The Tiger Within Chapter 24

"No, shameless is demanding he's innocent just because his mark was stronger than him . " Kyera's tone was that of an elder teaching a small child . Her words were true wich made the sting sharper as they landed squarely on the other girl's cheek . "you came here among our brothers and sisters to lay charges that you can't prove, and without your facts straight . That is beyond shameless . " Kyera continued and in response sound of Bina's growls alone could be heard . There was so much anger in her heart at being treated as a child . As the eldest young miss of the Jackal clan, no one had ever dressed her down so publicly . It took jer several moments to find her voice .

Advertis.e.m.e.ntMeanwhile, Ursana broke another tasty fruit open and pulled the seads from the center . In a sjow of generosity, offered a fruit to the old man next to her . She laid back against the tree and popped one seed after another into her mouth, waiting for the show she knew was to come . There was pity in her eyes as she glanced at Bina . She could have spared herself so much heartache by handling this with just a little tact .

"You… you know nothing of digity . How can the Tiger clan suffer such a evil woman as their leader? You refuse to take responsibility for your actions! Kyera Shade of the Moon you deserve to be flogged and cast from the mountain to the peaks below!" Bina claimed, hatred building in her eyes . She was so sure of herself, a false feeling of invincibility caused by the mindset that she was in the right . Kyera raised an eyebrow .

"Really? You call me a traitor and that is the punishment you think fits? If i were a traitor i would deserve to be torn limb from limb and left to bleed to death . " kyera replies seriousness filling her tone . The darkness in her eyes made it clear how she felt about betrayal, these words seeming to sooth several of the elders whose feathers had been ruffled by the Jackal . "As I was saying, the Jackal hunter made the first move against me . I was trying to return the human to her home when he demanded i turned her over to him . I refused . We fought and he and several of his men took arrows to the chest . "

Daxin nodded, this made a lot more sense, though not complete . There seemed to be a piece of the puzzle missing . Nothing either did was against the laws… . unless . His eyes narrowed as he looked toward Bina .

"Who shot those Arrows? Do you expect us to believe some guardian angel swooped in and shot arrows of death at my comrades?" Bina demanded triumphantly as if she had found a plot hole that Kyera couldn't explain . The murmuring started again as Bina planted the seeds of doubt . Surely there was no one with Kyera in the market . She always went alone . How did she not kill them herself? Who would have come to a simple merchant's aid… then again . . what if it wasn't Kyera they aided? "you paid mercenaries to help kill my brother, you Murderer!" Bina growled spatting the accusation at her and swung her open palm . PA! Kyera never tried to dodge and didn't move as her fair cheek turned pink .

The onlookers were stunned to silence . The Tigress never took a hit from anyone, more or less a angry child . The fact Kyera didn't strike back was impressive for her age and temperament, especially to the elders . This one second of interaction changed their view of both ladies . One prematurely placed punishment, the other held her hand and dignity even as she was wronged .

Kyera took a deep breath to steady herself, and then she spoke "The 4th Prince, Clovis and a group of royal guards came to my aid in protecting the child . " Kyera replied as the voices around her raised to a fever pitched height . She had no choice but to raise her hand and wait for the elders to do the same . Once the elders joined her in doing so, the crowd fell quiet again "The girl i was protecting was the 3 year old Princess of the crown . The Jackal had kidnapped her and headed for the forest . "