Chapter 122: The Fox Tribe’s Offer And The Seven Hour Journey!
After Neve checked the old man’s condition and gave some detailed instructions to Gideon about his care, he left the cave with Cael and Popi.
They started the journey back to the leopard tribe cave. But halfway through, Neve got tired. His body was exhausted from the pregnancy and the stress of everything that had happened. His legs could barely carry him anymore.
Without being asked, Cael scooped Neve up and carried him on his shoulder. The leopard prince held him carefully, making sure the position was comfortable and safe for the pregnant red panda and the cubs he carried.
Neve relaxed against Cael’s body, grateful for the support.
They reached the cave and found Ryker already there.
The tiger prince was standing near the entrance, looking absolutely conflicted and sad. His expression was distant. His eyes were hollow. He looked like someone who had been through something traumatic.
Cael carefully lowered Neve until his feet touched the ground, making sure Neve was stable before releasing him completely.
"Thank you, Cael," Neve thanked him before immediately running toward Ryker.
"Hey, are you alright?" Neve asked, approaching the tiger beastman carefully.
Ryker looked at Neve with no emotions in his eyes. His expression was blank. Unresponsive. But then his body moved on instinct.
He reached out and grabbed Neve, pulling him into an embrace. He hugged him so tight that Neve could barely breathe. His arms were like steel bands around Neve’s body.
Neve gently tapped his shoulder, trying to communicate that the grip was too tight. But then he felt something warm touching his shoulder.
Tears.
Ryker was crying.
His entire body was shaking as silent sobs racked through him. He was not making any sound but his body was expressing all the pain and guilt and regret that he could not voice.
"It’ll be fine, Ryker," Neve whispered softly to his ear. "Everything will be okay. We’ll fix this. We’ll find a way."
Cael frowned at the scene, watching the way Ryker was holding Neve.
The leopard prince was worried. He was worried that Ryker was going to break Neve or end up hurting the cubs with the intensity of his grip. But he did not say anything. He just let Ryker have this moment. Let him process his grief through physical contact.
"I’ll whip up some soup," Cael said quietly as he headed toward the kitchen, giving Ryker and Neve some privacy.
"Uh... I’ll come with you," Aldric said with a shaky voice, clearly uncomfortable with the emotional scene playing out.
Cael turned to look at him briefly.
"Do as you want," Cael said simply and entered the kitchen.
Aldric followed him in quickly, leaving Neve and Ryker alone in the main cave area. Even Popi and Sorin found somewhere to be outside.
Ryker pulled back from the embrace, lowering his head so Neve could not see his face clearly.
Neve reached out and wiped the teary cheeks with his hand gently, his touch tender and caring.
"Don’t feel bad about what happened, Ryker," Neve said softly.
But Ryker shook his head.
"He came to me to beg," Ryker said, his voice cracking. "He came all the way through the snow to ask me to return. If I had said yes, if I had just said yes, he would still be alive."
"We have no idea what Soren is planning," Neve said, trying to make Ryker see reason. "It might be something dangerous. Our lives could be in danger. Your life could have been in danger too if you had gone."
"But I could have saved him," Ryker insisted, his guilt overwhelming him.
"By sacrificing your life?" Neve asked, interrupting him with a direct question. "If you die, who’s going to take care of the remaining members of your tribe, Ryker?"
Neve’s words hit hard.
Ryker’s eyes widened in realization as the weight of that question settled over him.
"They must still be relying on you," Neve continued. "That’s why you have to stop regretting saying no and just move on. Don’t dwell on the past anymore. You made the right choice even if it doesn’t feel like it right now."
Ryker grabbed Neve’s shoulder suddenly, his hand gripping tightly.
Neve flinched at the sudden contact and the intensity of the grip.
"You’re right, Neve," Ryker said, his voice becoming stronger, more resolved. "I was foolish to think of giving up. I was being selfish. All I could have done was calm down and think of a strategy. I must not give Soren a chance to win in his game. I must not let him destroy more lives."
Neve smiled and nodded, pleased that Ryker was regaining his composure and his sense of purpose.
"I’m glad you’re back on track," Neve said. "But can you take your hands off my shoulder? Your grip is too tight. You’re hurting me."
He winced, trying to indicate just how strong Ryker’s grip was.
Ryker laughed, a real sound that showed some of his normal personality returning.
"Haha! I’m so sorry," he apologized immediately and took his hand off Neve’s shoulder.
He reached out and ruffled Neve’s hair affectionately, a gentler gesture this time.
"How about your visitation?" Sorin walked toward them, his eagle wings folded carefully at his sides.
The eagle beastman had been waiting for the whole emotional drama to end before speaking to Neve about anything important.
Neve took a deep breath and tried to compose himself.
"Turned out the old chief can’t do anything about the present chief," Neve said, lowering his head. "His power and authority have been completely transferred to Soren. We’ll have to deal with this ourselves."
"What’s the plan?" Sorin asked, his expression serious and focused.
Neve hesitated, clearly uncertain about the direction they were heading.
"I don’t know," Neve said, his voice uncertain. "We might have to eliminate him but we don’t know how to do it without getting caught. We don’t know how to do it without putting ourselves in danger."
He whispered the last part, turning his head away from the main cave area in case anyone else was listening.
"I can help with that," Sorin said suddenly, his voice completely devoid of emotion or hesitation.
Neve’s head snapped around to look at him.
"What?" Neve said immediately. "I can’t let you do something that dangerous. I can’t ask you to put yourself at risk like that."
"Dangerous?" Sorin tilted his head, a small smile appearing on his face. "Oh, I’m not the one who’s doing the job. I have a friend from the fox tribe who can help. The fox tribe specializes in things like this."
Neve’s eyes widened as he processed this information.
"Fox tribe?" Neve muttered, trying to recall what he knew about them.
Ryker stepped forward and provided information.
"The fox tribe are known for their stealth skills," Ryker explained. "Which makes them excellent in assassination and covert operations. But they do not accept all jobs. They have standards. They have a code. They don’t just kill anyone for any reason."
Neve filed this information away in his mind, understanding now why Sorin thought his fox tribe friend might be able to help.
He turned back to Sorin.
"Is your friend going to say yes to us?" Neve asked. "Will he be willing to help us kill the leopard tribe chief?"
"Of course," Sorin said with confidence. "I’ll just have to give him something in exchange. The fox tribe are mercenaries. They work for payment."
"Like what?" Neve asked, concerned about what Sorin might have to sacrifice.
"I don’t know yet," Sorin said and spread his massive eagle wings.
"I’ll fly there," Sorin added. "It’ll take seven hours so I might return tomorrow with his response. I’ll bring back an answer for you."
Neve wanted to say no. He wanted to tell Sorin not to go. Not to take on this responsibility alone. But he understood that Sorin was capable and willing.
So he nodded.
"Please do," Neve said. "But before you go, eat and pack some roasted meat. You need energy for a seven hour flight. You need food to sustain yourself through the journey."
Sorin retracted his wings and nodded obediently.
His eyes were fixed on Neve. They were filled with something that looked like devotion. Like commitment. Like he would do anything that Neve asked of him.
"I’ll eat first," Sorin said simply.