When the travelers reached camp, Dar dropped the pouch on soft ground and plopped down next to it. Kodo and Podo poked their heads out and then scattered about happy to be home. He watched Tao unload the gear he hauled around wherever he went, but no matter how much he removed, his friend still looked burdened—no, disheartened. "Tao, I was wrong. Jame has changed—she's become a lovely woman and a wonderful mother. I'm sorry for the things I said. If Gie wasn't my son, Zad would never have bothered these people."

Tao picked up the blanket that he and Jame shared that night—a night he would never forget. For the first time, he was speechless.

Dar rose, cocked his head to the sky and listened. Sharak communicated to him telepathically. Through his eyes, Dar could see Gie's new home. The boy was running around with a couple of playful ferrets. A smile lit the Beastmaster's face. "Sharak says Jame and Gie are safe. They love their new home."

"Ruh!" Tao exclaimed as the tiger exited the woods.

Dar greeted his friend via telepathy and translated for his human friend. "Ruh's cubs are safe. He's very proud…he's a father of two healthy sons." The Beastmaster spoke to the tiger a while longer. When he was finished, Dar shook his head and closed his eyes.

"Well, did you tell him you're a father?"

Dar looked his friend in the eyes and his smile returned. "Yes, Tao. Ruh says he's known all these years. He and several other animals have watched over Gie. Curupira made him vow secrecy to the child's existence. She knew I'd meet him one day."

"It's as if your life's been prearranged for you, Dar. I wonder if it was fate that we met." Tao remembered the day as if it were yesterday.

"I'd like to think so, for there could be no friend dearer to me than the one fate chose."

~The End~