The Books of the Shadows III- Silver Tiger

3

-How do we know you can be trusted? The Princess asked him and the other two nodded their heads in confirmation, as asking for some kind of proof from him that he can be trusted. 

Were they for real? 

-For starter, you are alive... all of you...?

Again they opened their eyes looking terrified, and looking at each other to decide what is the best way to act at this point. They knew this is a strange world; they knew they were alone and useless, they could not even hold a weapon and they did not even have one. They did not think about taking one with them, because they did not know how to use them and they just did not think about that when they fled. They knew they needed protection, and this stranger had a mask on his face, they could only see his eyes of a beautiful light blue, light blue grey as the steel. His clothes looked tidy and presented a noble in front of their eyes. But how could they know? The symbol on his chest was golden, and it drew their attention. 

-You said... Warchild... AND Shadow Assassins? the princess Senere asked him.

-Yes, I said that precisely. I know they are in a war in your world. Here we live in peace, so yes, were are united. 

-So you are... a Warchild or a Shadow Assassins? she seemed confused.

-I am both. 

He wondered what was it that she could not understand? She did not look dumb... yet that was a simple statement she could have understood well. They spoke the same language, after all.

-Incredible! they looked at each other, unable to believe it. How can such a thing be? They wondered.

-Easy. Told you, we are united, our king had united the houses so that we may live in peace. 

-In our world, there is a war between the Warchild and the Shadow Assassins, the princess whispered. 

-I know they fight among themselves.

-How do you know that?

-You are not the first that came here... you know? We came here first, then others came from time to time. The last ones came today... and then you...

-The last ones? Are they soldiers? 

-They always are... Except for you three. So tell me... how come you are the first women, who came through for I think... over 1000-maybe 1200 years?

-Wow... really? Why is that?

-Well, how should I know? That is why I am asking you... Perhaps it is because as I heard, women in your world do not fight? So not explore?

-Do they fight here? And explore? Really?? The princess became interested in hearing his words.

-Of course. They fight as well as the men here. They explore and they decide things on their own. 

-They are allowed to do that? The women were shocked to hear him out.

-Of course. They are allowed to think for themselves. For instance, how to unite the houses in a way to make the peace happening.

-In my world, no Warchild man would be willing to take a Shadows Assassin, nor the other way around can happen. Our king would not allow it, it is forbidden by law. Besides, there are two kings there, the Warchild king and the Shadow Assassins' king. But our king would never allow that to happen, never.

-Well then, your king is not so wise as ours then. 

-You do not speak of our king like...

-Is he here? I would tell him the same in his face! He is nothing here because this is My world!!

The young women looked at each other absolutely terrified, covering their cheeks with their hands as if they were expecting punishment from heaven as soon as Silver uttered the words of insult against their king. Wow... that was a view to remember. Another king his people feared just as he saw her mother feared. 

-So as long as he is not here but you are, I suggest you keep your tone low and learn the laws of this land before you speak. People here have different customs than you have. You may get hurt by your own ignorance. The laws are very clear here and everybody is conforming. Who does not, well... you would not be here long enough to know.

He looked at them. They were listening and looked frightened of his words, all three of them. But he knew he had to tell them... anyone should let them know in order not to make a mistake while they were to live here. Because this was not their land, not their rules, not their laws, and not their home. So they would get no clemency if they would break the law or insult anyone. They would pay like any other citizen of the shadow kingdom. They were shadows. 

-Well, so what are you thinking? 

They could not answer such a question, looking at each other. 

-Well, what do you want to do here? He asked them again.

Again, the question took them by surprise, discovering that they had no idea what they were going to do next because the plan was just to get out of there and get into the portal but the rest... they did not think about it. They made no plan. They just ran away from home, like little kids.

-Where will you stay? 

They shook their heads in silence, as they did not know how to answer this question either. They had no plan... They just acted out of an impulse, the princess ran away and the maids ran after her and they all got in here, in this strange world. And here... what could they do?

-And have you eaten something? 

They looked at each other and the maids rubbed their hands looking at the princess who spoke shyly in front of Silver.

-I haven't eaten yet and we're a little hungry. How is food paid for here? We have some money with us, but I don't know if ... I don't think you'll need it unless you melt it and turn it into pure silver?

-So you came ready to understand the new world? ntz-ntz-ntz nodded disapprovingly at her and continued amused by the fire that ignited his disapproval in the eyes of her maids. Well, we do treasure silver here, but depending on who you ask and what are you asking for...

-So how much silver would you want for dinner? She asked him, looking at him with a daring look.

He looked at them measuring every inch of them, before answering them all with a little contempt:

-I only make dinner for my family.

-Do you have a family?

-Of course, I have a family! Don't you have one??

-No. The women looked at each other shaking their heads. We do not. But... are you not too young to have a family? 

-Wow, wait... are you talking about the family you are born into or the one you would take in when you marry?

-Oooo... the young girls suddenly made sense. You said "my family" so we assumed...

-What? that I have found my mate? He smiled.

-Mate? You can find your mate here? Like... in the old times?? Senere jumped clapping her hands like a child.

-What, you can not? Only in the Old times? Is that mean you came here to find your mates? Don't tell me you could not find them in your own world!!

-No, we did not come here to find any mates; we do not need any mate right now! I was just wondering how is this possible here, because in our world, this is almost a fairy tale. 

-Well, my parents found each other and I hope when I'm old enough I would find my own mate. I have a pretty good connection with my saruman.

-You do?

-Yeah. 

-But... wait... will you let us starve? I'm so hungry...

-Well, I can offer you some fruits until you get back to your family I guess...

-No!!

-No way!!

-We are not going back there!! She does not want to!

All three girls screamed out loud at the same time, almost startling him with their determination. 

-Why did you run away, anyway?

They looked at each other, trying to decide if they should speak. He knew it from Senere's brother but he wanted to check on their version too. He had to decide what to do with them, anyway.

-Our parents want to force us to get married, one of them said for them all.

-Yes, so we decided to leave home, and this opportunity presented, said another.

-All you had to do is enter the portal, right?

-Yes, they all smiled at him like he was understanding them perfectly.

-How stupid! And childish! 

-What?? Don't you dare!...

His comment took them all by surprise and ruined the little happiness showing on their faces while they thought he was understanding them so perfectly.

-You come into an unknown world. You can't even hunt and you don't even have a weapon to protect yourself!! And you think this is smart?

-But... we had to...

-You left your house because you can not talk to your parents?

-They would not listen!

-Why not?

-Because I am the princess! The moment Senere said the words, her hand covered her mouth, and the others stopped breathing as they all looked at him expecting his reaction. If he was to hurt them or take any advantage of them, now would be the time to reveal the truth behind his actions.

Silver look at her and said nothing. Just waited for her to gather her courage and continue.

-They want me to marry a general of the house, and ... I can not... I do not like him; she said fearful and sad at the same time. 

-So you run. You put yourself in danger and you put others in danger as well- he motioned with his head to her maids- then looked at her seriously. So selfish! Just because you fear the man chosen for you. 

-Would you accept someone by force?

-My mother would never force me nor my sister into a union. But as royal blood, they expect you to fulfill your duty. For instance, to bring heirs into the bloodline is necessary, you like it or not. At some point, you will have to have heirs anyway. Why don't you talk to your fiancee and ask him to wait until you are ready?

The princess opened her mouth in surprise listening to Silver, as if she never expected the solution coming from a man. Again, they looked at each other, hopeless and helpless. 

-You don't get to speak about what you want or what you need in our world if you are a woman.

-Well and who is going to change that if the princess is running away now? Silver asked them all, leaving them speechless. 

He had a point. Who else had more power than any woman in a kingdom, if not a princess?

-I think you need to meet my sister, he smiled at them, plotting in his mind a plan. Come on, take an apple for the road and I'll take you to her. 

-You have a sister?

-I have more than one, but one specific in my mind you need to meet. She will teach you a thing or two about speaking about your rights or needs to a man... or... to just everyone... he laughs for himself.

-Do you mean...like.... she talks to men? One of the maids came a little too close to his face, signing she likes the gossip. 

-I talk to you, women, don't I? Why should she not talk to men? Don't you? He asked her with a serious look on his face as he just decided he will not talk in front of that woman about things of importance for him or anyone else.

-We... I mean... you are the only one here, if we can not talk to you, how will we manage to live here? She asked herself and also addressed Silver a little puzzled about the situation.

-We can not speak with men without witnesses, so having the maids is fine, Senere answered for her.

-Well, we are a little more open-minded here, but we also use witnesses when it comes to bathing maids or nudity.

-Oh... the women's cheeks turned red just like the apples they were eating at that moment.

Silver was having fun. The young girls were nice and easy to speak to. 

-You need to know someone claiming to be your brother came through one of the portals looking for you.

All of them stopped in fear, and Senere choked in a piece of the apple. They grabbed in the fists the edges of the dresses and began to knead them anxiously trying to make a decision what to do. Running away was their first instinct.

-Hei, stop! Silver raised his voice firm, making them stop in place. I am taking you to my family for refuge. You need to know someone is looking for you and you also need to know that if you want to stay, you can stay, and if you want to go, you can go. 

-When you will meet my family, there is no stay or leave as you please. They only do as they please.

-Yeah, well... you have not met mine yet. Silver laughed and pointed out the way while the girls followed him quietly.