TCO: Chapter Eleven

As the warriors settled into their new temple home, there was little time for anything other than the preparation activities that accompanied the new training phase. Because of this, Gyan did not see much of Jalena within the next several weeks.

During this time, he learned that his teammates felt as overwhelmed as he did in response to their assigned studies. Outside their daily physical training routine, they were required to read through abundant amounts of material on the evolution of warrior philosophies and historical light warrior battles. As a result, the warriors spent many hours during the first couple of weeks buried beneath stacks of books in the temple library.

While absorbed in his studies, Gyan's questions only surpassed what he began the training phase with even though formal classes had not officially begun. The more he read, the more naïve he felt, realizing that although he was born a warrior, he did not really know much about being one.

"Do not allow your questions to haunt your mind, San Gyan," Sorda said one evening in an attempt to comfort him, "I heard that many warriors feel as you do at the beginning of san training."

Despite Sorda's reassurance that all curiosity would be satisfied, his words did little to relieve Gyan's frustration. The next morning, exhausted by his lack of mental order, Gyan had decided to abandon his studies and explore the temple grounds instead when a knock came on his and Aderes's room door. He opened it to find Jalena smiling at him.

"Hello, San Gyan…San Aderes," she said as she bowed.

Aderes, who was reading a script on legendary kingdom battles, looked up. "Master Jalena." He returned her greeting with a slight nod before returning to his script.

Gyan formally bowed, a mixture of surprise and delight on his face. "Master Jalena," he whispered.

"Going somewhere?" Jalena questioned, acknowledging the robes Gyan had just put on.

"Just outdoors," he replied with a shrug. "Was tired of thinking."

"Sounds like you have caught the curse of a san warrior," she teased. "Shall I come with you, or do you wish to be—"

"Yes," he interrupted. "I mean…yes, please join me."

Aderes smirked from behind Gyan without looking up.

Gyan closed his bedroom door, and he and Jalena set out across the temple grounds.

"You walk out here often?" Gyan asked as they entered a thick gathering of trees at the edge of the chinálei.

"Yes. Up ahead is the Grove of Amasu. It is an expansive growth of pograpaña and apala trees that assist in partially hiding the temple grounds, including the chinálei. It's very beautiful."

"Amasu?" Gyan asked. He could not place the term.

"It means 'love'," replied Jalena with a small smile. "The ascetas gave the grove the title years ago after they realized that a corner of the grove was a popular place for young lovers in the kingdom to escape the watchful eyes of parents. Don't worry, though. There are no spells of magic in the trees that cause people to fall in love, as some people believe of the Tran Ceiabré."

"I do not need magic for that," Gyan said quietly, more to himself than to her.

Jalena glanced at Gyan from the corner of her eye and slightly smiled but did not reply.

As they reached the edge of the grove, a small black cat came running toward Jalena, its loud purr seemingly much bigger than its body. Jalena laughed and jogged a couple of steps ahead to meet the cat. The cat leapt into her arms, and she buried her face in its fur.

"Eclipse," she murmured.

"A friend of yours?"

"My very best."

Jalena dropped beneath one of the pograpaña trees with the cat in her lap and stroked it between the ears. The cat closed its gold eyes and purred even louder.

"This is Eclipse. She is a Sheba and has been by my side since I was a young child. My father found her in Grey Forest when she was much younger. She was injured when he found her, and although he searched for many hours, he could not find her pack. It is reported that Shebas are endangered now, so Eclipse may be all that's left of her kind. She is getting old…but is, of course, still magnificent and beautiful," Jalena added, looking down at Eclipse, as if to make sure the cat heard her.

Eclipse stretched out lazily beside Jalena's leg and continued to purr as Gyan sat against another tree a couple of feet away, facing the two of them. Eclipse raised her head and stared at Gyan intently for several moments. Apparently, after determining he was of no importance, she laid her head back down between her paws and closed her eyes.

"I have never heard of a small cat that runs in a pack," Gyan said.

"Well, Shebas aren't really considered small."

This is large? Gyan thought.

Jalena laughed at the incredulous expression on Gyan's face. "I am not surprised you have not heard of them. There are not many who know what a Sheba is because they simply look like an ordinary cat to the normal eye. Most people who've heard of them believe them to be just part of myths or old war legends.

"Shebas are magical cats that have the ability to expand their size at will, increasing strength and endurance at any time. They usually don't expand, however, unless they are protecting something or hunting."

"You're serious?" Gyan still looked skeptical. "You've seen her expand?"

Jalena nodded. "I fell off the Blanderé into the sea waters when I was twelve years old. I was there with Shamira…without supervision of course." Jalena smirked at the memory. "Eclipse had followed me to the cliffs. According to Shamira, who had turned to run for help, Eclipse leapt from behind some trees nearby, expanded to full size in mid-air, raced to the edge of the cliff, and dove into the sea after me. My full ability as a warrior had not been triggered at the time. I tried to use my strength and grab one of the rocks on the way down, but it was too slick to get a grip. I was slammed into the side of the rocks and had lost consciousness by the time Eclipse reached me.

"I awoke on the beach to find her lying next to me, licking my face. My father had arrived about the same time. Eclipse, feeling that I was no longer in danger, reformed to her normal size before our eyes, meowing like a small kitten as she rubbed up against my father's leg. She has rarely left my side since, other than to hunt or when I go on assignments where I cannot take her.

"I try to time my leave for an assignment when she is asleep or hunting because she becomes restless and temperamental if she senses I am leaving her behind. She's frightened many of the ascetas by growling and baring her teeth at anyone who comes near her for a while after I am gone. The ascetas are afraid she will attack them, so they avoid her. She won't eat until I return either, so I always take her with me if I am required to be gone longer than a couple of days."

The Blanderé—or the Blades—were a set of sharp rocks that protruded from a span of cliffs along the Green Sea, a few miles east of the Temple of Kya. The area had received its title because the rocks looked like daggers shooting from the cliff wall. Although beautiful, the ocean tide remained high at the cliffs, causing many in the kingdom to avoid the area.

"She jumped off the cliffs?" Gyan asked, amazed at the thought.

"Yes. Immediately after I fell, according to Shamira."

"What does she look like when she expands? Just a larger version of what she looks like now?"

"Yes, just a very large, fierce black cat." Jalena scratched Eclipse's head gently.

Eclipse turned over and exposed her belly.

"Yes, very fierce," Gyan said as he eyed Eclipse.

Jalena laughed. "It is said that Shebas fought alongside heroes of old when there was a threat to the kingdoms, and they would only appear to warriors who were worthy of their company."

"Then it makes sense that you should have her."

"You do not know enough about my skills to assess that," said Jalena modestly.

He raised an eyebrow. "I've heard…but perhaps I am biased somewhat."

Jalena stared at Gyan in silence for several seconds and then looked down at Eclipse. "Besides, she did not come to me…my father found her."

"Yes," Gyan said quietly, "but she has stayed, and that makes you worthy enough."

Jalena smiled again and dropped her gaze.

Gyan willed himself to keep his distance but found himself suddenly having an overwhelming desire to kiss her.

A gust of cool wind blew across the grove, sending loose leaves floating down around them.

Jalena watched the leaves as the wind whipped her hair across her face. She quickly brought up a hand to catch her hair and moved to shift her knees underneath her at the same moment Gyan raised himself to readjust his robe, bringing his face within inches of hers.

She froze and drew in a sharp breath.

"Jalena…I—" Gyan started. He reached a hand to Jalena's face and brushed her hair from her temple.

Jalena held his stare for several seconds and Gyan leaned in. Jalena's breath caught as he moved closer. Her gaze dropped to his mouth. She did not pull away but lifted her hand softly, her fingers resting against his mouth. "Gyan, I…"

"What's the matter?" he breathed.

"I'm sorry," Jalena said quietly as she sat back on her heels and dropped her hand.

"I'm not."

"We should get back."

"Jalena—"

But she was already on her feet, walking out of the grove.

Eclipse stood and stretched her body lazily, yawning.

Gyan quickly stood, feeling torn between running after Jalena and giving her space.

Jalena turned to him, looking as conflicted as he felt. "I didn't mean to make it seem…sorry…I guess I'm trying to say that I just don't want anything to interfere with your training while we're at the temple…especially any feelings for me."

Gyan took her hand in his. "Do I smell like a dead alk?" he teased, attempting to ease her frustration and make up for his bold move that now seemed too impulsive.

"Of course not." Jalena sighed, relaxing a little. "Why would you say that?"

He shrugged. "Something Mili says." He took on an innocent look. "I could try again if you like?" He grinned and moved to pull her to him. "Please," he added.

Jalena laughed and pushed his arms lightly away. He followed her as she continued walking.

Gyan glanced sideways at her, his tone serious. "The way I see it, Jalena, is that my feelings for you could only enhance my ability, not interfere with it. I know you can tell how I feel."

Jalena stopped walking and fully turned toward him. "Perhaps an opportunity or right time to act will appear in the future."

"And how will I know when that time is?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You will know."

He nodded and grinned as the two entered the temple. "Fair enough."

***