CHAPTER 7


Panter sat with her eyes closed enjoying the breeze as it flowed over her body. She was perched in an ancient oak that Zeva's family had kept. Preferring to build around it rather than have it removed. The tree had thanked them by providing future generations shade and coolness beneath it's canopy. The width of the trunk was larger then a grown mans arm span. The lowest most branches higher then her height with one arm upraised. Of course it presented no challenge for her to scale, the reward being a height greater then the surrounding buildings and a private retreat. Being situated in the central courtyard of the Raven's Claw beside the kitchen and its two storage areas meant she could watch the coming and going of it's people with out notice. The encroaching darkness of night provided it's own shelter. Right now however that was not her purpose. Blocking out the sounds that intruded, Panters thoughts drifted without direction. A short time passed till she once again opened her eyes and lowered her head.

" Naturas Mater please be with me in this time of conflict and discord. I am unsure of the action needed to resolve it"

Panter felt the bracing breeze ease then halt. The sensation of a hand on her shoulder but no identifying scent startled her. In the next breath it ended and nature resumed its hold. She was left unsure of what had just happened. Placing it into the back of her mind for later deliberation Panter climbed higher till she could see over the courtyard wall and watch the travelers below as they went about their evening. A group of five men standing across from the inn's entrance claimed her attention. The unlikely assortment and the glances they cast over to the entrance gave her an idea of their purpose. They were likely the others planning the revolt. She had better rejoin Tera.

Panter made her way down to the lowest branch then jumped; landing lightly she crossed over to the kitchen entrance and went in. Voices rose in greeting as she traversed the floor. Panter slowed to a stop upon seeing Solaris. She was hard at work filling the orders coming in from the common room, even though eve mealtime was passed hence Panter being off duty people still needed to eat regardless of time. Panter joined her at the table that resided beside the stove and ovens for this purpose. She cocked an ear at the request being made and snagging a bowl helped Solaris catch up. In a short time it died down enough that Panter could speak without being overhead.

" I believe the others have arrived"

Solaris gave her a blank look " Others"

" Yes, others you know" Panter caught her eyes " The other's"

Solaris turned red as what was said finally made sense. " Oh, sorry this hush hush stuff is hard to keep up with sometimes"

Turning Solaris beckoned a worker over to take her place. " Let's go, they might be at the room already"

Instead of leaving the kitchen and entering the hallway leading towards their office they backtracked Panters path. Bypassing the first storage area they halted at the second. Opening it they entered. Faint light greeted them. Moving among the stored items they came upon a door set back in the far corner. In the deep shadows unless you knew it was there it would have been missed. Solaris pulled open the door, they walked into a small room were a table and a number of chairs were the only things present.
No one else had arrived as of yet so they both claimed a seat and settled down to wait. Few moments passed till the door opened allowing the group of men Panter had seen in followed closely by Zeva and Tera.
Tera snagged the chair next to Panter and watched as the others chose their seats. She motioned Zeva to start the meeting.

" Thank you for agreeing to this meeting"

Resigned murmurs greeted this statement.

" I have called us together to inform you that I have received word from Tera "

A sandy haired man jumped to his feet " Finally, has she agreed that this is the time to revolt. Everything is about ready"

Zeva shook her head " No Cenon, she was pleased to hear that the people felt the way they do but once again said she was going to take care of it herself"

The man slammed his hands down " Doesn't she realize we want to help?"

" She's worried about people getting hurt, she doesn't want innocent blood spilled, not anymore then already has"

" But it's worth it" he protested angrily.

"She doesn't think so, but she has sent someone to help, she might be willing to let some of you to lend help" She turned toward Tera " This is Amara of Blazon Falls "

Tera rose and inclined her head in greeting " Zeva's right I might end up calling for your assistance in this matter. Please tell me who you are" Zeva had already filled her in but she had found if you allowed people some room it tended to get them to agree to more things easier.

The sandy haired man sat back down " My names Cenon, I'm the local blacksmith, I'm representing the common peoples feeling on this matter"

Panter was careful to watch the mannerisms and body language of the men. Small cues could signal if they were speaking the truth. Sort of like perfuse sweating could signal apprehension.

A sharp featured, fancy dressed man spoke next " I am Gyes of House Demos, I am here to speak for the noble blood."

Tera just restrained herself from rolling her eyes. The nobles were only involved because their pockets were affected. But they might come in handy some way. She hadn't an idea of how yet at the moment.

She turned to look at the next man at the table. Black hair flowed over his shoulders and came to a rest just below his shoulder blades. Green eyes were fixed upon her as if he were committing her features to memory. The way he sat rigidly in his seat reminded her of the way most of the guardsmen she had met unconsciously conducted themselves. She fought back a smile as she watched her old friend try to pretend he didn't know her.

" I am the proxy for the guardsmen who are loyal to regent Tera, you can call me Akil"

Tera made a slight bow of respect in his direction. " I thank you in her place, she knows that you take great risk on her behalf"

A brief smile graced his harsh features. " We do it because she is the rightful ruler, also because we respect her"

Tera really wished at that instant she could just be the friend he knew but now was not the time. She had to remember the goal and find some way to thank them all later.

The next man rose to his feet. The clothes he wore outdid the nobles in garishness. Tera almost didn't need an introduction. His florid round face indicated he lacked for little in the way of food or comfort. If the people he stood in place for resembled him in any way she was unsure of any uses they could hold.

" The Heads of the Guilds has sent me as a stand in for their interests in this situation. I am Jeno"

The stout man that followed simply stood and announced himself " I'm Attis, I am here for the Merchants" He retook his seat.

" On Tera's behalf I thank you all for being here. Plans are still being finalized; the roles you will play in them are not fixed at this present time. Please do me the honor of returning here at this same time in two days"

Voices in protest and anger rose quickly till Panter sprang to her feet.
They trailed off into silence in response to the cold glare they were subject to.

" If you would rather not abide by Amara's decision in this matter." Panter paused "May I remind you that she represents Regent Tera" The group shifted in their seats in discomfort. " Then you may leave and not return.
If you truly want to help you will do as Amara asks"

After passing glances back and forth they all rose and nodding exited talking amongst themselves. Panter and the others followed them out.

Returning to the common room Panter looked over at the man who took her place after eve meal. He shook his head at her questioning look. It seemed word had passed about the Ravens Claw being a safe place to come and eat. The room was still full and more people were trying to enter. Luckily Solaris had the idea to have people start sitting at the bar as an overflow measure. As long as the bar was, it allowed them to retain some space at the end to still make drinks. People were being gracious about leaving as soon as they had supped. Solaria and Zeva were ecstatic about the money flowing in. At this rate they would not have to worry about winter.

One of the waitresses's approached. " A woman was searching for you while you all were gone. Since you weren't here she gave me a note to be handed to you or Amara" She extended a folded note.

Taking it Panter thanked her. Walking over to a far corner table she joined Tera and the others as they sat and shared some liquid refreshment. Panter could deal with having a few; the day had been nerve-racking in many ways. Claiming a pint for herself she drank deeply. The light sweet flavor of the beer was pleasing. A few would sit quite well. Not that she had to worry, she had found that one very useful effect of her gift was that she didn't get drunk no matter how much she imbibed. Tera slid closer to her placing a hand on her thigh. Sliding the note over Panter dropped a kiss on her cheek. She ignored the watching Zeva and Solaris.

" This came for you while we were in the meeting"

Breaking the seal Tera read it quickly. She seemed pleased at the contents.

" Things seem to be progressing smoothly" Tera gave the note to Panter to read.

Things have been arranged as you requested. Our people are scattered throughout the city in various taverns. I was able to acquire lodgings for two others and myself at Raven's claw. It seems there were some rooms recently vacated. I am checking on the others to make sure no problems have arisen. I will return momentarily.

Rena

" Not the highest thing on my list to hear" Panter remarked dryly. She was not looking forward to being stuck in the same lodgings with someone who really rather she not be there. Panter knew of Rena's feelings about Tera, it wasn't a well keep secret if you really paid attention. She had to admit that Rena did a fairly good job trying to cover it up. Even Tera hadn't realized Rena was in love with her. Things sure weren't going to be boring from here on out.

"Panter, promise me you won't let Rena get to you. I know that she does her best to provoke you. I'll talk to her about it if you would like me too."

" No, I rather you wouldn't. Besides I don't think she could do anything I can't handle"

" Your right, I'll leave it to you then" Tera smirked as the thought of Rena trying to overpower Panter danced in her head. There was no way that was ever going to happen.

"Everything ok Amara?" Zeva inquired.

" Yes, just fine, things are moving forward as they should. Some people I was expecting have arrived. In fact, some of them seem to have taken a few rooms here that had been vacated recently"

" Good, if you need anything let us know. Come Solaris, we better get back to it."

Zeva and Solaris gathered the mugs and left heading for the kitchen.

" Panter, I wanted to ask you a favor"

Panter leaned back in her chair laying her arm on the back of Tera's.
" What favor?"

"Zeva pulled me aside before the meeting, she was hoping she could be involved in the "action"."

Panter's brow furrowed " Has she ever fought with a weapon before?"

Tera sighed " It's been years since she's welded a weapon of any kind. She was once a member of the guardsmen. That's how she and I meet and became friends."

" With so little time to practice I wouldn't want Zeva to use an edged weapon. What would she say about using a staff instead?"

" If I'm remembering correctly she used to be very proficient with it. I don't see any problems with that. Nor would she I believe"

" I'll get with her to work out a schedule for practice"

Leaning over Tera thanked her with a kiss. They stayed absorbed in each other till Panter's senses set off an internal alarm.

"Seems someone wants our attention," She murmured in Tera's ear.

They both glanced up; it was Aeson the man who took over from Panter. He kept back from the table until Panter beckoned him closer.

" Sorry to interrupt, but this just came for you" He handed Tera a small piece of sealed parchment.

"Thank you Aeson"

Aeson bowed and left.

Tera laughed " You know he only does that because I'm with you"

Panter just stared at Tera for a minute then shook her head.

"So what's up with that?" Panter gestured at the note Tera was holding onto.

" Let's see"

Opening the note a smile graced her features, as she read further it started to fade. Finishing the note she passed it to Panter.

Amara,

Happiness is mine to see you. But joy is not enclosed in this note that I pen. I am putting ink to paper to forewarn you that a member in the meeting just held is not what they seem. I am unsure at this point who that is so be on the watch for any who seem too agreeable. Know that the accipiter ala stands at the ready. These eyes hope to view you again soon. I feel more at ease since you have so careful a watcher.

With fondness,
Akil

" Kind of wordy isn't he?" Panter joked.

"He can be yes, he wanted to be a poet but his parents decided that he was going to be a guardsmen instead. But it certainly does comes out in his writing."

"What is this accipiter ala that he mentions?"

"They are or rather were my personal guards. Many I've known since I was young. Some I handpicked myself"

"So who chose to call them the hawks wing?"

" They decided on that name amongst themselves"

" How many do they number?"

Tera pondered for a second adding them up in her head " There were three rotations of about thirty I think"

Panter was shocked "You had" she had a loss of words " nonaginata as your personal guard?"

" Nonaginata. Oh, you mean ninety?" Tera turned scarlet in embarrassment " Well, they only do a rotation of two weeks at a time, any other time they were at the barracks keeping up with training. One week out of every two months they had free. To return home or spend as they liked"

" That makes sense, having a short rest between being on duty fulltime is a good idea. It keeps you more alert" Panter felt more at ease knowing they had backup. " There's something else that's concerning me "

"What's that?"

"Akil said that someone in the meeting was a fraud, right?"

"Yes he did, why?"

Panter checked the room. " What if they decided to check out just who Amara of Blazon Falls was. What kind of problems you might pose to them?"

" I fully expect them to"

" But she doesn't really exist!"

Tera bit her lip holding back a chuckle at the exasperation on Panter's face. " Ah, but she does."

A blank look met that announcement, taking pity on her Tera elaborated.
" As a youth I chafed at the amount of responsibility forced onto my shoulders. I decided that I needed time of my own to do with as I pleased."

Tera crossed her arms, leaning back in her seat.

" So I took some time for myself. I chose a few of my most trusted friends to go with me, Akil among them. We dressed in common clothing and traveled around the territory for weeks at a time. As long as I kept sending word back to my family, it didn't really matter when I returned as long as I did."

"So how did Amara come to be?"

Tera held a finger up " I'm getting there."

Panter settled in for what seemed to be a long story.

" On one of my trips, we joined a small group of people looking for a nice piece of free land to settle. Knowing of a place, I led them to it and helped them get organized. I got to know a middle aged couple who had no real family. I stopped by, checking in on them every so often. Once I found some ruffians that had moved in hassling them because no one was around to protect them. My people took care of that problem quickly"
" I had known them for a few years by then so I mentioned that if they had family to help provide for them they would have a measure of the protection they needed. Of course they said they had no one to do such a thing, so I asked if it would offend them if I did. The story passed around was that I was a niece of theirs from a son that had left long ago, cutting them out of his life. Amara being the name I already used was convenient to apply. When I returned here papers were drawn up secretly and a provision sent to them every three months. It still is being send to this day. So to anyone asking questions I do exist"

Panter rubbed her forehead" Teach me to ask a question like that again"

As Tera started to speak an increase of noise pulled their attention toward the front. It was Rena and her buddies. They were causing a commotion as they tried to ditch in front of others to get drinks from the bar. Causing trouble already she mused. Her interest in the scene increased as Panter got to her feet and headed toward them.

@ @ @


" Move it old man" Rena shoved people out of her way to get the drinks she and her friends wanted.

" Wait your turn," an old lady protested as she was pushed aside.

" I don't think I want to, you old hag"

The growing silence behind her didn't catch her attention. People parted in front of her. Taking advantage of it Rena moved in.

" Hey girl, three drinks and don't be lazy about it."

As she waited for the ale the absolute quiet suddenly claimed her notice. Turning she caught sight of Panter standing close behind with her arms crossed, a feral look on her face. Rena stiffened. She lifted her upper lip in distaste. " Something you want?"

" Oh, not me. But I think that someone else just might"
Panter allowed a smirk to show as the realization that Tera had witnessed her attitude dawned on her. " Get your hard earned drinks" she stressed drolly " and follow me".

Gathering the ale up, Rena and the other two women followed Panter to the table. Settling into a seat Rena almost didn't recognize the woman sitting across from her if it wasn't for the scar on her cheek and her eyes.

Rena directed her gaze down at her hands at the frosty look she was getting from Tera.

" In what way do you think acting like an absolute bitch, helps us?" Tera spat.

Rena flinched " It doesn't" she muttered.

"Then why do it?"

Rena shrugged, knowing she was acting like a child but somehow unable to stop herself. She felt that it was Panter's fault anyway. She loved Tera; she wasn't going to let some half-breed take what she wanted. She would find some way to make it happen.

" Rena, I asked you to come and help. You agreed. I refuse to waste my time babysitting some snot nosed brat"

Rena flushed in anger. " I came to help"

Tera gentled her look " Then please, drink your refreshments and eat, then go and sleep. We have much to do tomorrow"

Rena agreed. She moved over to another freed table. Her friends apologized to Tera and went to join her.

" You can be some piece of ice, amare"

Tera stuck her tongue out at Panter " If needed, what's amare mean?"

" It means love, it's fine with you isn't it"

Tera gazed lovingly into golden eyes. " It's more then fine"

Panter cleared her throat " Good, may I see Akil's note again?"

Tera blinked lost for a moment at the sudden question. " Sure" She tossed it over.

Picking it up, Panter brought it to her nose and sniffed. She drew the scents in. They were layered upon each other but she easily picked out Akil's. It was a strong smoky odor that stood out above the rest.

" What are you up too?"

Panter flipped it back onto the table. " I'm going hunting "

Continued...