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 Eight
Anger hung like a thick haze over the crowd that had gathered to watch the trial that was about to finally begin. No voices broke the hush that fell as the shackled prisoners were brought in and led to their seats before the table the Regents would be seated at. Only the enemy soldier dared to hold his head high arrogance covering his face. One of the militia on duty stepped forward.
"This tribunal is now open. The Regent of Hawks Peak and her Arms Master sitting in judgment"
Low whispers filled the area as the rulers took their places. A look from Panter caused immediate silence to descend. At her nod Tera studied the documents lying in front of her.
"Unit commander Elek you have been accused of consorting with the enemy, of attempting to deliver sensitive information into their hands about our military forces. In short you are accused of treason. Do you have anything to plea at this time?"
Elek shook his head mutely refusing to glance up. His collaborators shifted uneasily beside him knowing they would be next.
Tera wrote on her notes briefly before turning her attention to the following item on the agenda. "Corporals Dorias and Ranis you have both been accused of collaborating with Unit commander Elek in treasonous activity's. Do either of you have anything to plea at this time?"
Again the prisoners refused to answer her inquiry. She noted it down then indicated that Panter could proceed in her questioning. Panter rose to her feet and walked over to stand in front of the accused. She had decided to start with Elek's conspirators knowing that anything they said would only further incriminate the commander.
"Corporal Dorias, surely you knew if you were caught that it wouldn't go well for you did you not?" Panter stood completely relaxed as she questioned the man.
Dorias started to rise but was shoved back into his seat with a hard grip on the shoulder by a guard standing close by. His face turned red in anger as he struggled against his restraints. "Anything was better then being ruled by a sickening perverted animal lover!!" He shouted. The rest of his screaming was drowned out by the uproar his words caused.
No expression showed on Tera or Panter's faces. They had spoken together earlier about something like this happening so were prepared for it. At a gesture from Tera the ranting man was firmly gagged. Tera jumped to her feet. Slamming her fist on the tabletop she leveled a glare around the room. The din died out rapidly leaving utter calm in its wake.
"I will not allow this trial to become a spectacle. If you cannot restrain yourselves leave now. Any further outbursts will result in reprimand. This is your only warning" She resumed her seat then gathered together the papers that had scattered at her abrupt actions. Centering the stack in front of her she turned to the remaining corporal.
"Corporal Ranis is this also the basis for your activity's?" The composed expression on Tera's face didn't reveal that inside her guts were churning with tension.
Keeping his gagged comrade in mind, Ranis kept his answer brief. "It's not so much your choice of companions that is the reason even with it being aberrant. It's because you were made Regent the ones I loved were murdered. For that I wanted a hand in destroying you." The serene tone of voice he used made its impact that much more ominous.
Tera leaned forward in her chair to reinforce her own words. "Even if what you say is true, as a member of my military or citizen of Hawk's Peak that makes your dealings sedition and for that there is a price to pay"
Ranis paled as he started to take in that his life was truly forfeit. Before now it had seemed as if something like this could never have happened. They had been so confident that they would have remained undiscovered. It was Elek's ineptness that had gotten them apprehended. He couldn't even say it was worth it because the information had never gotten out. Their contact being thrown in chains beside them made that much clear. "But what about the Tort law?" he protested. He shifted then froze as the abrupt movement drew Panter's notice. He sat back, remaining motionless until her attention turned from him back to Tera. Ranis didn't understand that even if Panter wasn't watching him she was fully aware of his actions.
Tera was glad that she had brushed up on the laws. She could deal with this without seeming like an uninformed idiot. "The Tort law as a rule applies to murder, while true this has not happened the intent to cause it was there." Tera sat back. "In normal circumstances you could be exiled with the understanding that returning or repeating the crime would have the sentence of death placed upon you." She watched as Ranis tried to suppress a sneer. "However these are not normal circumstances. The law also covers and I quote." Tera pulled a piece of parchment from the stack. "When someone does harm upon you or to your property"
Tera set aside the parchment. Placing her folded hands on the tabletop she considered the men before her. The men from her militia were starting to look a little worried. The other still sat looking unconcerned with the proceedings. "Keeping in mind your own admissions of guilt and of being caught in the act. I will use the Tort law for my judgment but not in the way you assume. You tried to do harm upon me or rather us - The Regents and citizens of Hawk's Peak. And upon my property- The Domain of Hawks Peak and it's surrounding providences. We are in a state of war gentlemen; the only punishment for treason in this situation is death." Tera wrote her judgment on the awaiting forms. She found it unsettling that she had just passed such a final verdict.
The enemy fighter finally spoke up. "If you think killing me will solve your current plight your deluding yourself" He smirked. "When I failed to show last night my men had orders to attack this camp. I think that soon you'll have more trouble then you ever wanted"
Soft mutters of concern started to rise. A low chuckle filled the room. He watched as a woman strode brazenly up to the Regent and whispered in her ear. A nod had her standing abruptly in front of him. He started as he recognized the woman from the night before. He remembered how handily she had dispatched him and started to worry. The smile he was still trying to forget flashed as she began speaking.
"That threat you just made. You might want to forget it." Tera advised mockingly. "Their not gonna be coming, seems they got unexpectedly detained"
"You know nothing about it!" he spat.
"I think right now I know far more then you do." Thira held a hand up then raised one finger. "I know you had a base camp about a mile from here" She raised another finger. "I also know you only had a dozen men with you" Closing her hand into a fist she flipped up her middle finger. "I for sure know your pretty much screwed because I killed them all early this morning" Murmurs and smothered laughter from the people watching greeted her actions. She watched in amusement at the disbelief that flashed across his features.
He laughed snidely in response. "I don't believe you. It would take more then a few people to do that"
Thira pointed a finger tauntingly at him. "You clearly weren't listening, I said I killed them all" She tapped herself on the chest to emphasize her words.
"That's not possible. No human being could do that" He drew back a little as she stepped forward as if to confide something to him.
"You know, that's true" She caught his eyes with hers and allowed her own to shift. "But I never said I was human. Now did I?" Thira grinned as the man's brow beaded with sweat once what she revealed sank in. She winked as she turned and leisurely walked back to her place amongst the listeners.
Tera had watched the unfolding events with interest. Picking up a sheaf of bloodstained papers, she crinkled them bringing the man's awareness back to her. "I have papers here from your quarters in that camp. Instead of you gaining information on our troop strength we've gotten vital intelligence on yours."
The man stiffened in his chair. "You're lying," he accused hoping that what the other woman had told him was false.
Tera read off the top page. "You are Lieutenant Cadmus of the fourth contingent. At least that's what every document I have here says?" She arched an eyebrow skeptically. "It seems to match the name on the orders we found on your person."
Cadmus slumped as his hopes deflated. "Yes that's me" With no help coming there was nothing he could do. It had been unfortunate he had been caught by that 'woman' in the act. Her attack had been so sudden that he had been unable to flee.
Tera dropped the papers back on the table. She rested her chin on her interlaced fingers as she considered the only option. With the information obtained they now had definite places to focus their assaults. "Being an enemy of war your sentence will also be death." She declared. She signed the order and then stood. "I declare this tribunal closed. The guilty will be put to death on this day before dusk." Tera addressed the just sentenced men. "Chose your meals carefully," She advised. "They'll be your last." She beckoned to the waiting guards. "Let them see who they wish. But only under constant guard." She motioned for them to be taken away then dismissed the rest with a sense of relief. The last of the departing militia rolled the sides of the tent down as they exited, leaving the interior dim.
The presence at her back had her reaching a hand behind her. Fingers closed over hers pressing in a gesture of support. Warm breath brushed her ear. "Amare, you did well." Panter whispered softly.
"Did I?" Tera asked doubtfully. "Condemning four people to death should have been much harder then it was"
"Do you not think it was warranted in these circumstances?"
Tera turned and rested her head on Panter's shoulder feeling arms wrap around her in a secure hold. "Yes, but I fear it becoming an easy thing to do"
Panter pressed a kiss to Tera's forehead. "Does it bother you now?" She felt a nod against her chest. "Worry when it no longer does" A hand slipped behind her neck and she responded to the gentle pull, meeting soft lips in a deep kiss. For a while they allowed the warmth of their bond to wash away the outside world.
*****************
Alesia leaned against a tree beside Thira. With it being close by the tent their prisoners were being held in, they could watch the people that stood waiting to visit and still be able to stay out of the way. Grasping Thira's hand she played with her fingers tracing their length. "You know, I've noticed some small differences between you and Panter. Well" she grinned "in addition to the height"
Thira turned to her new mate. "Really?" Her interest in the comment increased as she watched Alesia flush in reaction to her sudden attention.
"What are they?"
"Your nails, they're unusual even with you being in your human shape" She lightly pressed a fingertip to one of the sharp points.
Thira flexed her free hand studying the ripple of muscle that played over its surface. Unlike Panter who had claws that sheathed themselves when not needed, hers remained out. Although shorter in length they were thicker then normal allowing them to be devastating when used as a weapon. "I suppose they are, what else have you seen?"
"Your tattoo" Alesia watched as Thira glanced at her arm and raised curious brows. She shook her head in response. "No, not that one. The one that runs along your spine. I saw it the day you were helping to pack that supply wagon" She sobered as she remembered the pain of watching Thira walk away; thinking her chance to know this woman that captivated her was gone. Alesia felt Thira pull away. Her heart plummeted fearing that she had messed things up between them all over again. Strong arms slid around her pressing her close to a firm body. Alesia's eyes slid shut in relief as her head nestled in the curve of Thira's neck.
"Alesia" Her name came out as a low growl from deep in Thira's throat. "What happened was in the past, leave it there." She lightly licked the nearby ear and felt Alesia tremble. "And just so you know that's not a tattoo. They're my markings. They spread when I shift."
Alesia lifted her head to meet Thira's gaze. "They do?" she asked intrigued as she tried to visualize Thira's other form. "I'd like to see that"
"You want to?" Thira was taken aback with the realization Alesia was truly willing to accept who she was. The one time she tried to be with someone, they had not been clan just like Alesia. She still bore the scarring from the wounds that had almost killed her when they had found out she wasn't human. She forced the memories back where they belonged and concentrated on the woman in her arms.
"Of course I do. You're my partner in whichever shape you're in. I think I should be familiar with one as well as the other" Alesia watched as a smile slowly spread across Thira's lips.
"Then you will" Thira kissed Alesia gently. "Soon, I promise"
Alesia grinned. Shifting in the light hold she settled with her back against Thira's upper chest. Hands slid around her hips to rest linked on her abdomen. "You know, you don't need to stay here with me. I'm not on duty but with the execution being soon I feel better keeping an eye on everything."
"I'll remain here with you. I'm not required until dawn" Thira lowered her face next to Alesia's. "Besides having you inside my arms in public is fairly pleasing" she rumbled quietly. She rested her head on the tree trunk behind her watching the people pass by under hooded lids.
Alesia laid her hands on top of Thira's. "I enjoy it too" They stood that way for the reminder of their volunteer watch ignoring the occasional stare.
*****************
Absolute silence enveloped the area that had been selected for the execution. Roughly a hundred of the militia were on hand to observe the proceedings. In response to Cadmus's threat the entire group had come fully armed. Orders had been issued to everyone not present to remain at the ready.
Thira stood with Alesia beside the Regents as the condemned were brought out and led toward posts that had been sunk deep into the ground. Measuring Six feet high by one foot in breadth they had taken four strong bodies to wrestle into place. As she watched Thira reached around and loosened several daggers in the harness she had donned before arriving. She'd gradually come to understand how essential Panter and Tera were to Alesia's well being. Not having any relationship with them herself was irrelevant. Alesia's happiness was the only thing that mattered to her.
When ropes were brought out to bind them in place, Cadmus spoke up.
"I see you have the guts to sentence us but not enough to execute us yourself" He spat in Tera's direction ignoring the archers that were waiting for the signal to proceed.
Thira saw Panter's fists tighten. Stepping into her path she placed a hand on her chest. Only they knew how much strength it took to keep Panter from moving towards the heckler. "I know you wish to defend Tera's honor," She dropped her hand. "However, I've seen enough to believe you would later regret your actions even with him being sentenced to death" She kept her face impassive while Panter searched her features intently then slowly gave her consent. Thira glanced over her shoulder to fix the positions of the men in her minds eye. She looked back at Panter. "But I won't"
Thira spun around reaching behind herself. A pair of blurred movements ended with loud thuds as the knives found their marks, burying themselves deeply into the wood behind the men. Death had come so quickly that not one man had been able to clutch at the steel that pierced his throat. Their bodies hung pinned in place until she walked over and retrieved her daggers with a sharp yank. She turned away indifferent as they dropped lifelessly to the earth. The stillness remained unbroken while everyone watched stunned as she departed.
*************
Alesia ducked into the tent. She had left almost immediately after Thira did. She hadn't been able to catch the brief exchange between her and Panter but had a fair idea what it entailed. She found Thira sitting in a chair with all her daggers but one on the table before her. The other she held in front of her as if studying it. She spoke before Alesia could ask anything.
"I've killed more humans with these knives then I care to recall" She mused aloud. "I became an assassin to survive long enough to get to Panter, after that it didn't matter so long as I fulfilled my oath." Thira wrapped her other hand around the blood-encrusted blade. She tightened her grip feeling the edge bite into her palm. Trickles of fresh blood ran down the hilt dripping onto her leg. "But I couldn't complete it. The goddess forbade me." She ignored Alesia gasp of concern. Opening her hand she tossed the knife down and licked the blood off her wound. Thira watched as the edges of the injury began knitting back together.
She stayed quiet as Alesia knelt in front of her and cradled her injured hand in her own. "Was there nothing else you could do?"
Thira laughed mockingly. "No, I was an animal before the oath I'm still one now that it's gone. This is the longest I've ever maintained my human shape. I react and hunt as the beast I really am. Anyone in their right mind would stay away from me." Thira fully expected Alesia to end their relationship after what she had just seen a moment ago.
Alesia seized Thira's chin forcing her to look at her before she could resist. "Could you ever kill me, Panter or Tera and not care?"
"I don't have a connection with Panter or Tera. But no" she said in reply to the worried look she received. "I wouldn't harm them because they have a tie with you."
Alesia shifted her grip to lay a hand along Thira's jaw. "And me. Could you hurt me?" She insisted on getting an answer.
"Not without killing myself" Thira knew if anything happened to Alesia she would not care to live any longer. Before when they were not speaking it was merely painful, now it would be unbearable.
Alesia kissed Thira lingering until she got a response. "Then I must have lost my mind since I still love you" She said quietly.
"How can you?" Thira asked daunted by what was still being offered in spite of everything she had just revealed.
"Because I don't want to lose what we have together." Alesia got to her feet to pace while she talked unable to stay motionless. "I want what Panter and Tera have. The goddess herself has recognized us. Now that I've found you I absolutely refuse to let you go." She met Thira's shocked stare determinedly. "There's no way I can judge you like everyone else, your not. The appeal of your other self is as strong as the form your in now. I meant it when I said I wanted to know all of you."
Alesia was aware of the magnitude this moment held. She had to make Thira see that she would still be here no matter what the future held for them both. "You say that you react and hunt like the beast you are. The only things I have seen have been you protecting what you've deemed important. Even after we fought you protected all of us. You eliminated that enemy camp then retrieved information that was vital to our survival. By taking it upon yourself to carry out the execution you kept Panter from actions she would later have regretted." Alesia watched Thira intently. "Tell me what beast would do that."
"I killed for as little reason then because I was paid to." Thira was distressed. "I found it almost enjoyable. What kind of person finds murder fun?"
Alesia stopped. She didn't know how to answer her. Instead she posed another question. "How many women or children did you kill?" Alesia asked hoping it would make Thira recognize what she herself had previously figured out.
Thira rose swiftly to her feet. "I've never killed innocents!!" she roared not conscious why the issue had infuriated her just that it did.
"So its been only men?" Alesia controlled the involuntary response to recoil at Thira's actions.
"Weak prey would be effortless. There's no honor in defeating such easy quarry!" She snarled her eyes glowing with rage.
Alesia moved to Thira grabbing her shoulders. "Will you listen to yourself!! Yes, you were an assassin. Yes, you may have even found it enjoyable but at least you had a moral code of some kind that you followed. Can't you see that you've protected and defended those people you allow to get close to you?" She cupped her hands around the sides of Thira's jaw line. "With all the fighting and death that this war will cause. I can honestly say that I feel the safest with you." She didn't move as Thira's grabbed her wrists.
Thira searched Alesia eyes. She could see the love and conviction she heard clearly in her voice as she finished speaking. Releasing her hold she jerked Alesia closer, seizing her lips in a forceful kiss. Feeling hands leave her jaw, Thira moaned as fingernails suddenly dug into her back. She swallowed a growl when a thigh slid between her legs, pressing against the heat it found. Thira pulled away from bruised lips. "I need to feel your skin against me," She rasped hoarsely.
"I want that too" Alesia paused for breath. "Unfortunately" A light rap interrupted her explanation. She pressed another kiss to Thira's lips. "I ordered a bath to be brought. I thought you might like to get clean." Going to the entrance she held the flap back allowing the men to bring in the tub.
Thira was frustrated by the disruption but couldn't be upset by the reasoning. After the kind of day it had been a bath sounded good. She watched them unfold a bundle to reveal a large section of waterproofed leather. Lashed to wooden poles it set solidly on cross pieces placed at either end. Although it was only big enough for one person it was still an ingenious design allowing for easy setup and breakdown. An assembly line had the tub rapidly filled. They departed leaving several hot buckets of water behind in case they were needed.
"Don't let the water get cold" Alesia searched through her belongings. "I get it after you and I detest bathing in cold water."
"To bad we can't bathe together" Regret laced Thira's voice as she watched the steam rise from the tub.
Alesia found what she had been looking for and joined Thira. Setting down the items she pressed herself against Thira's back, kissing her under an ear. Slipping her arms around her she played with a tie on Thira's shirt. "We will soon"
"Not soon enough" Thira forced herself to move away pulling her shirt off. As she removed her breast band she stilled when fingers ran down her back. Lips joined them kissing each marking they found. The breath caught in her throat at the intimate caress. "Alesia, you're not helping," she protested.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't stop myself. I think I just found one of my favorite spots." Alesia flushed at the unintentional play on words as Thira started laughing. "Stop, its not that funny." She complained weakly.
Thira turned smiling. "Yes it is. But I'll quit anyway." Tugging her pants off she stepped into tub, sighing in pleasure when the hot water surrounded her still aching body. "Help me get the bandage off" She leaned forward a little so Alesia could unwrap it. Her eyes narrowed as Alesia hands brushed her back and sides. Trickles of heat flared at the contact. Thira straightened as the last of the wrap came loose. "Thanks"
Alesia dropped the waterlogged fabric next to the tub. "Are you sure its alright to remove it so soon?"
Thira traced the thin red line that was the only sign she ever had the knife wound. "I'm already mostly healed just a little tenderness left."
Alesia came around so she could see. "I'm relieved. When I saw all that blood, I was terrified I'd lost you. Not that I had you to begin with" She joked as she attempted to lighten the abruptly somber atmosphere.
Catching her hand Thira drew her as close as the tub would permit. "You do now." She tapped Alesia lightly on the nose with a wet finger. "Now do you have something to wash with?"
Alesia wiped the water off with a laugh. "Here" she tossed Thira the cloth and soap she had brought over. "Hurry up the waters getting cold"
****************
Bathing finished and the tub removed Alesia settled onto the bed next to Thira. She moved into the offered embrace, her head pillowed comfortably on Thira's shoulder she laid her arm across her waist carefully avoiding the still tender area. "We have to meet Tera and Panter in their tent tomorrow morning to plan our next move." She smiled at the grunt of acknowledgement that was Thira's only response. Rising up a little she pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. With it being dark she missed the slight smirk that played briefly on Thira's lips.
Thira remained awake long after Alesia fell asleep cradled in her arms. She brooded on what had occurred and what she was going to do now. No matter what happened she knew she had to be with Alesia whatever the cost. Light from a passing sentry slipped for a moment through a slit in the entryway making Thira's eyes flash like mirrors as she blinked. Finally drowsy she slipped off to sleep hoping to get some rest before having to get up for her watch. What tomorrow would bring was anyone's guess.
Continued...