The Tiger Within Chapter 160

"Why don't we support the Empress . You all love her and have shown concern for her . " Kyera pointed out logically but the other three seemed to hesitate before shaking their heads .

"It will cause issues with the Lions . We don't want to rock the boat too much . " Tang pointed out with a nervous smile . Kyera stared at her for a long moment then at Mally who looked down at her curls in her hand . Lazren met her eyes with a look of 'what can we do' in his eyes . The common expressive note was defeat .

"No . Tell your clans we are making a stand . We will bow to another member of the royal family . Whether it be the Empress, Clovis, or the Emperor . We will not bow out or bow down to the Lion's decision . " Kyera replied well aware of the importance of this decision . Not just to the girls, but the empire .

"Why?" Tang asked seeming dumbfounded .
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"Because otherwise, the Lions win . Either way our votes don't count, unless we stand against them . " Lazren pointed out following Kyera's train of thought . Not for the first time since she healed him, he acknowledged the wisdom of following her .

"Exactly . Just choose one of the three and bow to them . I won't make my decision till I am out there . " Kyera explained and Tang looked at her oddly .

"wouldn't it matter more if we all bowed to the same person?" Tang asked curiously . She knew they were outnumbered by the Pride and it didn't make sense to split their vote 3 ways .

"No . We are not competing to support one person above the pride pick . We can't because we are a smaller force . " Kyera explained patiently . Mally frowned .

"Then aren't we bringing needless pain onto ourselves for too little gain?" Mally asked honestly a bit lost by these comments . The risk here was high and she couldn't help but wonder if Kyera realized that .

"Risk? What Rebellion is without risk? They go hand in hand, Mally . That's what I've been trying to tell you . " Lazren jumped in before Kyera could speak . Mally still seemed unsure .

"But what can we really accomplish by this?" Mally asked trying to think logically and weigh the cost against the gains . This time Kyera spoke up, her golden eyes alight with passion .

"What we can do is show loyalty to who we choose and prove you don't have to be mindless followers . We can show we have our own decisions and we will make them . " Kyera pointed out as she took another long, deep sip of tea . It was just warm enough to soothe her throat and rejuvenate her body . The other two thought for a moment, Lazren already behind Kyera's plan . "The Rebellion needs to take back their voice . "

A while passed as they pondered, each word having landed heavily on both women's shoulders . Mally and Tang had been here longest . They were the seeds of revolution in this forest . However, neither had made a decision quite this bold before . It was new, exciting and completely terrifying . It all came down to whether or not they trusted Kyera's judgement .

"Alright, I will alert the Rebellion . " Mally agreed finally, standing up to go make her rounds . Kyera nodded at her, smiling at her friend . There was hope in Mally's eyes, ever so faint but the spark was there .

"And I will Alert the Ursa Clan . We will follow your lead, Kyera Shade of the Moon . " Tang assured before following Mally out the door . A hint of worry still followed her sent but, Kyera was fairly sure it would be fine . There was no more discussion to be had . They had to find their voices, and it seemed Kyera was the key to that box .

"If there is fall out?" he asked once both girls were out if earshot . Kyera's face darkened .

"When there is fall out, I will deal with him and his pride . It's time we bring the forest here, since we can not return to the forest . " Kyera replied smoothly . She didn't bother with if . There would be fall out . She stood and stretched setting the tea cup carefully back in its holder .

"Then I will have your back, my Lady . " Lazren replied before shifting form and dashing into the trees .

Kyera smiled and found her way to the bed . The bunk was just how she had left it . Made, the soft blanket she had been given laying over the frame . She missed her ruby and gold blanket and its soft, plush embrace . With a soft sigh, Kyera shifted form and curled up as a tiger in the blankets .

Chapter end