I would like to thank my sister for helping to keep the run on sentences and the misspelling's down to a dull roar.

Email address: thubbar2@insight.rr.com- comments welcome.

Chapter 2

Panter leaned back against the tree. She had wandered over to the large maple that towered over the practice ring. Watching as women hurried back and forth to wherever their destination was, she noticed many giving her a large berth as they came close. Many others smiled and nodded a greeting as they went by. It seemed as if the village was cut in half in how people felt about what they had seen.

She knew how Tera felt about it; she had made it clear last night.

"So, can I ask about you now?"

Panter suddenly felt unsure" what do you want to know?"

'Umm, what can you tell me about what happened?"

Panter bit her bottom lip" Oh, about the tree? Why does it really matter?"

Tera looked suddenly disappointed " Well no, not really, but I wish you would"

She realized that Panter might be nervous about what happened.

It wasn't everyday that someone like her showed up Tera smiled to herself in fact make that never.

'I understand if your worried about how I feel about it, I know I would be."

Panter briefly grinned and stopped when Tera suddenly stepped back.

"What did you do that for?" she asked upset.

Tera moved closer to her "I'm sorry but when you smiled I saw, she paused and then just said it outright "Are your teeth pointed?"

"Well, yeah actually its just my eyeteeth" she opened her mouth so Tera could see.

" They are a little longer and sharper but most people don't notice, especially since I don't say much."

"Oh, wow" Tera settled down comfortably closer to Panter "So tell me about it"

"All right if you really want to know, I come from the north as you had said before, but it really surprised me when you knew about Vestran since it's pretty small."

Tera nodded "Well really, the only way I know about it is through some of the dealings my father was involved with, but I don't know much about it."

She shook her head 'But I'm interrupting, please continue"

Panter glanced over toward her and saw she has Tera's full attention.

'Any way Vestran is really a small city-state that lies at the base of a mountain range called Arms of Getrain."

"The only ways to and from Vestran is thorough a break in the mountains to the south where you pass by Morkon city or across the mountains to the west to a opening called the Path of Solace."

"Most of the time anyone taking that path never returned."

Panter rose to her feet needing the movement to release some tension

"But I know you really want to know about me right?" She turned and looked at Tera.

Tera nodded.

Panter rubbed her hand over her face. This was going to be hard and it could get very iffy if Tera's reaction was bad, she was risking a lot but something told her to continue.

"In my family, what I am called is chanrejshap" when she said this word Tera noticed it was a guttural sound " or loosely defined one who changes"

"From what I do know it is only the female of the line that has this "gift" no male has ever shown it. Unfortunately anyone who has been found to have it, has been killed, it's not seen has something good."

"My mother had the gift and when she realized so did I she was quick to teach me how to hide it"

Tera was shocked "Your own mother wanted you to hide what you were?"

Panter was pleased that Tera would rise to her defense like that but was careful not to show it.

"You don't understand she was showing me how to protect myself, she didn't want me harmed, she taught me who I was and how to use my gifts, in fact it was only in giving her own life that she protected mine"

Panter sat back down exhausted by the stress of being so open.

Tera got up and moved to sit by Panter carefully laying her hand on her forearm.

"Gave her own life?"

Panter turned her head "They found out and planned on killing me, but my mother tipped me off, even with her help and with both of us shifting, she got killed and I barely got away."

"It took me moons of traveling, almost a year but I arrived here about 1 moon before we met."

Tera smiled gently "I'm glad we did"

"Hey"

Panter looked up as someone blocked the light and stood over her. Only by severely controlling her reaction was she able to stop herself when she saw who it was.

"Tera, you should know better than to startle me like that" Panter shook her finger at her as she rose to her feet. She stifled a grin at the look on Tera's face when she realized what she had done.

"Oh gods, you're right, I'm sorry about that"

Panter smiled at her crookedly "If I hadn't controlled myself, I think you would be more than sorry, I could have really hurt you".

"I know, anyway moving on, how is the new clothing?" "They fit o.k?"

As Tera asked she looked for herself, Panter had on a tunic of dark leather, the cropped sleeves exposing her thickly muscled arms and shoulders; it was a brown that shaded into a deeper chocolate. It hugged her waist and stomach as it made its way down to end just as it reached her upper thighs. A thick belt encircled her waist, a gold handled dagger hung by her left side. A Pair of light tan leggings embraced strong legs and were tucked into calf high boots, completing the look.

"Yes their fine, quite comfortable, thank you"

"I was wondering if you would like to eat with me?" Tera gestured toward the small establishment that was nearby.

"I would like that," answered Panter pleasantly surprised that Tera was seeking her out for company.



As they entered Panter had to duck slightly to clear the lintel of the doorway.

Straightening she looked around as the sound of chatter was briefly muted as people realized who entered, but it quickly resumed.

Grabbing an empty table, Panter made sure that her back was to the wall. She hated feeling vulnerable. A back made a wonderful target.

After their order was taken Tera leaned toward Panter "So what are your plans Panter, any idea what you want to do?"

Startled by the sudden question Panter paused "I really hadn't thought about it, I was hoping that maybe I would be able to stay here awhile"

Tera was happy to hear that, she wanted to get to know Panter better, not only was she fascinating as a person she was something special all together.

"That would be great, I really wanted to get to know you better, maybe spend more time getting to know each other better?"

Panter met her eyes and saw nothing but honesty in them "I would like that too"

After lunch they both went outside the gates to the nearby stream to talk a little more.

The sentries wanted to send someone with them but Tera had refused pointing out that she was as safe with Panter as she would be with an entire group of guards.

Faced with that true point they had no option but to agree.

Settling on a large rock bordering the stream Tera looked at Panter " Could you share a little more about your abilities with me?" "Out here we should be fairly concealed"

Panter rubbed the back of her neck " I guess I could, I'm taking a big chance here with you"

Tera nodded "I know but really what harm could I do?"

"You could expose me"

"Panter, after what most people have seen your secret isn't to secret."

Panter paced "Yeah, that's true but there's more to it than what you've seen"

Tera got up and put her hand on Panter's arm "I know, but you can trust me."

She reached up and brushed a lock of hair back from her forehead.

Panter caught her wrist "I can see that, that's why I'm willing to show you."

"As you've already seen, I can do what I call a partial shift, like at the tree with you.

"It allows me to retain my form but still gives me use of most of my abilities."

"If I need to conserve energy I am able to do a full shift, that also helps if I need to be

In a situation that I am unable to have food or shelter readily available."

"I would be able to still survive relatively easily."

Tera was intrigued "Could you show me?"

"Sure, I guess" Panter concentrated and watched as her hands rippled and changed shape. When all movement stopped, she could flex her fingers and claws emerged and retracted.

She stepped toward Tera to show her, she was amazed when she reached over and touched her hand, and gently ran her fingers across the exposed claws.

"That's unreal, so whenever you need something you just concentrate and your able to half shift to use it?"

Panter glanced over "Well to a point, like when I need my claws, I have to change my hands also to make it work. I just can't have claws it won't work like that."

"Oh I see, what other things can you use during a half shift?"

"Well my hearing is more sensitive then yours, but I can't improve it by half shifting.

"Strength wise I'm stronger and speed wise like running, as you've already seen"

She grinned at Tera while saying it.

"True, you were very fast"

"Any way, I can improve my eye sight a little in a half shift but it's pretty good normally already."

"Other than that to be able to use most of my skills I need to full shift."

Panter almost held her breath as she waited for what she knew was coming.

"Could you full shift so I can see?"

There it was, the question she had been dreading, but for some odd reason it didn't bother her as much as she though it might. Maybe it was because somehow she knew that Tera would never expose her or harm her in any way.

"Yeah, I guess I could for a quick minute."

Turning her back she quickly removed her clothing, smirking to herself when she heard the gasp behind her. "Sorry but I can't shift while clothed'

Tera started to speak but had to stop and clear her throat when her voice came out choked.

Oh my gods if her front looks as good as her back it might kill me she thought.

"It's no problem, you just caught me off guard that's all"

She paused for a moment to gather herself " Please continue"

Tera watched as Panter crouched down and concentrated, suddenly her form started to contract and in some places lengthen. Dark fur flowed over her engulfing her body. Her

Face shifted and a muzzle emerged and ears withdrew into her scalp. It seemed in under a minute a large black cat was sitting in front of her and watching for her reaction.

She could hardy take it all in, if someone had told her that this cat and Panter were one and the same she would have thought they were insane. But seeing is believing, and she defiantly saw this.



The cat stood up and slowly approached her, the tip of its tail slowly flicking from side to side. It extended its neck and sniffed in her direction. She knew that they had to reacquaint themselves when she was in this form so that her scent was known. She stretched out her arm keeping her hand palm down as to show she meant no harm.

She had to bite her bottom lip to keep from giggling when the whiskers tickled as the cat nuzzled her hand. She laughed when a tongue swiped across her hand and wrist. A shove from the cat sent her back to land on her butt and she ended up laughing harder as a tongue went up her neck and into her ear. A deep purr vibrated her inner ear.

Tera grabbed the fur on both sides of the cat's head "Ok ok, stop your going to make me wet myself laughing so hard."

Within moments the cat was gone and her hands were on both sides of Panters face.

"I'm sorry are you going to be ok?"

Tera removed her hands and wiped off the side of her face. "Yeah, I'll be fine."

"That was really something to see Panter, if I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have believed it"

"It didn't bother you did it, I wouldn't have wanted to frighten you."

"No, it didn't bother me at all, don't worry your secret is safe with me." Tera grasped Panters hand" Come on, we should be getting back, it's getting late and I have a meeting to attend."

"But first for everyone's peace of mind, please put your clothes back on"

Or I might go nuts, I was right the front is even better then the back"

* * *

Rena pushed through the brush; she was still infuriated about what had happened.

How could Tera not be upset about what had transpired?

After all she got hurt when that "thing" went up the tree after her.

Rena suddenly stopped in her tracks, went up the tree after her, oh gods it had most likely saved Tera's life. Now what was she going to do, she didn't in anyway like, she winced, Panter but she owed her for helping Tera.

She would have to abide by Tera's decision but it was going to grate, bad.

Rena turned around and headed back, she might make it just before dusk if she hurried.

Tera was going to kick her ass she just knew it.

* * *

A hand pushed the door ajar so the person could listen in. They held their breath as voices were raised inside the room.

"I don't care what it takes I want my cousin taken care of, I'm not risking her coming back here and trying to take it back"



"But my Lord I have received missives that 2 of the 3 troops we have sent out have been decimated. Any that survived barely made it back and from the reports I've received she has gotten help of some kind, but it's not clear on what it is."

"I want it done, send more out, do what you need to, offer a reward for gods sake but get it done"

Glass shattered near the door causing the person to withdraw into the shadows of the archway going onto the balcony nearby.

Light spilled out as the door was opened and two men emerged. One was dark haired and slim and had the look of a soldier who had been in service for half a lifetime. The other came to his chin and just looking at the sneer on his face and the twist of his lip you knew he was a cruel and heartless man. His clothes were gaudy, having been chosen for their price not their comfort.

Once they had swept by in a disgusting cloud of perfume that caused the hiding person to stifle a gag, they were able to emerge.

They need to get this information to Tera, and fast.

Ok I sent a message off last week; it's a week ride but can be done in 3 days if the horses are pushed. I just might be able to get it there before anything might happen.

They rushed to get the note off as quickly as possible, lucky for them that a few people where leaving at the same time.

Two things done at once, they knew that it would be in safe hands till it arrived at its destination.

* * *



Panter leaned back in her chair cradling a mug of port in her hands. Glancing out the window that was by her head she noticed it was closing on dusk, which meant that Tera had been shut up in a meeting for about 4 candle marks. Hopefully they would be taking a break soon.

Panter looked toward the door, as it slammed open.

Great she's back shot through her mind when she saw Rena standing in the doorway.



She watched her look around the room and then suddenly zero in on her.

Rena's eyes narrowed as she hesitated and then she strode over to Panters table.

"Can I sit?" she asked abruptly.

Panter raised an eyebrow then gestured to a chair "It's free"

Rena nodded and sat down, signling for a drink, she waited until it was put down and left before she looked at Panter again.

"Look, I'm not going to play around, I want you to know I appreciate what you did saving Tera but I don't like what you are and I wouldn't trust you as far as I could throw you."

Panter had a touch of respect for someone so honest.

" I only have Tera's well-being in mind, nothing else" sure lie to yourself why don't you,

Panter shook her head " Really, that's all"

Rena locked eyes with Panter yeah, she's telling the truth, I can deal with this

" As long as we have an understanding, I think we'll get along."

" I'm never going to accept you, but for Tera we can make it work."



Panter was so involved with dealing with Rena that the hand that squeezed her shoulder almost made her jump but then she caught the person's scent and involuntarily smiled.

"Hey, got room for one more?" Tera teased.

"I think we can find room for one more"

Panter noticed that Rena was unhappy with the affection Tera seemed to be showing her.

That might cause some problems.

Tera settled down and ordered them all meals even though from the looks of things they both seemed to be on a liquid diet, taking in the mugs scattered across the tabletop.

"Rena, I see your back, did you find what you were looking for?"

Rena glanced over at Panter " No, not really but I don't think its a problem I didn't"

" So how was the meeting, I'm sorry I took so long, did I miss anything important?"

Tera stopped smiling and looked at Rena" Everything's important"



* * *



Panter lay listening to the fire burn down, it was late but she wasn't really ready to sleep.

If she concentrated she could hear the soft snores coming from the other room.

After dinner, Tera had decided that it might be best if she stayed with her instead of in the barracks. Last night there had been stressful and she had been unable to relax.

At least here she would be able to rest a bit.

She shifted around trying to get comfortable, her bed was a low couch adjacent to the fire, off to the right was the entrance to Tera's bedroom.

That caused her thoughts to drift to her come on admit it she's got your interest and you know it. You love thinking about her, about the delicate area on the side of her neck just under her ear. About the way she smells and the way she tasted when you licked her neck.

Panter shifted uncomfortably aware of just how much of her interest Tera held.

Only by forcing herself to relax was she finally able to drift off.

Continued in Chapter 3

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