CHAPTER 1: The traveler's youth!

Moment 1: End of trip for big brother! (Part 2)

A cat? I try again... gently... then quickly, I reveal what is there by removing the fabric! Oh okay! A lion cub! Looks like a big kitten. I feel like he has three ears, one normal and one M-shaped like it's been cut in the middle. He must have had his ears pulled too. He should get along well with Drea I think ahah.
"Hey Ralamd, where did you find that lion!?"
"So that's a lion cub that was going to be sold abroad by poachers. I had no choice, I had to take it back"
"Is that so ? Are we going to keep it then?" I said to him, already imagining all the great adventures we will have together.
"Oh no. We take care of it until we find a solution to reintegrate it into its natural environment as soon as possible"
"Mmmh, too bad..." I said while watching him.

I continue to hold out my finger to him, ready this time to withdraw my hand quickly. But he doesn't attack me and even tries to lick my finger. I hope he will appreciate the milk we have at home... And here I am, giving more importance to this little one than to my brother. I don't let go of him more than a sole and connects interactions with him.

Finally arrived at the house, my brother and my parents thank the guides as well as the villagers having followed us until there. Dahb, our neighbor who helps Dad with our household chores, holds our little sister Usha in her arms. Ralamd takes her in turn to give her a big hug and noting that she has grown well. Dahb helps us carry his things. He also takes news from Ralamd and discusses his arrival. My brother brought back seeds of medicinal herbs which may have accumulated during his trip. Some are even ready to be planted. He introduces them one by one but Mom tells him that we'll have time to discuss all this later and that it's time for him to rest! But, I'm sure he's in great shape and I follow him everywhere!

"So, then, what did you see during your trip? What did you do ?"
"I saw and did many things! I met a lot of people with different cultures, I was able to help them with some tasks, I saw lots of beautiful landscapes, animals... It was nice but not that easy", my brother told me.
"And it was you who saved that lion cub?"
"Mh, not really, but let's say that I contributed to his rescue!" He said to me as I noticed that the little lion was in a corner looking at me and sounding shy.
"Ah, OK ! I want to keep it! I mean... him!"
"We will already try to take good care of it and then inevitably it will have to go back to nature."
"I want to take care of him."
"Ah, I trust you for that ahah, mh but what are you going to call him?"
"Uh, wait..." I said, scratching my head."Tigger!"
"Tigger?! But he's not a tiger, he's going to take it badly!
"That's right... Hmm," I said, tapping my fingers against my lips and looking at them. "Ah, I know! Scratchu! Crazy Scratchu! He scratched my fingers so much, I'm going to call him like that"
"Good idea!" He says to me as I try to approach him without scaring him.
"Come on little boy, nice, nice... take it easy..."

Dad talks with the two companions of Ralamd. They are part of the royal guard and they have been specially made available for his return. Kazrou Castle, located on the top of the village, will apparently soon be occupied for a few days. It is reserved for Queen Sainta Sages Guide, for members of her family and certain other people. No one has the right to live there except these people. People came to live there for a few days to congratulate my brother's trip, I believe. It's really taken seriously! Over tea and a few dishes in the garden, Ralamd joined in the discussion with Dad and the two companions. Locating myself on the long parquet floor of the entrance to the house, one of their conversations calls out to me. With Dahb we try to approach discreetly to stand behind a bush and listen to everything.

"Ralamd," said Dad, "did your tattoo on your shoulder remain throughout your trip?"
"Yes, it held up as expected"
"Perfect," replies one of the attendants. "We take advantage of our arrival here to deliver the new one, that of the next traveler"
"I always prefer to have the next tattoo at the last moment but that's fine with me"

I don't understand what they say, but as long as they understand each other. Psshhh! Scratchu what are you doing here, you're going to make us spot! You escaped earlier when I approached you and now you want to come and see me at all costs! Alright, I'm coming. But then he escapes again. You're really not cool! I see that Mom is cutting vegetables, I offer my help. I help her cutting onions. It's the first time I've done this and she explains to me why it stings my eyes, I can't see well anymore and I'm kind of crying! Mom is much more smiling than usual, especially after Ralamd's return.

The day passes and I begin to feel sleepy. It's dark and we all chat with Ralamd all night. But I'm getting tired, I'm going to bed, good night Usha, good night everyone!

The narrator takes over.

After talking, Dalamb goes to bed. The shopkeepers have drawn the curtains for a long time, the lights in the homes are off and there are only a few passers-by left, with a few guards. But at the end of an alley much darker than the others, a few steps from Dalamb's house and between two barrels, four individuals with bulging eyes have been staring at Akar Zohie's property since Ralamd's arrival. Not moving an inch, their whispers suggest they're up to something.
"Well, he came back, but remember that it is the new tattoo that interests us"
"The new moon is coming soon, it's the perfect timing to be able to act in total darkness"
"Yes..."

Their shadows disappear after these few words exchanged.

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