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 Six


Thira shifted into a more comfortable position on the branch she was resting on. She was high in a tree on the outer edge of their watch ring that enclosed the encamped army. They had been steadily on the move for the past three days. In that time she had made sure that she remained with the advance scouting parties. She had only seen Alesia briefly from afar once. But with her vision it was close enough to see what she had dreaded to find, Alesia did have the tattoo. For a time she had raged against what the Goddess had done but knew that it only made visible what had started happening that first meeting that seemed so long ago. It would have been so easy to just give into that. But a part of her still cringed from the idea of being that close to someone, especially a human. So for now she stayed away.

A slight rustle in the underbrush close by interrupted her reflection. She concentrated on the sound dismissing any natural noises that it could have been, coming to the conclusion that it was human. By it's heavy tread pattern, a male.
After a few more rustles and a snap of a dry branch a form emerged just beneath her perch. The dim moonlight from above shown on the man she had identified as a member of the militia. About to inquire concerning his business of being out this far, Thira stilled as more rustling came from the opposite direction. Another man emerged into the small clearing below her. Thira's eyes narrowed as she saw he didn't wear the markings of Tera's army.

This is not good. Thira reached around and slid one of her daggers free from the sheaths strapped onto her back. She waited till the man from their army had passed a piece of parchment to the other with a murmur of words. Silently she dropped down, taking them by surprise. With a smooth motion she slammed the butt of her blade into the temple of the militiaman, knocking him out then whirling to face the other. A scrap of steel accompanied the knife the other man drew. He was close to her height but outweighed her by at least a stone. She grinned as she savored the thought of a good fight, her blood pumping quicker at the excitement. She saw the man's eyes widen knowing he was close enough to see the flash of her canines as they caught the moonlight.

"What the Hades are you?" he rasped.

Thira laughed lightly. "Your worst nightmare" then she attacked.

The quickness of the attack made the soldier draw in a startled breath. A fortunate movement deflected the steel seeking his neck. Thira dropped back bearing in mind that he might hold information that they might need. Lunging forward she struck faster than a snake impacting his head with a hollow thwack. He dropped like a felled tree. Disappointed by the all too brief fight Thira stared at the two men lying at her feet. Bending she retrieved the parchment, tucking it into her belt. She kicked a nearby booted foot.

"Great, just great. Two of them and only one of me, they better appreciate this." Sliding her knife back into its scabbard with a click she reached down and grabbing an arm slung one man over a shoulder. Then reaching down and grabbing the others arm threw him over her other shoulder, settling them into place with a grunt. Huh, not too bad, lighter then I thought they would be. She headed back to the camp with a sigh, knowing this was going to draw unwanted attention. But she had little choice; they needed to know what was going on here.


****************

Alesia excused herself from the group gathered around the fire and headed towards her tent. Raised voices made her turn to see what the commotion was. A darkened shape came towards her at a steady pace. As it moved into the torchlight she caught her breath when she realized it was Thira. With some unexpected company. An eyebrow rose at seeing the two unconscious forms she carried casually over her shoulders. Alesia pursed her lips as she held back an involuntary smile momentarily forgetting about the rift between them. She knew she really shouldn't be so surprised. Alesia crossed over to meet her.

"What's with the company?" she inquired. Alesia wondered if she was going to get any response as Thira just stared at her in silence for an instant.

"Found one of ours giving away something to one of theirs" Thira replied tersely.

Alesia hid the flinch from the abrupt answer. "What!!" she ground out. "You did get it back?" She asked heading toward their leaders tent. Alesia winced she couldn't believe a question as obtuse as that had just came out of her mouth.

"Passing a note like it was a love letter, figured Panter would want to know. And yeah I got it back" Thira said, sarcasm thickly coating her voice. Her brow furrowed as she tried to puzzle out how things had ended up like this. It was like she couldn't stop her reactions and what she was saying when she was anywhere near Alesia.

Alesia flushed and kept quiet. Tears burned in her eyes that she refused to let fall. That's all she needed for Thira to see, she didn't want her to know that she was having this strong of an effect on her. Reaching the tent, she ignored the two sentries posted at its opening and knocked on one of the poles that formed it. She stepped back as Panter stepped outside.

"Alesia, did you need something?" Panter spotted Thira with her burden. "What happened here?"

"Saw these two having a little private meeting. Seeing how one wasn't ours I thought you might want to talk to them," Thira explained.

"You're right I do" Panter's voice was grim. She held the tent flap back. "Bring them in" She moved aside as Thira squeezed through with her load.

Panter went to drop the flap then hesitated. "Do you want to join us?" She frowned faintly as distressed eyes met hers then dropped away.

"No, I'll be out here if you need anything" Alesia headed towards a nearby fire ring to wait. Being in the same area with Thira was harder on her nerves then she had imagined. Alesia cursed vehemently under her breath drawing several startled looks from passersby. The middle of a war was not a good place for this crap to happen. She resolved to make sure it didn't hinder the job she was assigned to complete.

************

Thira carelessly dropped the two motionless forms onto the floor. She collected their weapons tossing them into a far corner, her mind on what she had seen and heard of the exchange between Panter and Alesia. Her gut churned in unease at the state things had become between them, knowing it was all her fault. Panter's sudden voice made her twitch in surprise.

"Are our friends awake yet?"

Thira booted an unmoving form in the side. "No, not yet. Might need a tad bit of encouragement" she reached over and grabbed a water skin hanging from the center pole, upending it over the two men's faces. She smirked as they sputtered to consciousness, struggling to get to their knees.

Panter ducked behind the panel that led into the second half of the large tent intent on retrieving her mate. She emerged a moment later followed by Tera in hastily thrown on clothing.

Tera brow creased as she saw the two damp men at her feet. She frowned as Thira kicked them back onto the ground as they tried to stand. "What's going on here?" she asked looking toward Panter.

Panter gestured at Thira. "Thira found these two while on watch. She watched our man pass something"

Tera studied the men closely; lips' thinning in anger at the knowledge that a unit commander of her militia was conspiring with what was clearly an enemy soldier. Her cousin's insignia prominently splashed onto his chest armor.

"May I see what was being exchanged?"

Thira dug into her belt retrieving the ragged piece of parchment. "They were right under me when they did it" she said handing the missive to Tera.

Tera examined the note then passed it wordlessly to Panter to read. Panter growled low in her throat as she took in the information it held. She ignored the startled looks coming from the men. She crumpled it in her hand. "This was not good Amare, it was a fortunate thing that Thira was there to intercept this"

"I know" she replied giving Thira a grateful look, causing her to flush uncomfortably.

"So what going to happen with these pieces of shit?" Thira asked hoping to redirect the attention. "I think we should kill em and have done with it" She grinned as the men paled.

The enemy soldier started to bluster but stopped at the sight of the canines he had determined was just a reflection of the moonlight earlier. The sight of Thira's fangs up close almost made him piss himself.

Seeing the effect Thira had on the man, Panter gave a slight nod of her head allowing her to continue with the questioning.

Thira tapped a finger on her lower lip as she considered her next move. She reached down and hauled the militiaman to his feet by his neck. Bring him to eye level she tightened her grip making him choke slightly. He pried at her hand in panic as he felt the strength of her grip, his eyes widening when he was unable to make her let go. She loosened her grasp a little allowing him to draw in a ragged breath.

"Your going to inform me who else is a part of this besides you both" Thira narrowed her eyes as he attempted to shake his head. She squeezed as she lifted the man up. His eyes bulged as his face turned purple and his feet swung free from the floor. The tugging on her hand got weaker as he ran out of air.

A movement from the floor drew her attention as the other man started to get to his feet, but a rumble from Panter showing her own set of teeth made him hurriedly reseat himself.

Thira redirected her attention back to the man in her hand. Softly cursing under her breath at the dark color of his face she set him back on his feet and transferred her hold to his chest armor. She waited as he choked and gasped for air then shook him cruelly.

"Now are you going to tell me what I want to know or do we have to do this again?" She snarled.

"All right" he paused for a ragged breath. "It was I and two men from my unit. We gathered together all the information we could find about our troops. How many, it's strengths and its weakness. We just had to deliver it before we got to close to the other army."

"How did you arrange the meeting?" Tera asked.

Another hard shake got him to answer. "It was arranged before we left Hawk's Peak, they wanted the information by moonrise on the third day"

"We were being betrayed before we even left!?" Tera shouted in anger.

Panter rested a calming hand on Tera's shoulder. "They did not receive what they wanted Amare, remember that." She gave a gentle squeeze as Tera took a deep breath then nodded. "Now" Panter stepped closer to the man in Thira's firm grip. "Who was helping you?"

The man trembled as she moved closer but swallowed then obstinately lifted his chin. "I won't tell you"

Thira threw the man making him crash heavily into a nearby trunk. "Oh, I think you will" Thira purred then she half shifted.

The man screamed incoherently at the monster that had suddenly appeared in front of him. He scrambled trying to put space between them. He ran into Panter's booted leg making him look up to meet an inhuman gaze. He screamed again. "I'll tell you, I'll tell you," he babbled. He flinched as he looked over at Tera expecting her to be like the others. He saw the blond had remained normal but the hard gaze showed him she could be as ferocious as the rest of them. He looked tentatively toward the others finding only women watching him again.

"Dorias and Ranis they're the ones that helped. Fourth unit." He slumped to the ground knowing he had signed their death warrants just as he had his own. The only accepted punishment for sedition was immediate death.

A motion had Thira slipping out to find Alesia and gather some help to take the disloyal soldiers in custody.


*********

Murmurs arose at the screams that floated out of the leaders tent. Alesia was halfway there when Thira emerged from inside. Dark eyes met amber in unspoken communication. Alesia turned walking at Thira's side back across to the fire.
Once there, Thira beckoned for a few soldiers to follow her. She gritted her teeth as they sent an inquiring glance to Alesia before following at her small nod. Thira noticed that Alesia continued at her side but chose not to comment.

"I take it they had some help?" Alesia asked quietly.

Thira grunted. "Two from the fourth unit. Dorias and Ranis"

Alesia gestured towards the right. "The fourth unit is camped over there" She remained quiet as they neared the tents that marked the start of the fourth units' area. She could almost feel the curious looks that followed their small group as they crossed over to the form of the lieutenant they could see standing by a fire, seeming to be in conference with a few of her men. As they neared the location she politely cleared her throat drawing the Lt's attention.

The Lt's eyes widened a little as she saluted wondering why the Arm's Masters right hand would want to talk to her. A feeling of dread filled her chest as she noticed the company her visitor had brought with her. "Sir, you require something of me?"

Alesia found that this was one time she was glad that Panter had dragged out a no longer used military rank and saddled her with it. The rank of Marshal was used for only the most trusted of the Arm's Masters people. But it had seemed that most of the time that rank had remained empty with the former heads of the military.

She returned the salute. "Lt. I'm looking for two men in your outfit" Alesia turned to Thira drawing her to the lieutenant's attention. She didn't miss the startlement that appeared on her face. "What were the two names again?"

Thira growled knowing what Alesia was playing at. She had to hide the smile that wanted to appear. "Dorias and Ranis"

The lieutenant's eyebrows rose. "This is Dorias and Ranis," she said gesturing to two of the men standing close by. "Can you tell me why you're looking for them?" She gasped as the two men bolted into a run. Before anyone else could react the race for freedom was already over. They lay facedown in the cloud of dust that had risen with the impact of their bodies hitting the earth. Thira had swiftly pounced on her quarry and the weight of her body had driven them down.

Alesia watched a moment as the rest of her people finally went into motion and secured the wrists of the men. Turning she quietly sympathized with the shocked woman. "They are being arrested for sedition, we caught the unit commander in the act of passing information and they were named as co-conspirators"

"The unit commander too?"

"Yes, I must get them to the Arms Master. Thank you for your assistance in the matter" Alesia saluted the Lt. and turned to go before the woman could react. Before they got out of earshot she heard the Lt murmur, "It was my duty".

The group followed Alesia's lead and remained silent as they returned to the Regent's tent.

Thira watched as Panter and Tera discussed the situation. She looked out over the still sleeping camp, keeping one eye on the prisoners that were now all grouped together just outside the tent. Except for the sentries not many others had been aware of what had happened. Glancing at the moons position she knew it was still a number of hours till sunrise.

She turned her gaze to a far more pleasing view. Alesia stood close by talking to the militia that had accompanied them. A few had been selected to guard the prisoners until they could get a tribunal together later that morning. The prisoners were to be held in a nearby tent with a ring of guards surrounding it, even though the men would be shackled to posts that had been driven deep into the earth. A normal human would be unable to break free of the restraints.

A soft rumble vibrated her chest as she ran admiring eyes over the woman that she was drawn to. Sturdy legs molded into shapely thighs and hips, a leather chest plate blocked her view from assets she could see in her inner eye even if she couldn't see them now. The vambraces were gone leaving her tattoo in plain sight. Thira's teeth worried at the skin on the inside of her lower lip. She traced the drawing with her eyes; it was exactly like hers down to every detail. It disappeared under the leather strap at Alesia's shoulder. Pulling her gaze away she continued her pleasurable journey. She lingered on the dip from shoulder to neck; Thira licked her upper lip as she visualized her mouth on that spot. She could almost taste Alesia's scent as she drew it deep into her lungs. She blinked while she watched Alesia throat work as she swallowed. Following the curve of the neck as it formed into a firm jaw line she felt her fingers tingle wanting to trace the plane of cheekbone and arch of dark brows. She sucked in a startled breath as bottomless dark eyes met hers.

Thira lowered her eyes then glanced around. As she had drifted into her own world, everyone else had left. Only the two of them remained standing there. The scuff of nearing footsteps jerked her attention back. Alesia had taken the opportunity to move closer ending up right in front of her. Thira's nostrils flared as a surge of Alesia's scent washed over her, pushing Thira's control to the limit as she strained to rein in her base instinct to claim what she truly sought regardless of anything else.

Alesia held Thira's intent look. "I think we need to talk about this"

"I have no idea what your talking about" Thira took a step back trying to put a little space between them hoping it would help. Her eyes closed helplessly as Alesia followed her step by step. She groaned as her warm breath floated over her face as she spoke. Her eyes shot open again when she felt a hand seize her forearm.

"Your lying, even I can see it!!" Alesia angry voice hit her like a slap.

"I can't…It can't happen!!!" Thira screamed, her control slipping. Eyes flashed bright as they morphed, her animal side trying to take over. Unlike Panter, Thira had lived more as clan then in her human form. But the effort of trying to refuse what she knew deep inside she really wanted was causing her usually solid self-control to crumble.

"You're a coward!" Alesia spat back. She tensed as Thira froze at the taunt.

Thira growled as she jerked Alesia closer grasping her jaw in a hard grip. It was Alesia's turn to freeze at the unexpected movement. Her gasp went unheard as Thira's mouth claimed hers in a violent kiss. The bruising pressure eased, as it encountered no resistance. A brush of a tongue against a lower lip granted access. Thira moaned at the taste, her hands slid down grasping Alesia hips and pulling her tighter against her lower body, unconsciously kneading the skin under her fingers. She jerked back as she felt herself starting to lose control. The last time she had been in this position, she had ended up being hunted. She tore herself away from Alesia, panting rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. Burning eyes met dilated when Alesia's slowly opened. Thira moved backwards hastily as Alesia reached for her.

"Why did you stop?" The huskiness of Alesia voice caused a shudder to wrack Thira. She moved farther away clinching her hands to keep from pulling Alesia back against her. Thira could feel blood beginning to trickle from between her fingers knowing her claws had slashed her palms open, but not caring.

"I can't do this" Thira whispered, knowing Alesia had heard by the abrupt stiffening of her body. She could already hear the howl of despair clawing at her throat. An agony greater than anything she had known took up residence inside her. "Your human…I'm Clan…I've learned.." Thira didn't get any further as pain exploded across her face. An automatic snarl rose to her lips as she tensed to retaliate. She forced herself to relax knowing she deserved everything she was getting. She could tell that the power of Alesia's hit had broken her cheekbone. Thira watched as Alesia flexed the fingers on the hand she had hit her with. She stilled as their eyes met again. The coldness that emanated from Alesia's caused her soul to curl up and die. This was how it had to be. She knew that now. She just had to survive it, if she could.

"Your worse than a coward" Alesia said emotionlessly. "You're a fraud" Alesia turned and walked away leaving Thira alone with only her demons for solace.

Thira groaned in pain, not from her face but from the knowledge of what she had just lost. She ran her hand over her face deliberately pressing on her broken cheekbone. Wiping away the tears she been unaware of forming, Thira turned and ran for the darkness of the beckoning woods.

*****************

Panter let the panel into their personal space drop back into place. She remained silent, neatly evading Tera as she paced knowing she was still mulling over what had just happened. She stripped off her clothing, dropping them carelessly on top of a nearby trunk. Nude she padded over to their bed and slipped underneath the soft furs covering it. Panter propped herself up on the pillows as she watched her mate pace.

"Amare" she said quietly.

Tera looked up to meet a warm gaze. "Yes?" She paused mid step. "Did you want something?"

Panter pulled back a section of bedding. "Your presence"

Tera's eyes lingered on the naked flesh that had been revealed. She kicked off her boots, wasting no time getting rid of the clothing that suddenly seemed to constricting. Joining Panter she gasped as bare skin met then melded with hers. She laid her head on the strong shoulder that was offered, sliding her left hand down a firm abdomen to finally still cupping Panters left hip. She could hear the low purr that had started almost as soon as they touched. It stopped as Panter drew in a deep breath.

"It's bothering you isn't it?"

Frowning, she propped herself up on her elbow and regarded Panter. Golden eyes watched her calmly awaiting an answer. Dropping her gaze, she watched as her fingers caressed the skin under her hand. A large hand lightly covered hers stopping her movements. Releasing her hand a finger tipped her head up to meet concerned eyes.

"Isn't it?"

"Yes, even though I know what must be done it does bother me." She admitted reluctantly.

"We could have lost everything if Thira hadn't intercepted that information." Panter reminded her. "Doesn't that make you angry?" she asked knowing full well it did. The rage had practically crackled through their connection.

"Of course it does!" Tera stared in surprise at Panter not believing she had asked that.

"Then use that. Let it help you get through what you are required to do. As Regent you must pass the sentence. Only then can I step in and relieve you of the burden. It will be my duty to carry out the punishment." Panter stated resolutely.

"It doesn't trouble you at all?"

"No, for two reasons. One, this is war. Two and the most important, what they did put you in harms way and that is enough of a reason for me to kill them" She didn't admit that it had taken all her will not to have killed them earlier when they had been within reach.

Tera remained quiet then bent down and kissed Panter. Finally moving back she nodded. "Both good reasons. I think I'll be all right"

Panter threaded fingers through shaggy blond hair, pulling her back down. "Let tomorrow take care of itself" she whispered hoarsely, arousal burring her voice.

Lips met softly, tongues exploring the sweetness within. Tera moaned as hot silken skin slid over hers. Her hands glided down Panters sides stopping to grip sleek hips. Swollen lips moved from hers. Her senses spun as their positions were suddenly reversed, a rumbling purr vibrating the surface over her. Soft kisses moved over her jaw and down the side of her neck. She arched as sharp teeth nipped at the curve of her shoulder. A warm palm cupped her breast fingers rolling the nipple.

With a last gentle bite, Panter kissed her way down Tera's chest and claimed the firm nipple. She growled as she felt Tera claw at her back trying to pull her even closer. She moved to the other breast pulling the nipple deep into her mouth. The mix of suction and light bites had sweat breaking out on the body underneath hers. Panter released the nipple and licked the sweat from the hollow of Tera's throat. Panter moved up and lowered her head by Tera's ear.

"Turn over love" she breathed.

Tera lost no time in following the whispered request. Hands pulled her onto her hands and knees. Her own tightened on the covers beneath her as she felt wetness paint her hip. She gasped as lips moved down her back tracing her spine. More bites and kisses dotted her back; it had taken some time before Panter understood that the bites she had restrained herself from were pleasurable to Tera. She felt Panter start to move against her, the brush of fingers moving up the inside of her thigh had her breathing catching. Her upper body unconsciously lowered raising her hips higher.
Long fingers stroked wetness then slipped into her hot depths. Tera's face twisted with pleasure as she braced herself, she pushed back against Panter's hand causing her strokes to go a little deeper. The sound and smell of lovemaking hung heavy in the air. Panter closed her eyes; letting her mouth fall open she scented the air small pants taking the aroma deep into her lungs.

Tera's hands twisted the covers as her fists tightened. Between the press of Panters body and her own pleasure she was being dragged closer to the edge. Another finger was added at the beginning of the next stroke causing Tera to cry out at the sudden fullness. Panter used to weight of her own body to push even deeper into Tera's depths hitting a spot inside her that caused Tera to thrust against her even harder, making the return motion rub against Panters clit. Her legs trembled; Panter threw her head back as the sparks of pleasure burned brighter and brighter. Tera's scream of release and the pulsing of her walls around Panters buried fingers drove her into her own orgasm. One last thrust into Tera had her shaking with spasms then finally slumping limply over Tera's back. After a long moment Panter carefully pulled out then slid down to Tera's side pulling her into her embrace. Gentle kisses and words proceeded them into sleep.


************************

Thira had avoided the standing watch. Even with all their diligence they never saw the form that slipped passed the camp perimeter. She tried to ignore the memory of the scene she had just left. It had refused to stay behind following her like an apparition. Breaking into a sprint she fled moving blindly through the trees, not caring where she ended up. Only an unexpected branch colliding with her shoulder saved her from running full tilt into an encampment. Raised voices pulled her from the fog she had been immersed in. Quickly springing into the tree that had saved her she got out of sight just as a group broke through the surrounding brush.

"Did you catch where that racket came from?" one asked. He was a head taller then the others but a sight smellier. Thira wrinkled her nose as the wave of unwashed body flowed over her. This was one time having heightened senses sucked.

"Nah, I didn hear nothin" The shorter of the trio hawked and spat, scratching himself. "Ain't fair we got standin watch when it wasn't our turn" he complained. The last man remained mute seeming not to really care one way or the other.
"Turgis nothins there, we was about to hit the sack when you pulled us out here"

Thira watched in amusement as Turgis and his buddies poked half-heartedly around the area. After a few more moments they gave up and headed back the way they had come, bitching the entire time.

Waiting till their footsteps faded away, Thira climbed cautiously further up into the tree. Easing out onto a high branch she laid flat against the large limb. She stared in the direction they had left in. Her vision altered, everything coming into sharper focus. A small clearing held a cluster of disordered tents. She could see her searchers splitting up and heading for their bedrolls. Even with two men per tent it seemed that this group only numbered about twelve. It looked like it may have been an advance party, more then possibly where their earlier visitor had come from. Thira deliberated on her options. She should go back and fill in Panter and the others on the situation. Her eyes narrowed as her mind shied away from that choice, she was sure to see Alesia if she did. Canines glinted as she smiled mockingly knowing that wasn't going to be her pick. She dropped out of the tree landing lightly on her feet. Keeping low she circled the camp, carefully placing her feet so there would be no warning of her presence. Sliding into the shadow of an oak she tracked the idle efforts of the sentry standing watch. She shook her head at the stupidity of some people; this would not take much energy from her to deal with.

Moving up behind him she grabbed his head breaking his neck with a swift twist, the only noise a small gasp of surprise. She just let him drop; letting his body lay where he died not taking the time to hide it. Quietly she continued to loop the camp easily dispatching two more sentries. Crouching low in the brush at the boundary of the camp she paused listening for any indication that she had been detected. No sound but the pop of a banked fire and the snores of sleeping men disturbed the air. Fixing her gaze on a nearby tent she slipped closer. Flat to the ground she focused her hearing on its interior. Slipping a knife free she carefully sliced the tent canvas warily looking in. Her pupils widened to take in as much light that was available allowing her to easily see into the dark interior. Two men lay asleep just across from her position. She slipped into the opening she had made, knowing she had to move quickly. Clamping her hand over a mouth she calmly slit his throat muffling any noise he might have made. She repeated the same motion with the second man, the strong scent of coppery blood filling the little space. Thira exited the tent the same way she had entered it. Moving to the next tent she repeated the same actions on the two men sleeping there. As Thira left and went around the tent she suddenly ran into some men that had not remained asleep. Everyone froze in startlement then shouting erupted.

Cursing, Thira grabbed another dagger from its scabbard. A blur of movement and two men staggered in mid step then dropped with a gurgle, knives in their throats. The commotion had awakened the rest of the men drawing them to the fight. Pulling another blade she rushed them. A lucky kick connected with her upper body; briefly airborne she slammed into the earth hard losing her grip on the knife. Another kick connected with her broken cheekbone. Thira never felt her lip split or the snap of ribs breaking as pain filled her head. Forcing it back, she pushed off the ground rolling away to regain her feet. A red haze filled her vision as she locked her stare on the men rushing her. They never had a chance to react at the booming roar that filled the clearing. She ripped her way through their bodies leaving them laying gutted in a growing pool of blood in her wake. Thira stumbled and fell to her knees bewildered for a moment as to why till she felt the handle of the knife buried deep in her left side.

"Damn it"

Gritting her teeth Thira grasped hold of the hilt. A steady pull removed the knife, the bleeding increasing now that it was free. She had no choice, if she had traveled with it in her it would have continued to tear up her insides. It was better it was out. Getting to her feet was an unpleasant task all in its own, the blood loss slowly weakening her. With her healing capabilities she might not die but it sure was going to impair her. Walking back to the dead men she retrieved her daggers slipping them awkwardly into their sheaths with a hiss of pain. Spotting the one she had dropped Thira bent to recover it almost meeting the hard ground as her head swam. She about bit her tongue through as she clamped her jaw to hold back the yowl of agony from the pain that erupted at her stupidity. After the pain level became more manageable she ducked into the larger of the tents hoping she was correct in her assumption this would be their commanding officers quarters.

A satisfied grunt was her only sound when she saw the small table covered in paperwork. Gathering all she could find Thira shoved them haphazardly into her belt pouch. Scrounging she found some fairly clean clothe. Ripping it into strips she folded some into a pad and slipping it under her shirt pressed it firmly against the wound. Fumbling she got the other strips around herself to hold it in place. Stepping out of the tent, she ignored the still bodies as she moved back into the forest and headed slowly back to camp.



Continued...



T. S. Hubbard's Scrolls
Main Page