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Later they met up with John, who already had everything packed and ready to go. The men were actually conversing with the Tigers and everyone was laughing at Jordan was being chased by two very happy cubs.

" Are we ready to go then?" John asked his daughter.

" I think so. Dorian, are we ready?" Terra asked eagerly.

Dorian looked to his second-in-command, Jarrid, who nodded in reassurance. " Yes, we are ready."

The group gathered their things and headed off into the jungle. The entire clan said goodbye to Terra and told her to come back soon.

Terra actually took the time to enjoy the many beauties of the jungle this trip. She saw all the beautiful flowers and birds in the trees, as well as the smaller creatures who inhabited the forest floor. Dorian stayed close to her the entire time as they pushed through the roughage and climbed override, making sure to help her when he thought she needed it.

That first night they made camp under huge tree, whose roots made a sort of walled in area for them. The Tigers volunteered to get pressured me to so they went to hunt, leaving Terra and the humans back at camp.

Terra saw Jordan playing with something, so she decided to investigate. " What do you have there?"

Jordan looked up from his thoughtful fiddling. Space" oh, it's something Kiera gave me." He held up a heart shaped rock and smiled. Space" she said she wanted me to stay. Zeth did to, they're good kids."

Terra smiled. " Yes, they are. Will you go see them again?"

He shrugged. " If I'm out this way, sure."

" And what of Alondra? Did you say goodbye to her?" Terra prodded.

" Well, yes, I said goodbye." Jordan mumbled. " She said she hoped she saw me again." There was a look of satisfaction on his face when he revealed that.

Terra smiled to herself. " Well then you better go back. Alondra doesn't say that often, if ever."

" Oh, well I guess I better then." He remarked before he finished setting up his tent.

The Tigers returned with a couple deer. They prepared them and roasted them over the fire, providing plenty of food for everyone. When it was time for everyone to turn in Dorian and Terra decided to share a tent. They turned in and snuggled under the blanket.

" When shall we take our vows Terra?" Dorian asked as he held her.

" As soon as we can." Terra clung to him as he stroked her hair. " Maybe, a week?"

" That sounds wonderful. I've already had word sent to my uncle in one of the other clans. He will be the one to marry us." Dorian explained.

" Why do you have to have someone from another clan?" She asked.

" Well, usually, it's the clan leader who performs the ceremony. Since I am the clan leader, I have to have another do the ceremony. My uncle is clan leader of his clan." He purred as he felt Terra stroking his chest.

" Ah, I see. So when can we expect him?" Terra ran her fingers up and down his muscles absentmindedly.

" He'll either wait until we come back, or come to the human village. It depends on how our peace talk goes." Dorian took her hand and brought it up to give it a lick. " If you don't stop that, were going to have to take a little walk, and I'll be forgetting all about that promise."

Terra laughed as she kissed him, conceding to his wishes. " alright, I'll stop. Good night Dorian."

" Good night my Terra." He chuckled as he nuzzled her hair again before going to sleep.

One more day passed before they reached the humans territory. The Tigers were nervous, but Terra seemed sure of things.

" We'll go in first. I will plead the case and tell them you wish to speak to them about a peace tree. Then if they say yes, I will call out to you." Terra explained to Dorian.

" I don't like you going without me, but I understand the reason." He hugged her close before stepping back so she and the humans could move on. They would first be spotted by the sentries. Then be hailed by the rest of the village. The idea was for the Tigers to walk to the edge of the tree while they were busy greeting their brethren.

Terra heard the call of the humans ahead. " Our team is back!" She could actually smell a unique scent that was, in her mind, human. She hadn't noticed it before being with the Tigers. As they walked into the center of the village she could see how much progress they have made on the tree city. It was looking great. Her attention was broken, however, when she heard the people who noticed her calling out her name.

" Look! It's Terra! She's alive." People were in awe at her survival. They waved and pointed at her as she came into the circle of people that surrounded the group.

Jacob Richards, the appointed mayor and leader of their village approached them. " John! It's good to see you. I take it the mission was successful, and you managed to find Terra, how wonderful."

Terra stepped forward as her father faltered with his words. " I have been with the tiger clan these last few weeks, and I am here to speak on their behalf." She heard gasps and whispers among the people. " They wish for the fighting to end as do I. I am asking you now, to talk with their leader, and sign a peace treaty."

" Talk?! You can't talk to them, they're nothing but mindless beasts." Jacob spat.

" Then how do you explain me being alive? Do you think mindless beasts would have spared me?" She retorted.

Just as Jacob was about to say something Terra heard a very familiar and beloved voice. " Terra! You're back!" Molly came running through the crowd. " I knew you'd come back."

Terra bent down and hugged her friend. " Oh Molly, it's so good to see you again. You gotten so big."

Jacob cleared his throat to get her attention. " You were lucky Terra. That is the only explanation."

She shook her head. " No, Doering and protected me. He chose to be kind to me and protect me. We have murdered them, captured their young, and invaded their home, and still they can find the decency to spare me and even want peace. Why can't you?"

People whispered and mulled over this information. Many of the people were nodding in agreement. Jacob however, didn't seem convinced. " They can't be trusted. None of them can. This, Dorian, who is he?"

Terra looked him straight in the eyes. " he is their clan leader. He has agreed to sign a peace agreement. And as for not being able to trust them, they are more honorable and trustworthy than any human I know." Terra saw that he still looked less than thrilled. " tell me Mr. Richards, you knew my mother right?" When he nodded she continued ignoring the warning gestures from her father. " You trusted her, respected her?" Again, he nodded. " Well then you've already had a tiger among you. My mother was an arcane tigress. She disguised herself as a human..."

" Impossible!" Jacob interrupted his face turning red. " Your mother was as human as they come."

" No Mr. Richards, she was not. I am not." Terra reached up and to everyone's shock removed her dress. As she did her body began to change; fur sprouting, limbs and muscles altering. When she was done, everyone was silent. " You see, I am half Arcane Tiger." She heard the guns before she saw them and anger ripped through her at the sight of them pointed at her. She snarled and held up her hands, her magic flowing from her again to make their weapons scalding hot. She watched as they all dropped them with curses and wide eyes. The only one who seemed unafraid was Molly.she looked down at the girl and smiled. Even though her version of a smile now was full of very sharp teeth, the girl smiled back.

" Molly! Get away from her!" Molly's father screamed from the crowd.

" Why a daddy? It's just Terra." Molly replied as she hugged Terra's leg.

" You see? A child can understand but you cannot. I am no different that I was. I just change shape." Terra pleaded to the people and slowly, they calmed down.

Jordan stepped forward then. " Please listen to her. She speaks the truth. I've met the Tigers, and they're really nice once you get to know them."

Jacob's eyes widened. " Son, are you serious?"

Jordan nodded. " They could have killed me dad. I... I shot Terra trying to kill one of them. But they forgave me. Please dad, give this a chance."

Jacob sighed. " Fine. I will meet with their leader, this Dorian, and we will see what comes of it. I can hardly argue with you, when my own son agrees."

Tara was so relieved. She rested her hand upon Jordan's shoulder. " Thank you." Then to Jacob she explained. Space" I will call him in then." With that, she turned and roared into the air. A returning roar came a few seconds before Dorian emerged from the trees, alone and unarmed. " If anyone tries to hurt him," she said to no one in particular, " I will kill them."

Gasps, whisperers, and general ease began again as the large male approached. Terra had changed back into her human form and got dressed by the time he reached them.

Tara took Dorian's hand smiling as she led him to Jacob. " Mr. Richards, may I present, Dorian Tigralia, leader of one of the Tiger clans, and..." She smiled up at Dorian then, giving his hand a squeeze. " My future husband." The people around her literally let their mouths drop open. They simply stared, unsure of how to react.

Jacob cautiously extended his hand. " It's,um, good to meet you Mr. Tigralia."

Dorian took the man's hand gently and inclined his head. " Please call me Dorian." He could tell that just speaking stuns the man, by his wide eyes, but the man simply nodded.

" Perhaps we could discuss things in the town hall. We could sit and have refresher or something." Jacob was trying to remain calm, but this tiger was a very imposing figure, even without his weapons.

" That would be quite nice." Dorian looked to Terra. " Will you be joining us my love?"

" No, I think I will give the good news to Jarrid and Victor." She turned to her father then. " Father, would you go and assist Dorian in the negotiations?"

John smiled at his daughter. " Of course I will. Besides, you have friends that have missed you. You should see them and catch up on things."

"All right father. Thank you." She kissed her father, then Dorian and took off towards the trees where the other Tigers waited. She was, of course, followed by Molly and a few other curious citizens.