Hegemony

The cool granite halls had never been as magical for Aria as they were for the others. The boys had been selected from surrounding villages for training while she had roamed the halls since she could remember. Aria sat astride a massive white tiger simply referred to as Mama, her smooth gait as she padded down the heavily tapestried hall a small comfort to Aria’s aching body. Even though she was a head and shoulders shorter than all the boys in her age group she still had to spar with them. Hard smelling medicines that made Mama sneeze were smeared over various scrapes and cuts that, in a few days, would lighten to match the dozens of others.

Aria buried her hands in Mama’s thick scruff, she always smelled of icy wind and water. The scent sharpened with her anger and a vicious growl rumbled through her. Aria raised her head but unlike in the sparring room had no fear of whoever approached. While the boys ganged up on her with the instructors watching, they wouldn’t come within reach of Mama’s long fangs and claws. A speckled snow owl clacked its beak in an empty return threat and the boy continued past stepping lightly.

Muko, Aria’s other familiar, was a kitten still to match her age. His hissing growl came from under Mama’s stomach. No familiars were allowed in the sparring room but he felt each of Aria’s aches the same she felt his hollow hunger and Mama’s growing discontentment with her cub’s daily injuries.

Getting to the food hall meant passing the Master’s room, the leader of the Siisna warriors. Mama paused, still a foot from being seen in the doorway, her tufted ears pricked forward. Aria raised her head and listened with Mama’s keen ears. The Master and Tifu, one of her instructors, were arguing.

“Master, how can you consider this?” Tifu asked. His voice was level but outrage warmed his words. “Falon is a much better choice for your apprentice. He excels in weaponry and tactics. The others in his group respect him.”

“I am well aware of Falon’s talent.” Master responded. He seemed calm enough but Aria heard Mama’s amused voice irritated. The word came as a picture of a tiger with flattened ears and flashing fangs. Muko imitated the picture and Aria agreed. Food was more important than Master and Tifu arguing. Mama ignored them and continued listening.

“No woman has ever led the Siisna, none want to follow a woman.” Tifu’s anger scorched each word.

“Things are changing. Before, Falon would have been an excellent choice but the clans do not war as they used to. Peace is creeping in to this land and the time has finally come for a leader who will speak with our neighboring clans before raise a sword to them.”

“You will make this clan weak to appease the other clans?” Tifu hissed. All irritation dropped from Master’s voice and when he spoke there was only the ice that now surrounded and buried their stronghold. “You will do well to remember that changes in tradition keep me from ending you now as my Master before me would have.”

Tifu stuttered out part of an apology and Mama’s irritation with him was touched with disgust. Tigers did not grovel. Should a wrong be done a swift punishment and apology were exchanged and nothing more.

“I have made my decision. Get out.” Master dismissed without acknowledging any of Tifu’s rambling apologies. The instructor backed out of the room, his scrappy fox missing part of his left ear was at his side. Both jumped when they saw Mama. Aria hid a giggle in Mama’s scruff when they left the hall as quickly as their dignity allowed.

“Aria, you can come in now.” Master called. Aria’s head jerked up and she pressed herself tighter against Mama’s back. Even Muko was wary of entering and he chased bears for fun. Mama stepped forward with confidence and despite Aria’s unease she was confident the tigress could protect her from Master’s wrath.

The only sign of Master’s age was the grey muzzle of his wolf who lay next to him as he sat in a high backed chair. Master smiled warmly at her, “I’m not going to scold.” He promised. Aria sat up on Mama’s back trying to hide the pain from her stiff bruises as she did. The room was decorated simply with a few tapestries to keep the draft out and a rug for his wolf to lie on. The clan’s crest, a lithe tiger, was pressed into the wall behind Master.

“You are quite special Aria.” Master said. Aria stayed quiet but watched him with her and Mama’s senses. Master reached down and rubbed his wolf’s ears, “Tifu is an excellent warrior, but would do well to remember our clan’s beginnings. The first Master of the Siisna was Reina, our Goddess.”

Aria forgot her pain as she listened, none of this seemed like news to Mama as she groomed her paw while Master spoke.

“She came to the village as a young woman astride a fierce sapphire eyed tigress.” He waved toward the wall behind him, “She called on the brave to fight against other invading clans and that is how we came in to being.” He cocked his head to the side, much like a wolf puzzling over something. “It was a fierce woman who led us into battle and I believe it will be another who leads us into peace.” His head straightened as though he solved the riddle. “Traditionalists like Tifu aren’t going to like it, but I will take you as my apprentice. You were found in the snow, protected by a tigress for a reason. The Goddess is ready for the bloodshed to end and so it shall.”

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A/N: Yeah! 972 words, I was convinced I would be a hundred over but I contained myself. This is my first attempt at an original fiction on here so any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated. And, for all of us doing NaNo this month, happy writing and may the Muses smile upon you!