Out of the Waters (Kieran x Ambriel)

Ambriel

Ambriel padded through the forest, her paws squishing into the soggy ground. She didn’t mind, since she liked water just fine. Maybe that’s why she volunteered to go investigate the former camp and see its status in terms of the flood, she knew that she would mind least of probably anyone. And beyond that, well, she volunteered for most everything. She was just an apprentice, but everyone was so busy that she wasn’t surprised when they let her go on her own. For safety Ambriel wore her armor, happy that it was still in good condition after having been left out to dry despite the soaking it took during the evacuation.

The rain had long stopped, but for some reason everything still felt very wet in this part of the territory, even dripping from the trees persisted. It must have rained recently, Ambriel decided. After all, it had been quite a time since the flood that had swept away their home, and several of their Empire mates as well.  There were two cats she was looking for, Galena the young dark Gladiator who Ambriel had known since she was a cub, and Kieran who was rather new to Shadow Empire. Both of them had vanished.

When Ambriel reached the top of the hill that lead down into the swampy camp of Shadow Empire, she couldn’t stop the sharp intake of breath, a gasp that was full of anguish. Their camp… their home… everything she had ever known… was still submerged in chest-deep water. The water surface was still now, which made it even more frightening. Still water, as if it had settled, as if it was here to stay. Blinking back tears, the liguar descended the slope, having to step carefully to avoid slipping in the wet mud and grass, wanting to take a closer look.

---

Kieran

He had been lost… for quite some time. The flood came so fast, the black jaguar hardly knew what hit him. Suddenly there was water--so much water. He knew how to swim, of course, but even a Gladiator was no match against nature. After being buffeted by floating debris, and flung about by the current as if he were its plaything, Kieran had found himself submitting before the force of nature. He allowed her to take him where she pleased, which turned out to be far away from Shadow Empire and all that he knew. All that only just began to feel familiar…

It would seem that destiny had more plans for Kieran, as the waters did not claim his life, only marooned him in a strange land. He followed the river back. Spent days, weeks, months--he had no idea how much time had passed--trying to get back to his Empire.

His Empire. Was Shadow Empire his home? Even without his beloved sister? He had been her shadow for so long… And he had no idea what happened to her. Had she been captured by the hunters? Taken hostage by another Empire? How was he to know if she was alive or dead? It troubled him so…

And he had much time to reflect on his troubles. The road home was long and tedious. Fortunately he had not run into any city cats or other potential enemies. Perhaps the floods did damage to more than just Shadow Empire….

Kieran was sure he was getting close. He had to by now. The terrain was certainly growing more and more familiar at each pawstep. And he could faintly make out the scent of his empire, albeit faintly against the damp stench of mud and rotting foliage. Letting out a loud sigh, the weary traveler rounded the corner and gazed into the clearing that had once been the camp. It was… abandoned and submerged in water that reached up to his chest...

Pursing his lips, the jaguar prowled through the wreckage to get a closer look, trying to find a clue to where the rest of the empire might have went. The scents were all so stale, almost impossible to detect with the stench of stagnant water polluting the air. Though the idea made him cringe with disgust, the jaguar felt he had no other option but to go through the water to continue on. He could try to get around the swampy camp, but that could take even longer. And he did not want to stay away longer than he already had. They would think he was a deserter!

Taking in a sharp breath, the feline stepped into the still water and began the sickening process of wading through the bog. This will all be over soon, he kept repeating in an effort to console himself. Under different circumstances, the young gladiator would have enjoyed getting his fur wet, but this water was, well, revolting. Not pleasant in the slightest. Too focused on this endeavor, Kieran had not noticed the approach of one of his own. His moss-green gaze was too focused on the water, keeping a lookout for hidden dangers beneath the slimy, placid surface.

---

Ambriel

As Ambriel made her way down the slope a dark shape slipped out of the undergrowth on the other side of the swamp. Ambriel froze, adrenaline coursing through her, expecting it to be a hunter or some other unwanted stranger. A wiser young she-cat would have hidden or gone for help. But Ambriel had no such instincts. The liguar just watched, her tail tip twitching, as the shape made its way toward the camp, wading through the water. Ambriel narrowed her eyes as the figure got closer, finally able to make out his features better, and make out that… this black jaguar was familiar, very familiar, it was Kieran!!

Ambriel didn’t know the jaguar very well, in fact she had barely ever spoken to him. But he was an Empiremate, and that made him a friend in her book. And he had finally come home! The golden liguar called out an excited greeting, “Kieran! Keiran you’re okay!” The apprentice raced the rest of the way down the slope and leaped into the water with little regard for her not-water-proof armor. She splashed a few paces into the water, intending to meet him halfway, but when she tripped and nearly fell on a hidden submerged rock she decided that perhaps just waiting here close to shore would make more sense. So she stood there with the swamp water halfway up her legs, watching as the jaguar approached. “Where have you been? Are you hurt?” Ambriel demanded with her pale green eyes glowing happily.

---

Kieran

He nearly leapt out of his drenched fur at the unexpected voice--he had been so sure the camp was deserted. Instinctively, his razor-sharp claws unsheathed, though they were well hidden beneath the murky water. His green gaze rose to the shore to find a vaguely familiar she-cat. What was her name… He had been sure he heard it before. Amber? Amberly...? Ambriel! Yes, the young apprentice. Although she seemed to be close to his age, though he had grown use to that. His training in the City Arenas had earned him the rank of Gladiator early--or at least earlier than most his age.

He froze, watching the liguar leap into the water in full armor. His ears flattened in dismay, worrying that the apprentice’s armor would rust. “Your armor--” It was then that sheer horror flooded through him. Where was his armor? The flood came when he was asleep, armor tucked away where it should have been safe. But then he was washed away, separated from his armor and left vulnerable. Oddly enough, this was the first time the danger of his predicament occurred to him. “My armor!” Kieran nearly squawked with alarm, frantically spinning to try and find the remnants of the armory. The submerged camp was in such a state of disarray, he could hardly tell where it had been. “I have to find it!” It was immensely important to him. He and his sister had gotten matching sets--hers remensicient of the sun, and his the moon. He could not lose it.

Having forgotten about his peer, Kieran splashed through the water, desperately searching for his beloved possession.  “It has to be around here somewhere!” He fretted. He stubbed his toes on a collection of submerged rocks, pain searing through his paw. He cursed under his breath, muzzle wrinkling with discomfort. Then he looked up and saw it--his armor! Suspended in a low hanging branch and tangled in vines. “Thank goodness!” There was relief in his voice despite the fact he had no idea the extent of the damage. But once he managed to cut it free and have a closer look, he was comforted to find that it was salvageable. Nothing a good smith could not fix, in fact, it was even wearable. And he made sure to put it back on, although he was not fond of the odor it had acquired.

“Oh right…” He huffed under his breath, turning to see if the liguar was still there. In his panic, the black jaguar had completely forgotten about Ambriel. “I’m fine…” He called to her from his perch upon the branch. He was not eager to return to the murky water below. “I got swept away by the flood waters, ended up down stream. I had trouble finding my way back, but...well… here I am.” The young gladiator explained, slipping on his gauntlets. “I’ve never been the best navigator so…”

---

Ambriel

Ambriel blinked in surprise when suddenly Kieran remembered his armor. Ambriel narrowed her eyes in anguish as she watched his distressed search, “Oh, Kieran... “ she said, trailing off as he began to splash around desperately. Your armor is probably long gone… She looked around, though, after all there was a chance it could have made it.

To her surprise Kieran found it! She watched him happily as he climbed to get it, fastening it on and then addressing her from his branch. “You are good enough to get yourself home.” Ambriel pointed out, wading through the water a bit to address him easier, “We have a temporary camp, I’ll lead you to it.” she stopped and looked up at him, “I’m afraid the shore I was on is the best way home, there’s no avoiding this swamp. It only gets dryer from here, though!” she added optimistically.

---

Kieran

Gingerly, the jaguar made his way down the tree. He was not looking forward to a long hike through the swamp. The gladiator usually enjoyed a good swim, but this stagnating flood-water was just foul. Wading towards her, scowl on his face, he managed to give a grunt of gratitude.

“Temporary camp…” there was regret in his voice. He should have been there to help, but instead he spent the last moons wandering through the jungle like a lost kitten. A rotten gladiator he was.

“Is everyone alright? Did we… lose anyone else?” Kieran was not very social, in fact, he kept to himself with the exception of his sister. But he still cared about the well-being of the Empire and all who lived alongside him. And with Viper gone, they were all he had left.

“I did not see anyone while I was away.” Not even Viper. He had kept his eyes peeled for her dappled, fiery pelt. And for anyone else, really. Sighing, he shook his head. “But yes. I would appreciate an escort. I’m not sure how I would fair without one.” He blinked appreciatively at his companion. “You’ll fill me in on what has happened during my absence, won't you?” He added, voice heavy with concern. Guilt was clawing at his heart for being away so long. In the end, it was his lack of skill that got him in this mess. Perhaps he should not have been promoted so early…

---

Ambriel

Ambriel turned and waded back to the shore, pulling herself up and shaking off, then she turned to wait for Kieran. She could hear the sadness in his voice when he acknowledged the temporary camp. “It’s not a bad place, especially now that we are settled,” she assured him. It wasn’t home, but… it was all they had now.

She nodded when he said he didn’t see anyone while he was away, “Galena, no one has seen her since the flood,” Ambriel said unhappily. She didn’t know Galena particularly well but she was a young female so she was more a part of Ambriel’s life than many of the older Gladiators were. Plus she was Phoebe’s former apprentice, so her absence was surely noticed. “But who knows… perhaps she will return just as you have,” Ambriel smiled a bit, with a sad sort of hope. When Kieran pulled himself onto the shore Ambriel turned to begin to lead the way, “Yes. We have a bit of a walk so there is plenty of time to answer all your questions.”<b>