**
Miranda led Aquitain tothe lookout and stood pointing out features for a few minutesbefore leaving him sitting there alone. As she flew off towards theJeti village she began to worry.
‘What if her mothersent Sanson and Allalanllea after him? He wouldn’t stand a chanceagainst them. Perhaps it would have been safer if they’d walked tothe Jeti village together. She was wondering whether she shouldturn back when Alpha asked if it could mindlink with her. Sheagreed, curious about what it wanted to say.
‘Hello Miranda,Aquitain is very fond of you.’
‘I was hoping that hewas, as I am very fond of him as well,’ she replied.
‘Do you know that thereis more to Aquitain’s quest than finding his father?’
‘I have already guessedthat,’ she replied.
‘Do you know he hasbeen trained all his life to carry out this quest? He has abilitiesthat no other person alive has.’
‘What is your point?’she asked.
‘His quest is veryimportant as the lives of many depend on it, but it is alsoexceedingly dangerous, and parts of it can only be completed by himalone. If you were to accompany him you would endanger the both ofyou.’
‘Are you suggestingthat I should not go with him?’ she asked.
‘Do you know why hedidn’t tell you about the third condition for lifting your cursedtattoo as you call it?’
‘He gave me anexplanation and I trust him.’
‘He can’t possiblyfulfil his quest and complete the third condition. If he is tosucceed in his quest then sooner or later he will have to decidebetween you and the quest. It would be much less painful if youleft him after delivering the cat people’s treasure to them.’
‘How do you know this,Alpha?’ she shouted through the mindlink.
‘He has much knowledgeabout the quest hidden and locked in his mind. It is my job tounlock it when he needs it. It is important that he doesn’t knowtoo much, as then he will worry and perhaps make the wrong decisionat a critical time. Your mother might well have killed him today ifI hadn’t helped him at a critical moment. When you and he aretogether you both lose perspective and make dangerous decisions.What will happen to his quest if either one of you is killed?’
‘I’ve heard enough fromyou, stone. Get out of my mind. I will stay with him until he tellsme to go. No one, not you or anyone else will tell me otherwise. Weshall succeed or fail together,’ and she opened a door in her mind,walked through it and closed off the mind link with Alpha.
She was really annoyedabout what Alpha had said, then recalled that almost everyonearound herself and Aquitain had warned her off. Who would havereincarnated him if not for her? Then again, perhaps the assassinwould not have found him except through her. No. She was determinedto think positively. While he needed her then she would be there,and that was that!
Before she knew it shehad arrived at the Jeti little people’s village. She flew downbehind the shaman’s hut and changed into her cat form and gave alarge roar to indicate her presence. Then she padded out to thefront of the hut and sat down. Kami the Jeti people’s shaman cameracing out of his hut and began singing a welcome. Otherpurple-scaled Jeti people dropped whatever they were doing and cameto join the singing. Miranda didn’t know the words but she couldfeel the magic in the song. It portrayed a feeling of peace andcalm.
The shaman stoppedsinging and the rest of the village also stopped. He gave aninstruction to a young assistant who raced into the shaman’s hutand returned with a ceremonial loincloth that was laid on theground in front of Miranda. She changed shape to her newman form,took the loincloth and wrapped it around her body, then bowed tothe shaman and then the villagers.
‘We are honoured thatMiranda of the Druids has come to visit us,’ said Kami in theMudrun common language.
‘On behalf of mypeople, I welcome you. May the strength of Jacintra give youcourage and the light of the Lady of the Jungle always fall uponyou!’
Suddenly there was muchtalk among the villagers and they began pointing at her. Shewondered what they were pointing at and turned to see and Kami sawthe scars of the claw marks across her back had turned silver andwere glowing.
‘Ah, we are doublyhonoured today, Miranda the Fiery One has been made cat friend byJacintra herself,’ and they all burst into a song that she hadnever heard before. It was another welcome song, but this time itwas of praise for her courage and strength. This time the magic ofthe song was exhilarating. It uplifted her and she felt as if shewere a great heroine. They sang for a good five minutes, then Kamiheld up his hand and they stopped. He gave them some instructionsand they all departed.
‘What’s happening?’ shesaid a little surprised.
‘The village willprepare a feast for tonight so that you can tell us what happenedto our family to the east.’
‘I am the bearer of sadnews Kami. Your clan to the east is no more.’
‘I feared as much. Ihave not heard from them for more than a week, and I dreamed lastnight that you and another had helped their passage. I have fearedtelling my people for their grief will be terrible, but the factthat Jacintra has honoured you will help greatly.’
‘Why then are youhaving a feast to tell them sad news?’ asked Miranda.
‘It is a celebration tohonour you and your friend for helping their passing to the spiritworld.’
‘Oh. All right! I amhonoured. I wish to ask a favour of you Kami. The other person thatwas with me is waiting for a message from me, and he will comehere. I told him that you could send up some coloured smoke
