The youth appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, much older than Garlande. He was also taller.

He wore a headscarf and a fur coat with turned-up collars. Magnificent fox fur draped down, clearly marking him as a skilled hunter. At his waist hung a large, curved blade, a typical weapon of the wilds. The bronze hilt was inlaid with gems that shone brightly alongside the jewels on his belt.

A curved blade was a hunter's most prized possession. The workmanship of the weapon itself implied value.

The gems inset into the weapon signified another kind of worth - not just anyone could afford such ornamentation. Even Prince Sagy's small scimitar was encrusted with gold that glinted like jewelry. Judging by the opulence of this stranger's weapon, his status was surely not low.

Examining the young man's features revealed a certain delicate handsomeness. He had a long face with a pointed chin and slightly upturned jawline. Thick brows framed large eyes above a slender nose and mouth curled in a faint, mischievous smile. Fuzzy stubble lined his jaw, not yet fully grown in.

The brothers also noted his sturdy build and agile movements. He battled the tiger calmly and steadily, like a seasoned veteran. Such courage paired with formidable skill marked him as a young hero!

"This man is truly formidable, daring to fight a tiger alone," Garlande remarked admiringly.

"Big brother, why doesn't he use his blade? Why fight the tiger with a wooden club?" asked Sagy.

"It must be to preserve the pelt," Garlande guessed. "Tiger meat isn't worth much - an intact pelt would fetch a good price."

"Ah, that makes sense," the younger brother nodded, picturing the pristine tiger skin back home.

"That is a mighty big tiger," chuckled Sagy. "Its fur is so long, like human hair!"

The shaggy beast had thick limbs and paws the size of a man's face. Its claws resembled daggers, snapping saplings with ease. Battling back and forth, it swiftly flattened the thorny thicket into clear ground.

In contrast, the youth wielded a wooden club, watching for chances to strike the tiger's hindquarters. With cunning, the tiger reared up on its hind legs, standing even taller than the boy. It opened its cavernous maw with a roar, snapping the club between its jaws. With swiping paws, it battered the youth's face, dazing him with stars.

"Brother, should we help him?"

"Maybe not..." Garlande hesitated. "He chose to fight the tiger himself, probably for its pelt. If we interfere, he'll resent us stealing his prize. Instead of gratitude, he might turn against us."

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"So we just watch?"

"Yes, as long as his life isn't endangered, let's observe for now...consider it entertainment." Though secretly, Garlande regretted missing a chance at the tiger skin.

Sagy agreed his brother made sense and crouched down to keep watching. The stranger seemed to notice them but said nothing, focused on wrestling the beast.

In their idle chatter, the tiger endured several more blows, howling in pain. The boy's skills were admirable indeed, leaping nimbly as a monkey and scarcely seeming to breathe hard. Before long, the tiger slumped defeated to the ground with whimpers.

The youth smiled triumphantly and stepped forth to deliver the final strike. But just as he arrogantly raised his club, the tiger suddenly roared and pounced for his head!

"The brute can play dead too?" exclaimed the astonished Sagy.

The boy now had his shoulder trapped tightly in the tiger's jaws. Shaking its captive violently, the tiger's advantage became dire.

"Quick, save him!" Drawing his knife, Garlande charged at the tiger.

"No, don't harm the tiger!" the mauled youth somehow protested through his agony.

Frustrated, Garlande instead reversed his blade to knock the tiger's head with the hilt. But a hunting knife lacked the weight for effect, however hard he swung. The tiger remained unfazed, clenched onto its prey.

Seeing the boy fade into unconsciousness, dropping his club, Garlande seized the weapon and smashed the tiger's cheek. With a pained yowl, it finally released the youth. The stunned tiger staggered drunkenly until it collapsed.

"Since you care for its pelt so much, I've spared it for you," Garlande declared, raising the club over the tiger's head. Surely the beast wouldn't fake death again?

Just as he tensed to deliver the crushing blow, a sudden whip cracked against his nape from behind!

"Ow!" The startled youth jerked away from the pain.

Glancing back revealed a girl with a veiled face!

Her exposed features were rather dark, even by wilderness standards. Almond eyes tilted up at the corners beneath scowling brows, lending her a fierce look. Two glossy braids framed a headscarf and gilt leaf hairpiece.

A floral kerchief hid her cheeks - common attire in those unsanitary ancient times. Such scarves also served various uses.

She wore a tight red tunic over green cotton trousers, cinched at the waist by a silken sash. Small boots of goatskin covered her feet. Despite her finery, she brandished a leather whip and glared venomously at Garlande.

"A bandit?" he wondered. She seemed too well-dressed for that, more likely a noble daughter. The makeshift veil was mere decorated cloth to hide her face from strangers.

"Miss, I..." he began, only for her to snap the whip inches from his face.

"Thief! How dare you steal my tiger!" she shrieked, thrashing a few more near blows.

Dodging the first, his shoulder still caught a painful stripe. She was not gentle! Mistaking him for a villain, reason would not sway her.

He had spared her courtesy as a girl, but her hostility left no chance to explain. Anger rose in Garlande. "Who are you to be so unreasonable! Is this beast your pet?"

"You're right, scoundrel! These are my mistress's hills, my mistress's trees, and my mistress's tiger!" More stinging lashes punctuated her words.

"If this is your tiger, take it and go," Garlande said. "I've done it no harm, only passing by to rescue that man. Can't you see?"

"Passing by to rescue? How dare you claim innocence!" She paused her assault but stood with hands on hips, berating him fiercely.

"Don't lie to me! I watched the whole time - you two observed my brother fighting, waiting to steal his prize after he defeated the tiger. Nice try, but take this!"

Sagy hurried to clarify the misunderstanding as Garlande evaded her strikes. "Sister, please, we only helped him, not to steal your tiger!"

But hearing "sister" only enraged the girl further for the implication of her age. She turned her whip upon Sagy as the brothers fled her irrational attack.