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 3

It had been several days since Tera had spent any time with Panter.  She had seen her briefly between meetings and her many responsibilities with running the village. Panter had told her between weapon practices and helping out the trackers and also lending a hand bringing in supplies her time was pretty full too. It seemed that a lot of people wanted to test their metal against her. Unfortunately for them not many succeeded.

"Tera"

Pulled from her thoughts, Tera turned to see one of her trackers running toward her.

"This just came" she extended a rolled parchment and waited to see if there would be a reply.

Unrolling it, she read.

T
I am writing to inform you that one day following the time you get this, a group of your supporters will be nearly there. There have been a few problems but none of real consequence. But there has been a feeling of being watched, might I advise you send someone to meet the incoming people.
If any news is overheard I will send off a notice the regular way.

Yours in subterfuge,

E

Folding up the note she asked where Rena was.

" I think she's over at the practice field"

Tera thanked her and headed to the field, as she neared she saw a large gathering of women. The yelling and cheering echoed over the area.
Making her way to the railing enclosing the ring she shook her head in disbelief when she realized who was sparring…again.

Sparks flew as the swords clashed and slid down their length.

Panter pushed off and circling to her right, she stepped back and waited holding her sword above her head with her left hand on the hilt.  Rena swept her sword toward her in a downswing; Panter brought her sword down and brushed her blade aside.

Rena parried, lowered her sword and shifted her right leg forward, Panter mirrored her position and when Rena was just ready to move Panter came toward her. When she tried to dodge, Panter advanced, laid her sword across her chest slid her leg between hers and pushing her knee against Rena's forced her down.

Rena let her hilt go, signaling her surrender.

Panter got up and reaching down, helped Rena to her feet.

"Your pretty good Rena, you might want to watch rushing things that's how I caught you this time."

Rena stopped dusting herself off " In my own defense, I have to say you have been using moves no one has ever seen around here"

Panter shrugged " Can't help that, it was the way I was taught"

Sheathing her sword in the scabbard she ran her hand over it. It was new, when Tera had found out that she just wrapped her sword in cloth she had insisted on providing her a proper sheath.

Luckily Panter had been able to talk her into a rather plain one, telling her that having a fancy one made it seem gaudy with the sword hilt already being decorated the way it was.

Turning she saw Tera talking to Rena. Not wanting to intrude, she waited till Tera waved her over before approaching.

Panter felt a brief touch on her arm. She had noticed that Tera had that habit whenever they were together. A quick touch as if to reassure herself that Panter was there. She found she didn't mind them.

Tera explained to Panter what she had just revealed to Rena.

"So, we need to go out and meet them on the last 6 leagues or so. It will give us a chance to see if anyone is following or not."

"If it's true then it needs taken care of"

"Rena, I want you and 6 others to go meet them, see what's going on". "I wish I could go with you but there are things needing done here."

Panter hesitated briefly, " I would like to go and help if I could"

Tera was startled; it wasn't something she had expected.

" Are you sure?"

Panter nodded "Yes, I'm sure, if I stay here then I need to help in anyway I can"

* * *

Panter patted her horses' neck, after all the preparations were made they had all realized Panter didn't have a horse. It had been quickly addressed.

She had accompanied Tera to the stable to see what was available.

Luckily they had just brought some horses in. Tera just said pick one.

After choosing one they got it saddled. Exchanging a long look, Tera and Panter went back to the group and they parted company.

Panter didn't know it, but she had gotten an exceptional horse. Called an Andalusian, it had a long neck with a thick mane. They were strong with a short back and broad quarters and a low set tail. They were agile, had good endurance, and were very intelligent.

It was a little over 16 hands high, which was good with Panter being so tall.
It was a glossy black with a white blaze down its forehead.

Tera had said that since she needed it she might as well keep it, everyone here had to have a horse.

Panter had been so overwhelmed she had been unable to say anything. She had never received a gift such as this before. All she could do was smile.

To Tera the smile that Panter had sent her had been payment enough.

Panter had decided on a name, really it had been easy. She called her formosus donum-or beautiful gift. She would call her Donum for short.


She heard hoof beats coming up on her right side. It was the tracker that had defended her to Rena. The rider drew even and for a while they rode side by side in silence.

Eventually the rider broke the peace. " I just want you to know, you have a friend here if you would like one"

Panter looked over in surprise " I could always use a friend, I did want to thank you for what you did with Rena."

The rider shook her head " I only did what was right, no thanks needed."

"Well then, what's my new friends name?"

The tracker laughed and leaning closer extended her arm in greeting.

" My name is Alesia, friend Panter"

Panter clasped Alesia arm. " Care to ride with me Alesia?"

"Don't mind if I do."

Their laughter drew the others attention and Alesia beckoned two over.

As they neared Alesia told Panter " These are friends of mine and are like minded, so if you would like you can increase your friends twofold."

Alesia greeted her friends then introduced them to Panter.

" This is Helia" pointing to an average sized woman with fiery hair.

" And this is Eurayle" motioning to the dark haired woman smiling at them both.

Panter exchanged greetings with them both. They had the same honest eyes that Alesia had. To a person like Panter having friends were rare commodities. To have someone actually seeking her friendship was a miracle.

Helia and Eurayle joined them as they continued on. They talked and laughed as they got to know each other better. Panter found she liked these friends of hers.  As night fell it was decided to stop for the day. A camp was quickly set up.  They all picked a spot close to the fire to bed down. Dinner was rations they had brought with them.

Panters small group arranged themselves on one side of the fire, Rena and the women that seemed to follow her stayed to the other side. It became obvious that an unspoken picking of sides had happened. She hoped that didn't bode for future problems.

A sentry rotation was established each taking a two hour stint. Panter had the last two hours before dawn.
Quiet settled over the encampment as women found their beds and fell asleep.

Panter checked the area thoroughly before finding her own blankets and eventually drifting off to sleep, the crackling of the fire following into her dreams.

* * *

Morning found them already on the move. They traveled in silence now looking for any signs of a group heading their way. It was just after a mid day meal eaten in the saddle when a faint trail of dust rising into the air was seen.  As they had decided earlier Panters group and Rena's group split up.  Panter headed west and Rena east coming in from two directions just in case something was wrong.

After riding for half a candle mark in a gradual circle, jingling tack caught Panters notice. She gestured for Alesia and the others to dismount as she slid off her horse. Ground tying them they followed her as she slipped closer to the sound.  A few moments later they stopped, they had found what they were looking for.  A ragtag collection of individuals slowly trouped past them. It consisted of ten men, eight women two who were elderly and 3 children.

Panter sent Helia back to retrieve the horses and stepped out with Alesia and Eurayle to intercept the group.

" Hold please"

Women screamed, in response the children cried out and the men drew blades.  Maybe that wasn't a good idea she thought. Panter and the others threw their hands up to show they meant no harm.

Alesia stepped forward, stopping when a few of the men shifted.

" We were sent by Tera Hander of Hawks Peak to escort you back to her."

Murmurs greeted this statement then one of the men stepped forward.

"Sorry about that, we've been a bit edgy." "We've had the feeling of someone watching us for last few days, but haven't seen anything."

Panter looked over as hoof beats sounded. 'Looks like the rest of our group has arrived."

With her back to the others she partially shifted to see more clearly. She stiffened it wasn't Rena and the others. A troop of at least thirty men was headed their way.  Quickly shifting back, she spun around to the others as Helia emerged through the trees with the horses.  Leaping forward and pulling her sword from the scabbard hooked to the saddle she yelled out " Women and children to the trees, all others prepare, we have incoming."

Alesia urged the ones not fighting into the trees. Grabbing her sword she and the others moved to stand beside Panter " It's not Rena and the others?"

"No, it's the problem Tera was warned about"

The ground shook as thundering horses approached, just before the troop reached them Rena and the other three women burst through the trees, turning their horses and cutting some of the men off. The ring of steel soon filled the air.

Within moments the rest of the men were upon them.

Panter stopped a descending blade; grabbing his arm she yanked him from the saddle. As he hit the ground a quick thrust took care of him. One down.  Another pull removed one more from horseback. He regained his footing before Panter could strike. He swung toward her left arm, Panter slipped to the left under his sword and struck at his right arm. He back stepped causing her swing to miss.  Holding his sword in front he relentlessly moved toward her. Panter held her sword downward to her right and moving her right foot outward dodged his advance. He ended up passing her and Panter struck him from behind.

That wasn't really fair but it works she mentally noted but had to quickly move on. Alesia was trying to fight two at once and seemed to be struggling. She managed to down one but ended up having her back turned to the other. The Fighter tried to take advantage of the situation and raised his sword for a strike to her neck. As soon as Panter reached them she ran him through. Pulling her weapon free she tugged Alesia around.

"Quickly back to back, it's harder for them to get a clear shot at you that way."

A glance around showed they were about even in numbers now. More fighters surrounded them and Panter was too busy to think for quite a while.  When finally no more men came to take the place of the fallen, Panter relaxed a little and looked around.  Bodies laid everywhere; moans from the injured were plentiful.

Panter motioned to Alesia " Lets see how we held up"

Moving among the bodies she found that they had lost one of the women that had been with Rena. She found Helia and Eurayle, they had come out of it pretty well only having a few shallow cuts between them.  Alesia come up and told Panter of finding a high-ranking officer still alive, if for the moment.

" It's a good chance to see if we can get some information about what they've been up to."

Asking the others to start gathering up weapons and supplies from the downed men and to load them into the wagons. Panter then followed Alesia to the man; he had crawled farther into the trees. It gave the women decent cover to talk to him without watching eyes.

Panter turned to Alesia " I need to ask you, how clearly did you see me at the tree?"

Alesia met Panthers eyes " Clearly, in fact you looked right at me."

" Any problems with what you saw?"

"No, none at all, friends always keep confidences."

Panter nodded and walked over to the moaning man. Squatting down she grasped his chin making him meet her eyes.

" I only have one question I want an answer to." " What is your boss up to concerning Tera Hander?"

Spitting in her face he answered, " I have nothing to tell you dog, I won't tell you a thing."

Wiping the spittle off her face Panter sneered, " You have one last chance, tell me or you will regret not doing it before."

When he refused to answer her she decided to prompt him a little. Holding her right hand up to his face she said, " Watch"

The man paled as he watched her hand change and when she flexed her fingers making her claws emerge a sudden stench of ammonia filled the air. He had wet himself in fear.

" Deus Defend ere" he whimpered his face paling to a ghostly white.

" Now are you going to tell me or are you going to push me a little more?"  Panter grinned at him and by the sob he let out knew he had seen her teeth.

" I'll tell you" licking dry lips he continued, "all I know is that he has put a large reward on her head and every slime crawling is out looking for her"

"That's it, nothing more?" Panter leaned closer to make sure he was aware of her seriousness.

He nodded frantically. " That's all"

Shifting back she regained her feet. Moving toward Alesia she rested her hand on her shoulder. " Thanks friend"

Alesia smiled " No problem, so what do we do with him" pointing at the sorry pile. "Want me to finish him off?"

Panter considered what he had told her " No, leave him, let him dwell on it."

Leaving the trees they moved toward their comrades finding that the hurt had been helped and the dead were being taken care of. Two of the men from the people fleeing to Tera had been killed also. Panter shook her head too many people dead fighting over a piece of land, she didn't understand it.

Continued in Chapter 4

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