Free The Lord of Shadows Rises by James Terzian Page B

cat’s injured leg. The jaguar looked at her rescuer’s eyes and walked toward him as he walked away.
    Alexander turned around and smiled. “You want to come with us?” The jaguar nudged his hand in confirmation.
    “You've got a way with animals,” said Lenora. Unable to believe what she was witnessing.
    “They aren’t mindless creatures like many people think. Show them respect and they won't harm you,” lectured Alexander. “Show them kindness and they'll remember it for their whole life.”
    “I'll have to remember that.” Responded Lenora. “We’d better get to work burying the deceased Jaguars.”
    ***
    The two fighters and their feline companion, having completed the shallow burial of the dead jaguars, walked further into the rainforest, leaving the men in the clearing tied up. Taking out his medallion Alexander saw that it was glowing brightly. “This way,” he confirmed.
    The three continued to walk deeper into the jungle for hour after hour until Alexander suddenly pushed Lenora to the ground as an arrow flew by where she had been stood only a moment before. “You know you shouldn't attack people you don’t know." Shouted Alexander to their unseen attacker.
    A young, black-haired boy wearing spiked gloves appeared from the trees. Holding a bow in his hand, a quiver of arrows were slung across his back. “What're you doing here?” he questioned, keeping an arrow notched on his bow string and his eyes on the two humans and their companion as he waited for their answer.
    Alexander took a brief glance down at the medallion he held and saw it glowing. “Are you a master of the White Rose?”
    The boy tensed up. “Who are you?” he asked cautiously.
    Alexander smiled, the boy’s response all the confirmation he needed. They had found another Master.
    “Why don’t you take a look at your medallion?” He gestured at the medallion the boy had around his neck. The young boy raised an eyebrow, took the medallion and pointed it at the two newcomers, seeing it glow brightly. “Very well. This is all the proof I need that you mean me no harm. Come. Follow me and I'll take you to my campsite,” he said as he headed off through the trees.
    They were led by the boy to a clearing less than a mile away. A log cabin stood near the center, land left free on all sides to no one to sneak up catching the boy unawares. “Welcome to my humble abode. My name is Mason, and I’m the former student of Master Estefan. Since his was killed I’m the current Master."
    “I'm Alexander, former student of Master Luray,” Alexander replied.
    “And I'm the former student of Master Thompson. The name's Lenora.”
    Alexander turned to the jaguar. “And this is a jaguar we saved from some poachers after her babies and mate were killed."
    Mason nodded. “What'd you do with the cubs and their father?”
    “We gave them a burial, it seemed the right thing to do."
    “Glad to see there's still compassion in this world. May I ask why you're walking in the rainforest to begin with?” asked Mason.
    Alexander sat down on a log near the entrance to the cabin. “We’re looking for allies, either Masters or their recent successors, to help prevent the rise of the Lord of Shadows."
    “I thought that may be the case. My Master was killed a few months ago, and I have been trying my hardest to keep the poachers out. I've also seen the medallion crack twice since my master was killed.”
    “All of the Masters but one have been killed. Can you help us?” asked Alexander.
    Mason sat down beside Alexander. “I will assist you since it was my master’s last wish to help you. But first, we need to get stronger. Otherwise, we stand no chance." Alexander and Lenora nodded in agreement.
    The next morning, the three arrived at a nearby river with a clearing and the three stood facing one another. “We need to have an idea of what we've got to work with."
    “I'll start,” began Mason. “I know the Brazilian style of jujitsu, and I’m