Chaspar nodded and ran to his chamber.  First, he quickly cleaned himself, he had no time to lose. He had a mission! It did not take him long to find his Leopard-style Scale Mail. And his shield. Chaspar inspected it, Looking at it and holding it close, the large round ornate shield with snakes on it was a gift from Mom for his successes in training. Hand-painted by one of the finest shield Makers in the Land. The snakes were said to make it easier to carry. His scale armor was just impressive as all armor, by the finest Leopard Armor Smith in Kaetar. Well ornamented with Ironwood and some Bronze, An armor fit for a King.  A gift from Father for his fifteenth Life Day, or at least, the day they thought was his Life Day. This armor meant a great deal to him. As did the shield. Chaspar next inspected the Keatarsham that thanks to his brother, he had regained. It was a pretty standard Keatarsham, only mildy engraved in the handle, but its blade was fantasticly engraved, a bolt of lightning, from tip to handguard At Chaspars request. Chaspar was so focused on the task ahead and his weapons and armor, that he had not noticed Niagal enter the room. Niagal carefully touched the shoulder of his mentee.

“I will join you. Chaspar.” He said as Chaspar looked over his shoulder. Niagal Smiled. The look in his eyes showed that, no matter what Chaspar would say, Niagal would not be deterred. He assisted Chaspar with the many belts his armor had. Then slapped him on the shoulder. The sign that he was ready to go. Chaspar now had time to inspect Niagal his armor, assisting in adjusting the belts and plates. While the two had spent many an hour outside training over the past years, this was the first time that he could remember he saw the Jaguar, who had no score more than twenty years on him, in full wargear.   it was ornate, bronze with Iron, The scale and chain was standard for a Jaguar, Chaspar prevered the Slightly lighter Scale without Chain. For price mattered little to the rich family. Niagal his armor was also   supported by Ironwood figures and ornaments, both beautiful and functional. For Ironwood was almost as tough as iron, but as shapable as wood. When they both were secured in their respective armor, the two made their way toward the main hall. 

Niagal entered first. Chaspar swallowed visually. The hall showed Tiaga in his full battle armor, a mighty plated iron with ironwood ornaments and markings that Chaspar had no idea what they meant. He looked at Niagal.

“Afraid?” Niagal grinned.

A knot in his stomach. Yes! Chaspar was Afraid! Yet, Niagal had trained him well. And he was coming too. Chaspar shook his head.
“Never” Chaspar said, Niagal eyed him over and grinned.
“Liar, take a deep breath, my friend.” Niagal slapped Chaspar on his shoulder. Chaspar swallowed again and nodded, his claws relaxing and tensing, uncontrolled.
Chaspar and Niagal made their way into the room where a group of guards had prepared themselves for their coming task. 

Tiaga Beckonned the two over to the table. “Archet has told me you were lost in the old district.” He pointed at a spot on the map table “We will escort his majesty to this place. where he will show us the correct building.”

Chaspar nodded. Easy. He could do that.

“There he will wait outside. As we comb the building.” Tiaga continued.

The Knot in Chaspars stomach tightened. Wait outside? He had killed the beast!  He could do this! 

“Wait… Wait outside?” Chaspar started.

Tiaga nodded. “You have seen your share of action this day, boy. Let us handle this.”

“I will follow you in! I will see my people secure” Chaspar looked around the guard. In their eyes, he saw respect for this choice, but their smiles told him they believed him unprepared.

“My lord. If something were to happen to you, your father will have all our heads, we can not watch our backs and yours at the same time in a building.”Tiaga answered, clearly wanting to focus on the briefing.

“But, It is my fau…..”

“You found the beings, you killed one, and you alerted us. Your task in this is done when you show us the place .” Niagal interrupted Chaspar his hand on his shoulder. Chaspar calmed down, if only slightly his ears drooped he watched  Tiaga Nod.  ‘Let us go.” The mumbling started as the party prepared. Niagal Grabbed Chaspar’s shoulder and pulled him to a side.

“You should not go against Tiaga, my prince. He wishes not but the best on you. And as the leader of this mission, you should not question your commander. ”

“But this is my fight Niagal! This is my fault!” Chaspar started.

Niagal Shook his head “Non are at fault! see it differently, had you not fallen into the building. we would perhaps be surprised and overrun!”

“What if we are already too late and I lead these men into a trap! What if they need my blade and I am not present!”

“That would then be the burden of choice and leadership. sacrifices are made!” Niagal responded.

“But the burden of choice was taken from me! ”

Niagal fell silent. Chaspar made his point, but it would not matter.

“Do you understand me,  i advice against doubting the experiened Tiaga.?” Niagal stated calmly.

Chaspar nodded. he had. And in this case, he didnt have a choice either, Chaspar crossed his arms, growled and his left ear drooped down before he followed Niagal outside.

Tiaga had collected the party and the short march to the building had begun.

Outside, after perhaps a minute of silence, Tiaga jabbed his elbow into Chaspar's side on the walk through town.

“You are brave, Boy.” Tiaga smiled.

Chaspar swallowed. Being called brave by a Tiger or Lion is a big compliment. “I have had a good example over the years. You and Niagal are great to have around” Chaspar looked up, Tiaga was nearly a full head larger than him. Tiaga seemed to gleam at the compliment, his wiskers brimming.

“I swear to you, young Chaspar. No harm will ever fall to you or your family as long as I walk this plain. For this reason, and the simple reason that you are still so young, you must wait outside.” Taga  continued seriously, a fatherly tone in his voice “I beg of you to wait outside.”

Chaspar looked into Tiaga’s serious eyes, his eyes didnt lie. Tiaga was really afraid something would happen to him.

“Are they really that dangerous?” Chaspar asked, his shoulders low, eyes to the ground.

Tiaga Nodded. “ The day you were brought to us I took twenty of our finest Tigers into Ext Forrest on orders from your father to clean it.  In secret, I also wanted to find out what had happened to your family's caravan. I had as secret hope that I would be able to save some of your belongings,.’ Tiaga was silent for a second. ‘I lost fifteen tigers and failed. It was the day I learned about how Dangerous the Kori really are. My boy, you may be ready, but what if you are not?” Tiaga looked at him kindly.

Chaspar looked to the ground as the words sank in. 

“Your father would have my head.” Tiaga his hand rested on the Prince his shoulder.

Chaspar nodded. he looked at  Niagal for support. Who did nothing but nod before speaking up.

“He would have all our heads.” Niagal called.

“If we survive.” A fellow Jaguar guard joked. 

Non of these jokes were actually helping Chasper his nerves, nor his feeling of being left out, perhaps even being treated as a child. But He would not challenge Tiaga never again.

As the party approached the Great Tower, an ancient temple no longer in use, the party unsheated their weapons and went over the plan once more.

Tiaga started. “We have arrived, we will comb this building, all of you will be paired, I will go alone.”

Chaspar nearly had forgotten he would not go against Tiaga again, he opened his mouth in protest, but Tiaga looked at him, so he was silenced long before speaking, he closed his mouth and looked at the other Cats each looking straight at Tiaga whom kept their attention. Yet the look in their eyes showed the same worry, Alone?

“I carry twenty score years of experience more on most of you. Aswell as five campaigns on my name, I will be more then fine my friends. Stick to the plan and we will clear this building.”  Tiaga grinned, trying to calm their nerves best he can.

Mumbling and agreements were heard all around the pack. They were buddying up, and Chaspar was prepaired to wait outside. He took a deep breath. He was their prince afterall, and these men were about to give their lives maybe to protect his people. He would give a speech!

“Tiaga. Niagal, Everyone.”He started. As the eyes of the party turned on him for the first time as a full focus point, curious looks met him. Chaspar’s heart sank. “I..euhm..” He refound his posture and stood upright, tail calmly on the ground.

“Gentlemen, As Prince of this proud nation you are about to protect. I wish to thank you, and I demand you are carefull ,and you all return here when your deeds are done.” Chaspar tried to keep his calm. yet most of the Jaguars gleamed \appreciativly, their tails moving slowly,  yet hiding chuckles,. Tiaga and Niagal both nodded.

“As is your command, my prince.”Niagal called out.

“We have the prince his orders, Cats. Advance.”Tiaga drew his sword and kicked in the front door. The cats stormed in weapons drawn. And Chaspar was left outside. 

Minutes had passed, and Chaspar was seated on the edge of the stairs inspecting his sword. Contemplating why he did indeed decide to stay outside,

Am I an idiot not just going in? Was i tested and failed? Was I...

When a sound in the ally on his left alerted him he shot up  kaetarsham raised above his head his tail whipping left ot right the claws on his feet ready for a fight. Focussing his powerful hearing and sight on the alley. He had heard a sound, he was sure of it. Over the past few minutes, interested civilians had collected to find out what was going on, why he was outside and his men inside. But now, perhaps, a threat to these people was near. Chaspar looked up as a lynxian guard joined him. He had come to oversee the group gathering, he lowered his spear and followed the alerted prince. It calmed Chaspar, for if this was a Kori, at least he would not face it alone this time.

Entering the Ally way, it was dark. But not too dark. The pair of Cats slowly continued

“What are we looking for my Lord?” The Guard asked. Chaspar was unsure, he hoped it was but an animal, for if it was a Kori, it would mean they were outside.

“I’m not sure…” Chaspar began..

"AAh, a monster!" Chaspar turend to the guard as he yelledThe guard was most definitely being  attacked! A larger kori, larger than the one Chaspar had fought earlier, was towering over the guard! It was a BonKori! The tales were indeed true! The Guard roared as he reacted, stabbing at the large beast with his ironwood spear. To hardly an effect, the massively large Bon lifted its sharp claw and dropped it towards the guard, who deftly dodged. Chaspar joined the fray hacking at the creature, momentum at their side, the lynxian managed to push away from the Kori, Distance being in his favor  with his long spear, Leaving Chaspar in front, Well armored and trained, and this time, prepared, Chaspar stood his ground, Confident in the support of the guard.

“The Prince is under attack! Call for help!” The Guard called out to the people on the other side of the alley. the Large Kori seemed to have grabbed a large piece of wood. Eager to smash Chaspar to pulp. It struck at him, Chaspar quickly raised his shield to deflect, the massive hit on his shield forced Chaspar to the left, straight into the free claw of the BonKori, Lifted of the ground Chaspar tried with all his might to scratch at the beast using his legs as he did before, flailing wildly untill he made contact, it hardly seemed to deter the creature, as it now had hold of its meal. Chaspar looked at the guard, and down the alleyway where  a group of very angry civilians and two more guards were  making their way to assist.  Chaspar breathed a sigh of relief, remembering a lesson of old, taught by his father.

“In our kingdom All are trained to defend themselves, War is in our culture. Everyone can fight, Though, of course, some are better than others. But we can rely on our people to put up a fight if required. Martial sports and games are part of our culture!”

Chaspar focussed on the Kori again, Chaspar grined, even if the thing itself was unphased. Perhaps the tales of the demons being fear and emotionless were true too? The Lynx Guard roared as he stabbed the claw of the creature, it bellowed and let Chaspar fall to the ground,  hitting the ground feet first and with the grae of a cat Chaspar kept his footing, he shot forward and slashed the belly of the thing. By now the other guards had joined up, the civillians had all grabbed ironwood weapons, be it axe, hammers or tools.

“Away with this thing!”

‘Death to the Demon!”

“Stay back! I don't want anyone hurt!” Chaspar yelled, the guards nodded and tried to halt the other cats ,but to no avail, the kaetar mod charged at the massive monster demon, and the Fight had turned into the favor of the Cats, for now, the mob of cats, Two of who carried long spears, had the advantage, Chaspar however, was the priority target of the large demon. Looking like a packed lunch in his armors. Striking at him again with the large wooden item, he missed this time. The guards capitalized on the movement and took a stab at the thing while the crowd had began smashing their weapons into any piece of the monster they could, quickly overwhelming the monster.

“You got him! Bring down the beast my Lord!” Yelling from the crowds.

“Chaspar!” 

Chaspar looked up into the face of Niagal,even at this distance, Chaspar saw the worry. “Hold on! We’re coming!” Niagal'sface retreated back into the tower. By the look of it he was near the top floor. It would be a few minutes before the Jaguar would be downstairs. Chaspar refocused on the fight at hand. He would kill the thing before Niagal arrived. Roaring, Chaspar charged, followed by the guards. Chaspar evaded the monsters claw this time, and dodged under the wooden piece. one of the guards was less lucky and got hit  by makeshift club, launched against the building and immediatly stopped moving. No time to worry, Chaspar told himself, as he jumped up against the arm of the beast, stabbing his sword through the armpit. The guard who was left stabbed the monster in its throat.

“Hold it there!” Chaspar yelled as he jumped on to the spear. His agility a boon, he managed to hang from it, Stabbing his Keatarsham through the creature's neck and slashing out of it with all his force. The beast gurgled and fell, launching Chaspar from the spear. Falling on top of the dead demon, Chaspar quickly scurried off it and back on his feet. The Beast was slain. Chaspar laughed! They had done it!

“We did it! It was a team effort and we did it,” He yelled as he hugged the guard who had helped him. The other guard, he then saw, was being tended to. He would be alright. 

“Make way, make way for the Prince Guard!” Niagal yelled, followed by two other jaguars he quickly grabbed Chaspar by his shoulders. Chaspar’s victorious smile would not fade.

“Are you well?”Niagal commanded to know. Chaspar nodded. 

“I thought you had understood your orders to remain in front of the tower on the main street?”

“I  was ordered to remain outside. And I am.” Chaspar said “But then I heard an alarming noise comming from here,and with my people around, I could not take the risk. So I went in to check, quickly followed by that now wounded guard. if it were not for these brave guard and the support from my people, this situation may have gotten worse!”

Niagal nodded and looked at the dead BonKori. “I am glad you are oke.”

“I am glad none have died.”Chaspar remarked. “How goes the cleaning?” 

“We are nearly done my lord.”Another Jaguar called. Chaspar had found respect. Aswell as a little confidence. “We will enter the tower and clean it out in full." Chaspar ordered.

“My lord, your orders we…” Niagal started.

“My orders were to stay outside, yes. But your orders were to come back in one piece. Where are the others? Where is Tiaga?” 

“Still inside my lord.” Niagal started, he almost seemed proud to Chaspar. Chaspar was taking command.

“Clean the tower. I will find Tiaga.”

Entering the tower, Chaspar ran up the floors, calling for the bodyguard. 

“Tiaga?” 

Where could he have gone? Chaspar wondered. he wandered the halls until finally he found him coming up from a stairs. Tiaga looked scared, and puzzled.

‘Tiaga, are you well?” Chaspar asked, the worry was apparent.

Tiaga did not respond at first. he just looked at him. Chaspar was worried, something had happened, for sure.

Tiaga looked at Chaspar, the worry was visible in the boy’s  eyes. Tiaga nodded.

“I am well, there.. There is nothing down there. I… I thought I had commanded you to remain outside?” Tiaga said. Chaspar did not believe him, and he went downstairs.

Downstairs, he found absolutely nothing, it was an empty room.

“What could have been here, that left the mighty tiger so phased?” Chaspar asked himself. Looking around the room. There was nothing but dust and some..ashes?

“Ashes?”Chaspar wondered. “What was this from?”

Chaspar could not spend more time here, He had a mission. and perhaps a full sweep of the Old District would be required considering his finding of a Kori outside. He went back upstairs. Where the entire pack had gathered.

“Is the building clear?” he asked. The Jaguars responded yes. There were no more signs of Kori, however, two more had been slain in the tower.

“Tiaga, we should return to father and bring the report.” Chaspar started. Tiaga was not paying attention. “Tiaga?”

Tiaga snapped out of his thoughts and turned to his Prince. “My lord? Forgive me, I... I was in thought. I suggest we return to your father and give a report.”

“Yes, I just advised the same. Are you oke?” Chaspar questioned.

The group then began their short travel back to the Keep where Chard was sitting on his throne, flanked by Archet and Mother. Who all seemed very pleased to see everyone  return. Chard got up and his mother stormed at Chaspar

“Are you oke?”

 Chaspar hugged his Mother and nodded “Yes we did very well.”

Chard nodded. He liked the sound of did very well.

“Cats, What happened, are the Kori dead? my Guard, my Son, speak.”

Chaspar straightened his back with his newfound confidence. “Father, I fear I have to report that I ran into a BonKori outside the tower. While following the orders given by Tiaga, which were for me to remain outside, where hopefully no harm would befall me. It was lucky I had been outside indeed for a Bon Kori was in a nearby alleyway, where guard and civilians were present. three guards, of who two aided me in killing the beast. One is hurt, but I have been assured he will make it. This much I know. Father.”

Chard nodded. And seemed proud, his son had killed a massive demon.

“Well done my son.”He then turned to Tiaga “ Report on the tower?”

Tiaga straightened up as well. “The tower itself at first glance appeared clear. As we moved around in groups of two, it became apparent that the Kori were either not there, or well hidden. In the end. these fine Cats managed to find and slay two Kori in the tower. No more were found. However, with Chaspars report now for the first time befalling my ears, I suggest we turn the whole of the Old District upside down. and search through it all. a BonKori outside would mean they have been around for some time, my King.”

Chard nodded, as he sat down. 

“A full sweep would require manpower, volunteers and might lead to panic.”

Tiaga nodded “not sweeping old district and allowing Kori to breed will lead to more panic.”

Chard folded his hands, watching  as Chaspar joined his brother on his left. 

Chard sighed  “We have no choice. The Old District must be cleansed.” He looked over at Archet. “My Son, You are the oldest. You are entrusted with this task. Collect the men you need and clear out the old District.”

Archet bowed, “At once father. I will collect my wargear and protect the city to my last breath. This I fow.”

Chard nodded, he knew this, Chaspar knew this. yet, he hoped to see his brother again soon.

Chaspar Spoke up softly to his father. “Father,” He started as his father leaned in his way with kind eyes. “I would like to request leave for this meeting, This armor is getting hot, and I would like to take a bath.” Chard nodded and chuckled. Waving Chaspar off.

“Take care of yourselves, my Sons. I wish to see you all again in due time.”

Both Archet and Chaspar nodded, they locked eyes the confidence in Archet’s eyes calmed Chaspar. He would be alright.