Page 17 of Orange Tundra
That sounded ominous. This would mean Crix was Nim’s first cousin. I shouldn’t have been surprised given all the gadgets, secret rooms and experiments he conducted when I was in Crix’s villa.
Sim sighed, his tail flicking in agitation. “Our fathers - the current alphas of the Purple Tribe have different priorities,” he said. “They seek to secure the Tribe’s power over others, rather than exploring the potential of interbreeding and ensuring our race survive beyond the remaining number of female eggs we harvested from The Before.”
“Crix was a genius, much like his fathers,” Sim continued, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and resentment. “His ideas could have changed the fate of our tribe, but the current alphas saw his work as a threat to their power.”
Nim grunted in agreement. “They exiled him to Orange Lake, where he continued his research in secret. It’s why we’re traveling there, hoping he and his triad can help you in your situation.” My situation being pregnant.
I nodded, absorbing the information. The political intrigue of the Manasty tribes was a far cry from the straightforward engineering problems I was used to, but I was beginning to understand the complex dynamics at play. Politics, no matter the race, even far away from Earth, remained the same.
Suddenly, Nim held up a hand, signaling for us to stop. We all froze, ears straining to catch the faint noise echoing throughthe tunnels. It was a distant hum, a rhythmic sound that sent a shiver down my spine.
“What is that?” I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest, my hand automatically going to my lower belly.
Clitasoxdfwe’h, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. “I will investigate,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He melted into the shadows, his form blending seamlessly with the darkness.
We waited in tense silence, the hum growing louder, more insistent. After what felt like an eternity, Clitasoxdfwe’h reappeared, his expression grim.
“There is an odd group of Manasties making their way towards us,” he reported, his voice low. “They do not bear the markings of any known tribe.”
Curiosity piqued, I looked at Nim and Sim. “Should we try to get closer?” Xy asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nim and Sim exchanged a glance, their expressions mirroring each other’s concern. “It could be dangerous,” Nim said, his voice firm. “But we need to know who they are and what they’re doing here.”
Sim nodded in agreement. “Clitasoxdfwe’h, you stay here and guard Brynn,” he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument. “The rest of us will investigate.”
Clitasoxdfwe’h inclined his head in acknowledgment, his posture stiffening as he prepared to stand guard. I watched as Nim, Sim, and Xy disappeared into the darkness, their forms swallowed by the oppressive shadows of the abandoned mines.
Left alone with Clitasoxdfwe’h, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The hum was growing louder, the rhythmic sound echoing through the tunnels like a sinister heartbeat. I clutched the crystal tighter, its light casting eerie shadows on the walls.
“Do you think they’ll be okay?” I asked, my voice echoing softly in the confined space.
Clitasoxdfwe’h looked down at me, his expression unreadable. “They are skilled warriors,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “But the mines hold many dangers, both known and unknown.”
I nodded, trying to swallow the lump of fear forming in my throat. All I could do now was wait and hope that my mates would return safely. The thought of losing any of them was unbearable.
Xy, Nim, and Sim silently walked back to us. Nim shared that the group were heading to the mines and not to the secret entrance to the Prison Tunnel therefore, we should not engage and just let them pass. We watched silently from the shadows as the group of Manasties walked by, their forms barely visible in the dim light.
My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to keep my breathing steady. The slow hum of their conversation echoed through the tunnel. It’s a good thing I puked earlier. I squinted, trying to make out their features, but the darkness made it impossible.
Suddenly, one of them stepped into a pool of light cast by a nearby spring water. I gasped, the sound echoing loudly through the tunnel. Xy, Nim, Sim, and Clitasoxdfwe’h reacted instantly, their swords drawn and ready for combat.
“Wait! Wait! Hold position!” I yelled, my voice slicing through the tension. "I knew these people. They had helped me escape when I got kidnapped."
Nim and Sim exchanged a glance, their eyes flicking back to me. Recognition dawned on their faces as they remembered the first time we met at Orange Mountain. They lowered their swords, their bodies relaxing slightly, but still on full alert. There were what, about ten or so manasties. Then again, we have Xy, the captain of the Red Guard.
“Brynn?” one of the Manasties called out, his voice echoing through the tunnel. “Is that you?”
I stepped forward, my heart still pounding but with relief now. “Yes, it’s me,” I said, my voice steady. “You helped me before. What are you doing here?”
The group of Manasties approached cautiously, their eyes warily taking in Xy, Nim, Sim, and Clitasoxdfwe’h. One of them, a burly Manasty with striped fur, stepped forward.
He was CG, the captain. They all have coverings, making it hard to tell the color of their small furs. However, instead of answering me, he only said, "We heard a neko kidnapped the royal heirs of the Purple Tribe. Is it the other way around?" He narrowed his eyes at the males behind my back. Nim and Sim growled behind me.
I turned and looked at Nim and Sim, deliberately exposing my back to the group of Manasties. Their low growls of disapproval rumbled behind me, a mix of protective instinct and irritation. I could feel their intense glares burning into the people behind my back, but I met their eyes with a steady, resolute gaze. My look was a silent challenge. These were my allies, and they needed to trust me. If not for them, I would had been captured again.
Nim's tail lashed back and forth, and Sim's jaw clenched, but they recognized the determination in my expression. "They're friends," I said, my voice firm and unwavering. "We can trust them."
Slowly, reluctantly, Nim and Sim nodded, their swords disappearing into their sheaths. Xy and Clitasoxdfwe'h followed suit, their bodies relaxing but still poised for potential action. They exchanged knowing glances, Xy giving a slight nod of recognition. Satisfied that the tension might have dissipated, I turned back to the ragtag crew that had saved me before.
