Day 7

Autumn met up with her people in the City Point. She was a hero to her people. Everyone danced with delight and they sang for joy which was overflowing in their hearts. They had been dying, now they were free to live. The joyful affair was taken to the forest. Being a panther was part of them. A part they hadn’t used in years. It felt good.

The Lovac tribe ran wild and free, enjoying everything. Nothing could ruin the good mood they were in. The high of freedom and fresh air.

Still the tribe was now every small. Having just over four hundred members. They were a dying nation on the endangered list so to speak.

The oldest members of the tribe gathered together. They knew what needed to be done. They needed land and to repopulate. They needed a leader preferably someone from the ruling family.

Once everyone had gathered together again the oldest among them spoke.

“We need to repopulate. This I am sure you already know. So, if you have a bond mate, then multiply. If you don’t have, then find someone to bond with. Our people depend on it.”

There were chuckles from the crowd.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“We also need to find our leading family. If there are no survivors then a new leading family will be appointed.”

A boy stepped forward.

“I am Zilar Silver. Does this mean I am now your leader?”

Everyone looked at the boy of fifteen. They wanted to say no but they waited for the speakers to say something.

“Are you the only living Silver?”

“Yes I am.”

“Boy you are not of age. According to our customs you must be thirty cycles before you can have a place as leader.”

A sigh of relief was heard from the crowd.

“But as a Silver we can appoint a guardian to lead in your place until you come of age and have three children.”

A light grumble came from the crowd.

“It’s my birth- right. I want to be the leader I was born to be.”

Then someone did what everyone wanted to do but didn’t have the courage for fear of offending and upsetting the apple cart.

“Lad our times have changed. We are not a great people. We do not command respect nor do we matter. Most won’t believe we are even alive and will presume we are imposters. If someone should lead us wisely though these times. Their children should have the right to learn from them and one day lead in their place. You are too young to lead and we cannot wait for you.”

The boy looked like someone had punched him in the gut.

“Wise words.” The oldest among them said.

(It should be noted that the oldest among them was forty years old.)

“Well, I have to find one more person to secure out freedom with the queen”

Autumn said, she wanted to get it over with so she would be free from the queen.

“Our freedom is secure. We have the royal seals of protection from the queen.”

“It was an act of good faith. I made a deal for your freedom and I have to keep it.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do! I will keep my integrity even if it makes me unpopular.” Autumn stated.

She was getting ready to fight. How could they even ask her why?

“You are our hero, the one who saved her people and not just herself. You could never become our enemy.”

Chase chimed in

“I will go with you to find this woman.”

Autumn looked around the crowd. No one said anything. They smiled, nodded and showed her signs of respect.

So, Autumn and Chase left to find Sugar.