Ami returned to the great hall, passing by a row of felinid men training with spears. Their movements were slow and clumsy, detectable even to her juvenile eyes, nothing like the smooth sweeps and penetrating thrusts of champion Arlet.
What would the champion do in her pawprints? Would grandma Nyota have aided Ham? She considered these and many other questions as she padded through the great hall, silently appraising each and every one of her felinid subjects. They were no longer starving, and many had filled out nicely, but a siege would reverse that progress, stunting their growth once more. She couldn’t allow that to happen. They weren’t technically prisoners, but they had no battlemages and no warriors to compete with Hamilton’s knights. So they existed entirely at the mercy of Hamilton’s men. Soon she found herself sitting on her mother’s lap, cutting a slab of lamb into tiny pieces so mom could swallow them without chewing. Since her teeth had been shattered with hammers when she made the foolish mistake of healing in front of a human.
Ami’s mother, Elise, used a spoon to pick up the tiny scrap of meat, a strange custom among clawed felinids, but common amongst those slaves who’d been ‘declawed’ –a process where the last knuckle was severed–. The sight of Elise’s shortened fingers reassured Ami that she was right to have refused Ham, let the humans die–
–Without warning her fur stood on end, sensing mana gathering in front of her. Elise felt it as well, and scooped her daughter up, sprinting for the door.
“PORTAL!” Shouted Elise.
No sooner had she shouted, than the portal slammed open, expanding, flattening, and coalescing faster than any wild portal the felinids had ever seen. There was no more time to run, no more time to think. They had to stand and fight in this moment. Every male felinid raced towards the portal, preparing to shield the few eclipsiarchs with their bodies.
Spearmen found their way to the portal’s edge, leveling their spears at what seemed to be a reflection of themselves. Six people stood on the other side of the gate, one of them, a felinid man in chainmail, walked through the portal, appearing amongst his kin. As if he’d always been present. There was no sound, no flash of light or transmission of energy, he just appeared.
“Well, that was easy.” He said, opening his hauberk and testing several items he’d brought through with him.
The first was a glass tube, still entirely clear and free of cracks, next came an apple, it’s red skin pristine and glossy. He chomped into it, chewing crunchily before giving a thumbs up. Two men, magi by the look of their robes, marched through the portal, inhaling deeply once they cleared the horizon.
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“Ah, smells like cat piss and week old filth.” Said Orion.
“Home sweet home. Nyota’s gonna be pissed, pretty sure she’s scrubbed this hall herself. Ah, pardon the pun.” Answered Cedric, turning in Ami’s direction he bowed. “My lady, I present her majesty Lady Nyota Green. Brought to you by the humble and very permanent, magicks of Soren Flameshadow.”
Behind him strolled three women, first came Nyota, her platinum hair shining in the torchlight of Blackwood Castle. A contrast that was only deepened by the obsidian construction of the castle. Second came a lanky child that reeked of magic so potent it made Ami sneeze. Her nose itching as the final woman crossed the threshold. Lyra, recognizable by the lynx-like tufts of black fur atop her ears. Keeping a watchful eye over the mischievous Saryn.
“Ah, it seems that you’ve succeeded on your first try. Excellent work Cedric. Now, where is my daughter?” Said Nyota, her tone was warm, friendly, yet it parted the felinids faster than an executioner’s axe. Opening the way to Elise.
Nyota’s eyes narrowed, pupils dilating into slits as she took in Elise’s trimmed fingers and broken teeth. Her smile fell into a forced line, hard, immobile. Yet she said nothing. The trio of catgirls crossed the grand hall, their might bleaching the universe until it felt as though only five women were present. Spearmen collapsed or scrambled to get out of the way. Nyota ignored them, mentally noting how Arlet would have his work cut out for him.
But that was the champion’s concern, while Nyota’s concern was in front of her. Gentle fingers ran across Elise’s jaw, and Nyota sang the chant of healing. Once to repair the jaw, and twice to replace the lost teeth. Such magic made Ami’s eyes widen, she had tried to heal Elise’s mouth, but failed, whereas Nyota had done it on a whim.
The platinum blonde blinked, keeping the tears out of her eyes as she touched Elise's torn ears and severed fingers.
“Daughter, these will take far longer to heal, if I am able to perform the deed at all.” She stepped into a hug, wrapping herself around Ami and Elise and squeezing as tightly as she dared. “I wish Liam were here, he could have healed you in an instant as if twere nothing.” She whispered.
Upon her scent reaching their noses, both women knew Nyota was their matriarch, and buried themselves in her embrace, clinging to the dream they never truly believed was real. For they detected the scent of something more. Of ozone in a spring tempest, and a cleansing rain. They lingered there, purring in the scent of reunions. Saryn squished between their legs, climbing up the two women with clawless steps.
“Cuddle later, we came here for a reason!” Snapped Saryn, trying to push the women apart.
“Righty oh! I was just so happy to see my kittens again.” Said Nyota, kissing all three of them before breaking apart. “Alright Saryn, be careful! These humans are not our bannermen, do not show them any weakness.” She said, looking at Orion and Lyra.
The duo nodded, then sprinted for the door, because the second they had looked away. Saryn had pounced; exiting the room.
“Tch, that girl will be the death of me.” Muttered Nyota, giving Ami one last pat on the head. “Pandora’s greatest servants siege this castle. I must act. Any eclipsiarchs may join me, but I go to rain thunder upon our enemies, do not follow if you are not able to fight alongside humans.” She warned, exiting the grand hall.