The Tiger Within 495 The Frostland Welcome

The snow drifted down and coated the square in a light dusting of powder. The snow leopard stood tall as it watched over the entrance. Colors and light unlike that they had ever seen shimmered in the portal mouth. Four shapes ran out, each its own new smell and reason for confusion in the clearing.

"Send for the Lady Crystalsis." Called a villager who helped steady Cora. A few of the men took off their capes, wrapped the thin dressed women wrapping them in fur. The three Princesses were crying now that they were safe and Cora stared at the portal as Lazren came through holding Kyera. Kan stumbling out moments later falling to his knees from the force of the portal closing.

"It looks like this portal is suddenly in need of being monitored. Who are you? Show yourselves." Crystalsis demanded glaring at the group. Because of how they were standing she couldn't see the woman in Lazren's arms.

The group of women and the two men completely ignored the guard and her entourage. They all turned to focus on Lazren who was still holding the sleeping Kyera. "You there, I will pay you 400 gold for your cloak. I will even return it to you when we are done." Lalia offered pulling a small pouch of money out of her dress. The man took it and Lalia handed it to Kan to spread it out.

Lalia stood up and turned, facing the guard. "I am Lalia of the Merchant's Sky. I am asking refuge for my friends and lady princess in the name of the Matriarch." Lalia asked and the Guards nodded, knowing this was within her right.  They turned to Crystalsis who frowned deeply as she recognized that silver hair.

"Is that Princess Kyera?" She asked moving closer, only to hear a deep warning growl from the man behind her head. "Who might you be?"

"Kan, the Protector of Lady Kyera and the child." He replied sharply, Lazren grabbed his arm.

"Enough, we need to place Kyera's soul back within her body. Where is the orb?" Cora demanded frowning as she checked Kyera's slow pulse. She was still warm, and her pulse was strong but it was eerie. There was a feeling of emptiness, a lack of aura in the air around her leaving a deathly stillness.

"I...I dropped it. I don't know what happened to it. There were dragons and all sorts of c.r.a.p. First we need to get her warm then we can consider what to do next." Kan replied, it was obvious he was loathing himself for the mistake. Lazren struck him across the face hard enough to knock Kan onto his back, blood leaking from the corner of his lip. "I deserved that."

"You think so? Good cause I am not done with you. Not NEARLY done." Lazren growled only to find himself restrained moments later by the guard of Frost gate.  

"Yes you are. Now, enough. Soul Orb? Are you telling me Kyera's soul is in a soul orb?" Crystalsis demanded looking her cousin over  with concern and alarm. It was truth there was no sign of life other than the rise and fall of a living body. She felt her stomach tighten.

"Yes. We didn't have a choice The Dark Ones destroyed the crystal and its a long story. Her body can not hold temperature safely in this cold much longer… We can hunt the orb after." Cora pointed out honestly stressed. The other two princesses were looking around them rather shocked and completely outside their comfort zones. Neither had been so cold before, they had no idea where they were. Well they knew where they were, but had no idea how to act.

"You mean this...o...b.." Asked a rather teasing voice as a tall burly man with a little shadow fox pup in his arms. "Go on little Fella." Bryson coaxed letting the little fox down. It dashed over and set the orb on Kyera's chest. "Move aside you three." He added as he came forward, roling his sleeves up on his arm.

THe others moved as Bryson knelt down and placed his hand over the orb and pressed down. There was the sound of air being drug into her lungs deeper and deeper till it was barely a noise at all. Everyone watched in a blend of shock and confusion as Kyera's eyes slowly fluttered open.

"Grandpa? Ping?" Kyera asked seeing the fox and man standing over her. "Thank the Sky that worked." Her hands pet the now embarra.s.sed and excited Shadow fox before it blended back into the shadow guard.