Chapter Six: Training Boys

Celi winced as she shifted position, her calves aching from holding a crouch much to long for her liking. If Aleya or Keyi had any problems then they both were doing a good job at hiding the discomfort. The golden cobra was focused on the young men who were sparring and she looked liked she was perfectly enjoying herself. The quemak didn't seem to be paying the young men much mind. Her gray eyes slid over each figure but Celi couldn't read what was on her mind. Even after all these years the falcon was just as mysterious, and just as closed. She never spoke about her thoughts or her dreams, and rarely did the wyvern see her around Wyvern's Court. "Look, there's Tabby and Veli," Aleya spoke suddenly making Celi jump as the loud tone registered. Discretion was not part of the cobra's vocabulary, so no doubt the wyvern guards knew that she was there, spying on them as they trained. Celi followed Aleya's gaze and she saw them, her breath catching slightly in her throat. Tabassum was huge, plain and simple. He had grown broad of chest and shoulder and his darkened from all his time in the sun. The liger and wolf looked almost out of place amongst the serpiente and avians, but it was thrilling to watch them spar. The two boys were in human form but they shifted into their animal form and Celi saw the other pairs pause to watch. It was a ritual that was like a dance, but way more exotic. The liger and wolf circled each other, blue and amber eyes locking and watching their opponent carefully. After several circles a move was made; sometimes it was Veli who moved first and other times Tabassum did. This time the wolf made the first move, darting up to give his opponent a light nip then danced out of the way before the liger could retaliate. Tabassum was massive beside the wolf, although Veli had told that he was one of the largest wolves of the Frektane pack. Celi thought that his idea of large meant the fact that he was tall, his legs long and slender, obviously good for running. They were a good match Celi knew one had the power while the other had the speed and stamina. The liger didn't respond and Veli braved another slight nip, but this time the liger was ready and a light swat of paw bowled the wolf over with a yelp of surprise. Veli wasn't hurt, everyone knew that while Tabassum had the power to cause massive damage with his muscular build, dagger like claws, and sharp teeth. But he was gentle when training with only a few accidents popping up and none too serious. Veli didn't stay down for long, the wolf hoped back onto his feet and seemed to consider his next course of action. His head tilted then he started barking and bounced around. He was using his barks to confuse Tabassum and moving around would make him less of a target as the liger couldn't move as fast. The older boy watched the wolf with a bemused expression but kept the canine in his sights. Veli swung around then went up to nip at the striped cat tail. The liger spun around and pinned the blue-eyed pooch with one paw. It began to get faster, no longer a simple game. The pair had tested each other's mettle, now they were getting serious. Dirt flew as the animals wrestled, each being careful with their teeth and Tabassum made sure his claws were sheathe. Celi watched the pair in awe, admiring the way that the sun fell on her friends' pelts. Veli's dark fur seemed to shimmer with patches of gray and blue-black, Tabassum's fur was like fire, bright orange with bands of cinnamon. It was like the sun and moon were fighting. Suddenly Celi felt a chill and shivered, her gaze drifted up to look at the sky where the sun was shining in all its glory. Her attention returned to the two boys who were finishing their match, but she was distracted. From the corner of her eye she thought she saw Keyi tilt her head, as if the quemak sensed something had just happened. But Keyi didn't look at nor did she speak. She watched the liger and wolf part and sit down to regain their breathe before the two shifted humans. The sight of sweat running down Tabassum's heavy chest made Celi flush, even more so when he lifted his head and locked eyes with her. The wyvern quickly diverted her attention but she knew that Aleya had saw and that the cobra would tease her about it later on. But Celi didn't mind at all.