Chapter 11

Alesia panted as she tried to keep up with Panter. Damn she was fleet footed. She could hear the others struggling to even keep them in sight.
They finally got a small rest when Panter ground to a halt just outside the wall surrounding the entrance to the manor, really more like a palace that was attached to the opposite end of the regents quarters. It housed the current regents extended family (none of which were in residence), the offices that helped enforce the laws and keep the city thriving. Unaware to most cells had been built by their most current ruler below their very feet. It was there they were sure to find Tera.

They huddled together as Panter scoped out the area. They wouldn't be able to breeze through the breech spanning the outer and inner walls before reaching their goal. It seemed that they were expecting company as the standing watch had been doubled. More frequent passes of the roaming guards were also present. Many had hounds. It was going to be a hard won task to get past them but little choice was given.

Panter handed Alesia her broadsword. It would be easier, even quicker to use her abilities instead. " Here, strap this to your back. I want to be able to use both hands".

Alesia knew a reply wasn't expected so she simply strapped the sword on. Besides it would give her a little needed protection.

Quickly but carefully they moved down the wall to where a junction in the supporting barrier appeared. Panter went into a deep crouch. Using the spring provided by her powerful thigh muscles she launched herself into the air to lightly land on its wide lip. She used the surrounding darkness to good effect. Luckily for them the moon was shrouded in dense clouds tonight. Giving them a period of time for freer movements. A hand gesture had someone digging into one of the packs of supplies hurriedly thrown together. Soon a rope was tossed up. Panter pulled everyone up by hand one by one then lowered them to the other side to wait. It was just one more thing that made them aware she was something other then human. She was someone they would all willingly follow wherever she led. They just had yet to let her in on that fact.

A snap of a twig stilled them all. Panter was suddenly there, concentrating on a patch of blackness just out of their range of sight. A blur of motion signaled her departure. Silence loomed. Just as they were about to head in the same direction, Panter reappeared. With some company. Two of the watchdogs tagged after her. By their behavior it was clear they had a new alpha in the pack. Panter shrugged at the looks she received.

" Why turn down good help?" she muttered back. She jerked her head to the right. " I made a little hole in the guard pattern, lets take advantage while it's still there"

Griping their weapons a little firmer they followed close behind. Keeping to the dark shadowed corners they made their way to the inner wall of the compound. After a few near misses with the remaining guard Panter decided to take care of the problem. She quickly backtracked and started with the first one she came across. Binding him tightly, she stowed him in a convenient corner to sleep off the clout to the head he had received. In short time three more joined him. It meant less people to worry about later.

Alesia gave Panter a long-suffering look when she reappeared.

" What?" Panter protested sharply. They needed to keep moving.

" Can we help or not?"

" That's why you're here isn't it?"

" That's what we thought. So stop leaving us behind. WE can't protect your back if it's not with us!"

Panter looked suddenly chagrined. She had been leaving them with out a thought. "Sorry. I'll try not to do that again, but we need to keep moving"

They didn't waste anymore time trying to find a place to cross over the inner wall in secrecy. This time they went straight for the gate. A shout signaled that they had been sighted. In response five other guards plus two other hounds joined him at the gate. In moments they clashed.

The hounds that were with Panter herded the other dogs off to the side keeping them in check with threatening barks and growls.

Panter grabbed the descending sword arm of a guard. Kneeing him hard in the gut she stripped the sword from his hand. She took him out with his own hilt to the head. An approaching form made her spin to the right to stop a blade heading for her neck. She growled in frustration. Baring her teeth at the swordsman, she dropped fineness and went for effect. He flinched at the sight but continued to engage her. The blade in her hand sparked at the impact from his weapon. He was doing his best to take her out. She grinned at the surge of power that coursed in her veins at the challenge.

With a twist of her wrist she locked the hilt of her borrowed sword with his, preventing him from disengaging. The sudden halt threw him off stride giving Panter a chance to step in to deliver a stunning blow to his chin from her left fist. The force of the hit knocked him out, his limp body hitting the ground with a thud. The stillness permeating the air made her look up. The others had handily taken care of their own assailants. They were simply waiting for her to finish. A snap of her fingers called her dogs over. They bounded over eagerly. The other dogs edged closer on their bellies timidly wagging their tails.

Panter shook her head. I can't believe this. A cat an alpha over a pack of dogs. A quick pat of the head had them on their paws eagerly nosing her hands. Snorting sounds had her darting a look over to the watching group. Hands were clamped over their mouths trying to hold back the sounds of laughter. Reverting back to childhood for a second Panter stuck out her tongue then turned toward the manor.

Reminded of their purpose a serious mood dropped down on them like a stone. They had to get Tera. As they made their way closer to the building, Panter's sensitive ears caught sound. She concentrated, bringing it to the forefront of her attention. A scrape followed close on the heels of a creak then the faint rush of an indrawn breath. Her senses flared in alarm. Panter threw up a hand halting the group in mid stride.

"What is it?" Rena whispered. She hushed at the rapid hand motion she got in answer.

A twang signaled a release. Tightening her focus even more she followed the ripples of motion the projectile made as it passed through the air. The pattern of its flight narrowed to the point of ending at just where Rena stood. In a flash of movement Panter launched herself at Rena. The abrupt collision sent Rena into the ground hard, jarring her shoulder painfully.

"Uh…. what the Hades was that…for?" Rena gasped.

The stunned question was answered as the tree just beyond her sprouted two feathered projectiles. That made it clear that the threat was now doubled. There were two archers, not just the one she had heard draw his bow. Someone had been ready and waiting. It had been just a fluke that they had both aimed for the same target. She wasn't about to give them another chance.

Knowing time was of the essence Panter sprang to her feet. In the few seconds the attack had taken she had been able to narrow down its source. It was the low roof cattycornered to the door they had been originally headed for. She took off toward it. Thinking quickly she grabbed Alesia in mid stride. Alesia yelped in surprise as she was abruptly lifted off her feet.

"Go with it, I need your help" was growled softly in her ear.

Alesia just held on as she was effortlessly carried by Panter at a dead run. The closer they came to the roof the more speed that was called into play giving the archers a target they would be unable to nail down. She started noticing subtle differences at first in Panters form then they started to speed up. The length of her stride got a bit longer as her legs lengthened. Her skin turned darker as fine fur started to appear. By the time they had reached their destination she had fully half shifted. It was strange at first to be so close to Panter when she was like this, but the warmth and intelligence that was in the look that met her stare reminded her of the person she had grown so close to. Alesia smiled.

" Lets get' em Panter"

Crouching down Panter used the massive muscles in her legs to propel her and Alesia to the top of the roof. Their sudden appearance caused chaos.
Two swipes shattered the bows each man had just readied. The arrows flew a short way then fell, the amount of pull not enough to propel them more then a few feet. Alesia body slammed into one as Panter took the easiest way to resolve the conflict. A short vicious arc tore out his throat. Blood gushed in a scarlet spray as his lifeless body collapsed onto the rooftop. Alesia solved her own crisis in nearly the same manner. A fast thrust of a dagger between her opponents' ribs ended her fight. Another body slid limply to the tiled surface. Blood slowly pooled around them as their adversaries turned departing the same way they had arrived.

In the time it took Panter and Alesia to reach the ground they had already heard the sounds of battle. Just as the rest of the group had reached the building, attackers had overwhelmed them. Panter's blood burned. While they had been lenient with the regular guard they had not with the hired mercenaries like the ones that had been on the roof. How convenient some had gathered together, it would be much easier to take care of them this way. With a roar, that Alesia to some surprise echoed fairly well, they attacked spreading death around them in a wide swath.

Using her speed Panter evaded every sword cut coming toward her. Knocking a sword to the side she took a small moment to snap the wielders neck before moving on. She didn't kill every one she faced. Most she disabled by breaking legs or arms. She wanted to make sure they where out of commission yet still around for whatever punishment Tera gave out. In her peripheral vision Panter saw a merc behind Rena with his sword upraised. Rena was doing an able job but her injury had left her vulnerable. Before Panter could react two of her hounds solved the dilemma. He screamed as they attacked dragging him to the ground. The scream gurgled to silence. The hounds left his body. One to find another victim, the other at Panter's signal stayed behind to protect Rena's back.

In short time the fighting stopped. It had turned out just short of being a massacre. Most of their enemies were dead except for the ones Panter had disabled. It seemed that no one else had pulled any punches. One of their own had been badly injured. One of Rena's friends had taken a sword in the gut. Panter sent her back with two others to get her to a healer's attention as quickly as possible. They shouldn't run into any problems following the same path back they had taken when coming in. With the exception of the outer wall, of course. That now left Panter with their core group of five.

She was wondering if it would be enough when voices made everyone turn to look behind them. Panter's mouth quirked into a small grin at the sight of the small cluster of people heading for their position. She had half been expecting them to arrive earlier then now.

Akil ground to a halt upon seeing Panter's amused look. At least he thought it was, it was hard to tell when she was half shifted. As he watched Panter resumed her human form. Yes, no doubt now he was being laughed at.

"What!" he protested. Looking to the side showed Narna just as amused.

Panter shook her head "Nothing. Nice to see you, now let's go" her tone left no room for argument. It was clear who was in charge of this rescue no matter anyone else's position of authority.

They had no other encounters as they approached it from the rear.
The stillness worried them more then seeing all the guards. Somehow Alesia and Helia reached the open door before Panter could. With one covering each direction they slipped inside. Everyone sucked in a deep breath holding it. The expected sounds of battle didn't appear. Helia stuck her head back outside.

" No ones around. This part of the hall is clear"

They all sighed in relief. But worried frowns tugged at their faces. It was getting a little too easy. Even the most inexperienced persons instincts would have been jumping up and down while waving a red flag. This was definitely leading to one big trap. But they had no choice but to walk right into it. Panter left the dogs on guard outside the door. They would insure that no further threat would come from this direction.


The first sensations Tera noticed were a pounding head, dry mouth and an acute sense of nausea. The second was her movements being hampered. She seemed to be tied to something but she wasn't sure what. A sudden rush of emotion hammered into her head. Rage, Fear and a kind of animalistic joy had her head spinning. She struggled to keep her own senses separate enough to concentrate. Please stop I can't think she screamed silently. The rush of sensations cut off abruptly leaving her feeling limp and wrung out. Approaching footsteps had her stilling her movements, waiting to see what might happen.

"Wakey wakey" A voice cajoled. The footsteps halted in front of her.
" I know you're awake bitch!" a sudden cuff to the side of her head had her eyes shooting open in shock. Unfortunately to the form in front of her it also jolted her nausea, causing her to suddenly retch. On him. Her cousin. Doran. If she hadn't felt so sick at that second she might have laughed at the expression of shocked disgust on his face.

Silence loomed when she had finally calmed her stomach. Pain pulsed along her jaw from the hit. Doran raised a hand to hit her again then thought better of it. He snapped his fingers. A grimy man stepped into the room.

" Watch her. I'll return momentarily." Doran was out of the room briefly. He returned garbed in a set of clothes more garish then the set he had changed out of. She had to admit silently that they made him seem more piggish then he actually was.

" How are our friends doing?" Venom laced his words.

The man wiped his brow. " Well…" he trailed off. A glare from cold eyes spurred him on. " We've been unable to stop them so far. There has also been word that many of our men and supplies in the city have been routed."

" What by who?" Doran exclaimed. All his plans were being ruined. It was that bitch's entire fault he knew it. He would make sure she paid for it.

" From the information I have it's her old personal guard"

" I knew I should have just killed them instead of trying to make them useful. But surely there are not so many that they can spoil my plans?" Doran muttered to himself.

Loud laughter made him look over to his prisoner. She hung helpless in her bonds with tears rolling down her face. Mirth racked her frame.

" Stop laughing!!" Quickly moving to her he backhanded Tera across the face again. The laughter cut off abruptly. Blood trailed down her chin from her split lip.

Lifting her head Tera boldly matched his stare. Spitting to clear her mouth
she grinned " You don't get it do you, It's your own fault this is happening. Didn't you think the people would have finally stood up and said enough to your tyranny? My loyal friends are only a small part of the force that is taking yours apart bit by bit"

Enraged Doran pulled his dagger. Pressing the point to her throat he pressed gently. The sharp pain caused Tera to flinch and hold still.
" Maybe I should just eliminate their cause for rebellion," He giggled madness interlacing his words. " What do you think?"

" I think it wouldn't matter, they would still revolt"

"Let's put that to the test shall we?" Doran press the dagger against her throat a little harder. Her gasp of pain caused him to smile with pleasure.

A commotion in the hall pulled his attention. He cut Tera's bonds as he straightened pulling Tera up against his chest as some of his men ran into the room shoving the door closed behind them then latching it. They fanned out in the available space trying to ensure there was enough room to fight in if needed.

"What's going on out there?" he demanded.

One of his men answered not bothering to take his eyes of the door.
" We have company"

Cry's and shouts echoed down the corridor. Blades rang as the battle ensued. He could hear doors being kicked open as it moved towards them.
Shocked voices shouted. It seemed his hold over the regular guard had been terminated as hostaged members of their family were freed. That plus well placed threats had assured their loyalty till now. Well he could fix that later after this hassle was taken care of. Soft footsteps approached the door then stopped. The latch rattled as it was tried. Suddenly the door shook as a heavy force slammed against it from the other side. Dirt shook loose then drifted to the floor from the pounding.

Doran gripped the knife tighter making sure to keep Tera pressed against him. He was fairly certain no one would be able to break down this door. It was made to withstand five full-grown men. This was the cell in which his most important " guests" were kept.

" No one will get through that door," Doran said smugly.

Sufficient time had passed for the drug to clear Tera's system. Throwing up earlier had speeded up the cleansing of her body. With a clear head she was able to assess her situation. Right now she knew there was little chance to make her escape. Alive anyway. The knife pressing against her jugular guaranteed that. As she looked for alternatives a surge of emotion bombarded her. Tera was quick to realize they weren't hers they were from someone else. How was that possible? Her mind cast back to what happened a little earlier. The heady mix of emotions then was exactly the same as now. With a shock Tera figured it out. It was Panter. She was sure of it; it had to be.

" Some how I think they will," Tera said, just before with a roar the door caved in, splinters of wood exploding outwards with the sheer force used.
They flew like knives. One opponent dropped a large splinter lodged in his throat. Lucky Tera and her cousin were far enough back that no slivers reached them. Before the dust could settle Panter was in the room tailed by Akil and the rest. Battle surrounded her as Panter focused only on one person.

Panter locked eyes with Tera. The intense feelings passing between them reinforced Tera's answer. This must have been one of Panter's unknown consequences of their relationship. As Panter took a step toward her Doran's arm tightened around her the knife drawing blood as it was pushed harder against the thin skin of her neck.

"I'd back off if you want her to stay alive" Doran smirk " For a while anyway" He paused. " Or maybe not"

Panter froze in mid step. Her mind warred with her instincts. She wanted Tera safe while her inner self wanted to tear the man to pieces for daring to threaten her mate. In the space of a few heartbeats the decision was torn from her grasp as in a flash of motion Doran plunged the knife in Tera's chest. She heard him laughing as her eyes followed the slow motion of Tera's body slumping to the floor. Silence lay like a shroud over the room till Panter released her hold on the leash that she had used to reign herself in.
**


Akil turned from his last opponent in time to see Tera stabbed. He froze in shock at the sight. A roar shook the room as Panter lunged toward Doran. His shock doubled as she changed from moment to moment. First human, then half shift, then to his astonishment a large black panther.
**

Pure rage encompassed Panter as she lunged. She could feel herself changing. In a blink of an eye she was on Doran. Lashing out with her right paw she caught him just above his left eye and raked downwards. Panter could feel the tearing of the skin and muscle as her claws moved down his face leaving in its passing ruin. Agonized screams filled her ears. Her body slammed into his as she sank her teeth into his right shoulder mauling him. A hard shake silenced his screams. Dropping him she turned moving back to her mate. Panter ignored everyone else. As she got closer they all moved away from Tera giving her room. Between steps she shifted back to her human form to end up kneeling beside Tera.

Shaking Panter pulled Tera into her arms. She pulled the knife from her body throwing it violently across the room. No movement came from the still form. Clutching her to her chest Panter felt tears drip from her chin falling into Tera's hair. This couldn't be happening to find her then lose her like this. Panter threw her head back and roared her anguish. No one knew but that cry had been heard all the way into town. The pain laced within it affecting all those who heard.

Naturas Mater please no, not so soon and not like this. Panter cried silently. I need her she's my world. I'm nothing but a shell without her.
Her world funneled to seeing her hand caressing Tera's face. Absolute quiet blanketed the room. Slowly almost without Panter's awareness' her body filled with warmth. The impression of a hand resting on her shoulder broke her out of the fog she was in. But her senses told her clearly no one was there. She started as a voice whispered in her head. Child of my blood, Heart of my heart, I gift you this wish. May you fulfill the promise of your destiny. Allow me to work through you. Panter felt the love that emanated from those words. She willingly gave up control of her body to her goddess.

**

Alesia heart ached with sorrow for her friend. Not only had Panter lost her mate, she herself had lost a beloved friend. She did not know if Panter could survive this. She had an idea she probably wouldn't. Alesia's attention was yanked from her thoughts when Panter moved. She watched as Panter sliced open Tera's shirt with a nail. Out of the corner of her eye Alesia noticed everyone else stiffen. Shifting her gaze back to Panter she saw her slide a hand over the deep wound on Tera's chest. Panter's eyes slid closed. The faint glow emanating from her hand caused Alesia to doubt her own sight for an instant. Suddenly Panters eyes shot open, her face twisting in agony. Her pupils' had morphed to feline. Alesia could hear the scream that caught in her throat unable to be fully voiced. Panter slumped over as the glow dissipated.

Stillness loomed till a ragged breath abruptly broke it. Panters glad cry spurned them all into furious movement as the unbelievable fact that Tera was breathing sank in. Panter rose to her feet refusing to let anyone take her from her arms. She moved as quickly as possible to get Tera the help she needed. Panter whispered her thanks repeatedly to the goddess as she covered the distance in long strides. Everyone else tried to keep up as best they could.

No notice was paid to the body of Tera's attacker that remained behind. No one was there to see two figures slip in, retrieve it then hurriedly leave.

To Be Continued...