Using the hunting knife he carefully cut
away several of the buds, placing them in his pouch. He was tempted to
put the last in his mouth, but something warned him off. Not until I am
free of this place, he thought, and the tiger seemed to understand.
Together they withdrew, to ride the dragon's wing.
*
The four of them stood again on the ledge, the cub jumping playfully at
the tiger's face. Avatar patiently eluded the mock biting, and
pushed her away with softened claws. Like Akar before him, he too found
it hard to leave them, and still harder to expression the affection and
gratitude he felt.
Retrieving the cub, Kalus knelt directly in front of him and gently,
cautiously stroked the great head. 'Don't worry,' he said.
'I understand your silence better than many who can speak. I know
you have to leave. And I'm proud, so very proud that I could help
you, and be a part of your life. I will never forget you.' He put his
face against its shoulder, and let a few tears pass. 'It's the
way of it, my friend. But wherever you go, a part of me will always
follow.'
The tiger stood still, confused, but he did not pull away. Again their
eyes met, and in that moment it seemed that the two worlds, animal and
man, could truly touch. The tiger pulled back slowly.
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