Chapter one
The creaking of wind filled sails and the crash of waves being split asunder by the bow of the huge warship filled the darkness. A form moved past the lantern lit mid section and melted into the shadows that concealed the furthest point of the fore deck. Panter leaned against the railing while she stared out over the vast ocean before her. She'd never thought she would ever be going back to her birthplace after fleeing it so long ago. After making the final arrangements for Doslan, they had quickly repaired this ship and set sail. Squeaks and excited chattering made her look down at the turbulent waters far below. A fond smile touched her lips at the sight of the excited water mammals that jumped and leaped beside the ship before darting forward and crisscrossing in front of it. After watching them play for a while, she lifted her gaze for one last look at the inky night ahead of them. She turned and moved back into the glow of the lamp lit deck. Glancing around, she saw the crew quietly moving around attending to their duties with no special attention being paid to her. Catching the eye of the steersman, she raised an eyebrow in inquiry and received a nod back in response.
Panter started toward the door of the companionway, which led below to the living quarters they had been assigned when they'd first come aboard. She stopped to speak to one of the men that were on night watch before going below.
"Have things been calm so far?"
The man nodded. "Yes, Arms Master it has," he looked at her with a look of faint concern. "After what went on earlier it's almost too quiet for comfort."
A faint smile bent Panter's lips. "I know exactly what you mean. Keep a sharp eye out for me will you?"
The man saluted her briskly. "You have my pledge on that."
Panter inclined her head. "Good, make sure to pass the word on to your relief." After receiving his assurance that he would do so, Panter opened the door and headed down the short flight of steps it revealed. She ended up in the long narrow corridor of the ships main deck that had several doors branching off it. If they were careful, two people passing could just squeeze by each other if needed. The doors ahead of her led to the captain's quarters and lodgings for special guests if they had any.
Tera, Alesia, Thira, and herself had taken possession of these quarters since they were the highest-ranking people currently on the ship. The door behind the flight of steps she just came down led to another small stairway to the middle deck that housed the crew quarters, the galley, and eating area. This deck also housed any military personnel that were assigned to it; right now, their own people were currently using this space. Two doors inset into the floor of the galley allowed access to the lower deck that housed the ships main weaponry along with all other secondary armaments that were used for the protection of the ship. Shuttered portholes ran down each side for the sixteen cannons that were their primary source of defense. Below that, there was the hold where all their food and assorted goods were stored.
Walking by a door her ears caught the sound of a low growl followed by a gasp then a long moan. She smiled as she slipped through the door further down and into the quarters she shared with Tera.
Tera glanced up from the book she was perusing and caught the smile that lingered on Panter's face. Slipping in a marker to hold her place, she shut the book and tucked it into the drawer on the small table that had been securely bolted to the floor beside the bed. "Something funny?"
Panter shook her head as she undressed for bed. "No, I was just passing Alesia and Thira's quarters."
Tera smiled herself when she caught onto what Panter was implying. "Are they still up?" She moved over in the small double berth as she spoke.
"Of course they are." Panter slipped into bed beside her partner. They laughed together before the expression on Panters face went solemn. Blowing out the lantern hanging over the side table, she pulled Tera into her arms as they settled down for the night.
Tera wrapped an arm around Panter's waist then pressed a kiss against the warm smooth skin close to her before laying her head down on the strong shoulder. "Are you worried about it?"
"About what?"
Tera wasn't the least bit fooled by the question. She could feel the anxiety that filled the tall frame lying beside her. She raised her head and gazed down at Panter with a wry expression. "Nice try." A small growl was the only response she got in return. "About returning home like this."
"It's not my home anymore Tera, That's at Hawk's Peak with you. We're merely visiting my birthplace, that's all."
Tera was shocked at that response. "You really mean that don't you?" Even in the darkness that enveloped the room, she could clearly see the look of disbelief that filled Panters face at the question.
"Of course I do. You are the most important thing in my life not a huge hunk of rock out in the middle of nowhere. Alesia and the others are like family to me too, but you're the reason why I rise each morning thankful to the goddess for just being alive. Didn't you know that?"
"No, but I had hoped you felt the same way I do. The only thing I'm sure of is that with you in my life, there is nothing that could or would hurt me more then if you were no longer there." Tera settled back into Panters embrace and moved as close to her as possible. "I don't think I could survive that."
I know I won't. Panter thought to herself. She quickly changed the subject. "At the speed we're moving I'd estimate we'll make land fall in about four more days if not earlier."
Tera knew what Panter was up to but let it pass without comment. "That soon?" She laughed quietly. "When the Goddess told us she was going to lend us some assistance, I guess she wasn't kidding."
"It would have taken the better part of two months to get this far without it. The currents and wind have been in our favor since we've left port." Panter frowned a little as she thought back on the long dreary months she'd been caged up with nowhere to go to get away from the close quarters she'd been forced to share with the sailors and the few other passengers that had been onboard. Most of her time had been spent in the stern of the ship where few if any people encroached on the small private spot she'd carved out for herself for the rest of the journey. She thanked the goddess that this trip across the ocean was ending up to be much shorter then the one she'd endured alone.
"Any idea of what we'll do when we finally get there?" Tera said breaking into her train of thought.
"No, but right now I'd prefer to spend this time we have focused on us not on what we might run into when we make landfall. What happens will happen no matter how much we plan for it. We brought good people with us, we need to trust in the skills we have to get us through whatever might come our way." Panter pressed a kiss against Tera's forehead then closed her eyes and settled in to sleep. The movement of the ship joined with the cooling salt tinted breeze that came through the open portholes over their bed and lulled them both quickly into slumber.
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Running feet from overhead jerked Thira out of a doze, looking down she saw that Alesia was still sleeping soundly next to her. She started to get lost in just watching her mate sleep when shouting in the corridor outside their quarters caught her attention again. Growling in frustration, she eased out of Alesia embrace. Grabbing her clothes, she hastily pulled them on before heading for the door. Fists started pounding on their door just before she got there and she heard Alesia wake with a sharp cry of alarm. Gritting her teeth, she yanked the door open. "What?!!"
The sailor jerked back at the sight of the enraged woman that filled the doorway. "I'm sorry to disturb you both ma'am, but the captain requested I alert you of the ships that have just appeared off our port side."
The harsh remark that Thira was going to say died on her lips. "Are their colors visible from here, do we know who they are yet?" She felt Alesia come up behind her to listen in on what was being discussed. Her eyes narrowed in displeasure as the sailor glanced past her with wide eyes then flushed at whatever he'd seen. Thira cleared her throat to regain his attention; she allowed her anger at his actions to be clearly visible.
"Yes, their colors matched the sample one you gave us when you came on board." He tried to keep his eyes away from the beautiful woman who was standing behind the other wrapped in just a clinging sheet. There had been rumors going around about the women on board but he'd dismissed them out of hand as being conjectured until now. When the dark-haired woman moved her hand to the other's shoulder in a calming gesture, he caught sight of a band on her ring finger. He knew his quick look had been seen when a low growl filled the brief pause in the conversation. He took a swift step back when the eyes of the first woman flashed and she stepped forward threateningly.
"Let's get this over with right now. That woman you've been ogling for the past few minuets is my mate, my partner, and my wife whichever word you need to hear to comprehend that she's not interested in you or anyone else. If I ever catch you doing something like that again, you're going to end up as fish bait." Thira bared her teeth at the rapidly paling man. "Now do you understand me?"
"Yes ma'am, it won't happen again." He might have thought that the woman was good looking but no one was worth tangling with the creature that suddenly stood in front of him. With the fangs he'd just seen he was more than sure she could easily carry out any threat she made.
"We have some time yet but the captain requests your presence on deck as soon as you're ready. By your leave," He nodded at both of them as politely as he could then left and quickly headed back to report to the captain. Somehow, he got the feeling that whoever was on the ships that were approaching them would have more problems then they could handle if they tried to start some type of trouble.
Shutting the door behind her, Thira looked up to see Alesia shaking her head. "What?" She leaned back against the door and watched as her partner dropped the sheet that had been around her on the bed then bent down to gather up her clothing that had been left scattered on the floor in their previous rush to get their hands on each other. A purr rumbled briefly in her chest as she recalled the pleasure that had been exchanged between them both during the night. Thira caught the small smile that graced Alesia's lips as she finished getting dressed. "Something funny?"
Alesia slid a knife in the sheath on her left hip then settled her sword across her back before walking over to slip her arms over Thira's shoulders. "No not really, I love you, you know that."
Thira slid her hands around Alesia's hips and pulled her close until their lower bodies melded. Bending her head, she brushed her lips over Alesia's then increased the pressure as they kissed. She knew her eyes had changed when they finally parted. "I will always be grateful that you accepted me as your mate." Thira had slowly come to terms with some of the ways most humans reacted to her but the unconditional acceptance she received from Alesia made anything bearable. "I never say it enough but I do love you."
Alesia smiled and ran a hand down the cheek of the stunning woman that held her heart. "You say it more then you know. Your every action shouts it, even what happened with the sailor at the door just now."
Thira eyes narrowed as she reflected on what had happened. "He was attracted to you, I could smell it."
"I wasn't interested in him. I want no one else in my arms or bed but you. Even if we hadn't been joined it would always be that way." Alesia caught Thira's gaze with her own and made sure she saw how serious she was about it.
"I know that, I do." Thira fumbled for the words to try to explain the feeling that rose up in her when she grew aware that others wanted what was rightfully hers. Admirers she could tolerate but when someone outright lusted after her and she could smell it on them she had to struggle to rein in the desire to protect her territory even though she knew Alesia wouldn't appreciate it. Thira dropped her eyes from Alesia's intent gaze and gently separated herself from her. Moving to one of the open portholes she stared out it blankly. Running a hand through her hair, she sighed. "It's just sometimes I want to... I don't know, stop them from doing it I guess." Thira's eyes slid closed when Alesia's scent engulfed her as her warm form pressed against her back and her arms slid around her waist.
"Thira, that's your nature. Snarl, growl, lash out if you truly have to, but please don't kill anyone over this. Just keep in mind the knowledge that I'm yours and yours only." Alesia pressed a kiss against the strong neck. "Alright?"
Thira swallowed hard at the feel of the soft lips touching her skin. She nodded wordlessly at the request. Once again, the total acceptance Alesia gave her took her breath away.
Thira bit her lip as she forced down the need to push her partner against the wall and take her. Sliding her hands over the ones wrapped around her she lightly squeezed them then pulled away. "Come on, we need to go see what going on." Thira grabbed her blade harness as they left their room and shrugged into it while they made their way topside.
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Panter watched as Thira peeled away from their group and headed toward the main mast. A eyebrow rose slightly while she watched her dodge several sailors in her path before sinking her nails in the wood and making her way up to the main mast platform while several of the men watching objected to the marks she clawed into the masts trunk with loud shouts of protest. Panter shook her head at the uproar then approached the captain at the wheel.
"I hear we have company, captain."
"We do.' He handed over his spyglass then pointed at the portside towards the rear of the ship. "They just popped up over the horizon several minuets ago. Saw the mast marking you warned us about then sent one of my men to let you know about it."
Looking briefly through the glass, Panter verified the sail markings then passed it to the others so they could see it clearly. "How long until they reach us?"
The captain shrugged. "It mostly depends on what kind of ship it is really. If they're lighter then us they'll catch us fairly quickly, then again it might take them awhile. We have a good wind so we might get lucky." He scratched his balding crown. "I'll have the guns run out just in case of course." He turned and shouted at his men to ready for combat. The slamming of port hole covers opening swiftly followed his command as men pulled on ropes that had been tied off over the sides of the ship in a consistent arrangement.
"All ready captain." One of the sailors called out as he drew near.
He nodded then turned back to the small group of women watching him. "Do you want to sink 'em or are you looking to board 'em."
Panter exchanged a long look with the others before answering. "We'd like to talk to someone in charge if it's possible. They might have some information that might interest us."
He turned to the waiting sailor. "Tell the cannon handlers to load chain shot. We want to take them out of action not sink 'em."
"Yes sir." The sailor left at a quick trot to carry out his instructions.
Tera glanced at Alesia. "Tell our people to prepare themselves for a fight."
Alesia nodded then took off for the lower decks to pass on the message. She ducked through the door and made her way down the companionway. She hoped that their people would be able to fight effectively. As far as she knew, no one they had with them had experience fighting on board a ship.
Everyone looked up as Thira suddenly shouted. "Incoming!" She pointed at the closest trailing ship. "They've fired at us!"
A plume of water erupted violently off their rear starboard side. It came nowhere near them, but the intent of the shot made the hair on the back of everyone's neck crawl it pure reaction.
Alesia swayed as the ship turned away from the area the attempt had landed. "Thank the Goddess, they missed us."
"Those are only ranging shots but if they keep it up they'll get us soon enough." The captain spun the wheel and began making wide tacks hoping that they could frustrate the enemy and make it more difficult to get a bead on them.
Another shot slammed into the water off their port side. The wind blew water across the deck and sprinkled it over the women watching. Just as the plum of water died down a huge whirlpool began slowly rotating in about the same area.
The captain shouted in alarm and hastily turned the ship further away so they wouldn't get sucked into it. Everyone watched in disquieting fascination as the spinning got faster and the middle of the vortex began to churn.
Continued...