War

Ok guys, here is Monday update, yay! It's a little longer than the others had been so that's good. My chapters should start lengthening again here shortly. And guess what...the next one...well I won't ruin it =) You'll just have to wait and find out what happens.

PS- Thank you so much for the reviews I'm so happy to see that most everyone that had been reading War before my little thunderstorm incident is still here reading it as loyally as before. I thank you all for your support and love.



17

That day had been the longest day of Catherine's life. At some point in the night she had drifted off to sleep, outside and in the open with only Wulf there to be sure nothing happened. Wil had fixed her a bland breakfast; she took to wandering about the small army, Wulf always at her side. He seemed nervous, on edge, but she didn't care. Numbness filled her to the point that it didn't seem as if she was really awake. Everything was dull and bland; something inside her was telling her that Azel had fallen. She came upon some commotion near the inn; a group of men surrounded something lying on the ground. As she neared she took in the familiar face of a gruff soldier. He seemed some how familiar but she wasn't sure from where. A body was on the ground, cold still and lifeless. Bruises littered the pale skin but it was the cold distant stare that startled her to a halt. Lying there dead on the ground was Tara, sweet, clever Tara. Her memory flew back to the inn where they had been held, and how she had cut her long hair with her to attempt to save themselves.

It seemed like ages ago, as if the life of another person. She didn't want to look at her anymore; death was too near to her heart to stare it in the face. She held remorse for her once friend, but strangely no hatred towards the soldier. He stared at her as if confused, as if he didn't mean to kill her. Catherine shook her head as she left she scene, it could have been someone else who did her in, but that would mean a killer was on the loose. Her hand absently drifted to Wulf's head, he trotted at her side, his ears pressed back as her hand caressed his fur. He seemed almost concerned for her.

"Hey girl!"

The voice cut through her numbness with surprising ease and she turned to face the voice. A young man, barely in his 20's jogged to meet her. Wulf stood behind her slightly, his ears erect and his tail waving. He stooped to catch his breath before speaking to her.

"That dog of yours, I've been looking everywhere for him."

Catherine's brow furrowed in confusion as she glanced down at her pet.

"He followed my master and I to this army, he was out in the woods and badly wounded."

She brushed Wulf's once hurt shoulder, it was fine now, a scar was left but nothing serious. The boy didn't even look at the wound only smiled to himself as if he had accomplished something.

"He's part of a litter my father had kept, his male sired the young female from the Wall. We sold the others but this one managed to run off."

She understood then, he was looking for coin.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't any money to give you for him. And rightfully I don't think I should. He chose me."

The boy's smile turned not so kind as he scratched his head.

"Well I'm sure we can come to some kind of agreement."

Catherine's voice went curt and Wulf tense from her mood change.

"My master is the only one with the right to me. You're wanting to play the wrong game."

He laughed lightly but didn't seem put off.

"I think you are miss, I don't want you, I want to fight."

She stared at him suspiciously, he wanted to fight her?

"If you win you can keep him, if I win, he comes with me."

Catherine looked down at Wulf, his head was lowered, his gaze locked on the youth, his ears were pressed back against his head and his tail low, he wasn't happy to see this boy. She wouldn't hand him over to someone that would harm him.

"Fine, first blood drawn looses."

She held out her hand to shake on it and the boy smiled.

"Good, get a knife and meet me in the field just outside of the tents."

She nodded in agreement and headed back to her camp. Wulf was tense with energy now, surely feeding off her own blundering excitement. She had never really fought before, had no true experience except with scraping with other children when she was younger. When she came into her camp Wil stood, instantly taking note of her change in character.

"What's wrong?"

"You need to teach me to fight, with a knife, and quickly."

Wil's brow furrowed as he walked towards her, worry plain on his features.

"What have you done?"

Catherine took matters into her own hands and began searching for some sort of knife or dagger to use.

"A boy approached me in town, he said that Wulf was his. I told him I had no money to give him for the dog so he said we would fight for him."

Wil growled and went to her side to stop her, trying to pull bags out of her hands and still her.

"You stupid girl, just give him the damn beast! You can't fight a trained soldier."

Catherine stopped her frantic searching and locked gazes with Wil. He stilled too, taking in the intense look in her eyes.

"That boy wasn't good to Wulf, he hates him, and I'll not give him to someone who will hurt him. The world shouldn't be that way."

She went back to finding a knife and was glad to feel the hard hilt of a bladed weapon. She pulled it out and examined it, tested the weight in her hand and how to hold it.

"Cat, if this is about Azel-"

"And what if it is?"

Her words stopped him again, and suddenly the urge to cry washed over her. Why was she sad? He would return to her wouldn't he?

"Damnit you stupid girl. Fine, I'll give you a few pointers, but I insist that I be there when this happens understood?"

She nodded, happy to have him finally working with her. He showed her how to properly hold it, how to dodge when needed and how to strike without leaving herself open. Ten minutes later they were walking to the field, the open spot the boy had picked for the showdown. When they approached there were others there as well, older soldiers there to watch the show. Wil placed a heavy hand on her shoulder, his breath falling against her ear.

"He's not a soldier, only an apprentice boy. You may be more evenly matched than you think."

She stared at her surroundings, taking in anything that might help her. The spot was bare of grass; dirt was all that was visible for nearly a hundred foot radius. Small rocks were visible, and little sticks but nothing of real battle value. Wulf sat next to Wil, a bit upset that he held onto a tightly fastened leather collar. Otherwise the beast would have happily followed her onto her battleground. She held her knife visibly in her hand, an old worn piece of junk but suitable enough.

The others gathered around to watch but she took little notice of them, they wouldn't interfere, and if they did, Wil would release her pet.

"Are you ready little girl?"

Catherine smiled and nodded as he entered their ring. His knife was a slightly newer piece of weaponry, a little longer but no better or worse than hers. She held it as Wil had showed her and took her ready stance. Before she could think he rushed her, his knife flashing out at her repeatedly, missing her by only a hairs length each time, she sidestepped her way out of his path only to meet a wall of large chested men. He had gained the center of the circle, and the upper hand. She was panting with effort already, and surprise that he moved so quickly. But she held her blade ready and this time rushed him first. She ran at him, knowing it was a feeble attempt if she should fight him head on as a man would. She would have to think differently. Just before striking range she slid to the ground, her foot flying out against his, knocking him clear off his feet.

Before he could get up she threw herself onto his back taking her free hand and beating his wrist that held his blade. His fingers wouldn't let go, and if she didn't act quickly he would change the situation in an instant. She didn't want to kill him, only wound him, but before she could make her knife hand react he had changed the situation. He lifted himself up, rolling her off of him and instead pinning her. Panic rose in her as his blade readied to strike her face, out of instinct her knee connected with his groin and he fell away from her. She crawled away from him and scrambled for the knife she had lost moments before, he wasn't playing the game as described before. They were only supposed to be playing for blood; he was willing to really hurt her. She was fine with that, if he wanted to play that way she would too. She grabbed her knife and turned on her knees only to find him standing over her blade to her face.

"Put it down."

She froze, cold metal against her face. Sweat covered her body, it didn't feel very long but it seemed from the faces around them that they might have been fighting for a short time now. She couldn’t beat him in a knife fight, but she could scrap. And one of the best weapons to scrap with was all around her. She slowly began to lower her blade to the ground, being cautious not to make a sudden move and startle him into hurting her. Her hand met the dirt and she slowly made a fist as if in anger.

"Good girl, you're master has taught you well."

Her gaze met his for only an instant, but in that instant communication was made. Before he could react against her low deed dirt was in the air and in his face and eyes and nose. He dropped his blade as he started coughing and trying to rub the dirt from his eyes. She quickly wrapped her arms about his body and used every ounce of her being to bring him to the ground. She straddled him, knife in hand and pressed it to his face.

"It was first blood right?"

The boy stared at her in shock, knowing that he had lost the upper hand possibly for good. Dust covered his face and his eyes were red and aggravated.

"Do you like taking advantage of people?"

She ran her blade across the bridge of his nose, his face scrunching up in the expectation of pain.
"You like to think you're winning don't you? That someone is below you for you to play with."

She ran the blade under his jaw, painfully close to his throat.

"You don't know what it feels like."

Tears fell down her cheeks as she cut from his jaw line up to his ear across his cheek. Tracks of crimson blood made rivers through the dust on his face as he cried out in pain.

"Now you know what I feel like!"

She screamed at him as Wil pulled her away from him, his hands going immediately to his face. She hadn't cut him too deep, but enough to leave a decent scar for probably the rest of his life. The other men threw calls at him as he left the area ashamed, teasing words of being beaten by a girl and a slave at that. Why was she so upset? Why was she so angry?

"Cat, are you ok?"

Of course she was ok, why wouldn't she be? Oh yeah, she was still crying, sobbing was more like it. She managed a nod as she reached out for Wulf. He went to her willingly, letting her wrap her arms about his neck and shoulders and cry out her hurt. Azel had to come back to her, or else what would happen? For a moment the world around her went out, nothing penetrated her. But Wil's panicked voice broke through her barrier like a hammer.

"Cat the raid party is back! They're riding into town!"

She almost fell over herself trying to stand and run at the same time. Wil steadied her and stopped her from continuing, making her want to scream.

"Let me go to them, they may need help with the wounded. I want you to go back to the tent. I'll send Azel there as soon as I find him but please, stay in the tent."

She nodded absently, as he turned to Wulf and gave him a firm pat.

"Take her back to the tent boy. In one piece please."

Wulf yawned as if bored as Wil turned and left her there. She walked back to her tent, stunned and afraid. The sun was fading, and so was her ability to wait for word of Azel. Was he alive? Or had he fallen?

TaDa! Ok next update on Monday or Tuesday, or if I'm feeling really generous I'll do two updates. Either way, if I update again before next monday then expect another on that Monday still, that's how I roll. Please Rate and Review and show the lovey goodness that you all always do. Toodles!