Lord Amon Carter

The next morning, Serenity made sure to skip breakfast in the dining hall. She was avoiding the King at all cost. She made her way to the kitchens, where she ate fruit and toast as she talked with the other birds who enjoyed cooking and working in the kitchen. She thanked them for the company and made her way to the Tigerian barracks where she was to meet Lady Amira for a training session.

When she entered the public training room, she was surprised to see Amira with another Tiger. They were standing in the center of the sparing square talking casually. Serenity descended the long stairs into the square. The square was the bottom of a basin surrounded by rows of steps that could be filled with people. The top row had a railing around it, for individuals, usually high members of the court and royals, to stand and watch soldiers of the Royal Guard train.

"There you are," Amira said quickly as Serenity reached the square. "You're late."

"Forgive me, I was hungry," Serenity responded with a bow.

Amira smirked at her and rolled her eyes. She knew that Serenity was bowing in greeting because she did not know the male tiger standing with them. Amira turned to the man, her long red braid twisting as she moved.

"Serenity, this is Lord Amon Carter," she said motion to the handsome tiger. Serenity smiled at him. She had never seen a tiger with such smooth dark brown skin before. She tilted her head to the side as she studied him. He had piercing red eyes, no hair or facial stubble, and both of his ears were pierced. His armor was of black metal and he wore a black shirt beneath it, black leather pants and riding boots.

"You're part panther?" she asked gently.

The Lord smiled at her. "And you are the dove. Rumors of your beauty have traveled to Carna, beyond the Black Morning Mountains."

Serenity was surprised by his comment. Why would rumors about her travel into the panther territory?

"Lord Carter is a Bengal and a Panther," Amira said as she looked at him with longing eyes. Serenity raised her eyebrows at Amira's expression. She was surprised to see the beautiful tiger lusting after this man. "He is my liaison in Allur. We have been working closely to ensure peace on the boarder."

Serenity nodded. "That is noble work. What brings you to the Den?"

"Lady Amira felt that it was time I met his Majesty," Lord Carter responded. "My superior worked with him during his time overseeing the border. I was very happy to hear that he took the thrown. My people have been anxiously waiting for the tigers to free your kind. I hope that it will come more swiftly now that King Theron is ruling. My court grows restless and wishes to liberate the birds if the tigers do not."

"It is good to know that we have allies in different lands," Serenity said peacefully with a bow of her head. "One of the many concerns with our liberation is where so many of us will go once freed. Do you think it is safe to assume that birds may find Carna welcoming?"

"Yes," Lord Carter nodded. "Carna is the most diverse city in the territory. Our land is much smaller than the Tigerian's. But there is beauty to be found everywhere. I'm sure many of your people could make a good life there."

Serenity bowed her head again. "Thank you, I will advise his Majesty of that."

"Shall we get started?" Amira asked as she removed her armor. She set it gently on one of the steps at the edge of the square. Serenity nodded. She had made sure to wear a form fitting top and comfortable pants for their training session.

"Hand to hand?" she asked.

"I think it's a good work out," Amira nodded.

Lord Carter moved away and took a seat on the lowest step of the basin to watch the two women spar. It had been awhile since Serenity had trained with Amira. After King Terron's death, Theron made her a higher ranking member in the Royal Guard in an attempt to break some of the gender stereotypes surrounding the guard. With her rank came more responsibility that required her to stay in Allur, where she now oversaw the border. Serenity was happy that Amira had returned to the Den, but she was a little anxious to train with an audience, especially someone that Amira seemed to have affection for.

The two women stood about six feet from each other in the basin, both in fighting stances ready to strike. But neither woman wanted to strike first. Serenity was hoping that Amira would lash out in an attempt to impress her guest, but she didn't. She stood, waiting patiently, ready to pounce, like the tiger she was.

Serenity lunged first, making an attempt to knock Amira down with a kick to her left side. Amira grabbed Serenity's leg, threw it up and knocked Serenity straight onto her back. Amira pounced but Serenity rolled away under her, jumped on her back and wrapped her pale arms around Amira's neck.

For half a second, Serenity thought she might have the advantage, but Amira bucked her entire body over, flipping Serenity onto her back. Serenity sighed heavily as pain shot up her back and in her skull. Before Amira could escape her grasp, she wrapped her legs around the tiger's waist and tightened her grip around her neck.

Amira tapped Serenity's arm twice to let her know she conceded. Serenity released Amira and heaved a heavy sigh as Amira stood up off the ground, dusting herself off. Serenity stood slowly glancing at Lord Carter who was looking amused. She looked back at Amira, who flung her long braid over her shoulder.

"Is he married?" Serenity asked quietly.

Amira looked at her surprised. "No," she replied as they both repositioned themselves with their hands in tight fist ready to strike.

"You'd like him more if he was?" Serenity teased.

This time, Amira struck first. She punched Serenity in the side, above her right hip. Before she could withdraw her hand, Serenity grabbed her entire arm, pulled it up straight locking her elbow and twisted it behind Amira's back. Amira broke her grasp easily though by following the direction that Serenity was sending her arm in. Serenity was caught off guard and released Amira.

"Wait," said Lord Carter. Both women looked at him surprised. He was walking towards them, still in his armor, with a small smile on his face. "I wonder, Lady Amira, is it alright if we show Serenity how to prevent you from breaking free like that?"

Amira stood up straight in a relaxed position and looked to Serenity who shrugged.

"Of course," Amira bowed her head. She turned her back and gave Serenity her arm again.

"You were attempting to pop her shoulder out of place?" Lord Carter asked softly as he came up behind Serenity. He stood close behind her, placing his arms over hers to match the shape of her body. Serenity could smell his intoxicating scent of musty pine and citrus because he was so close to her. She focused her attention on what he was saying, not how close he was. "Move slowly, Lady Amira."

Amira listened and began to move like she had before to break free of Serenity's grasp. "She could break free because she knew what direction you were trying to move her in," Lord Carter's voice was low but both women could hear him.

As Amira moved her arms slowly, he guided Serenity hand to her elbow, where he pinched forcefully. Amira flinched and stopped abruptly. Serenity looked at her surprised. Amira was looking over her shoulder at the two and nodded her head to Serenity to tell her she was okay.

"By pinching the elbow we prevent her range of motion," Lord Carter said. "Then you can reach up," he moved Serenity's other hand to Amira's shoulder. "And pull the shoulder out of the socket." He gripped Serenity's hand on Amira's elbow and pretended to pull Amira's arm out of the socket with a swift motion.

Lord Carter stepped back, his fingers gliding off of Serenity's hands and arms gently, leaving a tingling sensation on her skin. "In actual combat it happens very quickly. You have to predict how a person is going to respond to your grasp. They are going to attempt to get out of it. You have to disable their motion, then pull the shoulder."

Serenity nodded. "I understand, thank you," she said. She glanced at Amira who hadn't said anything. "How do you get out of it?"

Amira grabbed Serenity's arm and pulled it straight and twisted, forcing Serenity to flinch and turn her back. Amira slowed her pace for a moment.

"What does she have to do next to pull the shoulder?" Lord Carter asked.

"Restrict my movement by pinching my elbow."

"She's already restricted your movement," he replied. "That was your error and why she was able to break free."

"All she has to do is grab my shoulder then," Serenity said quickly.

"How will you prevent her from doing that?"

Serenity thought quickly. Her arm was locked straight behind her back. How had she gotten there? If she untwisted her arm and body, moving backwards and reversing Amira's hold, maybe she could break free then?

She didn't say anything out loud. She tried it. Despite her elbow being locked, she should still untwist her shoulder and upper body. She did so, quickly, turning back to face Amira who released her arm as she pulled away.

"Very good," Lord Carter said with a broad smile. Amira also gave her a smile.

"Good morning, everyone."

Serenity turned to see King Theron descended the stairs into the square. She bit her bottom lip at the sight of him. He was dressed in formal blue slacks and white buttoned shirt. He wore a blue vest over the shirt and his sword was hanging from his belt. His brown hair was long and curled to his shoulders. His purple eyes pierced Serenity's stare instantly. He was smirking at her.

Lady Amira, Lord Carter and Serenity bowed to the King as he arrived before them in the square. Serenity stood up straight, rolling her shoulders back and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Serenity," he said calmly. "I was hoping you'd be at breakfast this morning."

She knew he was hoping for that, and that was exactly why she didn't go.

"I was eager to see Lady Amira," she said softly keeping her eyes on him. Theron seemed to accept the answer and looked to Amira who stepped forward.

"Your Majesty," she said warmly as she embraced him. The greeting may have been viewed as informal, but Serenity knew that Amira and Theron were good friends. "May I introduce, Lord Amon Carter of the Pantherian court?"

Theron looked to Lord Carter who was standing next to Serenity. Lord Carter bowed to the King. When he stood up, Theron extended his hand to Lord Carter, who accepted it. They shook hands strongly in greeting.

"Welcome to the Den," he said. "Amira speaks very highly of you."

"That is because she only knows me professionally," Lord Carter joked. Theron smiled and nodded.

"Serenity is done with training today," Theron said as his gleaming stare fell back on her. She pursed her lips and glared at him. She hated it when he tried to control her. She knew it was simply because of his position. He was ordering Lord Carter and Lady Amira to excuse themselves without saying it. Theron looked away from her glare to the other two. "I would like it very much if you both joined me for dinner this evening."

"Of course, your Majesty," Amira said as she moved away to put her armor back on.

"It would be an honor," Lord Carter said with a bow of his head.

Theron smiled at him but did not say anything. He looked back at Serenity and extended his arm to her. She did not say anything, but stepped forward and took it. They ascended the stairs towards the entrance of the barracks in silence. It was not until they were in the hall, out of ear shot, that Theron spoke.

"He was standing very close to you."

Serenity looked at him surprised. She was training, of course he was standing very close to her. "How long were you watching?"

"Long enough," Theron said with a smirk.

"While watching you two together, it occurred to me that I should make you my mate sooner rather than later because other men may start to court you."

Serenity frowned slightly. She was a little hurt that Theron didn't assume other men would be interested in her before. She wasn't dead or ugly. She was an attractive woman who could easily find a mate, especially now that she had a little more freedom. But perhaps the thought hadn't occurred to her either, that other men would even be interested in her, given that she was always someone's personal slave. It was only in the last few months that she had shed that identity. But beyond that, she didn't read Lord Carter's behavior as flirtatious or suggestive.

"I'm not interested in other men courting me," she whispered as she looked straight forward.

"I did not know the tigeress would be waiting for me last night," Theron said in a low tone.

"I didn't think you did," Serenity responded quickly. "But perhaps if you made me your mate, the members of your court would stop trying to persuade you to mate another woman."

Theron smiled and nodded his head, but didn't say anything on the matter. He changed the subject entirely. "We are taking a trip into the city, to Southend," he said. "Will you please go change into your riding clothes? I don't want to draw too much attention."

"The Slums?" Serenity asked before thinking. She bit her bottom lip and regretted calling the Southend what it really was. Theron didn't say anything to her comment. Why would Theron take her into the densest, most poverty stricken area of the Den on the outside of the palace?

"Before I was born, my Mother released a falcon from her services," he said slowly. "She believed the falcon to be a powerful witch and did not want her magic near me. But, she liked the old woman and could not bring herself to order her killed. She released her and I believe the old bird still lives in the city."

"A witch?" Serenity questioned. "This is why you asked about dream magic?"

He nodded slowly. "I would like you to see her. If she is still alive and what my Mother believed she was, I think she may be able to help you."

"I didn't think any birds of prey were in the Tigerian territory."

"I think she's the only one," he replied.

"We're taking horses?"

Theron nodded. "Please go change and meet me in the stables."

Serenity bowed her head and let go of his arm. Theron grabbed her arm quickly and pulled her to his chest. She looked up at him with surprise. "Your Majesty?" she whispered as they were in a public corridor and anyone could walk by.

He tilted her chin up and peered longingly into her deep navy blue eyes. He looked as if he wanted to say something, but didn't. He leaned down and kissed her fully on the mouth. His tongue parted her lips as he kissed her more deeply. He held her strongly, close against his chest while brushing his fingers into her knotted curls. He pulled away slowly.

"Meet me in the stables," he said.

"Of course," Serenity smiled at him as she pulled out of his arms. She kept her eyes on him for a few moments as she walked away, before turning her back completely to him and disappearing down the corridor.