Tale of the Shannara: Part 2
"Come, come now Katanya. Back to your lessons," said Rondel Silverblade. It
was his duty to train Tunare's guardians, but he always had trouble with this
one. "What potential Tunare see's in this kitten I'll never know," he mumbled
under his breath as Katanya returned to her place under the tree.
Tunare watched from a distance; she always did.
"M'lady, if you please," Jaysen Lightbringer spoke softly, interrupting
Tunare's memories. "M'lady we need to finish planning your trip," he said as he
bowed slightly, pointing back toward the council.
"Hmm? Oh, yes," Tunare said as she turned to walk back to the meeting.
"Are you well m'lady?" Jaysen asked as he saw the mixed emotions wash over
Tunare's face.
"Yes m'lord. I am fine, thank you." Tunare looked back at the training below
just in time to see the young tiger rip open her training dummy with one swift
swipe of her claws. Shivering, she returned to the others.
"Haha. Good shot my boy. You're getting better everyday," Raynor Fleetbow
said to his young pupil.
"Did you hear something sir?" Lelfian questioned as he paused to remove his
arrow from the target.
"No, I don't thi..."
The elder ranger jumped as Katanya leaped down from the tree next to him.
"Curse you, you rogue of a cat," Raynor laughed as he dusted himself off.
"Good day to thee miss Katanya," Lelfian said with a smile.
"I see you've been spying on us again Katanya. Were you mortal I think you'd
make a fine ranger, if you'd only quit acting like such a cur," Raynor laughed
at Katanya.
Katanya growled at Raynor.
"I've no time to play now Katanya, there's simply too much to be done. Maybe
tomorrow."
The two rangers gathered their things and Katanya wandered off into the
trees.
"She's gotten strong, hasn't she m'lady?" Rondel asked rhetorically as Tunare
watched the cats training in the courtyard.
Never removing her gaze from the vision below, Tunare answered meekly back,
"Yes."
"You still fear her, don't you m'lady?" Galadorn Lifetouch cautiously
questioned.
"I don't see why, it all happened so long ago. I doubt there's any way she
could remember," Ashton Windrunner interjected. "Our lady has nothing to fear."
Galadorn stepped forward, "Perhaps you have not seen the way she looks at the
Teir'Dal. Let us not forget that their blood runs through her veins."
"Do not label her a traitor so quickly," Rondel huffed, stepping away from
the window. "She is one of our greatest assets...a strong fighter and quick
learner...and it was she that trained Tunare's new protectors."
"But she's cagey. She's always following us on trips, and I could swear she's
been listening in on our council meetings somehow...How else would she know when
we leave?" Galadorn paced while he spoke, his eyes fixed to the ground while he
was lost in thought.
"Why are you both so afraid of an animal?" Ashton scoffed. "She can't even
talk, and yet you speak of her as though she were mortal."
Tunare turned from the window, placing her hand on her forehead, "Gentlemen
please." The men turned to face Tunare. Tunare waved the men away, "Please go, I
must think...alone."
The men bowed gracefully before Tunare and walked out of the room. The
argument had obviously upset her...
"You all are my most trusted followers. I have summoned you all here because
I have made a decision that will effect you all." Tunare paused, taking a deep
breath as her memories rushed back to her. "A long time ago I allowed innocent
creatures to be massacred because of ignorance. I let my children die, and I
will never forget that."
The room was quiet and still as they listened to Tunare. She was visibly
shaken by the memories of this forgotten time. None of them really knew why they
had been called here, but they sat patiently knowing Tunare would eventually
reveal her intentions.
"A being was born from that tragedy...born from hate and fear...born with a
need for revenge and rebirth. I took her under my wing. I needed to show her the
compassion and love I had not shown the creatures that died. I thought I could
ease her pain by bringing her here. I thought I could make her forget," Tunare
sighed.
A paladin stood up. "Pardon me m'lady, but I'm afraid we don't know of the
events you speak of, nor of this mysterious creature." The paladin looked around
at his comrades, receiving small nods of agreement from some, and then took his
seat.
"Has it been so long?" Tunare thought to herself.
Raynor Fleetbow stepped close to Tunare. "Perhaps you should just tell them
the plan m'lady," he whispered.
Tunare closed her eyes and sighed once again. She nodded at Raynor and took
a step forward. "I fear this child is not happy here, and the longer she is near
me and close to her true form, the more I think she remembers. This is why I
have decided I must give her a new life."
The audience looked around at each other puzzled. Who is this creature?
Why does Tunare fear her so?
"After talking with my council, I have decided the best place for her is with
the rangers of Kelethin."
A druid now rose to his feet. "M'lady, I don't mean to be rude, but who do
you speak of, or what do you wish us to know her as?"
Tunare thought to herself, "I should let her keep her name. There's no
harm in that. None of them know of her creation, and I'm sure this meeting will
also be forgotten. Oh, but she will need a surname...something noble...she
deserves that much..."
"M'lady?" the druid questioned as Tunare stared off into the distance.
"Katanya. Katanya Shannara is her name. Treat her as you would any of my
children. Protect her and guide her through her life on Norrath."