The Tiger Within Chapter 298

Inside the Temple, was a rather brutal site . Many were still being tended by healers . There were piles of rags and thin sheets used as table cloths currently serving as beds . Less than 50 people sat in circles, either staring blankly at each other, weeping for lost loved ones, or sitting in silence faces tear stained from crying all the tears they had to give . Kyera's heart ached with pain as she saw her kin like this . So many faces she recognized were mutilated or their bodies bandaged in white .

Clovis stood near the door, watching in complete shock as the people in front of them struggled to recover . Even in battle he had never seen a people beaten so soundly yet dared to survive .
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Several children seemed to watch them closely, a little girl ran forward and threw her arms around Kyera's legs . This drew attention to the six people who had entered . Many of the older men and women stood and looked at them . Most the adults were women here, many of them had the eyes of a widow looking back at Kyera .

Distrusting and unsure gazes pa.s.sed over Clovis where he stood . He couldn't help but glance at Kyera . Would these people even give him a chance? Had he walked into his death completely unaware? Daxin came to his side .

"Citizens of the Bazaar's ashes, our Princess wishes to speak . " his voice boomed across the room despite his gentle tone . The few who were not looking then turned their gaze to the party . The full attention of the room was focused now, and Kyera couldn't help but square herself off . There was never a moment in the history of the Clan where they needed stronger leaders than they did at this moment . She knew what she had to do . She gave Clovis a rea.s.suring smile .

Kyera changed form, the shadows cloaking her in a black mourning gown, edges singed by magic fire . Standing before her people in human form . Daxin touched her forehead whispering a soft chant . As the last word left his lips a band of silver and precious stones appeared on her brow . The circlet of the Forest rested back where it belonged .

"My people, I am sorry I was not there to fight for our home and your lives . Many of you have not seen nor heard of me since My capture nearly 6 months ago . I am sorry, I had hoped to be home by now, safe with you at the Bazaar, but that was not possible . Please understand my heart has been with you since the day I was taken . Not a hour went by when I did not wish to be home . " Kyera spoke with emotion, letting her heart seep into her voice . "That begin said, that does not excuse my absence . I am not naive enough to think I could have stopped what happened, the violence that fell upon our village . This is not the life we wanted, living quietly as we were . Yet here we stand, homeless because of the Dark ones, filled with hate . " Kyera spoke clearly, the words were eloquent but from her heart . They felt her sorrow and knew she knew their pain . "We must not follow their path of hatred . We must form new bonds, friends.h.i.+ps to give us new solace . We must make ourselves stronger and perceive . To retaliate with force would only chance losing more precious lives that we can not spare . " Clovis watched as she spoke and her people listened .

At first they seemed to disagree, but slowly her words sunk in . Wisdom beyond her years spoke to both elder and child alike . Those tired, weary faces seemed to be rejuvenated by her words . He was shocked to find though they had nothing, they were glancing at each other as she spoke of bonds and friends.h.i.+p . A few even smiled as they looked up at her, admiration for their princess .

"I have one more formality that needs to be taken before this can become a counsel meeting . We have one among us who is not a s.h.i.+fter Ken . I need you all to understand that this was a decision made much the same way the telling the Shadow Vale royals came about . If any of you prefer not to be known, please feel free to wear a mask . I would never put any of you in danger, I weighed the costs . " Kyera adds as the chatter of confusion and alarm started to pa.s.s between some of the younger children . There was also a certain amount of curiosity . Clovis met Kyera's eyes and asked a silent question . She nodded waving him forward .