Prince Cassian had fallen asleep shortly after setting the fishing net up. When he woke up he found he had slept uncomfortably on his shoulder and it was now throbbing with pain. He tried to rotate his arm in circles thinking it might feel better if he could stretch it out. It popped loudly and he winced, grimacing in pain. Note to self, definitely don’t do that again. A light breeze blew through the mountains and rustled the branches of the trees gently. The smell of pine needles filled the air.
Cassian walked over to check his net with fingers crossed. I’ve never been much of a fisherman but the river seemed to be overflowing with jumping fish before I set the net. I’d have to be the worst fisherman in the world to not catch anything. When he pulled the net up out of the cold water he was relieved to find out he was not in fact the worst fisherman in the world. Three large striper flopped around in the net, sun reflecting beautifully off their glimmering scales. Cassian jumped up and down with excitement before recoiling and clenching his teeth together. Okay, for real this time, try not to keep agitating the damn shoulder you idiot!
He smiled, striding proudly with his three plump fish back to the cave to prepare lunch. When he passed through the clearing from earlier, the horned leopard was still lying there breathing heavily and whimpering. Cassian looked over at it and sighed. Poor guy. I hope he’ll be able to get up and go on his way soon. Cassian pushed through the brush making his way back to the cave to get a fire going. I’ll make sure to come back and check on my friend later.
On his way Cassian noticed a tall tree full of hanging yellow fruit. Lemons! It must be my lucky day. He took his time picking fruit from the tree. The wonderful citrus smell of the lemons when he picked them lingered on his hands.This will go perfectly with my fish! Cassian found he couldn’t stop smelling his hands as he walked back to the makeshift camp. Birds decorated with colorful patterns flew around him chirping and eating berries from the bushes.
When Cassian got closer to the cave he observed the winds picking up and dark clouds gathering overhead. Perfect timing for me to hunker down by the fire with some grilled striper. When he returned to his camp he found that everything was exactly as he had left it. He used his makeshift spear to clean and prepare the fish before setting it on a crude rack he had fashioned from sticks. After squeezing the lemon juice liberally onto the filets, he set about gathering some dry wood nearby before the rain started.
It was easy enough for him to find plenty of wood and he came back to his campsite and got the fire started. I’m thankful for the years of survival training I did with General Atwater. Things could be going quite a bit worse if I hadn’t paid attention. Right as the fire began burning nice and hot, the rain started pouring outside of the cave. The sound of raindrops hitting the tree canopy was soothing to Cassian. He had always loved the
Cassian squinted to make out the familiar form. The injured leopard was crouched and watching him from a bush in the rain. Cassian stood up at the mouth of the cave and waved at the animal. “Get out of the rain! Come over here and sit by the warmth of my fire!” The creature didn’t understand and remained near the bush watching the cave.
Cassian ran over to one of the striper filets and scooped it up. He walked out into the rain near the wounded animal and tried to offer some to the horned cat. It wasn’t sure and refused to take the fish. Stubborn creature. Let me help you! Cassian tore off a small piece of fish, dropping it on the ground near the cat. He then turned and walked back to the cave dropping a piece of fish every couple of yards. When he got back to the shelter he sat down by the warmth of the fire and watched to see what the animal might do.
The leopard remained stubborn for a few minutes but eventually he limped along, following the trail of fish into the cave. Unsure, he looked at Cassian with narrowed icy blue eyes for a minute before laying down next to the warmth of the fire. Cassian smiled and tossed him a piece of fish. The massive creature caught the fish in its mouth, swallowed it without chewing and purred before laying back down next to the fire.
Cassian’s eyes got huge when the cat caught the fish. “Nice catch!”
His stomach grumbled audibly and Cassian remembered that he needed to eat something as well. Taking a stick from his pile he skewered the striper filet and held it over the fire. The meat crackled as the flame danced over it. The cave quickly filled with a delicious savory lemon smell. He listened to the ambient sound of the rain falling and watched the big cat with awe. What an incredible creature. “I think I’m going to call you Light. Do you like that name?”
Light lifted his head up and tilted it slightly before looking at Cassian. He let out a huge yawn and laid back down purring loudly. Cassian rotated his skewer on the fire and made a noise of contemplation. Well I’m not sure if that means yes, that name suits me very well, or I’m a giant leopard who doesn’t understand you, you idiot. I suppose either one is just fine with me.
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Cassian took a big bite of his striper skewer and the fresh and robust flavor of it filled him with joy. The meat practically melted in his mouth and the lemon was the perfect compliment. As he scarfed down the fish he couldn’t help but stare at the jaw dropping violet antlers protruding from the cat's head. The way the flickering light from the fire reflected off the crystalline horns was one of the prettiest things he had ever seen. Light snored loudly as he slept. Cassian curled up next to the fire mesmerized by the undeniable majesty of his new friend. “I’m quite glad that we crossed paths.” Eventually the rhythmic pattering of the raindrops and the light show on the cave walls from the antlers made Cassian’s eyelids grow heavy. With a full belly and warm heart he drifted off to sleep next to his new feline friend.
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Cassian woke from a dreadful nightmare in a cold sweat. He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair, breathing heavily. Light cocked his head to the side and looked up at him from across the cave, chin resting on his paws.
With a yawn the prince rubbed his eyes and sighed. “What’s that look for Light? Are you interested in hearing about my nightmare, or are you just trying to get some more fish from me?” Cassian narrowed his eyes and laughed, “What do you think? Maybe both?” The leopard looked at him for a moment blankly before turning away and licking his huge paw.
Laughing and scrunching his nose, Cassian muttered, “That’s cold blooded, you’d rather clean yourself than hear about my dreams.”
The prince ate a quick breakfast of fish he had cooked the night before. While Cassian’s story didn’t interest the big cat, the smell of the grilled striper reheated on the fire sure did. Light watched Cassian eat like a kid watching a friend play with a new toy.
Cassian looked over at him and placed his fist under his chin. “You’re quite the beggar now, aren’t you? You remind me a bit of the feral cat’s back home that I used to feed. Only, you’re very much larger. And…they didn’t have antlers.” The prince admired his friends' enchanting white fur and charcoal spots before tearing a piece of the fish off and tossing it over to Light. “My father hated when I would feed all of the stray cat’s at the palace. I honestly wonder what he’d think of you.”
I hope things are okay at home. I’m sure my father has calmed things in the capital back down. He always had a hot temper but when he calmed down he was reasonable. Cassian gathered what little he had with him, packing the remaining fish away in his cloak. He stretched out and grabbed his crude spear that he had taken to using as more of a walking stick.
A hefty curved stone he had utilized to collect rainwater for drinking sat at the mouth of the cave. He cupped his hands and took a few big drinks doing his best to stay hydrated before getting back on the road. The reflection in the water was still so strange to him. His face was dirty and unshaved, hair unkempt, a look completely contrary to his entire life spent bathing in fine oils and seeing a royal barber weekly. What really put a lump in his throat though was his jet black eyes.
Cassian hadn’t had too much time for self reflection as of late but seeing himself brought a million questions swirling back into his mind. Am I a monster? What would my father think? What did that witch really do to me? Is this why I can’t use my amethite? What if this lasts forever? What if I never get to feel the surge of power again? It’s what I always thought I wanted, but could I truly live such a mundane life? What is it I really even want?
The feeling of soft fur brushing back and forth against his side snapped him out of his panic attack. He turned his head and saw Light rubbing his neck against his tattered cloak. The giant leopard was purring rhythmically
Cassian smiled, running his hand gently through Light’s sleek fur. “I have a long journey ahead of me buddy. I need to figure out who killed my mother and why. Those questions are tearing me apart inside. The only people who can help me find the answers reside in the Blue Tower. Those same people might even be able to fix my eyes.” Cassian looked away and his expression became stoic, but it quickly turned to one of sadness. “I think this is where our paths fork, my friend. You should be free to live a beautiful and natural life in these mountains.”
The prince looked Light in the eyes and patted his head between his fluffy ears. “So long Light. I appreciated our time together more than you’ll likely ever know.”
Cassian turned away and set off following the river upstream, the direction the trappers had told him to follow. Thankfully the weather had cleared up and the sun was shining, making the day rather nice. The sound of the river washing against granite and stone was peaceful. When he reached the end of the woods Cassian heard a rustling in the bushes behind him and he spun around gripping his spear tightly.
The muscular shape of Light stepped with a limp out from between two bushes. Cassian dropped his spear and ran over to him grinning like a child opening a present. He kneeled down and ran his hands through Light’s fine fur, overwhelmed by joy. “You want to come with me?” Light licked Cassian’s face with his huge sandpaper tongue.
Cassian laughed and wiped his face with his cloak. “I must say, the trip will be one thousand times more bearable with a companion. Let’s get on our way then.”