By Chris Gilman
Chapter 1
From the darker shadows of the woods I look out on the small wooden fortress. Torches on the walls framing it brightly in the night, showing us all we need. “Looks like we found them.”
“Terak, this looks like it might be a little hard to get into,” says the small ferret at my side.
I shake my head, my long mane whipping back and forth with a quiet rustle. “No, this is going to be easy Famier. In fact, it almost looks too easy.” Turning to face him I smile and pat his back, “Just stick to the plan.”
“Easy?!” He waves his hand towards the fortress. “It might be only wood, but there are at least twenty raiders in there. Even if we only have to face half of them it’s too much.”
I pull the blackened daggers out of my thigh sheaths and give him one of my typical leonine grins, “Then stay here, more bounty for me.” With that I start to run quietly towards the wall only twenty yards distant from the tree line.
I hear him mutter something but I also see a guard on the wall suddenly collapse as an arrow from behind me imbeds itself in his throat. ‘Guess you want in on this after all Famier,’ I think to myself as I reach the wall and silently leap. As I hit the wall my daggers dig into the logs used to make the walls, allowing me to easily climb using my upper body strength. I guess I could use my claws, but the daggers allow for better purchase, and they will be ready weapons when I crest the wall.
As I clear the top of the wall I see another guard that was running towards the fallen guard freeze at the sight of my massive leonine frame cresting the wall in front of him. He only hesitates a moment, but it is more then enough for me, one of my daggers flies to strike him in the throat. He silently dies ending any chance of him screaming the alarm.
Kneeling on the walkway of the wall I pull my bow off my back and nock an arrow from my quiver. Looking down into the well-lit courtyard I see there are two buildings within the small enclosure. The smaller one would be the barracks for the bandits, the larger one should hold their leader.
I look to the tops of the other walls and see one of my men on each of them. Famier to the east, the bear, Kitna, to the west, and the new guy, a stag called Goteim, on the wall to the south. Good, they are following the plan to the letter. In a few minutes, all hell is going to break loose. I bring my bow up and draw the string back to my cheek, the wood and sinew of its frame creaking under the strain. I place the head of one of the men around the central fire in my sights and release. The arrow flies to impale his head and he falls forward. The others with him look in shock, till three more of them drop with similar arrows ending their lives.
A large stag in full armor stands, raising his shield shouting, “ALARM!!!”
I place my next shot in the center of his wooden shield, the head of it sticking out his back. He looks down as if in shock before falling over and dying. Raiders are now running out of the barracks and those outside pickup their weapons. The few who get bows strung try to pick us off the walls but with little success.
Loosing my last arrow I drop my bow to one side and reach for the swords at my belt. Holding the twin broadswords over my head I throw back my head and let loose with a roar that draws most of the attention to me as I jump off the wall to the ceiling of the barracks. Without pausing, I run down the roof and leap into a group of the raiders. My blades flash and they die.
Within minutes the fighting in the courtyard is over, my three companions and I are covered in our foes blood as we look around for any sign of life from the bodies. I point towards the larger building. “He’s got to be in there.”
They nod and we walk towards it. As we draw close, two arrow slots open next to the door and a pair of arrows fly at us. Each is deflected with a well-placed sword blade and we slowly keep walking. I had studied many techniques and knew doing such as we are now unravels even the most determined, cold-blooded killer, because it shows them there is someone who has no fear of them.
While the slits are closed Famier and Kitna pull slim throwing knives from the pommels of their swords. Soon as the slits open again they let their blades fly and we hear screams from inside. The archers have each taken a blade in their faces. I grin as I break into a run and let loose a flying kick at the door. I am somewhat surprised that it withstands my assault and I stand back up from where I land.
“Kitna?” I call to the bear.
He comes up and mumbles a few words, his hand briefly glowing with blue energy. “It’s protected, give me a minute.”
I growl in the back of my throat, “I don’t have time for this.” I take a few steps back and with another running start, impact the wall next to the door. As suspected, the walls aren’t magically reinforced. And a four hundred pound lion hitting a thin wooden wall always wins.
As I land on my hands and knees I see the leader of the bandits. The massive tiger sits on his wooden throne, wearing his ornate armor. An almost naked human slave-girl sits at his feet, shivering in fear. He fondles the pommel of his great-sword and snarls at me, as if demanding what I am doing in his presence.
I pull out the memory crystal I was given and holding it out in front of me an image appears in the air above it. The image and the face of the tiger in front of me match. “By the order of the Council of Lords, you are under arrest Rackner Longstripe for crimes against the peace and the Empire.”
He stands from his throne, trying to intimidate me with his size and bulk. “So, the old fools have sent you to bring me in have they?” He pulls a chain and the human slave-girl is yanked to her feet. He holds her in front of him as a nearly naked shield, his clawed hand on her throat. “I wonder how your Council will like it if I kill this little one, before I kill you.”
I see the fear in her hazel eyes as the tiger holds her throat in his massive hand. I can’t let him kill her, “You would hide behind a slave? I had heard that the great Rackner was afraid of nothing.” I drop my swords but hold onto the crystal. “Afraid of an unarmed lion are we?” I ask, taunting him with a wide grin, seeming at ease with the situation.
A snarl crosses his muzzle and he tosses the slave to the side. I hear her squeak as she hits the floor and lays motionless. “You are kitty litter!” he yells as he pulls his sword from beside his throne and charges me.
I give a leonine grin and wait for him. “No, you are,” I whisper, more to myself then him. As he gets close I sidestep his swing and with the crystal still held firmly in my hand I press it to his fur.
Time seems to freeze as he gasps. Nothing moves for a moment then he suddenly isn’t there, his armor, weapon, and cloths drop to the ground. Holding up the crystal I grin at the tiger I can see within it. “Yes, you are still alive. For the Council demands that you stand trial. Now be a good kitty and stay silent.”
I turn to Kitna and hand him the crystal, which he places in a padded pouch on his belt. “Another good capture commander. The Council will be pleased with the end of this ones terror.”
I give him a nod and clap him on the shoulder. “You and the boys look around, see if there is anything worth keeping.” I look at the slave girl and wonder, “And check to see if there are any more slaves, if there are, we will take them with us back to the Capitol. The Council always wishes to return people to their families if possible. And give them a new start if it’s not.”
He nods as he leaves through the door he finally unlocked. I direct my attention to the young female. Walking over I kneel and am pleased to find she is still breathing though she seems to be out cold with a bump on the back of her head. I try to remove the collar but there is no visible way to do so, and my claws can’t seem to cut the tough leather. Sighing I snap her chain and pick her up. Looking around the large room I see a large soft bed covered with warm sleeping furs, obviously the one the tiger used. I lay her in it and smooth her hair from her face. For a human she is rather pretty. Smooth soft skin with a light tanning, her hair is long, black, and silky to the touch. The only clothing the leader had given her was a skimpy loincloth, obviously to show off his prize to anyone in his throne room. I try to avoid staring at her chest, but it is hard and I feel the stirrings of lust for this poor female. Pulling one of the furs to cover her I resist the urge to touch those two mounds of feminine beauty.
The stag comes in and salutes, I wave back, “Don’t be so formal when we are in the field kid. Save it for the council chambers.”
“Yes, sir. We found nine slaves in the barracks sir.”
I sigh at the over use of ‘sir’, but hopefully he’ll loosen up in time. “Fine, have Famier check them out. Find them some decent clothes and see to them.”
He snaps a salute, “Sir!” and leaves. I sigh and turn back to the woman only to find myself looking into a pair of hazel eyes.
“Ah good, you are awake,” I say.
She seems scared of me as I sit there on the edge of the bed. She lays rigid stiff and unmoving as if she’s petrified. Cocking my head to one side I give her a toothless grin, “You ok lil lady?”
She slowly nods her head but says nothing.
I am a little concerned by her lack of verbal response, “Can you talk?”
She nods her head again.
“Then please do.”
“Thank you Master.”
‘Master! Oh great…’ I stroke her cheek with my thumb as my fingers slip into her hair, “Look lil lady, I am no Master. You are now free. We’ll take you back to the Capitol where they will help reunite you with your family. They must be worried about you.”
“I have no one Master, only you,” she says as she sits up and wraps her thin arms around my waist. She presses her once more bare torso against me; I’d almost say she was trying to seduce me. I am thankful my armor hides any obvious reaction to her hug.
I roll my eyes heavenward and wonder what I did to deserve the hard cases. I try to release her surprisingly strong grip on my waist and look down at her, “Listen little one, I am not your Master. Slavery is illegal in our lands. You are a free person to do as you want with the rest of your life.”
She looks up at me, her eyes brimming with tears, “But I want you Master. You are so much nicer then Master Rackner.” She rubs her hands over my bare stomach, “You are also so much softer then him Master.”
I sigh, knowing I’m going to have a lot of work with this one during the trip. “Look, you’re probably tired and we’ll be leaving in the morning to take you and the others back to the Capitol.” I disengage her arms from me and lay her back down, “You look like you need some rest. Sleep a little and I’ll wake you when we are ready to go.”
She lies down and smiles at me, “Yes Master.”
‘I wish she wouldn’t call me that,’ I think to myself as I stand and walk outside to talk to the others.
Kitna is examining a few items from the bandits, “What you got there Kit?”
“Mostly baubles Terak, poorly enchanted weapons. The usual you’d expect to find bandits using. But this,” and he holds up a bejeweled dagger, “is something special.” He holds the scabbard and presents the hilt to me.
I take it in my hand and examine it. “Hm… Good craftsmanship…” I slide the blade free and marvel at the finely etched blade, the dragon etchings almost seeming alive. “What is it?” I ask him, looking up at him.
He looks a little nervous. “If my guess is correct it’s a soul blade.”
I snap my eyes back to it as if it had turned into a serpent in my hands, “Is it used?”
He slowly nods, “It would seem so.” He takes it from me and points at the etchings, “These, show the inhabitant of the blade. And this,” he points at the golden hilt, “indicates it was a dragon of good.”
He hands it back to me and I take it gingerly in my hand. “Who would do such a thing, who could do such a thing? The spirit of a golden dragon trapped in here?”
‘Yes, I am,’ says a voice in my head.
I look around, “Wha…”
‘Yoo hoo, down here fur brain,’ says the voice again.
I look down at the dagger in my hand, “Holy…”
‘Not quite, but I am pleased to see myself back in the hands of the good. Those bandits thought me only a simple pretty weapon. The things they did with me…’ I suddenly am bombarded by a series of mental pictures. Views of death, murder, rape… The soul of the dagger has seen it all, and now he’s showing me.
I collapse to my knees as the images stop, Kitna shaking my shoulder calling out my name. “Terak… You ok?”
I slowly nod, “It… It showed me what they have done with it… The atrocities…”
He nods his head, “Yes, I can imagine. You are fortunate the dagger still appears to be of good nature, or you would be driven insane already.”
‘Do not fear me now warrior. I can tell you will use me to end the lives of those who do such things. And in this cause, I am more then willing to help.’
I look at the dagger as I return it to its sheath, “Quite a find we have here.”
Kitna nods, “Yes it is. There are a few other things, but none of them are what I would call spectacular. We’ll give the usual cut to the Council, still plenty of gems and such to keep us active for months. Plus the bounty on this group and we’re set for the next year or so.”
I nod my head, “Yes. Did you find any mounts?”
He gives me a nod, “Not our type of warhorse, but a few of the smaller saddle horses, and a pair of draft horses used to pull their loot laden wagon.”
“Good, make sure everyone is ready to go at first light. I’m going to get some sleep.”
He pats me on the back, “Go ahead, everything will be ready at first light.”
I walk back to the leader’s building and piling up some furs on the floor I lie down for some much needed sleep.
When I wake in the morning it is not to Kitna, or one of my other companions waking me, but a thin feminine human arm draped over my side and a small soft body pressed against my back. I reach a hand slowly back to feel the person and get a handful of naked rump and a giggle. I sit up and look to find the slave girl I had placed in bed laying there. “I thought you were sleeping in the bed?”
She sits up and wraps her arms around me again, “I was Master, but now I am here with you as I should be.”
I sigh and force her to meet my gaze, my dark eyes looking into her hazel ones, “Listen to me, you are not a slave any more. You do not have to do anything you don’t want to anymore.”
She hugs me tighter, “But I want to be with you Master.”
“You’ll change your mind by the time we get to Capitol.”
A chuckle from the doorway draws my attention. “Seems you got a pretty lil thing there Terak,” says Kitna.
I groan and glare at him, “Don’t start with me.”
He just grins in his smug kind of way, “Just came by to let you know we’re all ready to move out soon as you can work your way free of that lil lady’s grip.”
I give him a nod, “We’ll be out in just a moment.” As he leaves I look back down to the young woman, “Come on, we got to get going.”
She looks up at me and smiles warmly, “Yes Master.”
Sighing I stand up and lead her outside. The bodies of the bandits are piled near the barracks and I can smell oil heavy in the air. “It’s all set?” I ask.
Famier gives a nod, “You get everyone started on the way, and I’ll set it and run.”
I shake my head and take the torch from him. “Put the girl on a horse and get everyone out. I’ll do the burning. Oh, and see if you can find something that will cover her a little more would you?”
“But…” he starts to argue but the stag grips his shoulder.
“It is the Commander’s choice Famier. Let him do as he wishes.” The ferret looks up at the much larger buck and nods.
I watch as the laden wagon and dozen horses leave the compound. I wait a slow count of one hundred before I throw the burning torch at the barracks. It lands on the roof and quickly sets fire to the oil spread over it. I watch the consuming fire spread quickly, finishing the work we had started. I tear my eyes away from the dance of the flames and run for the gate. Once outside the wooden walls I turn to look, the whole structure is going up in flames and I feel some satisfaction in knowing we won this battle. Turning my back on the sight I jog to catch up with the others.
I catch up to them easily of course since they aren’t moving fast. My companions are each on their warhorses and I find mine has a passenger already. “Couldn’t find her someplace else to ride?” I ask Famier.
He shakes his head, “All the other horses already got a passenger, and the wagon is heavily loaded already. Besides, your horse is the biggest. So it’s the least burden if we put her on your horse.”
I sigh and take the reins he has been holding onto. I look up at her and am glad that they at least found a large tunic for her to wear. “This is going to be a long journey.”
“Not at all Terak,” chuckles Kitna, “it’s only a week’s travel to Capitol. Maybe that will be enough time to teach her what it’s like to be free.”
I put one booted foot into a stirrup and vault myself onto the horse, the woman in front of me. “The first one who makes a bad joke gets point duty next mission.”
I hear some muffled chuckles but none of them say anything. I grip the reins in my hands, the human between my muscled arms as she sits back against me. “Master upset?”
I sigh and shake my head, “I an not your Master, and I am not upset.” I look down and realize she is still wearing the collar I wasn’t able to remove last night. “Kitna, when we stop for lunch, take a look at this collar on her neck. I couldn’t get it off last night.”
He silently nods his head, “Probably magical in nature. Most slave collars are.”
I give a knowing nod and look down at her again to find her looking back up at me. “So… You got a name lil one?”
“My Masters have called me Kaleen when they have desired to Master,” she says while rubbing the fur on my forearms where my bracers don’t cover me. “Master so soft.” This gets a chuckle from the others, a whispered comment and they are laughing outright.
“You guys wait till we get to Capitol, you just wait.”
The first night we stopped near a small stream. After a leisurely meal I stood and stretched. I stripped off my armor and weapons and piled them next to my bedroll I had laid out already. Now wearing only my breechclout I picked up my bag of personal items and headed for the stream, “Kitna, keep an eye on everyone in the area, I’m going to take a bath.”
He waves me off, “Have fun Terak.”
I walk the short distance to the stream then down river some, where I find a slightly deeper area. Draping my breechclout over a branch I ease into the cool water and sigh as I sit down in it. Taking a breath I dunk myself under the water to get my fur totally soaked then surface again. Reaching for the bag blindly I only find empty beach. Brushing my mane out of my face with one hand I see the young slave-girl standing there with a smile and my bag, “Master want bath?”
I realize I am not likely to get rid of her at this rate and sighing give a brief nod. She quickly strips off her scant clothing and I get a brief, if good, view of her athletic form before she joins me in the water.
I sit in the water as she pulls out the bag of sand-soap. In large strokes she slowly rubs the foaming sand into my fur, scrubbing the sweat and grime out of it. I must admit, it is easier to let someone help me scrub my back, so hard to reach some of those areas. Once she has scrubbed my back she brings up handfuls of water to rinse my fur free of the suds and sand.
I reach around and take a handful of the sand myself to start rubbing it into my arms while she starts washing my thick mane. Soon she wades around to sit in front of me and with a handful of the sand she starts rubbing it into my chest. I allow myself to purr at the stroking and rubbing she gives me. Strong yet gentile strokes to work the sand into lather that cleans my fur.
Suddenly my eyes that were starting to close in contentment snap open as she takes another handful and starts to clean my balls and sheath. I look down at her in surprise that she would do such a thing, but the pleased smile on her face as she rolls my orbs in her hands indicates that she knows exactly what she was doing.
I reach down and cup her chin in one of my massive hands, tilting her head up to look me in the eyes. “You don’t have to wash those lil one. I told you, you are not a slave anymore.”
“But I want to Master. I want to serve you and bring you pleasure.” Her hands attentions have caused my cubmaker to swell and slip free of its sheath. She looks down and one of her hands with a small amount of the soft sand still in it starts to stroke the lengthening organ. “Master is bigger then previous Master,” she coos.
“Uh… Why don’t you wash yourself and I’ll take care of washing that?”
She looks up at me with sadness in her eyes, “Master not like how I clean him?”
I shake my head, “No, it’s not that lil one. Just that if you keep doing that I don’t know if I’ll be able to resist your attentions.”
She smiles and starts to stroke my member faster, squeezing it as she does, “That good Master. I want Master.”
What she does next surprises the hell out of me. She takes a breath and ducks her head under the water to lick at my now hardened cock. Before I can do anything she takes the head into her mouth and starts sucking the rest into her waiting mouth. Soon I can feel the head poking against the back of her throat and much to my surprise it snakes a short bit down her throat. Her throat muscles try to swallow my little kitten as her tongue dances around the shaft invading her mouth.
I grunt and grip her head, gently I try to pull her off, but I might as well be trying to pull a barnacle off a ship. She has her arms wrapped around my thighs, her fingers reaching up to tickle my dangling jewels in their furry sack.
Before I know it I am trying to pull her head further onto my cock, my hips starting to thrust in the water to impale her head on the thick pole that protrudes from my loins. I throw back my head and let loose a roar of passion as my nuts tighten up in their bag and my cubmaker twitches a few times before the thick white essence starts to flow down her throat.
I can hear gurgling sounds from her as her throat sucks the fluid from my cock down to her waiting stomach. Finally I guess the need for air becomes too much and she slips my organ free of her hot mouth and comes to the surface gasping for air. One of her hands keeps stroking my kitten, keeping it hard and pumping the last few jets out into the cool flowing water.
Panting for breath myself I lean back bracing my hands to support me. “Damn…”
She looks at me with a pitiful look of someone who needs reassurance, “Master like?”
I nod my head quickly, “Yes, it was good my dear, but why me? Why not one of the others if you needed to give someone a blowjob so badly?”
She crawls up my body and partly out of the water, exposing her breasts to my gaze. She warps her arms around my neck and nose-to-nose smiles shyly at me. “Master find out secret soon.”
Now she has me confused, “What secret?”
Suddenly she jerks and stiffens in pain. Worried I pick her up and carry her to the shore. Laying her down I listen to her scream as she withers and shakes. Before my eyes her body changes. Her frame lengthens and bulks up. Fur quickly covers her in a pattern that matches mine closely. Her hands and feet change to accommodate the claws that are slipping out of the sheaths in her fingers and toes. Finally, her head starts to change and distort. A few minutes later I am looking at a lioness that is slightly taller then the human female had been. Her eyes snap open and I see those same stunning hazel eyes.
My voice shaking, “Kal… Kaleen?
She sits up slowly and nods her head. “Yes Master,” she purrs to me. “I am now perfect for you Master.”
“TERAK!!!” I hear Kitna yell as the bear comes crashing through the underbrush. He skids to a stop in the sand as he sees the lioness sitting there looking at me with the same look the human slave-girl had.
“Wha… What’s happening?” he stammers. “I heard you roar then heard the girl scream. Where is she?” He is looking around as if expecting her to pop out of thin air.
I point at the lioness, “That’s her…”
He look at me like I’ve lost my mind and shakes his head, “Terak, I know we’ve been on the trail over a month. But this can’t be the girl. The girl is human, this lady is obviously one of your kind. And rather attractive too…”
“Kitna!” my shout startles him into stopping his lecture. “This is Kaleen, she just changed for some reason.”
The lioness scoots over to me and cuddles her nude form against my bare chest. “It’s my curse Master. I turn into what will make me the perfect lover for my Master.” She purrs softly as she rests her head against my chest, “As I have now.”
Suddenly a thought clicks in my head, her collar. I point at it and Kitna nods, “We’ll discuss this a little later commander, sorry to interrupt your fun.” With that he turns and starts working his way back to camp his deep bear chuckles clearly audible.
“No, Kitna…”
She silences me by wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her muzzle to mine in a fierce kiss. Her tongue probes my mouth, and as I warm to her kiss my lips slowly part to allow it entrance. Slowly my hands come up to clutch at her back and I end up holding onto her almost as strongly as she holds onto me.
After an unknown time we finally separate and look deeply into each other’s eyes. She presses one of her hands against my chest, urging me to lie down. Slowly she forces me to lie on the sand of the shore. She throws one of her toned legs over me and straddles my stomach. “Master like Kaleen?” she coos as she rune her hands through my thick chest-fur. Her upper arms squeezing her breasts together, tempting me to reach up and get a handful of her fruit.
I lay there purring quietly, “No, Kaleen doesn’t please Master.” I see tears start to well up in her eyes at my words. I move a hand up to cup her cheek and rub my thumbs across her cheek. “But she does please Terak.” She seems to understand what I say and brightens, the tears stopping.
“Terak like what I do?” she asks as she rakes her fingers through my chest-fur. Occasionally she runs the tip of one of her claws gently over my nipples. “Kaleen want Master’s seed.”
I frown up at her, “Stop calling me Master, if you want you can call me Terak.”
She frowns briefly, “Yes Mas… Terak.”
I nod and smile up at her, “That’s better.” I move my hand from her face to one of her soft breasts and give it some light caresses, one of my fingers flicking over her nipple. “You will learn what it’s like to be free, soon I hope.”
She leans down, giving me better access to her breasts, moaning at my attentions. “Right now, Kaleen only wants Terak’s seed,” she quietly purrs.
I rub her hips with my other hand, “Well, if you want it you know where to get it.”
She giggles like a schoolgirl and reaches one of her hands back to stroke my still hard member. “Terak likes Kaleen a lot according to this,” she says as she squeezes my throbbing erection.
I purr at the feelings, “Well, I can’t complain yet.”
She lifts her hips and scoots herself backwards till her hips are over the tip of my shaft. “This going to feel good,” she says to herself as she presses down on the head of my cock with her wet sex.
I moan as I feel the tip of my cock enter a tight wetness. It’s been so long since the last time I laid with a fem. This almost like the first time she is so tight around my member. I am somewhat surprised as she slams herself down, impaling my spear of flesh in her. Her head flies backwards as she moans and squeals in pleasure. My other hand reaches for her unoccupied breast to tease and fondle it while she gets used to my size in her.
After a few moments she moves her hips a fraction of an inch up and down my shaft. Slowly, she starts to increase that distance. In a few minutes she is bobbing her hips up and down the entire length of my shaft. Moans and squeals constantly flow from her mouth as she enjoys her ride. Course, I can’t complain about her ride either as I am enjoying it just as much.
My tail swings up to brush the fluffed end against the bottom of her sex before working its way up to under her tail. I grin as I see the shocked look on her face as the tip of my tail plays around her rear opening, but I don’t try to enter her with my tail. Instead I just keep teasing her gently.
She shocks me though. She stops riding me for a second as she reaches around and grips my tail tightly in her hand. With a little resistance she stuffs the end of my tail up her ass. She throws her head back, arching her back as she squeals at the feelings and starts riding me faster and harder then before.
Minutes later, I feel her clamp down on my tail and cock simultaneously as she roars out in passion. Her climax triggers mine. The feeling of her sex clamping and milking my member makes it impossible to hold it at bay any longer. I let loose with a roar of my own, that rivals hers for volume.
Still twitching and jerking with her orgasm, she collapses onto my chest. I wrap my arms around her protectively as we both lie here, gasping for air.
She slowly moves her head to rub her muzzle against mine, her tongue licking out to lick me. “Terak like?”
Still gasping I nod, “You are incredible.”
She giggles and rests her head against my chest, “I know.”
After we have rested I poke her side, prompting a soft giggle. “Come on, let’s go back to the others and get some sleep. We still have almost a week of travel before we reach Capitol.”
She nods and slowly gets off me. Standing up, I stretch, my muscles protesting a little after the workout they have had the last hour or so. She holds out my breechclout to me and I put it on. Looking at her I see she has put on the loincloth again and the oversized shirt. While they cover enough for decency, they really don’t look that good on her.
I wrap my arm around her shoulders as we start to walk back. “We’ll have to find you some better clothes soon. I think we’ll be passing a small town tomorrow sometime, maybe we can get you something to wear there.”
“As you wish,” is all she says as she leans into me.
We walk the rest of the short trip to the campfire in silence and find most of the others have already crawled into their bedrolls for the night. Kitna looks up as we approach and smiles at us. “Glad to see you decided to join us again.”
I give Kitna a dismissive wave, “Don’t start or I’ll make a fur rug out of your hide.”
He chuckles, “You’ve been threatening to do that for years Terak, and you haven’t yet.”
I settle down on my bedroll and yawn, “Just wake me in four hours to take my watch.”
He watches the lioness cuddle against my chest and chuckles, “Sure boss.”
Sure enough, I am woken by daylight rather then the bear. Blinking my eyes I look around to see most of the others stirring and Goteim tending the fire. Noticing my eyes are open he gives me a nod, “Good morning, sir.”
“Why didn’t Kitna wake me?” I ask gruffly.
He shrugs, “Kitna woke me about four hours ago, sir.”
Sitting up carefully so not to wake Kaleen I glare at him, “He should have woken me. It was my turn to sit night watch.”
“Yeah, it was,” says the bear walking out of the woods from relieving himself. “But I decided it would be better to wake the kid then wake you and risk waking the fem in your arms.”
I shake my head, “Next time risk it. We need to keep the rotation going so we stay somewhat rested on these patrols.” I feel her stirring and her eyes slowly up as she stretches her jaws opening wide and tongue curling in typical feline fashion. Looking down at her I give a shy grin, “Sleep well?”
“Yes…” she purrs as she looks up at me. “You are warm to sleep with, comforting…” I can tell she is hiding something, but I guess in time she will open up to me.
I run my hand through her hair and smile a little more. Looking back at the stag I ask, “What’s for breakfast?”
He pulls two skewers from the fire and hands them to us. “For you meat eaters, rabbit.”
Taking them I hold one out to Kaleen who sits up to accept it. “Thank you,” she quietly says as she shifts her legs to sit with them crossed in front of her. I watch her slowly nibble at the food, so unlike most lionesses, who would have eaten the small morsel in a few gulps and asked for more.
I quickly chew down the cooked meat and toss the stick into the fire. “Be right back,” I mumble as I get up from my bedroll and walk a short distance off into the woods to relieve myself. Standing there, taking care of nature’s call, I think about the road we have to travel yet. Six more days of easy traveling should have us at the gates of Capitol. Might be seven if I decide to stop at Terole, but Kaleen needs some clothes. And since she’s my responsibility now it seems, I guess I’m paying.
Having lightened my load I walk back to the camp and pickup my armor. Soon I have strapped the light, tight fitting, leather armor to my frame once again. The comfortable weight of my swords hangs from my waist once again.
I see the girl still sitting on my bedroll. “You might want to go relieve
yourself if you need to. Want to make that town about
Kitna taps me on the shoulder, “So, you’re serious about stopping at Terole?”
I nod my head, “Me and her at least. If you want, the rest of you can continue and we’ll catch up a little after you stop for the night.”
Kitna shakes his head, “Would be a bad idea to divide the group. Especially from it’s strongest fighter.”
I give him a nod, “OK, but we’re not going to stay the night in the town. I want to make this as short a stop as possible.”
He looks over to where the former slaves are huddled, “Yes, I quite agree. But going that also means you’re going to have to take what they have on hand for her. No time for special orders.”
I nod in understanding, “I know. All that can wait till Capitol when I can get her attired properly. But for now she needs something better then a loincloth and an oversized tunic.”
Ten minutes later the fem steps out of the trees and looks at me rolling up the bedroll. Draping it behind the saddle of my horse Blizzard I glance over at her and grin. “Ready for a long ride?”
She nods her head and walking up to me reaches under the protective leather flaps to grope me. “I am always ready for a ride of any duration Master.”
If I were human, I would be beet red from blushing. I step back and she lets go of my package with a questioning look, “I asked you not to call me Master. My name is Terak.”
She falls to her knees, her head on the ground while her hands grip my booted ankles. “I am sorry this one has displeased you Terak. I beg forgiveness.”
I squat and with a hand under her chin force her to look up into my eyes and see I am not in any way displeased. “Please, you are not my slave. You are no longer property to be owned or punished. You don’t have to ask for forgiveness from me, I am not going to harm you. You are free to make your own choices.”
She looks up at me with a wide-eyed stare. Tears still wet her cheeks as she whispers, “But… It’s all I know how to be.”
I lift her up and hug her against my broad chest, resting her head on my shoulder. “It’s okay, and I’ll help teach you.” I feel her arms reach around to hug me back. I feel tears fall from my eyes for this fem, for all she has gone through, and for what she has obviously lost. “We’ll sort things out later,” I say as I hold her out in front of me. “But the ride I was talking about was on horseback. We have a lot of distance to travel today before you can have the other ride.”
She sniffles a few times, “You promise?”
I am shocked by her response. “You want it that bad huh?”
She nods, “You are so much more gentle then my Masters of the past. If you say I can make my choices now, I want to be only with you.”
I sigh and stand up, pulling her up with me, “Only the future knows what’s in store for us.” I lower my hands to her waist and lift her easily onto my horse. “Stay there while I check on the others.” I give her thigh a squeeze and walk over to where Kitna is preparing his horse.
“Did you want to ask me something else?” asks the bear as her cinches the belly strap on his saddle another notch.
“Were you able to do any detections on that collar of hers last night while we were sleeping at least?” I ask him quietly so no one else can hear us.
He nods his head but stays silent.
“And?”
“And it is not the source of her curse. It has only minor spells on it to keep it sealed and to allow to it grow with her. It is easily removed. But there is something else I discovered in my scrying.”
“Go on.”
He takes a deep breath, “How old would you guess she is?”
I think for a minute, “I’d say about my age, about twenty-six.”
He nods at my guess, “My scrying determined that she is twenty-five.” He casts a sad look in her direction, “That collar has been on her neck from the time she was less then one year old. And there is something else…”
Still shocked to find the life of slavery is truly the only life she knows I ask softly, “What?”
He shakes his head, “I am not sure. There is something that is being repressed and concealed. Maybe if the collar is removed I will be able to define it, but for now I only have a glimmer of what it is.”
I look over at her, “How about we take care of that collar right now. I don’t want her in any settlements still wearing it. The populace might get the wrong idea.”
He nods and follows me over to my horse. I grip her thigh, “Kaleen, we want to remove that collar. It is marking you as property, and you are not anymore.”
“I have always had this collar.”
I nod, “But it is time to show you what freedom is.”
Gently I lift her back down off Blizzard’s back and Kitna steps forward. “Don’t be afraid young one. This won’t hurt.” He reaches out to touch the simple leather band. He closes his eyes and mumbles a few words that cause his fingers to glow with green energy. There is an almost audible “click” and when Kitna pulls his hands back he holds the strap of leather in his hands.
She reaches up to rub her neck a little, ruffling the fur there. “That does fell good,” she says looking up at me with a smile. She suddenly wraps her arms around me and hugs me tightly, “Thank you.”
I motion towards Kitna, “Thank him, I have no inkling of how these magical forces work. He is the one who removed the collar from you.”
She turns her head but doesn’t let go of me, “Thank you Sage Kitna.”
He chuckles one of his deep bear laughs, “Don’t worry about it. And call me Kitna.”
She smiles at him and holds onto me tighter. “Thank you Kitna.”
He bows to her, “My pleasure my lady.” Slipping the collar into one of the many pouches on his belt he walks back to his horse, casting a glance over at the others. “Looks like they’re just about ready to head out.”
Looking over I see the last of the former slaves being helped onto the backs of the horses and the wagon horses are hitched up and ready. I once more lift Kaleen onto my horse before swinging myself onto his back behind her. Gripping the reins I walk him over to the others. “We ready to head out?” I ask Famier as he checks his saddle.
Famier nods his head as he too swings himself up into the saddle, “As ready as we’re going to be.”
I nod, “Let’s head ‘em out.” With a combination of reins snapping and shouts we hit the trail again. Famier and Kitna take the rear guard position while Goteim and I take point of the rage-tag column.
The morning passes uneventfully. Most of the former slaves just mutter among themselves, looking at the woods around in fear. While the fem in front of me just leans back and makes herself comfortable against my chest, a content smile on her face.
Shortly before
Turning to see the others dismounting I wave towards the inn. “Kitna, get ‘em fed in the inn while we do what we came here for. Shouldn’t be more then an hour at most.”
He waves me off with a dismissive gesture and placing my hand on the lioness’s shoulder I guide her down the street to some of the local stores. About two hundred yards down I see a clothing store and we step inside, a bell over the door signaling our entrance.
The shopkeeper, a male otter wearing rather fine clothing, steps out from the curtained off back section. Seeing us, he bows slightly to me, “Yes warrior, what causes you to grace my establishment with your presence?”
I can tell it’s an act from his posture. He just wants to get us out of his store as soon as he can. And right now I’m happy to oblige him. “We’re shopping for clothes for the girl here,” I say patting her on the back.
He looks her up and down wrinkling his nose at her rather unsuitable clothing. “I shall need to see your money first,” he says. Maybe he expects this to chase me out, how little he knows me.
I pull a small bag out of one belt-pouch. Opening it I show his the glint of golden Empire currency, “I believe I have sufficient to buy your store good merchant. Now could you please show us something that will fit the girl? Perhaps something that will suitably last through some rough traveling.”
At the sight of the bag of gold he quickly steps forward with a measuring string, realizing I am not some grunt warrior of the lines with his wench. Taking her measurements he quickly backs away bowing, “I shall see what I have in the back sir, wait one moment.” He disappears through the curtain again and I walk over to an armchair and ease my bulk into it.
Kaleen goes to sit on the floor by my feet and I stop her with a grip on her arm, guiding her to the chair next to me. She sits carefully, as if afraid she is going to break the sturdy chair. “Rest at ease lil one. We shouldn’t be here long.”
Ten minutes later the shopkeeper scurries back out to us. “Sorry for the delay gentlefurs, I had a large selection to choose from,” he says as he sets several boxes down and opens the first one.
Pulling out a frilly blue silk blouse, he holds it up to her saying, “This would look fabulous on her sir.”
I nod, hiding my disapproval of his starting choice. “It does look good, but for travel it isn’t the best of choices. I would recommend a heavier fabric. Something that will be comfortable during long hours on horseback.”
He seems almost hurt by my words as he puts it back. He’s probably more hurt that he couldn’t sell such an expensive garment to me. “What about this sir?” he asks as he pulls out a red leather vest. “This would protect her assets nicely from the travels, yet allows mobility and is rather attractive. Perhaps the lady would like to try it on?”
Kaleen looks at me for permission and I nod my head. She slips the shirt off herself with no thought for the fact she wore nothing underneath. I think the shopkeeper almost has a heart attack at the now half naked lioness in his shop, and with the view he’s getting I really don’t blame him. She takes the vest from his now numb fingers and slips it on, lacing the ties across the front. Turning to me for approval I look her over, the deep red leather does seem to fit her nicely, though it could afford to be a little bigger in the chest to accommodate her breasts.
I wave over to a mirror on the wall, “Tell me what you think my dear.”
Turning to the mirror she turns this way and that to look at herself, “I love it Terak.”
I think the shopkeeper almost has another heart attack as she says my name. In a stuttering voice he says, “You… You… You’re General Terak? Of… Of the elite guards?”
I nod my head to him, “Yes good shopkeeper. And while I do like the vest, I think she needs something under it. After all, no point causing poor males to pass out from that much view of her assets.”
He nods quickly, still wide eyed at realizing just who he has in his shop. “Of course sir, I have just the thing here.” He quickly searches through a few more boxes before he holds up a black cotton short-sleeved shirt. “This would look excellent under that vest sir.”
She takes it without looking to me for permission this time and slipping the vest off slips it on. Once more adding the vest over the cloth she leaves it open in the front this time and smiles, liking the effect. “What do you think Terak?”
Looking as she poses for me I have to admit it’s quite a good look on her. “Yes, looks good on you my dear. We’ll need to get you some undergarments too though if you want to wear the vest open like that.”
The shopkeeper nods his head, “I have those too sir. I will throw them in free of charge with the clothes.”
I give him a nod of approval, “Now, for her lower half. What do you have?” I ask as I turn my gaze back on him.
He quickly digs through the boxes, “I suggest a pair of black pants if you are going to do heavy traveling sir.” He holds up a pair of black cotton pants.
He holds them out to Kaleen and she takes them and slips out of her loincloth to put them on. The shopkeeper actually looks away as she does this realizing she’s not wearing anything under there. I watch her though as she pulls them up, her tail sliding into the hole for it. She buttons the tail-flap and the front and looks at herself in the mirror again. I must say, she looks much better like this then she did before.
“How do you like them?” I ask her.
She turns to me with tears in her eyes, “May I really have these?”
I nod my head, “Of course, that’s why we came here.”
She runs up almost flies into my lap to hug my and shower me with feline lick-kisses. Turning to look at the shopkeeper I grin, “Total it up and add those undergarments.”
He hastily moves to do as I said and has a bill of sale ready for my signature in a few minutes. Kaleen is still sitting in my lap as her hands her the undergarments and holds out a pen and the paper for me to sigh. “Here you are my lord.”
Motioning for Kaleen to go put the undergarments on I take the bill and look it over. All things considered the price is reasonable and I sign the paper. Opening my pouch I pull out four, ten-gold pieces and hand them to him with a grin, “Keep the change good sir.”
He nods his head quickly, “Thank you my lord, and please come back if there is anything else I can do for you.”
Kaleen, once more dressed, proceeds me out the door as I turn to give the merchant a wave. “Good sales to you shopkeeper, and may the gods favor you in your future.”
Turning to exit I look around for Kaleen and see her running towards the inn with a smile on her face. Probably to show the others how she looks in her new garb. I let out a gruff chuckle and, giving my head a shake, follow her.
I see someone dart out of an ally to grab her. Covering her mouth so she can’t scream they jerk her back into the shadows. I run for the alley pulling one of my swords when two males, a cougar and a wolf, block my path.
“Where do you think you’re going fuzzy?” asks the wolf as he and his companion pull their own swords.
I stick my fingers in my lips and give an ear-piercing whistle. They let out a chuckle about half a second before they both hear the sound of heavy hoof-beats pounding their way. They look behind them only to see Blizzard charging down on them. His bulk easily tramples them as he skids to a stop in the dust. I pat his head and look down at the bleeding scum on the ground, “Your type never learns.”
I hear a muffled scream and I run for the alley again. By now Famier and Kitna have run out of the inn and are coming my way at a dead run. I turn down the alley to find a black rat holding Kaleen from behind, a dagger at her throat. “If you care for the pussy’s health, you’ll drop the sword and your money.”
I chuckle as my companions come to a stop behind me on either side. “You got one chance, let the girl go.”
Seeing Famier draw his bow the rat tries to hide behind her a little more. “Say the word sir.”
I see the rat starting to panic, “You know you can’t shot me without hitting the fem, slinky.”
I can see the fear clearly plastered across Kaleen’s face. “Famier,” I say and he releases the arrow to imbed it half an inch from the rat’s foot, only the tail end of the fletching sticking up from the dirt. Before he can look up Famier has another arrow notched and ready.
I see a liquid pool on the ground from the leg of the rat’s pants. “Let the girl go. You won’t get another chance.”
“Fuck you, I’ll,” an arrow sticking through his head suddenly cuts him off.
Kaleen looks startled as the rat falls behind her. She looks over her shoulder in shock to look at the dead bandit. “He… He…” She looks around to me with tears in her eyes before she runs to embrace me. “He would have killed me!” she cries as I hold her.
“Shh. Shh,” I say while stroking her hair. “It’s alright lil one. You’re safe with us. Just stay near me and no one will ever touch you.”
I hear the clatter of armor behind us and see two City Guard enter the alley. “What’s going on here?!” demands a plate armored mouse.
I dig in my pouch for my seal and present it to him, “I am General Terak, my lady was accosted by this rat here, the two bloody things out there tried to stop me from getting to her.”
He examines the seal before saluting me, “Sir! I am sorry for any inconvenience sir.”
I take back my seal, still holding Kaleen trying to comfort her. “Just take care of this trash sergeant and we’ll call it even.”
I lead her back out into the street and down to the inn. Finding a seat in the inn I hold her in my lap an let her cry herself out. Soon she is sleeping in my arms and I motion for Kitna to bring me a drink. Coming over to my table he sets a tankard in front of me. “She going to be ok?” he asks.
I nod and whisper back, “She’ll be fine. Punishments and such she is used to, but I don’t think she’s ever had her life threatened like this.” I look down at her peaceful sleeping face, “I just feel like I need to protect her Kitna.”
He nods and sits down across the table from me, “We’re ready to head out soon as you want. The rest of us have eaten and the horses have been rested and watered.”
I nod, “She can sleep in the saddle. We need to be going.” I down the tankard he brought me and set it back down, “Pay the tab and the rest of us will get in the saddle again.”
He heads for the bar while everyone else starts filing outside at Famier and Goteim’s instructions. Carefully standing up, I carry the still sleeping lioness outside.
Giving a soft whistle Blizzard walks over and nuzzles my shoulder, “Yes boy, you did a good job back there, thank you.” Holding Kaleen with one arm I pull myself up into the saddle and settle her in front of me.
Kitna comes out of the inn and slings himself onto his horse. With a nod we start to quietly head out of town again.
About two hours after we leave town Kaleen finally wakes. She is startled, I think, to find herself on the trail, but when she finds my arms holding onto her she relaxes quickly. “How long did I sleep Terak?” she asks shyly.
“About two hours lil one, you needed it.”
She hangs her head, “I’m sorry.”
Looking down at her I kiss the top of her head, “For what?”
“For being a problem sir.”
I bring one hand up to caress her cheek, “You are not a problem my dear.”
“But… Back in the town…”
I place a finger gently on her muzzle, “I know, and that is just one more thing you need to learn about. I’m sorry it had to be introduced to you like that. But it’s a cold, hard, fact of life. The weak are preyed upon by those who want to be strong, so the strong have to protect the weak.”
She nuzzles my arm, “And you certainly are strong.”
I chuckle and nod, “I am, but I am one of many.” I wave my hand towards my companions, “They are all strong men. And we all have seen the evils of this world a little too close.”
She looks up at me confused, “What do you mean?”
I nod towards the stag. “Take Goteim there. He was just a normal farm-raised country type till a few years ago. Some raiders hit his parent’s place. They tied him and his younger sister up, killed his father, and raped his mother and younger sister. All while he watched. By the time anyone came to checkup on them, it was too late for his mother and sister. They had succumbed to their injuries and lack of food and water. Somehow he survived, probably through pure determination to catch those responsible. Well… He started training as a ranger in the Army. When I saw him on the training fields a few months back I recruited him to my team. He’s been one of the best recruits I’ve ever taken in, especially at his age.”
She looks over at the stag, “He looks about as old as you do.”
I nod, “Yes, the weight of revenge can do that to you. In truth he’s only sixteen.”
She looks at him with saddened eyes, “Did he ever catch them?”
I nod my head, “That was the condition of him joining, that we catch those responsible for his family’s death. He was able to get the info we needed, and we took care of that small band. They had been a thorn in my side for a while in fact and I am glad we got them.”
“You killed them?” she asks looking back up at me.
I shake my head, “No, they were captured and tried for their crimes. The Empire doesn’t believe in capitol punishment. So they are currently in a work camp, mining coal if I remember right.”
“What about you? What brought you into this?” she asks me innocently.
I fight to keep the memories, and the tears, back. “It was something bad my dear. I don’t think you’d really like to hear the details. Suffice it to say I saw too much.”
She blinks up at me a few times, “I don’t understand.”
I sigh and lift my mane away from my neck, “Feel.”
She raises a hand to gently rub my throat and neck. She feels the thin scar line of a healed cut. “What happened?” she gasps in shock.
Dropping my mane I begin telling her my tale. “I was a cub… Maybe five years old. My parents took my older brother and me out into the woods, too a secluded clearing they used to frequent in their youth. Little did they know we were walking into a bandit camp… My brother and father held them off as long as they could while me and mother ran.” I close my eyes and the tears start to flow again at the memories. “We didn’t get far before they caught us. They raped my mother, making me watch. Then, when they tired of her, they cut her head off and skinned her. Then… They turned their attention back to me. I was too small to skin they decided, so they just slit my throat and left me on the corpses of my family.”
“But… How did you survive then?” she asks, tears now coursing down her cheeks too.
“They were fools, they slit my neck, but missed the veins. I was bleeding, but not as fast as I would have been. There was a huntsman in the woods and he saw us get caught. He ran and got the City Guard. They showed up with some magical help and support. One of the clerics found our bodies and when she found I was still alive she quickly performed her magic of healing and saved me. But there was nothing any of them could do for my family.”
“I… I’m… I’m sorry I asked Terak,” she says the tears still falling from her eyes as they fall from mine.
I shake my head, “You deserve to know I guess, and there is more. After that, the huntsman took me in. He taught me to fight and track. It turned out he wasn’t any normal huntsman. He was a leading officer in the Empire’s elite guards. When I came of age he saw to it I got a position in them and through my own merits I quickly rose in rank till now. Now I am a General in their ranks, but I prefer the field to being cooped up behind some desk.”
She leans into me, her tears having finally stopped for the moment. “I’m glad you were in field the other day Terak.
I lower my muzzle to lick her ears gently where they stick up from her hair. “So am I little one. So am I.”
Kaleen is © Copyright Kalila Shomion, story and all other characters © Copyright
Christopher Gilman 2003 all rights reserved
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