A Liger's Tale, XX. Kiera's Arrival

Yet in Livan-drea anything could happen. Tears could turn into gemstones, pearls find their way back to the oyster,  and ‘the red flesh’ of the sea fought for its very life....

—Rhea Phoenix

"Blast it all!" she exclaimed

Kiera's head felt heavy as if a sack of potatoes had landed on top. Yet it was the stone that met her head when she fell unconscious. The journey had left her without fuel. She opened her eyes to view the ornate ceiling of the Foundry. The blacks, greys and copper tints on the elaborate wrought iron bars were a visual feast mixed with the unmistakable odor of grinding metal which permeated her nostrils. She waited a few moments until she was completely conscious to get up, practicing patience. It was the odor of the metal that brought a smile to her face. The string of metals came quickly—

"The 'beauties'....Metals and Alloys....they are in this order....

~aluminum~gunmetal~solder~antimony~iron~stainless steel~brass~iridium~steel~bronze~lead~tin~cast iron~magnesium~titanium~chrome~steel~mercury ~tungsten~chromium~nickel~uranium~copper~pewter~white gold~cupronickel~platinum~zinc~gold and last but certainly not least beautiful silver"

Upon rising she saw Rhea at a table preparing food and drink. Rhea turned to her and held her arms wide open, Kiera walked slowly to her and allowed Rhea to embrace her neck. Keira licked her hands gently and purred.

"You have made it my friend, the first and most perilous part of your journey is complete. Welcome to the Foundry where you will be suited up. I want you to refresh yourself with the food and drink I have prepared for you. When you are finished we will discuss your choice of materials for the garment. There is no hurry. So care for yourself now." Rhea rubbed behind her ears and then followed the curve of her spine to her tail.

Kiera all of a sudden felt herself young and giddy she mused about her own silliness. Wondering if she had been too frivolous and skittish when she had left the sea mounts of Livan-drea, the salt water penetrated her coat and she took pleasure in the swimming. Anyways she decided it didn't matter she accepted her self now and was not going to chide herself for being flippant, whimsical and capricious. In fact she felt rather proud for making it this far as there were many moments when she would have rather given up the fight altogether.

What kept her going? Not just her will alone but her appetite for danger and adventure coupled with a determination to finish the race set out before her.

"Run while you have the light of life" he said. The abbot set about defining the Rule and though she resisted it, feeling disdainful at times about it she succumbed to its natural generative way.

Kiera purred and remembered sitting in the cave with him, long before he set out to be in community. St. Benedict had cared for Kiera, fed her with a non-carnivorous diet, she learned she could survive without meat for a period of time. Ultimately the cravings she could no longer deny after a period of 40 days or more. She was born to eat flesh and it had been far too long since she tasted the vital fluid that inwardly she felt a low-lying depression had set in.

What lay ahead was a kill that Kiera had imagined over and over again in her mind's eye. What would it be she wondered? Coyote, Deer or something smaller like a muskrat or hedgehog? Ah...those little guys are just appetizers, I need something large.

In time her desire would be granted in a most surprising way.

The memory faded now and Rhea was suggesting the most elemental action. Self care, feeding of the body. She set about to obey her guide and felt a rest enter into her. It was simple yet how easy it was to bypass the essentials, care for the self.

"Rhea? When did you last see Benedict" asked Kiera

"Just two evenings ago, he called me to his office to receive the parchments from Hildegarde, indicating it was urgent" Rhea answered casually

"He is well?" wondered Kiera

"Yes, in very good spirits" said Rhea

"And what of Hildegarde?" Kiera inquired

"She has given me her alphabet to memorize and practice writing. I've given numerous hours to it and I find now it is beginning to sink in. I am thankful she has entrusted it to me. She sends her greetings to you and asks you not to neglect the daily hours" Rhea replied

"I thank my Mother for her wisdom, what would I do without her" Kiera said

"Indeed....yet she is under attack and this I call to your remembrance. So I ask for you to ready yourself in all ways dear Kiera." said Rhea

"As you wish Rhea...."

Kiera was helping herself to refreshments and felt a settling occurring.

The time still had not been assigned yet arbitration even now was transpiring between Chronos and Kairos and soon enough the veil would be removed.

as published on salonunidad