Tigra and I met up the following day outside the bakery as mum finished setting up for the morning. I almost hadn’t been able to get any sleep just thinking of the adventure I would be going on with my best friend.

Tigra had that smile on her face, ready to have some fun. I could tell just by her expression she’d already planned everything out; she loved making plans.

“Going to tell me where we are going?” I asked curious as to her plans for us today.

“The first place is a secret, but after that we’re going to play cat and mouse with my guardians,” informed Tigra.

“Sounds fun, but aren’t you worried about being caught?” I questioned.

“Nope, they’ll never catch us, they’ve never caught us.” She tugged at my sleeve. “Come on, this way.”

“Okay.”

Tigra led the way, leaving the castle out the back way, where we passed the knights academy. We stopped there looking in at them training. One day both of us would sign up to learn combat training, strategy, and basic stuff there; some of it Tigra was already learning. I wondered why I hadn’t started like she had.

“One day we’ll go there,” commented Tigra.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I hope I’ll do okay.”

“I heard your dad was the best when he went,” mentioned Tigra.

“Really.” I looked at all the different Feles training, using swords, spears, bows and even hand to hand.

“I think you’ll be amazing,” smiled Tigra.

“I’m nothing compared to you,” I admitted, still not having won a play fight with her.

“It’s because they’ve been teaching me since the moment I could walk, plus you are getting better,” encouraged Tigra.

“I doubt I’ll ever be as skilled as some of them.” I watched amazed as two Feles sparred with such speed, agility, and power.

“I think you’ll be the best in all of Cathopia,” smiled Tigra.

“Yeah right, you’re just saying that.” I felt a little bashful by her words.

Tigra tugged at my sleeve again. “We have to hurry, otherwise we’ll miss the chance to get passed the guards.”

“Get passed the guards?” I repeated as Tigra broke into a run.

“Wait for me.” I quickly chased after her as we came to a small bridge, arching over to some land, just in front of the Jagged mountains.

I was surprised to see such a large piece of land here, covered in so many different trees, each one filled with a bountiful of fruit. All the colours looked mesmerising against the tree’s green foliage. There were apples to pears, papples to bokens. Papples were similar to apples but shaped like pineapples and grew in the trees compared to their cousins. Bokens were an ovel pink fruit with small spikes all over it, both were still green, yet to be ready for harvest.

Tigra ducked behind some trees, signalling for me to join her with her arm. I rushed over as we heard footsteps rustling through the grass. We peeked our heads around to see one of the knights on duty.

Not moving a single inch, we waited for them to pass. I looked at Tigra. “Why are they guarding these trees?” I asked.

“These trees were planted by my family when they first settled here to build Cathopia.” Tigra breathed in the sweet scent carried on the wind. “They provide all the fruit for the people of the city; some are even traded with other tribes and cities.”

“Important then,” I said.

“Yep,” she nodded. “I love this place.” Tigra looked around. “It’ll be clear for a while now, let’s go pick some fruit, what do you want?”

“I don’t mind really, just whatever I guess.” There were so many to choose from.

“Well apples and pears are just about ready, so they’ll be the best.” Tigra ran over to one of the trees and climbed straight up it. “Come on Alex.” I quickly followed but stopped at the base. “Aren’t you coming up?”

“I’ve not really climbed a tree before,” I answered, staring up at her, it was so high.

“Just use your claws and climb,” instructed Tigra.

I flexed my hands, drawing out my claws; I then did the same with my feet. I jumped up, gripping in with my claws, slowly I headed upwards, this wasn’t as easy as Tigra had made it look.

“Made it.” I sat on a branch opposite as she was already digging into an apple.

“Hmm.” She was enjoying that.

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I picked off the closest apple to me and dug in, they were really good, even better than when dad brought them home. Straight off the tree seemed to be tastier.

“Can we take some back with us?” I asked.

“Sure.” Tigra nodded. I picked off two more apples, shoving them into my pouch. “After this we’ll go play cat and mouse with my Guardians.” She was beaming as she took another bite.

“Cat and mouse, sounds fun,” I commented.

We stayed at the orchards for an hour, staying absolutely silent whenever the knights came round every twenty minutes. The good thing was they couldn’t pick up our scent due to the overwhelming smell of sweetness from the ripening fruit.

While there we also ate some of the pears, which were just as tasty as the apples; the other fruit needed a little longer before they were ready to be picked and enjoyed.

“We’ll come back when they are ready,” informed Tigra.

“Good plan,” I agreed, I couldn’t wait to come here again with her.

We returned to the castle, making our plans for our cat and mouse game with Tigra’s Guardians, sneaking around the long way to locate the perfect place for our game. Tigra had already picked the perfect set of corridors.

Once we were set up, Tigra jumped out from around one of the corners. “Over here!” She shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Princess!” They responded and we would run away.

“This is so much better than just hiding.” I cheered, feeling a rush of excitement.

“I know right.” Tigra took my hand and we just ran. Even though they weren’t after me, it was still such a thrill playing cat and mouse with them. Tigra was laughing her head off the whole time.

We hid around the corner away from her Guardians, two of them just couldn’t keep up with us and gave up, but there was one that never gave up looking for us. I always avoided eye contact as he gave me the creeps. His fur was pitch black with golden eyes.

“Hey Tigra.”

“Yeah.” She looked at me as we caught our breath.

“Will you be coming to my birthday party tomorrow?” I asked, hoping she would say yes. I had almost forgotten about asking her as we’d been too busy having fun.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” responded Tigra. “You’ll be six right.” I nodded. “You told me your dad will pass his talisman down to you.”

“Yep. I already know her name.” I boasted.

“Really.” Tigra beamed just as excited as me. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“I’ve been hearing her since I was a baby, she was the only one I knew until I met you.”

Tigra smiled. “I’m sure you will be an amazing warrior.”

“I want to be just like dad.” I nodded.

“Tigra.” We both looked up hearing this low growling.

“Dad.” Tigra stiffened. He was smiling at her.

“Causing trouble for your Guardians again I see.” He looked at me. I stood up straight and bowed. “Oh, calm yourself Alex.” I peeked up at him. This was King Alton, Tigra’s father and ruler of the land. He was kind and proud. Unlike Tigra’s white fur, his was golden, standing proudly above us, he held such a presence it captivated anyone who met him.

Standing beside King Alton was another Album Tigris, it was Tigra’s twin brother Hunter, he remained completely silent.

“Hope my son, isn’t causing too much trouble.” Dad came from behind King Alton.

“Dad.” I gulped.

“He is becoming quite the handsome little Feles,” grinned King Alton. “Perfect for my little Tigra.”

“I told you not to keep pairing them up like that.” Dad sighed. Tigra and I looked at each other a little confused, they were talking to each other as if they were best friends, just like Tigra and I.

“What better time, when they are still so young.” King Alton rubbed my head. “I bet he’ll be just as skilled as you are too.”

“I don’t doubt that.” Dad looked at him. “But I wish you would stop teasing.”

The king’s smile grew bigger. “You know I do love to tease.”

“I know you do.” Dad nodded. “Alex time to go.”

“Oh.” I glanced at Tigra, not wanting our fun to end just yet.

“You’ll see Tigra tomorrow, remember.” He reminded me.

“Yeah.” I slowly agreed.

Dad began to head off but stopped. “Alton, remember what we talked about today.”

“I know.” He waved his hand as if it were nothing important.

“I mean it,” snarled dad.

“Right.” He nodded. “Come on Tigra, you need to apologise to your Guardians again.”

“Fine.” Tigra puffed out her cheeks. “Later Alex.”

“Bye Tigra.” Tigra left with the king and I followed dad home. “Dad.”

“Yes.” He glanced down at me.

“What did you talk to the king about?” I asked curiously.

“Just a warning,” dad answered plainly. “Things will begin to change; I fear it will be hard on both you and Tigra.”

“Why?” I questioned.

“That is a question I do not know the answer too.” We had arrived home. “We have much to prepare for tomorrow, best get some sleep.”

“Yeah.” I cheered, running in passed mum.

I stopped pulling out the two apples I’d taken from the orchard. “I got these for you.” I handed them each an apple. “Tigra took me to the orchards today.”

“She did what?” Dad was surprised.

Mum laughed. “Just like we did when we were younger.”

“You went there too.” I smiled.

“Yep.” Mum nodded. “I’ll tell you of a little hiding spot later.”

“A hiding spot?” I repeated.

“I’ll tell you all about it later.” Mum touched my cheek. “Now go get some sleep.”

“Okay.” I nodded, leaving the room. I caught a small portion of their conversation as I turned the corner towards my room.

“What did he say?” asked mum, I presumed they were talking about the king.

“He heard my warning.” Dad answered. “I fear your vision is something that we cannot stop, and I can only defend Alton if he lets me.”

“He did the last time.”

“That was then, back when we knew who it was that carried the darkness.” Dad was serious. “This time I am unsure, it spreads like a blanket, I fear there is more than one this time and Alex has yet to sense it.” What did I have to do with this?

“Be patient, he will find his place.” Mum soothed my dad’s worries.

“I hope that you are right.”