The Love That Bloomed

Alaris was playing in the snow with a group of kids. They were laughing, jumping around and running after each other. They made snow angels and snowman and made a whole snowman family. Alaris didn’t know why but all the younger children liked him.

They looked up to him and they relied on him. Their fun time was soon cut short by the voice of a female who’s tone was serious. “Children it’s time to come now your mothers are asking for you and are worried so run along now.”

“As for you hybrid it’s time you left.” “The basket of food has been left at the same place as usual.” “The chief thanks you for the firewood.” Alaris nodded and said goodbye to the children. He turned around and started walking.

His face was soon filled with sadness. After some walking he arrived at the rock. He grabbed the basket of food and headed back to his cave. “I’m home.” Kali a snow bloom leopard greeted him. She purred and nuzzled her head on his chest. He smiled a little and pated her head.

Her young cubs come running excitedly and playful. Her partner Quiln bowed his head in respect. He then greeted Alaris in his own way. “Hey Kali hey Quiln.” “Sorry I know I took longer to come back today you must of been worried.” “Quiln your kids have grown strong and big you really are the king you know that.”

Alaris patted his head. He was more the silent type but you could tell he liked it by the way he closed his eyes and his body language. Kali sat down. “You need not worry young Alaris.” “We know you’ll always come back besides the bond we have allows us to know if you’re alive or not and how far away you are.”

“Did you get some food from the village.” Alaris started to sort out the food and what he was going to eat now.” “Yes what about you was the hunt good?” Quiln shook himself. “Yes it went well you need not worry about us young cub.” It was like this everyday. Alaris tried not to let it get to him but sometimes his emotions could not be held back.

But he was lucky to have Kali and her family. He raised Kali from a young cub after her mother was found dead due to an injury. He watched Kali grow and find love and even have her own family. He does feel lonely but not that lonely as he has her and her family to keep him company. They are loyal to one another.

Years passed and nothing changed. Even though he was allowed to play with the kids he was still a monster in the eyes of the village and was allowed to play for long. He was soon asked by the chieftain to stay away. They would provide food but he wasn’t allowed to go near the village or the villagers.

Alaris accepted this. After all this time nothing had changed he was an outcast whoever he was. Now grown up his heart was shut off. The young cubs were no longer young cubs. He was chasing after the whole pack when he saw lights and heard a lot of noise coming from the village. He forgot the deal and approached with the pack.

They was so much going on. It was so grand and seemed to be a celebration of some sort. Alaris did some more looking around. He found a small group enjoying the celebration in a more quieter area. There was a man dressed nicely another man dressed nicely and two women that look dignified. He kept his distance.

As he was about to head back he noticed that one of the leopards was missing. It was Carion. He could be seen slowly approaching the group his eyes fixated on the meat on the table. The lady notices him and screams. A guy standing next to one of the gentleman starts shooting fireballs at Carson. He gets hit with one and yelps. I quickly run over and jump in front of him.

I let the other fireball hit me but I do not get hurt. The man stops upon seeing me. A pattern forms on my face and glows blue. I open my mouth and blue fire shoots out and hits the mans shoulder. But he was ordered not to attack back. He stands up and I continue to stay in front of Carion. The noble looking man looks at me.

His eyes were filled with curiosity. “Stand down Lyro.” “Everyone else remain calm I will handle this situation.” He then looked back at Alaris. “It’s okay no ones gonna attack.” “Is your friend okay?” Are you okay?” “What’s your name?” “The rest of the pack come running but I stop them from getting any closer using the stop hand gesture. The other people looked at the direction he was looking at.

The women gossip and were frightened. I pick up Carion and signal for the others to run. I then start running to before the group could make another move or get another word out. The man looked in the direction that Alaris had run off in. He was both intrigued and sad at the same time. He had him and his friends head back to the village.

He told his friends to wait whilst he went to talk to the chieftain. Back at the cave Alaris was tending to Carion’s wounds with a herbal mixture he had made some days ago for himself. “You will be okay just rest okay Carion. Alaris exited the room. Kali and Quiln were waiting. Kali was anxious. “Is he going to be okay Alaris?”

“Don’t worry he will be fine.” Deep down Alaris knew he wouldn’t. Without a potion that was useful for whatever fire spell was used Carion would soon be on deaths door. The herbal remedy only eased the pain. “You can go and sit with him I’m going out for a moment to get some fresh air. Alaris left them and stood outside the cave entrance wondering what to do.”

”He was banned from the village but the only person that could help Carion was inside. He was struggling to decide what to do. Back at the Village the chieftain was sitting with the man. “What can I help you with your majesty?” The man now addressed as a noble thought for some moment. “I encountered a wild looking man with what I believe to be a snow ligom leopard.”

The chieftains facial expression changed. The noble man could tell she knew something. “Who is he?” The chieftain closed her eyes and sighed. “He’s a hybrid.” “We provid him with food for firewood.” “He’s been here for the last 16 years.” “We found him at the age of 2 or 3.” “We took care of him for a while but I must admit we kicked him out when he turned about 7.”

“The other women started complaining.” They were unsettled with an unknown hybrid playing with their kids.” “Especially after an accident that was not the boys fault.” “But alas I had my duties as the protector of the village but the boy chose to leave on his own accord.” “My guess is that he probably overheard the meetings and the conversation that took place and felt bad.”

“But I was not willing to entirely abandon the boy so I provided him with food and allowed him a certain amount of time to play with the kids who’s parents had no issue with but then when he turned 10 the fathers weren’t okay with their children playing with him and well as a woman you know how it is so I had no choice but to give in.”

“I’m old and in no state to fight with healthy warrior men in their prime.” “But I still provide him with food for firewood that is the deal he chose as he wanted to repay me for not turning my back on him completely.” “I just wish I could do more for him.” The nobleman listened intently to what she was saying sucking it all in. “Hmm sounds like he had it rough.”

What about that pack of leopards.” “Snow bloom and snow lightening leopards are known for being aggressive and hostile and territorial.” “No one is able to come close and they are powerful creatures and hard to come by.” “Not even tamers are able to make contracts with them not even pros.”

The chieftain smiled. “Yes I know even trying to raise them from young has not worked they have always turned on those who cared for them.” “But I guess he is special.” “He raised the older female since she was a pup after finding her next to her mothers corpse.” “That is what he told me.”

“He has watched her grow and as for the rest I do not know.” “Why are you so interested in him.” The nobleman looked at the woman. “I do not know.” “I just find him to be unique and intriguing.” “He also doesn’t look like he belongs here.” “Where can I found this cave.” The chieftain’s eyes opened wide.”

“I’m not sure why you would want to find him but if you harbour no ill intentions and are serious in finding him then you can find the cave near the Clarece Crystal Lake just a few clicks east from there.” “But I warn you your majesty that he is not to be trifled with.”

I can see his aura and sense his power and he is strong and way more powerful than you.” “And as for those leopards just one is enough to destroy and army but a pack.” “They are loyal and would protect that boy until the bitter end.” “Proceed with caution and choose your words carefully.” He nods.

He assures her that he will and that once he has found the boy he will depart for home is he said his goodbyes ad headed back to the group and informed them of what he planned to do. “Are you crazy?” “You really plan to take him to the palace.” The noblewoman didn’t seem pleased. “I’m sure.”

“Go and wait on the boat I will join you shortly and it is best I go alone so you need not come with me Lyro.” “Your appearance may only aggravate them.” “And I need that vial that helps with healing your fire spell.” Reluctantly Lyro hands him the vial.

He follows the map to the lake and then heads east. He sees the cave and someone standing outside it. He approaches slowly and realises who the figure was. “Ahem.” “I do not mean to disturb you or startle you but

I came here to ask you something with a peace offering.

“But before I ask are you okay?” “I saw you get hurt.” “What about the animal?” “I mean your friend?” He holds out his hand which held a white vial.”It is for your friend to help with the fire spell wound.” “I promise I harbour no ill intentions.”

“I’m sorry about your friend see we know those animals to be of a different nature and my bodyguard was just doing his duty.” Alaris looked at him and then at the vial. He was hesitant and distrusting. He looked back into the cave and then at the man.

He took the vial and rushed into the cave and applied the medic to Carion’s wounds. The nobleman waited outside the cave whilst Kali and Quiln stood guard patrolling up and down keeping their eyes on him. After some time Alaris emerges. “Seems like whatever you gave me worked.”

“But it doesn’t mean I trust you and I am only talking to you as a way to communicate.” He turns around. “Kali, Quiln it’s okay I will be fine but if he tries anything permission to attack.” “Now go check on Carion he should wake up soon.” Kali growls and bare her fangs but follows Quiln reluctantly.”

Alaris walks past the nobleman. “What is it that you want?” “After all my cave is quite a distance from the Village.” The nobleman turns his body to face him. “I came to ask if you wanted out of this place.” “If you wanted to see what the world had to offer.”

“To see what was beyond the icebergs and the snow and the blizzards and the cold temperatures.” “To see what was beyond the ocean view.” Alaris’ ears perked up. “What do you want in return?” “Nothing is free?” “What is your agenda.”

“Let me guess the village no longer even wants me on the island is that it?” “So you thought you would be there so called saviour and think you was doing something nice by dragging me to fuck knows where?” The nobleman soon saw what the chieftain meant. “No not at all just calm down.”

“You have it all wrong and no I do not want anything in return I do this out of my own interest.” “So what do you say?” “You can bring your friends to they are more than welcome to follow.” Alaris thought long and hard.”I need to talk with them first.” Alaris walked off into the cave and talked to the pack. He valued their thoughts and opinions.

After a long conversation and some careful consideration he emerged out of the cave with all of them.”Fine I will go with but only because they want me to see the world as much as they want to see it.” “If they weren’t allowed to come with I would have out right said no.”

There would have been no hesitation or even a single need to think about it.” The nobleman nodded his head as a way to acknowledge what he said. “Okay then I suggest you hurry and pack whatever you wish to bring with but make sure it is easy to carry as the ship is set to leave soon and we don’t want to miss it otherwise we will be in a bit of a situation.”

This however was not the case. The ship was meant to leave over an hour or so ago but could not leave unless the nobleman was on board. So in reality they did not have to rush but there was a schedule and it was already delayed by some time. The nobleman also felt bad as he was sure that the captain and the crew had other stuff to do and family waiting for them and worried as the ship doesn’t delay schedule quite often.

Alaris headed inside quickly and came out with a box. “I am ready.” The nobleman nods and turns around. All of them head in the direction of the port. After a long walk the huge ship was within view. The caption was waiting to greet him back and wait commands. Some passengers and crew became scared immediately after seeing the animals but the caption reassured them and had the passengers settle in and the crew to get back to work.

The captain trusted that his highness wouldn’t bring such dangerous animals on board unless he knew someone that would be able to keep them in line and ensure the safety of everyone onboard the ship. “We are ready to set sail what about you.”

The guard had already informed the captain and the crew to not address his royal highness in such a matter as he did not want the guy he was bringing with him to know. Well at least not just yet anyways. Everyone collected themselves and headed to their position. “Alaris settled into his room with his family. He took this chance to sleep