Chapter 4: Tattoos and Questions
As the stars twinkled overhead, Korran and Savannah made their way back through the village, the soft purple glow of lanterns illuminating the path ahead. The air was thick with the scents of earth and moss, mingling with the lingering warmth of the fire that had crackled in the shaman's hut earlier. Savannah felt the weight of the night pressing down on her, filled with questions and uncertainties.
"Are you sure you're okay to walk?" Korran asked, glancing sideways at her. She wobbled slightly on the narrow, twisting paths, her balance still shaky from her earlier experiences.
"I'm fine," she replied, though her voice lacked conviction. The ground felt uneven beneath her feet, and the heights of the tree village were daunting.
Korran studied her for a moment, concern etched across his face. Without warning, he scooped her up in a bridal carry, her body cradled against his strong chest.
"Hey! I can walk!" she protested, her cheeks flushing as he effortlessly lifted her.
"Not if you're going to keep wobbling like that," he replied, a teasing grin on his lips. "I didn't realise you were this unsteady. You're not faking it for attention, are you?"
Savannah huffed in indignation, but deep down, she felt a flutter of safety in his embrace. "No, I'm not faking it. Why would I fake something like that?Everything just feels... off." That was the biggest understatement she could have made.
"Then let me help," Korran said, his voice softening. The warmth of his body and the rhythmic and strong thump of his heartbeat against her ear were oddly comforting, and she couldn't help but relax in the fold of arms.
As they traversed the woven pathways of the Panthrr village suspended high in the trees, Savannah's thoughts swirled with questions. "What were the Tattoos I saw on the shaman."
Korran stopped walking and looked at Savannah again with a similar look as to what he and the shamen had shared. "Tattoos?"
He didn't understand the word, "The marks," Savannah quickly recovered. The panther on his forearm.
"Ahhhh, do snow leopards call them tattoos? We call the beastmarks. The starred circles are the badges show our strength, the stronger a beast, the more powerful their rank and accomplishments will match that," Korran explained, his voice gaining a rhythm as he spoke. "Like my two badges indicate strength and leadership. It means the bearer has proven themselves worthy in battle, feats of strength or through acts of courage."
She thought about this for a little and the asked about the falling rocks around the Shamens.
"Ahhh," Korran was getting excited talking about this, his movements bounced a little more as his strides unconsciously got longer but Savannah noticed it, "that's his element. Didn't your tribe or family, or mates ever tell you about beasts who'd unlocked elements?"
Savannah took a deep breath and shook her head, gathering her thoughts. "You have one, right? Can I see it?"
Korran's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "I do, actually." He shifted her slightly lowering the top of his trousers to just past his hip, Savannah was about to complain about indecency, whe he adjusted his hold of her, revealing his own beastmark—a panther surrounded by swirling black smoke, with two stars inside the circles etched into his skin splayed intricately arcoss his hip bone. "This shows that I'm not just a warrior but a protector of the tribe, the more stars the more you can protect. Its not easy to unlock your element, or awaken your beast spirit to even get your first star. Its a bit of a right of passage that all beasts go through when theyre cubs about to come into adulthood."
Savannah reached out, her fingertips grazing the tattoo. There were no bumps, it was intricate and smooth. With an intense level of detail, "It's beautiful. You clearly wear it with pride, did it hurt?"
"Did what hurt?" That funny look was back again, "My awakening, it was heavy, and I was injured after proving myself for my first star, but I had awakened my beast spirit while I was a cub. Most do."
"Of course," he replied, a hint of shyness creeping into his demeanor. "It's an honor to carry the mark of my tribe, my family. My father is the village chief, and I have to live up to that legacy. I must grow stronger and find a female."
Her heart raced at the revelation. "You're the chief's son?"
Korran chuckled softly, a warmth spreading through the space between them. "Yes, well the second son. Veylan is the future leader of the tribe, that still means I have big shoes to fill as a protector. You met him earlier. Right now, I'm just focused on keeping you safe." He booped her nose with his fingers and Savannah flailing in his arms protested.
As they approached Korran's home, anothrr larger, treehouse nestled among the branches, Savannah felt a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. This was a place where she hoped to find answers, that she had not found. Yet it was also a reminder of her isolation in this unfamiliar world.
Once inside, Korran gently set her down on a plush mat made from the hide of a furry beast, the warmth of the space enveloping her. The room was decorated with artifacts from the forest—woven baskets, wooden carvings, and shimmering beads that caught the faint light. It felt both inviting and foreign.
Savannah took a moment to gather her thoughts, her mind racing with questions. "Why wouldn't I be cherished? I mean, you act like I'm some lost cause."
Korran's gaze turned serious, his brow furrowing. "It's not that. It's just… every female in our world is held in high regard. It's rare to get a female. There are only 5 in our whole village, not counting you. To see someone like you, who doesn't even know or see her worth and struggling, it makes me want to protect you even more."
She felt a rush of emotions, confusion mingling with gratitude. "I'm just trying to figure things out. I remember my life before, but it feels like there's a veil over everything important now."
Korran moved closer but settled on the floor off to the side of the fluffy bedding, his presence wasn't too close. Though his personality and words were warm and reassuring. "You're not alone. I'll help you learn or relearn if you need to, Savannah. Ask me anything, and I'll do my best to help you or help find you an answer."
As they settled into a comfortable silence, Savannah couldn't shake the feeling that this connection was deeper than mere friendship. The night wrapped around them, a cocoon of shared secrets and unspoken promises.
As the first wave of hazy dreams of familiar faces she could quite make out began to break through with beams of light through the mist.
Savannah felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. Here, in this strange world, perhaps she could find not only her answers but a new sense of determination to find a way back home.u