya shook her head.

"My maids are correct. This is indeed what happened. If it was not for my superior martial arts skills, I would have been soundly beaten." Feya managed the lie with a straight face. She felt a p.r.i.c.kle in her stomach as dark magic awoke. Kyera sighed, she had warned the girl.

Mordakai stared at Kyera his expression asking if they were serious or had she gone soft. "Kyera, what have you to say?" Mordakai asked when the Emperor took too long.

"it is practically true." she replied carefully. There were whispers of shock and disdain from the room that she admitted it. Kyera was not done. "But only as true as all tigers fight when their tail is caught." She continued

"What do you mean by that?" The Emperor demanded.

"Every tiger has a tail for the most part. But most tigers, though capable of fighting, often choose to flee the fight for the sake of survival unless they can't flee. These maids had a chance to tell the truth and they chose to only say the attack and not mention the catch of my tail." Kyera explained standing straight and proud. There was a regalness to her expression that was beautiful. The confidence in her eyes made her point clear.