Prologue

The chill evening breeze blew against the fresh leaves of the surrounding trees, adding to the soothing evening sounds of the forest.

The moonless sky sparkled with stars across, basking the hay roofs of the mud houses scattered around the low grassland.

At the furthermost part of the village by the forest's brim, stood a small hut.

"Mama?..."

The old woman lying on the mat furrowed her brows, feeling a slight push on her shoulder.

"Mama?"

The push got harder.

"Mama? Mama, wake up. Come see this..." A petit voice called by her ear, causing her to squeeze her lids as she groaned.

"Kamyla?" Mama Uyrè slowly opened an eye, peeping at the face of the person kneeling next to her.

The bright brown eyes of the ten years old girl locked on hers; her black bushy hair was held back by a piece of cloth and tied into a rough bun.

The girl smiled, pushing her face closer. "Mama? Mama, wake up and see something".

Uyrè moaned tiredly, turning away from the young girl in fatigue. "Not now, Kamyla".

Uyrè pulled her thin wrapper over her shoulders. "Let me rest".

"Mama, please get up". Kamyla shook her arm, "You have to see this. Please..."

Uyrè sighed heavily, slowly pushing herself up as she wiped her heavy eyes. "What is it, dear?"

Kamyla smiled, pushing herself off her feet as she grabbed her grandmother's hand. "There is something I have to show you. Come outside, Mama!"

• • •

The hut's bamboo door pushed open, having Kamyla rush out barefooted with a candle lamp in her hand, pulling her grandmother with the other.

Uyrè staggered slightly, tightening the rim of the wrapper around her chest. "Kamyla, we didn't even wear our slippers".

"That can wait, Mama. Let's go!"

Kamyla pulled her faster, pacing down the narrow dirt path leading into the forest.

"Slowly, child!"

The two proceeded speedily through the trees; Kamyla led her off the track, heading in an unknown direction within the bush.

Uyrè furrowed her brows. "Kamy, where are we going?"

"We'll soon be there. Just wait".

The two continued in their mysterious path, causing Uyrè more confusion. Kamyla finally led them to a particular spot between a few tell trees.

"We're here!" Kamyla announced as they pulled to a halt.

Uyrè's eyes widened.

At the centre of the space between the trees was a large rock; a giant white tiger laid on it.

Uyrè froze.

The large cat laid on its side, panting heavily as blood drained from its damaged lower jaw that hung down helplessly with its tongue.

Its abdomen was bleeding profusely from the numerous bite and claw marks all over — with a broken hindlimb hanging off the edge. Its blood drew numerous red lines over the rock's surface as it moaned in pain, attempting to move but failed.

"A- A white tiger..." Her expression remained stunned, taking a wary step forward. "How is this possible?...What is it doing here?..."

Kamyla stepped forward as well, staring at the injured mammal.

"I heard it crying when I came out".

Uyrè shot her a glare. "What were you doing outside at this time? Didn't I send you to sleep two hours ago!?"

Kamyla smiled sheepishly.

Uyrè shook her head, turning back to the tiger.

"Can't we help him, Mama?"

"Judging by the injuries and blood loss, there doesn't seem to be much hope left for its survival. That is possibly why it is letting us stand this close. It is beyond weak".

Kamyla grimaced. "But I thought they don't come this close to settlement? Nor can they escape from the Evil Forest?"

"They don't come this close. She must have come this far to protect herself from whatever she was fighting with. And as for how she escaped the Evil Forest, I am unsure as well".

"She!? How can you tell?" She narrowed her eyes at the tiger, watching it breath faster as its abdomen contracted and relaxed at short intervals.

"Because she seems to be in labour".

Kamyla snapped her eyes up. "She is having a baby!?"

Uyrè walked up to the rare end of the panting cat, sighting its tail raised slightly while blood and fluid leaked from its opening.

Kamyla followed, widening her eyes at the sight.

She clutched onto her grandmother's hand, staring keenly. "Do you think the cub will make it?"

"Let us hope and see".

The two locked their focus, waiting patiently for the offspring. Kamyla's jaws dropped at the sight of the small cub that emerged.

By the time half of the cub was visible, its small body smoothly slid out and unto the rock.

Kamyla's eyes glittered in both shock and excitement, watching the newborn move within the mucus-fluid membrane around it.

"Mama..."

"I know, dear". Uyrè smiled, walking forward to gingerly carry the cub.

Kamyla watched Uyrè carefully wipe off some of the fluid and sticky membrane over it, focusing more on clearing those around the nose and mouth.

Uyrè then gently massaged the cub's body. It gasped. Kamyla's eyes remained wide in agitation.

Carrying the cub in her arms, Uyrè walked up to the mother's breast area, resting the cub against its mother's warm body.

The mother couldn't move as its abdominal injuries prevented it from turning to see her cub or the human next to it.

Uyrè gently adjusted the cub to place its mouth on its mother teat. It immediately began to suckle.

Uyrè stepped back, leaving it to feed as she stood next to Kamyla.

Kamyla looked up, "Mama?"

"Hm?"

"What is going to happen to the cub now?"

Uyrè looked down. "What do you think is going to happen?"

Kamyla turned back at the mother and cub, watching the mother attempt to move her head but cringe and cry with each effort.

Kamyla then said, "The mother is going to die..."

"And?"

"And we have to keep the cub. It is too young to be left alone".

Uyrè smiled, "Wise choice".

"But, Mama?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I will be able to raise it?"

"If you do what needs to be done".

"Aside from feeding and warmth?"

Uyrè nodded. "You will have to teach it how to hunt and feed itself while disciplining it to be a loyal companion and friend. Just like a good mother should. Do you think you can do that?"

Kamyla silently stared at the suckling cub. She smiled, "Of course, I can".

She turned to the mother tiger, taking a few steps forward to look into the weak tiger's blue eyes.

Kamyla slowly stretched out to touch the tiger's head, stroking its fur, "I will take care of your cub". The large cat blinked at her tiredly, panting through its bloody torn jaws.

"I promise..."

It didn't take long for the tiger's breaths to slow down as her eyes began to dim. Uyrè and Kamyla watched silently as the mother took its last few breaths and its eyes finally heaved shut.

Kamyla grimaced, walking back to Uyrè to look at the cub. Uyrè then said, "It's a male, by the way".

She looked down at Kamyla, "What would you like to name him? Or do you want to think about it over the night?"

Kamyla watched the little cub for a few more seconds, smiling warmly. "No need, Mama. I already have a name for him".

"Oh really? What is it?"

"Rhou". She looked up, "Meaning a Warrior's Strength".