The Tiger Within 77 Again? Part 1

The dress Mally had prepared for Kuera fit the girl beautifully. Black and white cloth with accents of blue wrapped and curved around her body like a luscious bandage. The fabric wrapped over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and tied in a bow, black tails falling down her back. A white skirt delicately embroidered started beneath her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and flowed to the ground with blue lace and cords edging the top and falling from her pet.i.te waist. Mally was proud, Kyera looked every inch a lady of the n.o.ble society. The white tiger motif sitting off to the left slightly, letting blue dangles dance on her hip.

Unsurprisingly, Mally spotted a familiar group walking their way through the palace courtyard. Royal Consort Claire was out for her afternoon stroll with Kisses, a black panther that followed her obediently. Realizing the consort was headed their way, Mally went to greet them. Bowing to them both, and relieved when Kyera followed suite.

"Graced with your presence, Royal Consort Clair." Mally greeted, but the consort paid no heed. She reached out and touched Kyera's pale hair. A hand gripped her wrist as she tried to. Kyera's golden eyes met the woman and Mally cursed inwardly. This was not what she had in mind for a debut.

"How dare you! A mere beauty forgetting her place." the Consort sneered pulling her hand back. She let the maid beside her wipe her hands with a rag as if she touched something awful.

Before Mally could speak, Kyera opened her mouth. "My apologies, Royal Consort Clair. I am not accustomed to people reaching to touch me without my permission." Kyera replied curtsying again before standing to look at the woman. Clair was not about to give way. It was clear by Kyera's words that she was not admitting guilt. One should not carelessly touch another, no matter the rank. The whispers of maids nearby caught Claire's ears turning them red.

"You insolent...Child." the woman spat the word as of it was a curse. Kyera batted her eyelashes for a moment, taking in this raven haired woman. She was perhaps 16… 17 at most and called Kyera a child? Where was the logic in that?

"My Lady, I apologize for the offense but your manners were lacking." Kyera replied, not willing to bow. Not to someone like this. She scoffed at her, and the woman went to hit her. Kyera swooped out of the way, letting her swing at the air. "You are still young, and capable to learn. I will only warn you once. Enough." The woman glowed with anger at Kyera's calm reply, as if correcting a child.

"See to it this woman is busted from her rank and sent to the clothing division!" the consort growled. Mally bit her lip for a moment… feeling awkward. How was she to tell her she was mistaken? After all, Kyera wasn't even ranked yet.

"Royal Consort that's not necessary. You see I'm not a palace lady here. I am here as a student of Half Eye, a healer from the mountains. I came to visit my sister." Kyera replied hauntily, her voice filled with confidence. Mally looked at Kyera and blinked… Half Eye was not the name they had agreed to present. She had met the man, sure but she never trained with him.

The woman paused for a moment trying to gage Kyera's expression. She began to laugh. The maids with her also laughed as though she was a joke. Just as Mally was about to speak she saw Kyera's eyes widen and her head tilt as if listening. Mally focused and she heard it two, feet pounding fast against the floor, heading toward them.

A young servant boy bowed to the consort hastily then bowed to Mally, he was out of breath. "Beauty Mally please come quick. Its Rasha...hes hurt." the boy spoke breathily and fast. His heart running too fast for his breathing to get oxygen into his blood.