They reached the camp, and Invincible took a deep breath. Tigers were drawn out of their dens by the patrol’s return and gathered forward to give him and his friends curious sniffs when they saw them.
Flora padded toward them, her Silverclaw, Ignatius, trodding beside her. “Who have you brought here?” Flora asked calmly. Invincible hated that calmness, that feeling of hers that she was stronger than him. But this was the plan. He had to stay calm, just for a little while.
Jhorn stepped forward. “These three intruders just showed up on our territory and asked to join the Streak. We have no idea what to do with them until you tell us what to do. So we decided to bring them to camp for you to decide. Flora Goldenclaw, what would you like of these tigers?” he asked politely.
Flora tilted her head thoughtfully, staring at Invincible. He had to fight the urge not to sneer.
Finally, after a moment of silence, Flora spoke. “Hello, intruders. I see that you want to join my Streak. Is this true? Perhaps we could use more Littleclaws . . . what are your names, first of all?” she asked, her eyes fixed on Invincible. He repeated what he said to the patrol, trying to tread as lightly as he could bear to these foul creatures.
“I am Rajah, and they are Crymini and Bone. It is true; we would like to join the Streak. I promise we will make good Claws, whatever Claw we are. Please, Flora Goldenclaw, let us join,” he pleaded, crouching submissively.
Flora hesitated again, then went on. “I guess we will give you tigers a chance. Rajah, you will be the lowest Hunting Tiger, what we call Sharpclaws,” she said, and even though Invincible was relieved the plan was working so fast, he felt prickles of annoyance.
I know they’re called Sharpclaws. You just exiled me for absolutely nothing! But he shook his head and kept listening.
“I am your new Goldenclaw, and this is your Silverclaw, Ignatius, your second in command. Your immediate commander is Kopono, the head Sharpclaw. And you, Cosimia and Ceart, will be the two lowest Littleclaws, and your immediate commanders, you both, are Sixen and Miger. We will give you all a chance, and if you do not succeed in our trust or rules, you will be sentenced out of our territory."
She dipped her head and then turned away, and some tigers backed off as well, but some of them followed Invincible around, their eyes filled with questions.
If they try to threaten me, let alone try to sentence me out of my former home again, they will have no more luck than prey that’s in a tiger's jaws, he thought, sliding out his claws.
He trod toward the prey pile and picked a good-sized long-ear from the pile, padding toward the shade of a tree, and settled down to eat. The two tigers following him settled down too, their expressions still curious. Invincible recognized them as Kaira and Kali. The tigers flanked him and turned their heads to talk to him.
“Hi, Rajah. I’m Kaira, and that’s Kali. I think you’ll become a great Sharpclaw,” Kaira purred, and Kali nodded. “I agree,” he said.
Invincible smiled. “I sure will try my best,” he replied kindly. And I will succeed. I will make your lives miserable, very soon.
He finished the long-ear and went off to find Chara and Calzar. Kaira and Kali started following him again, but he glanced back at them. “Please, enough following. Do as you please, but please give me some space for a moment. I'd be happy to chat... later,” he said kindly.319Please respect copyright.PENANAhofL4PICFC
They dipped their heads. “Of course,” Kaira said. Invincible smiled again and trod toward his friends when he spotted them stretching in a clearing and went to sit beside them.
“Hello, Crymini and Bone,” Invincible greeted as he sat down.319Please respect copyright.PENANAMmPJxZqJjA
“Hi, — Rajah,” Chara replied slowly, her expression slightly amused.319Please respect copyright.PENANAqOkMdlCNpU
“I’m going to take over as soon as I can, I promise,” he said quietly, making sure no one was around.319Please respect copyright.PENANAvZ7RSi0t9M
“Good, good,” Calzar murmured. “You’re very lucky to become a Sharpclaw so early! I never thought that would happen!” he purred in addition.
Invincible growled happily. “It’s all going as planned. I’m—”
“Rajah! Come join the hunting patrol. If you do well, we will report to Flora that you and your friends are right to stay here.” Kopono called from the distance, and Invincible turned to look at him. “Uh—sure! Let’s go, then!” He left Chara and Calzar, trodding toward the ready-to-leave patrol.
They set off, sniffing and searching the territory for any prey. With my hidden powers, I can sniff out prey easily. They will be so happy to have me in their Streak, they’ll trust me in no time!
He scented the air, picking up the scent of a nest of bare-tails not far away. He growled at the patrol. “I will be right back.” Before any of them could respond, he bounded at normal speed toward the scent of bare-tail and quickly found them squeaking under a bush.
He leaped at the fronds and planted his paws down on the bare-tails, and they squealed in terror as they tried to squirm free. But Invincible’s claws and teeth struck the best part, killing more than half of the bare-tails in the nest. Only two escaped, scrambling in fear for one of the roots of a tree, dashing under it. Invincible shook his head, deciding to leave them, and carried his hoard of bare-tails back to the patrol, his head held high. The Sharpclaws looked at him in awe.
“What in the Great Tiger — Rajah?” Airlia exclaimed. They crowded around him, sniffing at the prey. “How did you find that many bare-tails?” Abe asked, amazement brimming in his eyes.
Invincible smiled. “Oh, I just found a nest of them over there. I killed them and brought them back here. It's my job now, isn't it? Why do you all look so surprised?” he asked, blinking at them.
“It’s just—for a brand new member of the Streak, you’re doing shockingly well. I’m going to report to Flora that you need to stay!” Kopono exclaimed.
And that she won’t be the leader for much longer, Invincible growled in his head.
“Thank you, thank you. I should get back to catching more now,” he said, turning. The tigers snarled in agreement. “Yes! Guys, help Rajah, split up, and find more prey!” Kopono roared.
They disappeared, and Invincible went on his path. He sniffed out an eland, and it brayed and squealed as he brought it down with his claws. He easily managed to pin it down and ended it with a strong bite to the neck. He brought the eland to add to the pile of bare-tails and set off again for more.
Over time he found a horn-head, tusk-nose, an antelope, and a buffalo. Using his great strength, he hauled them back in trips to the short-but-now-big pile to soon carry back, and no one was around, but there were some long-ears and tusk-noses as well, as well as a small fluff-fur.
Invincible decided it was enough hunting, and he waited by the pile for the patrol to return. Soon they did, and their eyes widened as they spotted the huge pile beside him. “There's no way,” Kopono said in shock, but Invincible nodded. “I told you, I have a talent for hunting,” he said calmly.
“A talent? You have more than that! I can’t even find the right words!” Aine exclaimed. “Come on, let’s get this back to camp! What an amazing success today.” They each hauled a jawful of prey through the twigs to the Streak, struggling to make it with such a heavy load. But it would be worth it.
They tugged at the prey a little while longer, then finally reached the entrance to the camp. They entered, and the tigers still in camp stared in amazement at the amount of food the patrol hauled in.
Flora bounded from her den to the patrol. “Greetings, Sharpclaws. I see you have a lot of prey,” she purred. Kopono nodded respectfully. “It was all thanks to Rajah, who caught the greatest amount of prey we’ve ever seen a single tiger kill,” he said.
Flora’s gaze turned to lock on Invincible’s, and they shone with warmth. “Well, then that means he can officially stay. And you, Rajah, can now be the new lead Sharpclaw. I don’t see anyone else who would fit the role. I apologize, Kopono, but Rajah is now the leader of Sharpclaws, by my word. Forgive me for my decision,” she announced.
Kopono shot a glance at her but dipped his head after a few heartbeats. “O-of course, Flora Goldenclaw. R-Rajah deserves to be head Sharpclaw.” He stalked away, his head still bowed, and Invincible couldn’t help feeling a shred of pity for the friendly tiger. But then, that's only because I look like a regular tiger. He wouldn't treat me nearly the same if he saw my true self, whether I'm Blite or not, he added to himself, narrowing his eyes.
“Thank you, Flora. I respect your decision, and I will still treat Kopono with my deepest respect,” he said.
“Of course, you will,” Flora growled. She turned away, and Invincible settled down beside a shady tree. He rested his head on his paws and thought.
Maybe, just maybe, I’m ready to reveal myself tonight. It will make things much quicker, and I’ll finally be able to get my revenge. But first, before I do it, I need to make a challenge. A challenge to get my rank up even more. Hmmm . . . should I challenge Ignatius and use my powers just enough to win? Then I will be respected, and no one will suspect a thing from me. Yes, yes. I will challenge Ignatius, become Silverclaw, and make my move tonight. I will do it now, before the Littleclaws do their evening patrol, and before Streak Eating.
Oh, Great Tiger, the powers that you gave me will be put to usw tonight and forever, from this very moment. I thank you again for all you’ve done and given me, for this very reason.
Stay on my side, Great Tiger, and we will rule the world together.
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