Panter's Pride:
Hunted
by T. S. Hubbard
Disclaimer It's still mine. Note: Panter's Pride must be read first, as this is book 2.
Thanks to Thorie for volunteering to proofread yet another story.
Email address: thubbar2@insight.rr.com.- comments welcome.
Chapter Three
Panter sucked in a breath as the icy water hit her hot face and neck. Trickles of water ran down her chest as she reached for a cloth to dry off with. Looking up, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror above the small sink. She paused suddenly seeing herself as others did. Shoulder length black hair had been pulled back into a tail exposing her ears and neck. With it pulled back like it was, you could see the slightly pointed cast her ears had. Most people didn't see that though since her unusual eye color pulled their attention first and she had almost always left her hair down, but lately she had been pulling it back more. With all the sparring they've been doing it made sense to keep it back out of her face. Panter smiled, besides she had found that Tera liked it pulled back almost as much as when it was down so that had pretty much decided it. Those eyes were set in a face above high-planed cheekbones, a slender nose and a strong jaw line. A white tattoo ran from just above her right eye, down the side of her face to end at her jaw line. It stood out brilliantly against her dark skin tone.
Faint footsteps pulled her attention away from the mirror. Dropping her towel onto the edge of the sink, she turned to the door just before Alesia walked through it and dropped onto a nearby bench with a groan.
Panter bit back a grin. "How's it going out there?"
Alesia closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the wall behind her. "Not bad really, its just there's so MANY of them." She spread her arms outward to help convey her feelings.
" I know, but remember you wanted to help me with this" Panter chided lightly. Alesia had almost begged her to lend her assistance. She had to admit, if her friend hadn't offered already she would have asked. Alesia was one of the best fighters they had. As a scout she was almost as good as Panter herself was.
" Your right I did, didn't I. Next time I volunteer for anything, remind me of this Ok?" Alesia raised her head and grinned wryly at Panter, laughter bright in her eyes.
" I will, I promise" Panter smiled at her before going serious. " I'm not sure if we'll be ready for this fight, but we don't have many choices"
Alesia rose, moving over to stand by Panter she tilted her head to meet her eyes." Panter my friend, we have no choice but this and you know it. The only other thing to do would be for Tera to step down from Regency and you know damn well that her people would never allow that no matter what." Alesia shook her head and sighed." Especially after this past year, people are really happy now and are willing to fight for it to stay that way"
Panter rested a hand on Alesia's shoulder. "Yes I know, but what a waste. A lot of people are going to get hurt, even killed over this. I just wish there was another option, but I can't find one"
Alesia covered the hand on her shoulder with hers. "You know, the longer I know you the more I see it. You really don't like to fight do you?"
Panter looked to the side for a moment then met Alesia eyes. " To fight just for the sake of fighting, no. To protect my friends, my family" She cast a meaningful look at her friend and hid a grin at the faint coloring that rose in Alesia face. Her face tightened as her eyes narrowed." And especially my mate, I wouldn't stop until breath was no longer in my body."
Alesia opened her mouth to say something, and then closed it when nothing came to mind. Silence drifted in the air for an instant. Alesia gently squeezed Panters hand. " I feel the same way, Panter. You and Tera may be my leaders but you are first and foremost my family. That is more important then anything else." She smiled, nudging Panter to break the look of shock on her features. " Now lets get back to it, there's a lot more troops to sort through out there"
Panter laughed. " Unfortunately" She waved Alesia ahead of her. They passed through a wide hallway with multiple doors on either side then out the door standing at the end. Sounds of clashing metal immediately surrounded them. The door led to the sparring rings that dominated the back of the militia garrison. All three were in use as people honed their skills before the upcoming battle.
Panter stopped; leaning on a nearby pillar she folded her arms as she studied some of the fighters. She saw Alesia head over to a large grouping of female archers. The sounds of arrowheads hitting stuffed targets receded as Panter placed her full attention on a pair of fighters in the second ring. They were good, both of them. She kept watching as she spoke. " Akil, come here for a moment"
Footsteps thudded on the packed dirt before Akil appeared at her side.
" You called for me Arms Master?" He said mildly, holding in a snort of laughter as he caught the slight roll of her eyes in frustration.
" You know, I hate when you do that Akil"
" Yes I do, but its that or Co- Regent my friend. You are one of our leaders and you deserve the respect it affords you. Besides," Akil insisted. " The soldiers need to hear it, especially the conscripts. In battle they will need to follow the Arms Masters orders not their friend Panters. It could mean peoples lives if they wavered in following them. You know I'm right"
Panter paused in her objection. " You are" She would just have to get over it. After a year she should be used to it by now. " Anyway, what can you tell me about them?" She motioned to the men she had been watching.
Akil turned to watch the two men that had caught Panter's attention. One man was defending himself with a poleaxe against the other who was using a broad bladed sword that was curved at its end, which was also its broadest point. The thing that made it a little unusual was that the swordsman was using two blades at once. His smooth movements created a flashing net of silver around his body. His sparring partners weapon had been banded with metal to create a more battle worthy weapon. An axe head adorned on end but the other end was decked out with a sharp hook. Any wondering about that end, was quickly answered as he spun the pole around, hooked a blade of his opponent then with a twist pulled it from his grasp. Most would have lost the fight there but with a sword still in hand the sparring was far from over, the man swiftly pulled out a dagger all soldiers carried and continued the fight, using the small blade as if it was a shield.
" I can see why they caught your attention. The pole man is Kratus and the other is Farris."
Panter hummed in response as she watched them come to a draw. "Have they been training with the other soldiers?"
Akil frowned faintly. " Yes, but not many are skilled enough to be able to spare with them, why do you ask?"
Panter eyes narrowed a little. " I just felt like training a bit. Looks like I'll get some competition with these two" She reached over her right shoulder and adjusted the angle of her sword that was strapped on her back. She walked toward the center ring, and then halted. She turned. " I want these two in our group Akil" Panter resumed her move to the ring when suddenly a rush of fear mixed with anger assaulted her, causing her to misstep and stagger. She caught her balance and without a word took off in the direction of the manor, ignoring the rising voices behind her.
*****
A short time earlier.
Tera rubbed the back of her neck, hoping to get rid of at least a little of its stiffness. She had been hunched over her desk for most of the morning, trying to make sure she got as much done as possible before she had to leave. Standing, she stretched to help relieve the cramping in her lower back from being in one position for so long. She closed her eyes relishing the slight breeze that drifted from the open window close behind her desk. She sat again sighing at the sight of her still full desk. A light tap on the door made her gladly put of the pile of paperwork aside for as long as possible.
" Its open"
The door opened revealing her mother and sister to be the visitors.
"I hope we're not intruding" Aretina said as they entered the room and each claimed a chair in front of Tera's desk. " I know you still have a lot to do"
Tera grimaced. "Unfortunately" she said unknowingly echoing her partner. She studied her mother for a moment. Even in her early fifty's she was still a stunning woman. Long blonde hair had been pulled into a bun on the back of her head. Green eyes sparkled in the light from the window. Few lines interfered with the smoothness of the skin on her face and neck, her features resembled Tera's own but on a far more delicate scale. Most people took her a face value, many realizing too late the brilliant mind it hid. Her slender form was once again clothed in bright colors. If there had to be one thing about her mother that was strange it was her preference of clothing.
A questioning voice broke into her thoughts. She blinked. " Sorry, what was that?"
Medan traded glances with her mother but refrained from saying what she wanted too at that time. " I asked what else needs done, anything we can help with?"
Aretina interrupted before she could respond. " Dear, do you think you should have that window open in these circumstances?" She worried about the risk to her elder daughter, even with Panter protecting her.
" Mother, I'm on the top floor what possibly could happen?" Tera was a bit put out with all the worrying people were doing. She was an adult after all; she could take care of herself. She was all ready to continue bitching when her sister and mother froze, eyes rounded in alarm.
" What's wrong with you…" Her voice trailed off as a voice suddenly rumbled by her ear.
" Could it be me?" it sneered. A form emerged from just behind her chair as Tera jerked to her feet. It came to a halt by the side of her desk. "Don't". She had just drawn a breath to shout for the guard when a blade glimmered in one hand as it suddenly was at her throat. " You're not the one I want but you're the one who can give it to me, don't make me hurt you" The woman's voice was interlaced with sounds that hit her ears peculiarly. As if this wasn't her normal language.
Tera released her breath as she studied her captor. An average woman with dark streaked tawny hair stood close by her. Tera drew a shaky breath as the knife was withdrawn. Tera's brow furrowed. Maybe not so average she pondered studying the leanly muscled form. She blinked as unusual eyes linked with hers. Amber.. That's what the color reminded her of. A deep orange colored amber.
" Your the one Panter told me about" Tera was hesitant to say something but all of them standing here staring at each other sure wasn't going to do anything.
" Ah yes Panter…So the traitor mentioned me did she?" their visitor drawled acidly.
" Panter's not a traitor" Tera spat back. Her sudden anger momentarily
eclipsing her awareness of the danger they were in.
"What would you call someone who left her people behind to die while she lived?" The woman roared back. It was truly a roar. The reverberations died as everyone stared at her in shock.
Chaos ensued as at the uproar two guards burst into the room, swords in hand. In a blur of motion, Tera was pulled back against the woman, the dagger once again at her throat.
"Stop, or I swear by the goddess I'll kill her" Being this close to her captive she got a better look at the marking by her right eye, something about it caused a roil of disquiet in the pit of her stomach. Not having the time to figure it out she shook the feeling off. She tightened her grip. " I mean it"
Her threat along with her grip on her hostage made the guards halt their forward motion. The man and woman exchanged glances and went one step further by dropping their swords. They hit the floor with a clatter that drew the abductors eyes as she stepped slightly away from her hostage to see giving them both an opening. In one fluid move they both drew the knives hidden on their lower backs and threw them.
For a second they had an idea it might have worked but in a motion faster than they could track she dodged both weapons, leaving them to land in the wall behind her instead. Now with both guards weaponless they had no choice but see what the woman wanted and try to think of some way to get their Regent away from her safely. They backed up with their hands raised to see what would happen next.
" That was a stupid move," The woman laughed. "But I'm impressed by your loyalty, too bad not everyone has it"
" I told you, Panter's not a traitor" Tera insisted trying to ignore the blade so close to her neck. She winced, feeling a burning, as it's sharp edge sliced past a layer of skin causing small beads of blood to trickle down from were it was pressed.
" You have no idea what happened to my people, how many could have survived if it wasn't for her turning her back on us" The woman hissed in rage. " I was sent here to make her pay for her cowardly act and by the goddess she'll pay in full, even if I have to start with you" Inwardly her conscious was screaming about her not involving innocents even if they weren't clan, but she tried to shove it down. She had to do what ever needed to be done to fulfill her mission. It was why she was here. The only reason she was here.
" Enough of this, I want her here now" The sudden calm that came over the woman scared them more that her rage did. The female guard edged to the door intent on retrieving her Arms Master. The woman jerked her head giving her permission to leave but she only moved when Tera met her eyes and motioned her to go with her own. They all watched as the guard slipped quickly out of the door.
" This better not take long," The woman growled in a low tone.
" It might be sooner then you think" Tera replied with a slight smile teasing her lips.
" What do you mean by that?" she demanded looking closely at her captive. She seemed to be almost unconcerned now that the guard had left.
"You'll see soon enough" Tera allowed. " What's your name?"
" Why?"
" Just wanted to know who was holding me captive, call it a little quirk of mine"
The woman bared her teeth in a smirk, unable to not be amused by the woman's daring. " I suppose that would be harmless enough, It's Thira"
"What is?" Tera asked puzzled. The guttural sound the woman made was odd.
The woman sighed. Even with the long journey she was still not used to these people. She had kept away from them as much as possible, trying not to speak. Some of the words were too hard for her to say; they felt unnatural in her mouth. She spoke again trying to be clearer. " My name it's Thira"
"Thira" Tera repeated. " I like it"
Thira grunted. Trying not to care if she did or not. She was just a tool to get what she wanted nothing more. Her attention on her own thoughts, she was caught suddenly caught off guard when a large dark hand reached from behind her and clamped down on her knife hand, pulling it away from her captives throat.
Thira winced as with a vicious twist she was relived of her weapon. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted her former captive join the other two females in the room. The clatter of the knife being tossed to the side caught her attention. Then her own problems at hand got in her face. Literally.
"You bastard" was snarled at her as large hands headed for her own neck.
She used her natural speed to evade the grasp, intent on putting a little distance between them. Thira headed to the far side of the room unsure of her next move. Right now her purpose lay in shambles at her feet. She narrowed her eyes at that thinking. She was at a crossroads. Did she forget her mission and pled for whatever mercy this cousin might offer or still try to finish the mission she had been sent with. Her personal honor demanded she finish what she was here to do, no matter the consequences.
As she flew by the knives still in the wall she grabbed one on the way past trying to ignore the feeling that she knew what one of those consequences might be. She spun around to meet the large shape headed toward her almost as rapidly. She tightened her grip on the knife then reconsidered. A shadow of movement ended with a thump as the knife reappeared in the wall next to its mate.
As her opponent got closer it seemed as if time slowed. She could see the fury in the gold eyes, the claws that now appeared on her hands. Thira extended her own innate weapons; even with her height being a big disadvantage she was sure could do a fair bit of damage before she died.
All this happened in the time that it took to prepare herself and then dodge to the left of the larger woman. As her right hand headed towards her adversary's midsection, a small smirk twisted Thira's lips. Looks like I got her first she mused then suddenly it was if she had slammed her fist into a rock wall as her hand hit a barrier. One she couldn't see. Thira felt pressure against her throat; she had been so intent on her own actions she had yet to realize that she was dead. Or would have been as her opponents claws had the same effect. None. If they had Thira knew her throat would have been torn out and her body would have been on the floor.
Using the next few steps to bleed off speed, Thira twisted. Panting for breath, she saw angry yet baffled eyes as the woman looked at her hands then met her own puzzled expression. Those eyes then moved to look behind her and Thira watched as she saw realization dawn. Before she could say anything a voice broke in.
"Stop" It demanded in dulcet tones. The power that resonated in that voice made the hair on Thira's neck stand up. The sight that she saw when she turned to face it made her go pale. A woman now sat in the desk chair. Thira swallowed hard. Make that a Goddess. The Goddess she herself worshiped. Thira's eyes widened as she now found out just why that tattoo seemed so familiar, the same one graced both sides of the face looking sadly at her. Thira's claws sheathed themselves as she looked away unable to face that look. Even that her back was to her enemy failed to worry her as she fought the feeling of doubt and unworthiness' that suddenly twisted inside her.
" Thira, you will not do this, I forbid it"
Thira jerked her head back around to stare at the Goddess. " What!" She tried to ignore the fact that she was arguing with her deity AND that she knew her name. " She deserted us when we needed her, clan died, is she not to pay for that?"
"I did no such thing," Panter yelled back. She faced Potnia Theron. " I swear it as you're chosen, I did no such thing" Panter insisted. She didn't know any other way to prove it then hope the Goddess knew it as the truth.
Potnia Theron cut Thira's vehement protests short. " I know," she said gently. " It was not your fault, even if you did know of it and stayed, the events that unfolded would not have changed" She hesitated then continued. "Except your own death would have been added to its toll"
She sent a warm look to Tera at her gasp of horror. " That is why I sent you here, your meeting of your mate was no accident"
Panter stood unmoving as she tried to comprehend what she had just been told. A warm hand on her arm pulled her from her daze. Panter's body recognized the person before her senses did and pulled her mate into her embrace, allowing their bond to flow uninhibited. To think that this could never had been made her almost physically sick. She tightened her grasp till Tera had to complain before she loosened it again. She watched Thira closely, it seemed as if she was even more shocked then herself.
"But I was told that she deserted us, that it was her fault" Thira said quietly. "They sent me here to…" she trailed off as Potnia Theron shook her head.
" You were lied too, it was never her fault."
"Then how… what am I doing here if it's all been a lie?" Thira shouted, enraged that she had been duped then used.
The Goddess fixed Thira with a look till she calmed. " You, who have been so faithful to me cannot see it?" she asked. " You are not here by chance, anymore then Panter is"
Panter and Thira shouted at the same time. "What!!"
" Are you telling me that my…" Thira stopped for a second " Our people died just to get me here?"
"NO" the Goddess cried. "I used the circumstances of what happened to bring you here"
" But why am I here?" Thira asked.
"Panter will need your help, here, with this battle"
Tera spoke up. " But this is simply a struggle over the regency."
Potnia Theron waved a hand in dismissal of that fact. " It is much more involved then that"
"Then what is it?" Thira insisted. She was getting tired of not having any answers.
"Simply put, I do not know. Whoever is doing this has help, just as I help you"
Thira frowned. " Not to be disrespectful, but what has this to do with me?"
The Goddess glanced at Thira disapprovingly. " This is a battle that is not from one front but two, must you make it three?"
She stopped talking as the door opened. Akil and Narna ran into the room then slid to halt puzzled at the unusual gathering in front of them. "Is everything alright, we were told there was an intruder holding the Regent hostage"
Panter smirked. "Better late then never Akil, that was resolved a short time ago"
The captains joined Tera's mother and sister at the desk, not noticing the awed look on their faces. " So then who was it?" Akil asked then noticed a woman he had never seen before. " Was this her?" He stepped forward to grasp the woman's arm but stopped short when his hand closed over air.
" What the Hell!!" He blinked then noticed she had moved nearer to the Goddess. He moved to grab her again but stopped at Panter's laughter.
" You'll never catch her Akil, I barely can. Anyway don't bother, it's been found that it's just a big misunderstanding"
"Are you sure?" Akil questioned.
The Goddess smiled amused at the man. " As my chosen has said it was just a family problem"
Panter just stared, at a loss for words as Thira shouted " Family!!!?"
Continued...