Rogues

I walked to the royal garden, and I sat on one of the benches, that was at the base of the fountain. The fountain was pearly white filled with crystal clear water. At the center of the fountain, a tall women stood with a phoenix, perched on her shoulder. A lioness was down by her right hand, and it reached it's head up to her hand, begging her to pet it. At the women's feet laid a stone that read: "Long Live Queen Nadalia Altza de Ronza, may her light always shine."

"I miss her too..." said Benjamin

I jumped. "Benji!!! You scared me!!"

"Oh little one, one day no one will be able to sneak up on you."

"I'm not sure I believe you. I jump at everything. I never hear or smell any of you coming. And if I did maybe... maybe she would..."

Benji suddenly stepped in front of me, took my hands, and cupped my chin, gently pulling it up, to meet his eyes "Her death was not your fault. Do you hear me?? I never ever want to hear you blame yourself ever again for her death. For when you do, it hits me right in my heart, it hurts me. Because as your brother it means I failed you. And as for your senses, you will get them, in time you will."

I was about to say something when I felt Benji tense up.

-Run- it was all he said in my head at first.

-Cata. Run. Now. Don't look back. Run to the castle. Run to the others. Now!-

-Benji?-

-Do it now!!- As he pulled me to my feet and pushed me in the direction of the castle

-GO- His eyes where glowing gold. And he growled facing the opposite direction of me, I looked in his direction, I could see there was movement within the trees and bushes.

Danger.

-RUN NOW-

I ran. I ran as fast as I could go. As fast as my little legs could carry me. I heard a roar. I knew it was Benji, but he said don't look back. I saw the guards they were running towards me

-Quickly my Lady get behind us. And keep running-

-Benji... he's-

-We know. Keep running we are heading towards him.-

Suddenly a lion jumps out from the trees and attacks one of the guards but he quickly grabs his dagger and the lion falls.

"Go my lady up to the castle now!!!"

I kept running. I ran through the entrance. I looked up towards the castle and I saw James, Rem, Andy, Caleb, and father running towards me. Suddenly I stumbled and fell. I heard growling, I turn and right behind me, was a lion stalking me. Then it pounced at me, I screamed, but I heard a fierce growl behind me and Caleb transformed into a lion launching towards the lion tackling him to the ground. And they fought. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw James and Andy as lions heading towards where Benji and I had been. I felt a lion's face rub against me, and I turned it was Rem. He was letting me know he was here and I was safe. Then I heard a roar I turned it was father, he was telling all the attackers to leave or else. I heard my brothers roar with him and several other guards join in as well.

"Cata come." I turned again, it was father, he was behind me with his hand outstretched. I took it, and he pulled me up into his arms.

-I have you my child, my daughter, my light-

After a while I heard footsteps running towards us.

"They are gone, we got them all" I heard James say.

"Dumb rogues" said Andy

I pulled away from father and I turned. "What are rogues?" I asked, "And where is Benji?"

They all stared at me know one saying a word.

"I'm right here, I'm ok." Benji appeared from behind James and Andy, he had a couple scratches on him but looked ok for the most part. He was staring right at me and ignoring everyone else. He grabbed my arms. And stared me straight in the eyes. Through our bond, I could feel a hint of anger and was that worry?

"Next time I tell you to run, you run! Do you hear me!"

I whispered "yes, I'm sorry". He pulled me into a hug and said "good, because it's time we teach you about rogues"

Sometime later that day:

"Father told us to go on without them" said Benji, "He,James, Andy, Rem, and some guards are gonna go scout for more rogues along our borders."

"Hey we get the fun part, teaching this little one about rogues" Caleb said punching me in the shoulder. So, there we were, the three of us, in the royal library siting at the round table.

"Alright, now there are two kinds of rogues," Benji said, "the firsts ones are Palateins, they were the ones that attacked. Now I want you to remember that no matter what: STAY AWAY FROM THEM, they are bad, ruthless, and deadly; they hate any one who sides with the 12 kingdoms of Azuria"

"The second ones are Malateins," said Caleb, "they are the good ones, they are protectors, they side with us."

They went on for hours telling me all about the different rogues. How they came to be, how they act, what they are like, and most importantly how to tell them apart.

"Remember what we have told you. And Cata, if you ever find yourself in trouble" said Benji

"Or alone" said Caleb

"Find the Malateins," they said in unison, "Promise us Cata, that you will find them"

I woke with a start. I was sweating, and panting. I shivered, the fire had gone out at some point in the night . It took me awhile to remember where I was. It was almost morning but you could still see the stars shining through the trees. Great Galvin, I knew where I needed to go.

I had to find the Malateins, and I knew just where to find them.