Reunion with a friend.

"Dave !..... It's a red eyed tiger. Be careful!!!" Irene shouted in panic.

Dave grinned, and took a defensive position. The tiger growled and slowly started to walk towards Dave, it's body half crouching and ready to attack.

Crouching and predicting it's pray's movements, the tiger sprang without a sound towards Dave, its claws wide spread and its jaws wide opened.

Irene was about to shout in terror when Dave also jumped and swung his right leg with such speed that the Tiger didn't even had the time to do anything.

Crack..... A resounding sound was heard by everyone, followed by the Tiger's lifeless body falling down and Dave landing next to its body safely.

Lilly, Irene and Rodrick gawked at Dave in disbelief and awe. They were simply speachless. "Rick, it is possible when a lunatic tries to train you." Dave grinned devilishly as he effortlessly tore open the ropes binding his hands and removed the blindfold.

Rodrick was speachless. He know how strong the rope was and how strong he had tied his knots.

Harry also grinned, " And because of that, look, where are you all standing today? No once can come even close to you guys when it comes to the battle prowess."

He then sighed and continued, "And when it comes to other subjects, I don't know how you lads managed to learn so much !!!?"

All five pointed at Alan, and laughed. " Truely master Harry, if not for Al, we don't know where we all would be today. I believe he is the one who had bound all of us together initally. And the rest is history." Williams patted Alans back and said proudly. Everyone noded in agreement.

Alan suddenly stiffened, and looked towards the depth of the forest narrowing his eyes. After a few seconds remaining five young men and even Harey became alert and looked at the same direction.

"Al, two beasts. One powerful and other seems to be....." Bob's words were cut off by a purr....

It's Al's girlfriend. Dave called out loudly. Everyone started to laugh. Rodrick who was unaware of the incident was puzzled and looked from Alan to everyone else with profound curiosity.

"Smack..... Ouch..... Dave started to rub the back of his head." Alan had smacked him and started to walk towards the direction from which they had felt the strong aura.

He had take only a couple of steps when a huge black mass was seen flying towards Alan with such a speed that Rodrick and the girls were unable to see it's form.

Alan was laying on the ground laughing and trying to cover his face and head from the onslaught of the licking black Panther. A small black Panther slowly followed its mother into the clearing and stood a few meter away from them.

It was looking puzzled at her mother's odd behaviour. She was alway so dignified and carried herself with such grace that the cub felt as if he was seeing someone else and not his mother.

Once the exitement of the beast subsided it got up and went to it's cub and took it by its neck and carried it towards Alan and placed it on Alan's lap.

The cub felt panic and started to purr and wanted to get away from him but Alan patted its head soothingly and said. "So you are my friends daughter. How are you little girl? Don't get panicked, I won't hurt you."

The cub who was in a panicked state a few seconds ago suddenly froze and looked at Alan in astonishment. It purred like a house cat looking at Alan curiously.

Alan laughed heartily. "Yes girl, I can understand your words and can't you understand mine?" The cub purred again at his words. Alan scratched its neck, got up and turned towards the others.

Everyone was smiling but Rodrick was in terror and looking confused at the scene.

"Rick, don't worry, she is our friend. We met her a couple of years ago and were able to send her back here safely." Rodrick relaxed a bit after hearing the story from Ben, but was still having doubts.

"Can you..... Hmmm... hmmm... How can you speak with the beast?!!!" Rodrick asked in surprise.

"Yes, I can understand and can even talk to them." Alan confirmed.

"Are you a beast tamer also? We have those in the capital city. People who hold beast as pets. People who are expert in taming beasts." Rodrick asked in exitement.

Alan shook his head, "No Ric, I am not a tamer. I simply can understand and talk to the beasts that's all." Alan clarified.

All the five young men and Harry went forward and started to talk and pat the beast who sat there looking content. Then she looked at the girls and purred to Alan, who smiled and waved at the two girls and Rodrick to come closer.

Lilly and Irene came and started to touch the soft coat of the beast with a satisfied smile.

Rodrick was hesitant, when Alan confirmed him to touch he did. He was so satisfied that he simply was rubbing the coat of the beast in wonder. Even after a few seconds he didn't stop. Suddenly the beast licked his face. Rodrick jumped in surprise and fear.

Everyone started to laugh at Rodrick's reaction. " You were tickling her it seems..." Alan said with a smile.

Rodrick scratched the back of his head sheepishly and bowed his head slightly and apologised to the beast. The beast felt curious towards Rodrick. It walked forward and started to sniff him thoroughly. Initally he got panicked but then he relaxed and started to rub the beasts fur again.

"I think she likes you Rick, she respects you for your good nature and behaviour." Alan said who was scratching the cubs neck.

After a few minutes, Harry looked at the beast curiously and asked, " How are you so close to the perimeter? You should be in the deepest part of the mountain or at a mountain right?"