Into the Lion's Maw
Monarto Safari Park is the largest open-range safari park in the world outside of Africa, spanning more than 3700 acres, and is home to more than 50 species of exotic and native animals.
The four travelers had skirted the settlements of the subhumans in the south and ridden past the Wolf Lord's fortress, all without incident. They were currently only some three days distant from the valley, and Aran's forbidding tribe. No one had dared to speak about their plans once they reached their destination. Understandably there was an undercurrent of tension in the group.
The mallee trees gradually thinned out as they reached the dune country. Ironstone rocks and small promontories of the same dark reddish stone rose up from the undulating, orange sand, which was scattered in low spinifex grasses and saltbush, and the occasional flowering eremophila.
Aurianne had kept her distance from Aran for the entirety of the journey. His animal stare and barbaric ways reminded her she needed to be cautious, and her senses were on heightened alert as they drew closer to their destination. She really didn't feel she could trust him. Her other two male companions though were an entirely different matter, and she had used this excursion north to speak to both of them at great length. She found that she would alternate between riding alongside the affable Jhary, or the mysterious Kario, and she would pass the long days of travel and monotonous scenery with hours of conversation. Now she knew them both better, it was easier to meander through various topics as they rode under the warm sun, and the young woman inadvertently learned much.
The day previous she had questioned the bard about his younger life, before the war and his crushing loss. "You know Jhary," she had said, "if the world had not gone to hell. I am sure that you would have been on the radio, or fronting some popular band. You are really very good."
The bard smiled at her, his clear brown eyes the color of rich bourbon twinkling. "Well thank you, milady, but I really owe my talents to my dear mother. She was a professional singer."
"Really!" Aurianne replied in surprise. "Do you have your mother still?" Aurianne's unchecked reply got the better of her, the young woman almost regretting the question as soon as it was uttered. It wasn't the usual safe topic to bring up given the totality of the war, and she hoped she had not offended her friend, or caused him undue pain.
However, Jhary appeared unfazed at her off-the-cuff remark. "You know, I'd like to think she is, but in truth Aurianne, I do not know. You see the day before the war she was in Mt Gambier for a concert. So I imagine she is probably still there, at least I hope so."
He didn't seem unduly upset so she probed further, her growing feelings for this beautiful, and deeply creative man made her want to know him, all of him. His past, his expectations for the future, the good, along with the bad.
"Don't you ever think of trying to travel there to see if you can find her?"
"I've given it some thought, but it's very far, so I never have. But perhaps one day I shall."
"What about your father, was he musical too?"
Jhary looked pensive for a moment before he answered. "I cannot say, you see I never knew him, my mother raised me alone, she didn't talk about him. Not ever. He seemed to me as though he was a taboo topic. Apparently I didn't take after him at all. I never even saw a photo of him. I guess my mum was pretty angry at him for leaving. She does have an angry streak, and you don't want to get in her bad books!"
Both Aurianne and Jhary chuckled in unison, they both knew what strong-willed and opinionated mothers could be like. That conversation made the young woman feel even closer to the charismatic entertainer, knowing they both had grown up without a father figure, but each possessing a wonderful and resilient mother to raise them. Yes, they had much in common.
The ever-inquisitive Aurianne later that same day rode alongside Kario. She found his company reassuring, though she hardly knew why, as he was not a large nor powerful man. He was mostly quiet as they passed the miles, but occasionally he would converse, mostly about mundane things he sighted along the trail.
Aurianne sensed though whenever he spoke he was holding back. After the few awkward conversations of weeks earlier, and Jhary's troubled disdain for what Kario had tried to explain to them after the event of the black rain. The dark man had for the most part been very reserved with what he revealed about his past. Kario knew that some of the things he said bothered his companions, and it was by far, easier to be silent. So he was not expecting Aurianne to bring up the subject of his mother.
The young woman picked up immediately the light in his eyes at the mere mention of her.
"My mother is exceptional, I love her like no other." He said softly, it was easy to see he held her in very high esteem.
Aurianne could not imagine Kario as a mommy's boy. The thought just didn't sit right.
"So she is still alive?" The ever-curious redhead asked.
"I believe so, but I cannot be certain."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
There was silence for a time, just the sound of the horse's hooves whispering on the soft sand, and the creak of the saddle leather beneath them.
"So what was your father like?"
