War

To my readers: My deepest and utmost apologies for my lack of updates and unresponsiveness. There is a very good and just reason for this. A thunderstorm fried my computer a few weeks back and I was finally able to find a new one that was suitable after a friend of a friend got what he could off my old hardrive. I'm back in business. Please forgive me, it wasn't intentional to abandon this for a short time. I'll continue updates unless I say otherwise.

On a different note, this is VERY short, but for a very good reason. This chapter is pivitol, it's so important to the development I wanted to dribble it out in small pieces. There's sybolism in this chapter, along with a small clue as to what's about to happen with Azel. So please, again, forgive this short chapter, and read between the lines, I'm eager to hear what my readers see.



15

The traffic around Catherine didn't hold her attention long, but she did notice that only a few men were actually suiting up for battle. A small battalion was venturing out on a raid on a nearby scout post. Some were confidant, others not so much. She gathered that it wasn't a small scout post, and they were armed with formidable weaponry. This made a cold stone settle at the pit of her stomach. What would happen if the raid went sour? What would become of her if Azel should fall? Wulf let loose a heavy sigh against the side of her face. She wrinkled her nose against the wet warmth and placed a light hand on his head. She was surprised to see him doing so well around so many people; she decided he must have had an owner before. The type of response she received from having him around also surprised her.

There was no threat against her being taken; men glanced only to see the wolf before continuing on their way. She was beginning to like the protection he offered her. She felt herself shaking as she sat in the dirt, either with excitement or fear she wasn't sure. The energy the camp held filled her until she was overflowing, she wanted to do something, be part of something but she stayed. The leather collar about her throat reminded her she was as much a pet as Wulf was. She strained her ears to listen to the commotion inside the inn. The door stood open, propped by a small rock, there was no use closing it far too many men were going in and out on business. She heard the nearing pound of hooves on the ground, a panicked sound. She quickly stood, making Wulf stiff and alert.

A lone man rode hard towards her; he was badly beaten and bandaged with old yellow rags. She couldn’t imagine the pain he was in as he eyed the broken end of an arrow protruding from his arm. He pulled the nearly dead stallion to a halt and quickly dismounted, stumbling into the inn. The animal he had ridden lay down on its side, breathing heavily. Blood was spilling from its nose and mouth and white sweat stood out around his mouth and back. The poor thing struggled to breathe as Wulf sniffed it curiously. She watched him lick his chops but quickly turned her attention to the commotion inside. She dared not enter the room, remembering the sharp words of the other men. She wouldn't ask for trouble from them, not without Azel being near.

"I need to speak with the commander!"

She wounded man stumbled in and was quickly aided by his comrades. A large man helped him to a chair and called out to the frozen room.

"Get the commander, tell him the scout has returned!"

It was a command not needed; Azel and the commander were coming down the stairs at almost a run. She watched, glad to be invisible in the doorway as the words poured from the wounded scout.

"They're riding closer my Lords, nearly fifty strong. I've never seen such horses carry men, as if they weren't even touching the ground. They had dogs and other beasts, it's just not natural."

Azel seemed suddenly aware that she was watching, turning away from the scout and walking towards her quickly. He looked angry, and for a moment she was afraid he was angry with her.

"Commander, I'll ready for battle and be back here, just give me a few minutes."

He didn’t' wait for an answer, instead he led Catherine away from the inn and the rest of the scouts story.

"What are they Azel, how could things like that exist?"

He didn't answer her, only took her a short distance down the street to another in. This one was calmer, smaller, and filled with more slaves than anything else. He didn't ask for a room, only walked her up the stairs and into a small quiet room. He locked the door and rounded on her with a cool stern look. She shrank back from him slightly; a little afraid of why he was acting so tense.

"Cat, I have to go into battle. You know that's what I do. I have to leave quickly and I'll answer your questions when I get back. But for now I need to get you settled in someplace where you'll be safe."

She nodded slowly and sadly in response, she knew it was what had to be done.

"For now you'll stay here. In a few hours a man will come here, he's a friend of mine he'll find a place for you and make sure you have everything you need. But please, stay here until he arrives, I don't want anything to happen to you between now and then alright?"

She nodded again as he set to fidgeting with some of his leathers, tightening straps and making sure everything was accounted for.

"He knows a safe word that we use when doing more strategic battle work. You can use it if you'd like to be sure the man that arrives is Wil. Falcon is our safe word. As him for it when he knocks and he'll give it to you, otherwise keep the door locked."

She nodded constantly as he spoke; he seemed satisfied with this and turned to leave.

"Azel."

He stopped and turned to face her again, slight realization coming over him that she was afraid.

"You'll come back, wont you?"

His hand rose to her face, lightly, almost with affection.

"I can't die Cat, neither heaven nor hell wants me for my sins, I won't die tonight."

With that he left her, the door standing open but not empty. Wulf was sitting on his haunches, his head cocked to the side and blood around his muzzle. He licked his lips and trotted inside, happy to be out of the sun.


Tada! Ok R&R pretty please, next update on Monday hopefully, maybe Tuesday. Check back soon and please review!