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Feline Hunted

"I.. I should go... go from this place.... away from you, and the others, then... then you will be safe... you, Harlan, Jakob, Suru.. the Stag... what if, what if he comes here because of me... Master Lucian... what if he takes away everything you have worked for, what if he... kills you?????"

Had she followed him? He had to admit that he'd found it startling to open his front door and find her frantically pacing his floors. Yet she'd given no clue of having come to these thoughts out of anything other than her own machinations. Still....he frowned softly, noting how she completely failed to hide anything from him. Shivering didn't suit her, nor did being this frightened......

He decided he didn't like it. Not one bit. And as their eyes met, he lifted a hand to point directly to the floor at his feet.......

"If you run, you will never be free."

He looked down from where she huddled in silence. They were harsh words to deliver, but ones she needed to hear.

"I am the Master.....it falls to me to protect my household and all who belong to me. You've surprised me these last few days, Gleam.....don't let me down now."

He gave her an almost wolfish grin as he squatted down next to her, looking directly into those deep golden eyes of hers as if he were in danger of becoming lost in them.

"The Duke is greedy, childish, and petulant. What he is not, is stupid. He will no doubt send assassins again, hoping to at least reclaim some of his lost pride by slaying the one who wounded it."

His own soft eyes twinkled with merriment.

"Which is why we've got a few tricks of our own. A little distraction might go a long way."
 
"If you run, you will never be free."

She had moved to his feet when he pointed. It was almost automatic. The thing was, she was not frightened for herself, she was overwhelmed with the thoughts that because of her, others would, or could, suffer. That was something she had never had to deal with before. And the thought of that, and the emotions it stirred up were overwhelming.

But he was right...

If she ran, she would never be able to stop. If she presented herself to the Duke, who knew what he might do, and Lucian would be the laughing stock, having caught her and branded her, yet she ran from him.

NO, that was not an option. She would NOT do that.

She had just been... caught off guard by what she heard, and what she realized.

"I am the Master.....it falls to me to protect my household and all who belong to me. You've surprised me these last few days, Gleam.....don't let me down now."

Surely he heard her deep breath, as he knelt down beside her, lifting her gaze to his.

"I... I just got caught offguard... Master Lucian... I heard you and Harlan and Jakob.. at least some of the conversation, and I heard you.. say you may not come back from Ellington. It.. scared me.. because that is the first time I heard you admit something like that." she searched his eyes, she suddenly wanting to get lost in them.

"I will not let you down ... I promise... This is just alot for me to take in... but I am understanding... You have to present me to the Duke, he has threatened to take your lands for breaking his laws about just that. You branded me, to permanently mark me as yours... so the Duke can never lay a claim to me. It should be cut and dry, but I can already tell it will not be... "

"The Duke is greedy, childish, and petulant. What he is not, is stupid. He will no doubt send assassins again, hoping to at least reclaim some of his lost pride by slaying the one who wounded it."

His own soft eyes twinkled with merriment.

"Which is why we've got a few tricks of our own. A little distraction might go a long way."

Gleam blinked at that, knowing now that he had something planned. He was not about to be caught offguard, or with his pants down, so to speak. That made her feel better, and she let a smile creep across her face to show that.

"I'm sorry if I scared you, Master Lucian" she finally admitted, leaning in close to him, she feeling his conviction in protecting her, feeling his strength. Her breath, when she spoke, lightly washed over his skin, her face was that close to his now....
 
"I will not let you down ... I promise... This is just alot for me to take in... but I am understanding... You have to present me to the Duke, he has threatened to take your lands for breaking his laws about just that. You branded me, to permanently mark me as yours... so the Duke can never lay a claim to me. It should be cut and dry, but I can already tell it will not be... "

"Things seldom are."

Lucian felt a lot more secure now that Jakob and Harlan had their orders. Even more so since they were no longer pissed at him either.

"Suru will continue to visit for nightly healing, Gleam. We need to prepare for the trip as soon as we can so as to avoid potential conflict. Still, I think it will be two nights at least before you're good to be on a horse again. Thankfully, I've sent word to the Duke that we will be....graciously....conceding to his request. That should buy us time at least."

A sharp rap on the door and his attention was elsewhere. Lucian frowned softly as he jerked his head towards the crossbow in a motion that left little question what his orders for her were. He wasn't expecting company, yet the knock came again....sharp and succinct.

"It's open."

With a soft creak, the door swung open towards the night.....the silhouette of a willow thin figure filling the doorway before tentatively stepping inside. Almond shaped eyes took in the cabin's interior with notable distaste that only deepened as they fell upon the crossbow held in the tigress' hands.

"It seems I wasn't expected."

Lucian motioned silently for Gleam to lower her weapon, knowing the voice well even before her olive cowl was pulled back to reveal a windswept mess of blonde hair and a pair of sparkling lavender eyes......

"We finally meet."

The hand that rested gently on the pommel of a shortsword slipped free as the elven woman stepped far enough inside to let the door close behind her with a minimum of beckoning.

"Yuri."

Lucian bowed ever so slightly out of respect for the woman, motioning immediately towards a chair. A chair that the green cloaked ranger promptly took, her slender legs crossing almost instantly as she leaned forward to pierce the tigress with a sudden and intense look of inspection.

"I see. Suru wasn't kidding. You branded her. The Archdruid is really pissed off at that. Its not your place to be marring the animals. You really should have known better."

A soft and quirky smile, a hand dipping back into her cloak, not missing a thing as her sharp eyes picked up Gleam's own, wandering to see just how far that crossbow was right now.

"Not a weapon, kitten. Well....unless you're human, then maybe."

A small flask, the sound of liquid sloshing inside of it, placed gently on the endtable between them.

"Yuri.....you know that's not a good idea."

Another soft, yet mischievously wicked smile.

"You could be dead in a couple days, Lucian. Warriors should always have a night of comraderie leading up to a battle."

The human hunter frowned, "comraderie?"

"War Chief has ordered me to escort you."

Lucian looked as if he'd been slapped.

"And the tigress too....Gleam, was it? I think that's the name you cried out when you mated her on the edge of the forest. Made things very difficult on my brother after watching that. I've never seen him so unreserved before."

"Elven celebration wine."

Yuri simply nodded, giving Gleam a smile and a wink.

"Not to be taken lightly. Especially when human metabolism seems to be vastly different from elven. I do believe this would be the first time it's been offered to a hybrid race....at least by my people."

Slender hands never left their skin tight leather gloves as she unstoppered the bottle, deftly retrieving a pair of lacquered wooden shot glasses from a hip pouch. Silently, she poured each of them roughly half full.....

"There. Now don't drink it all at once, Gleam. Lucian's had this stuff before, but nobody really knows how it will hit you, being half human and all."

The hunter nodded slightly, reaching for his portion.

"Sip it. Savor it all night long if that's what you desire. You're not likely to taste anything like it for a very long time if indeed ever again, so don't take it all in at once."

He lifted his glass to his lips, small though it was and took a soft sip. His elven guest seemed pleased by the trace of moisture left lingering on his mouth as he calmly set the vessel back down. In turn, she raised the bottle to her lips and took a distinct pull.

"Now then, let's discuss what should be done about Duke Ellington."
 
Even Gleam had not detected, scented, or heard, anyone approaching, so the sharp rapping on the door took her by surprise. Lucian had only to glance at the crossbow and she was up, with a hiss of pain, the crossbow retrieved, she staying in the shadows as the door swung open.

She followed the figure that entered with the crossbow, taking a deep breath as it's eyes found her easily in the shadows, alighting first upon her, then to the weapon that she held in her hands.

"It seems I wasn't expected."

Gleam saw Lucian's nod to lower the crossbow, but she took her time doing it. She did not like unannounced visitors, hell, Gleam was not used to visitors at all, especially one that was not heard nor scented.

"Yuri."

Lucian bowed ever so slightly out of respect for the woman, motioning immediately towards a chair. A chair that the green cloaked ranger promptly took, her slender legs crossing almost instantly as she leaned forward to pierce the tigress with a sudden and intense look of inspection.

Gleam felt that gaze, it zero'ed in on the brand that even now, was slightly throbbing in pain.

"I see. Suru wasn't kidding. You branded her. The Archdruid is really pissed off at that. Its not your place to be marring the animals. You really should have known better."

Animal??? Why was it that everyone forgot that she was half human, at least that was how she felt.

When her hand slipped back into her cloak, Gleam had the crossbow back in hand in a second.

"Not a weapon, kitten. Well....unless you're human, then maybe."

Gleam saw Lucian's nod once more and lowered the crossbow, letting it balance against her leg where she stood.
"I am part human, and I am not your kitten" she growled, not liking the familiarity this female took with her.

A small flask, the sound of liquid sloshing inside of it, placed gently on the endtable between them.

"Yuri.....you know that's not a good idea."

Gleam listened as the Elf, she had determined that this female creature was an Elf, and Lucian, spoke.

"Gleam, was it? I think that's the name you cried out when you mated her on the edge of the forest. Made things very difficult on my brother after watching that. I've never seen him so unreserved before."

Mating was a natural thing, and Gleam knew that deep down, but she could not stop the blush from coloring her cheeks at the remark of the Elf. How many had seen.... that.... and why the hell were so many of them interested??? This was obviously not the time or place to ask Lucian that, but she could not help but wonder.

"Elven celebration wine."

Yuri simply nodded, giving Gleam a smile and a wink.

"Not to be taken lightly. Especially when human metabolism seems to be vastly different from elven. I do believe this would be the first time it's been offered to a hybrid race....at least by my people."

"There. Now don't drink it all at once, Gleam. Lucian's had this stuff before, but nobody really knows how it will hit you, being half human and all."

Gleam had approached them, staying near Lucian as she did so. The crossbow was not left behind, and in fact, was slung now, across her back. Yes, Yuri, that was her name, appeared to be their... friend, and from what Gleam had heard, would be accompanying them on their journey to the Duke. But, Gleam was still wary. After all this talk of her, the Duke, assassinations, death, just everything, she was on guard. Lucian had not TOLD her to put the crossbow aside, so it remained, slung across her back.

The hunter nodded slightly, reaching for his portion.

Gleam followed, reaching for her own.

"Sip it. Savor it all night long if that's what you desire. You're not likely to taste anything like it for a very long time if indeed ever again, so don't take it all in at once."

Glean scented the wine first. It was not foul smelling, not like that horrible ale, or even the wine the Lucian had given her. This was distinctly different, and she could not quite put her finger on it. Bringing it to her lips, she took a small sip, feeling the liquid, warm, almost thick, gliding slowly down her throat. The tip of her tongue danced out to moisten lips, and catch any errant drops.

"Now then, let's discuss what should be done about Duke Ellington."


***********************************************************************************************

"Well, it's about time that damned Ranger deigned to answer my missive" The Duke's mood had improved since the answer from Lucian had arrived. That bode well for the current feral that the Duke was... sampling, a doe girl, those did seem to be the most popular and most desired, that had only recently been captured. Her skin was unmarred at the moment, smooth as silk, her eyes still clear and not clouded with the pain that was sure to come. Even now, the Duke was being handed a wicked looking bull whip, a smile creeping across his face.

It was not lost on any who stood there that the Duke was now aroused. It was not lost on him either. He sent everyone away, before turning to the now sobbing doe girl, who was writhing, squirming, fighting, in her chains. The sound of the whip quickly drowned out the sounds of her screaming and crying....

And later, the sounds of the Duke's grunts, also drowned out the doe girl's painfilled moaning. The bed he had secured her too rocking beneath their bodies. With a wicked smile, he hoped it would be the Tigress that one day he would take in this very same room, in this very same bed. It certainly was not fair that the Ranger had her and he... did not. Perhaps he would give her back to him when he was done, he thought, as he drove his cock in and out of the doe girl's soaking wet pussy, her whimpers and begging for him to stop only giving him more satisfaction. NO, he would not give her back. She was the best toy.. he wanted to keep her..
 
"In particular, the War Chief is interested in just how you plan on utilizing our forces."

Slender legs crossed. There was a time, long ago, when Lucian had looked at her the same way she noticed that he looked at Gleam now. But racial tensions had been too much for either of them to continue on with a relationship like that.......so why did it hurt so much to realize that he wasn't even trying to check her out like he had in the past? She'd worn a form fitting armor, her leathers practical to be sure, but also tailored to hug her in all the right places.

The breasts. It had to be that again. Yuri did her best to rally herself before the intimidation showed on her face. There was no way she could match those. Certainly not considering she'd already matured as an elf woman.

"I hope to not have to."

The elven ranger cocked an eyebrow at this, momentarily distracted back to the present conversation.

"Do you really think this will go smoothly?"

Lucian chuckled, "Of course not. Nothing ever goes as planned."

"How do you plan to escape?"

The human's grin was as charming as ever. Why had she ever allowed it to stop being flashed in her direction?

"I hopefully won't have to. Duke Ellington's going to have his hands full."

Yuri frowned, obviously still not comprehending.

"Harlan's going to pop a few locks for me. Hard to chase someone when all your prized slaves are getting away."

The elf's eyes narrowed suddenly, not the reaction he had expected.

"You'd use them as a diversion?"

"And that's why I expect the elves to be ready to greet them when they come here. The few seeds I've sown in their ranks have been telling them of a land where they can live freely. But I can't watch over every single one of them that tries to make the trip. There will be casualties....but the slap in the face to the Duke will resound all the way to the King's council chambers."

Lucian had grown more somber as he spoke. There would be bloodshed. There was no avoiding it.

"And who's going to save you should the Duke dispatch riders? He'll run you down long before you reach your lands again. Not even those dirty little runts can save you should that happen."

"We'll be alright, I'm good at thinking things up as I go."

That brought about a soft sigh. Had he always had this level of confidence? Or was it the drink? Even from here, Yuri could see that he still had over half of it left. No....he wasn't drunk.....was it her? She'd be the one in the most danger. The Duke's temper was notorious, and Lucian was attempting to blow smoke into a hornet's nest. Still....she knew Harlan wouldn't be the only one freeing slaves......especially when she happened to be sitting across from the real slave theif of Ellington right now.

Yuri sighed, "You'd better, because my life is on the line now too, you know....."
 
She watched intently as the Elven woman and Lucian spoke. It was not Lucian that Gleam focused on. Not at all. It was the woman. There was something, something she was harboring? Hiding? Thinking? Contemplating? Wishing? Her golden tinged eyes just watched, subtle body movements, the eyes, legs crossed, a bit of a nervous tremble. Nervous? No, it wasn't that. It was something else. Regret?

Gleam noted that the Elven female took note of when Lucian glanced at her. When Lucian's eyes found Gleam, the Elf tensed, impreceptabley, but she tensed. There was, or had been, something here at one time or another. That had to be it. And for a moment, as Gleam let her own gaze roam over the Elven Female, she saw her and Lucian locked in the most passionate of embraces, tumbling onto his bed, he mounting her, taking her.

Had that happened? Or was it just her own imagination working overtime??

It was then that his and Yuri's conversation caught her attention..

"How do you plan to escape?"

"I hopefully won't have to. Duke Ellington's going to have his hands full."

Yuri frowned, obviously still not comprehending.

"Harlan's going to pop a few locks for me. Hard to chase someone when all your prized slaves are getting away."

The elf's eyes narrowed suddenly, not the reaction he had expected.

"You'd use them as a diversion?"

Escape? Harlan free'ing slaves? Diversion?

Why would all that be needed if he were just going to present her as what was mandated by law? She was marked, branded, effectively flawed now, he would not be able to just take her from Lucian anyways, not that she would let him. Why escapes.. diversions?

"And that's why I expect the elves to be ready to greet them when they come here. The few seeds I've sown in their ranks have been telling them of a land where they can live freely. But I can't watch over every single one of them that tries to make the trip. There will be casualties....but the slap in the face to the Duke will resound all the way to the King's council chambers."

"And who's going to save you should the Duke dispatch riders? He'll run you down long before you reach your lands again. Not even those dirty little runts can save you should that happen."

"We'll be alright, I'm good at thinking things up as I go."


"You'd better, because my life is on the line now too, you know....."

Gleam took a deep breath, she no longer wanting any more of the Elven drink. She set it down, got to her feet, got herself some cool water, and mind you, the crossbow was slung across her back the entire time. After taking the drink, feeling the coolness coursing down her throat, washing away the taste of the Elven spirits... she turned, feeling both sets of eyes on her.

Her voice was soft as she spoke... "what if he involves the King? What then? You... Yourself, Master Lucian, spoke of the King's tastes for ferals. What if he decides to get involved in all this. Are we in over our heads at that point? .. Are You... Master Lucian?"
 
"What if he involves the King? What then? You... yourself, Master Lucian, spoke of the King's tastes for ferals. What if he decides to get involved in all this. Are we in over our heads at that point? .. Are you... Master Lucian?"

It was a fair question, even though it was one that made him smile. It was also enough to garner more of Yuri's attention as well, proof that she herself had thought of the same possibility.

"King Roland's firmly under the thumb of his wife currently, the Queen, Theresa. At least where matters of indescretion are concerned. He now keeps his dalliancese....shall we say....private? So a large scale war for him on us wouldn't go well for him on the homefront to say the least. It was quite a scandal the first time, and he's not about to suffer more, I'm sure."

Lucian took another soft sip from his glass, noting that Gleam had finished drinking from hers though there was still some remaning. Yet it came as no surprise to him as she chose water instead, he doubted she had that much experience with alcohol before he had brought her here. Though he found it improbable that she'd find even this stuff foul tasting.

"Several laws have been passed to stop fighting just like this, Gleam. It was Roland's law that clearly states that no noble can take another's feral...."

He stopped just short of saying "slave". That was indeed what the law had referred to them as. Yet she was so much more than that to him.

"once its been marked in such a way that its Master can be clearly identified. The feral belongs to that noble until the day he dies."

He saw her stiffen at the words. She had to know then the loophole the Duke would find, having had it laid out right in front of her like that.

"That's right. Sooner or later, its going to occur to our dear, perverted Duke Ellington, that he can have you as soon as I'm out of the way. To take you any sooner than that would to bring down the King AND the Queen's wrath. He may be a fat, disgusting little toad.....but he knows who's ass to kiss and what side his bread is buttered on. He won't try stealing you, and he most likely won't do anything publicly."

Yuri nodded softly, as if all this had made perfect sense.

"War Chief stated as much. He'll come in the dead of night, when his townsfolk are asleep in their beds. It will be my job to watch for the assassins."

For the first time, the blonde elf maiden tossed the young feral a saucy wink.

"Not to worry, love. You might find this hard to believe, but my eyesight is even better than yours. Our hearing should be pretty comparable though."

Sharp sighted and....intuitive...Yuri could see the hesitation, every little one, that Gleam displayed. She'd been watching her for some time now, though didn't want to let the kind feral know it.

"Is something wrong, Gleam?"
 
"King Roland's firmly under the thumb of his wife currently, the Queen, Theresa. At least where matters of indiscretion are concerned. He now keeps his dalliancese....shall we say....private? So a large scale war for him on us wouldn't go well for him on the homefront to say the least. It was quite a scandal the first time, and he's not about to suffer more, I'm sure."

"Several laws have been passed to stop fighting just like this, Gleam. It was Roland's law that clearly states that no noble can take another's feral...."

Feral what?? Feral Slaves??!!!... Gleam knew that was the word that danced just on the tip of Lucian's tongue. She had not know this small fact. She knew they were hunted, caged, bred, owned like pets, fucked, raped, fought... but she had no idea that there was a law regarding the ownership of ferals, to be honest. She had never thought any human cared enough about who owned a feral.

"once its been marked in such a way that its Master can be clearly identified. The feral belongs to that noble until the day he dies."

It's.... Once "IT's been marked.... Gleam tensed at that, she feeling a cool shiver move thru her. "It's Master" ...

The feral belongs to that noble until the day he dies.

Once Lucian died, she was fair game... brand or no brand.. collar or no collar. She had been fair game before he had captured her, how would this be different??? "Because you WERE CAUGHT... you will be AGAIN" the words flashed across her mind. And.. what if there were .... children involved??? What if..... Gleam growled very low and very deep at that particular thought.

"That's right. Sooner or later, its going to occur to our dear, perverted Duke Ellington, that he can have you as soon as I'm out of the way. To take you any sooner than that would to bring down the King AND the Queen's wrath. He may be a fat, disgusting little toad.....but he knows who's ass to kiss and what side his bread is buttered on. He won't try stealing you, and he most likely won't do anything publicly."

"War Chief stated as much. He'll come in the dead of night, when his townsfolk are asleep in their beds. It will be my job to watch for the assassins."

"Not to worry, love. You might find this hard to believe, but my eyesight is even better than yours. Our hearing should be pretty comparable though."

Gleam turned those eyes she spoke about to the Elven Female.

"Is something wrong, Gleam?"

She canted her head, regarding the Elven Female.. a Ranger.. a Warrior... and Lucian's past Lover. She was sure of that. Gleam was not jealous, not in the least. Just curious was the better word.

"what is your stake in all this? Why are you here? and why "just" you?"
 
"What is your stake in all this? Why are you here, and why "just" you?"

Yuri frowned softly, coolly regarding the suddenly agitated tigress as she took another pull off of her flask and considered the questions. It certainly didn't look like she was getting defensive, which was good, because she and Lucian had been friends for far longer than this little girl had been around. They could have been so much more too.....

The flask settled softly back down on the table, lavender eyes firmly meeting Gleam's more demanding coppery ones.

"I'm here because I'm a ranger. So is Lucian, despite what that fat fuck of a human king has to say. I'll be damned if I let one of my own walk into hostile territory alone, and Harlan doesn't have the spine to be of any use in a fight. Jakob's good in a brawl, but he doesn't have any stealth, and he certainly doesn't have any finesse. Plus, there's no telling what he'll do if and when Harlan starts freeing slaves."

The elf uncrossed her legs and leaned forward over the little table, not afraid in the least to get closer to her if it meant getting her point across.

"I don't trust dwarves, and if you can't trust your friend's back to someone else, than you watch it yourself. Now....do you have a problem with that?"

The question was asked sharply, and was loaded with challenge. In truth, she had no idea how good Gleam herself would be in a fight, but she had been somewhat relieved to find the tigress had good command of a crossbow....as much as she loathed those things. And then there was the matter of Lucian's arm......

She could do damage. The elf was sure of it. The real question would come in how reliable she was when it came to inflicting it.

"And I'm not the only ranger coming, you know? Fynn's going to be lending a hand too. That should cause conflict from three different sides of the city. The Duke's guards should be in total disarray. The only thing we should have to worry about is just living through the night the one night you'll be there. No doubt Ellington plans to hold a feast to "celebrate" the trophy feral his "friend" has caught."

The elf's gaze dropped lower, knowing full well that Gleam could see the emphasis the sudden shift of gaze held as it dropped to her breasts. Is that all humans cared about? These fleshy milk bags? Or was it her people's laws that had kept them apart?

Silently Yuri answered her own question, one she'd known all along. To sleep with Lucian would be to infuriate her own people. They'd never understand, never accept a half elven spawn into their midst. And though she'd so desperately wanted to get closer to him, had wanted to become more intimate, she had held herself in check this whole time.....for him. She could not....would not....be the cause of his demise.

And now he had found another.

She rested back in her seat in silence, shivering slightly though she was highly resistant to cold. Both watched her, one in confusion, the other with growing understanding.....as she took another long swallow of the flavorful wine.

She'd be damned if she'd let this new infatuation of his get him killed either. It showed in her eyes, her determination, as the flask lowered again......and her eyes sought Gleam's.
 
"I'm here because I'm a ranger. So is Lucian, despite what that fat fuck of a human king has to say. I'll be damned if I let one of my own walk into hostile territory alone, and Harlan doesn't have the spine to be of any use in a fight. Jakob's good in a brawl, but he doesn't have any stealth, and he certainly doesn't have any finesse. Plus, there's no telling what he'll do if and when Harlan starts freeing slaves."

"I don't trust dwarves, and if you can't trust your friend's back to someone else, than you watch it yourself. Now....do you have a problem with that?"

Gleam growled very low in her throat.

"I have no problem with that, I merely wanted to hear it stated. To you, he is a friend. To me, he is my life. So I will ask such questions"

"And I'm not the only ranger coming, you know? Fynn's going to be lending a hand too. That should cause conflict from three different sides of the city. The Duke's guards should be in total disarray. The only thing we should have to worry about is just living through the night the one night you'll be there. No doubt Ellington plans to hold a feast to "celebrate" the trophy feral his "friend" has caught."

A feast... Now THAT was something Gleam had heard about. Her own mother had talked about those when she was little. The Feasts held when a feral is captured, one that is particularly valuable. Sure, the Doe Ferals did not usually warrent a feast.. but a Feline or Canine, absolutely.. an aquatic, and they were RARE.. definitely.. There were many others, of course, but the point was, a Feast was only cause for celebration for the HUMANS not the Ferals, that was for sure.

Gleam watched the Elven Ranger, could almost see her mind whirring and thinking. Saw the darkening of her eyes as she met Gleam's gaze.. Gleam could see that she, even tho perhaps she were trying to deny it, had feelings for Lucian. Perhaps even unresolved feelings.

Gleam shifted uncomfortably.. She was not all that happy about the fact that she was the cause of all this. Again that was how she felt. She had that thought of running again, not to free herself.. but to free HIM from this. But would it?
 
Well she certainly hadn't expected such an air of defiance, that was for sure. The tigress' low growl hadn't gone unnoticed, nor had her explanation. At least as Yuri rocked back into her chair, she did so with a soft smile. Her life, huh? It seemed that there was indeed something more here than just a master/slave relationship.

"I'll be an official envoy, so I'll be there too. It will be.....interesting....tasting all these human foods. Though I don't know how comfortable I'll be in such a crowded place."

The elf frowned, returning an errant lock back to its rightful place as it had hung about her face. The very thought made her nervous. She wasn't normally one for courtside mannerisms. And she sure as hell wasn't about to wear a dress. How human women even managed to get in and out of those things was still impressive to her.

Lucian's nod was meant as much to soothe Gleam as it was to acknowledge that he was still listening to Yuri, at least until he chimed in as well.

"I've also heard that Dagthar has been the chosen envoy of Darkhaven."

One could practically see the souring of the elf's mood as she nodded, the name ringing an immediate bell.

"Great, so they're sending the most volatile person they could find. His grievance with the Duke is well known. A distraction indeed, though I feel sorry for Ellington's footmen. That armor will stop a sword well enough, but Dagthar's hammer?"

A soft smirk and a knowing wink tossed Gleam's way spoke of just how truly upset about the choice the elf really was. Sure, she thought dwarves stunk terribly, and were dirty creatures to boot......but she'd seen this one fight before. At least his credentials were crystal clear to her.

"Well then, that leaves us to wonder just how long until we travel? How's the leg coming along, tigress? Suru sends her regards by the way, she really appreciates the chance to further her training. She'll be a fine druidess some day."
 
"Though I don't know how comfortable I'll be in such a crowded place."

Well, to be honest, that certainly echoed exactly how Gleam felt. She no more wanted to be "presented" to anyone, let alone be the center of attention in the midst of a crowd. The thought just made her shudder, the shiver that ran thru her quite obvious. As was her nervous demeanor. Gleam had started pacing... and growling low in her throat, her stress level was rising, and rising fast, with all this talk going on around her.

"I've also heard that Dagthar has been the chosen envoy of Darkhaven."

"Great, so they're sending the most volatile person they could find. His grievance with the Duke is well known. A distraction indeed, though I feel sorry for Ellington's footmen. That armor will stop a sword well enough, but Dagthar's hammer?"

Gleam actually liked the Dwarves, after having met Glenda and Thuurgard. They were genuine. They pulled no punches. Yeah, they were crude and certainly stunk to high heavens. But, Gleam did not get the sense of "hiding something" that she sometimes did from others. The dwarves, to her, were the only ones that she saw as being genuinely there to help and befriend Lucian, the others, as much as they were nice and Gleam accepted them, she just, she wasn't sure what it was, but all had something for themselves in this. Suru, her mate, Harlan, Jakob, hell even the Elves, all had Lucian to thank for providing the freedom of this land. The Dwarves had their own mountain, they were not dependant on Lucian, hence their help was genuine... That was how she saw it at least. Gleam did not tend to trust a whole lot of people, not genuinely trust.

"Well then, that leaves us to wonder just how long until we travel? How's the leg coming along, tigress? Suru sends her regards by the way, she really appreciates the chance to further her training. She'll be a fine druidess some day."

Gleam was not one to just parade around and show the mark that was now burned deeply into her inner thigh. So when the Elven Ranger asked about it, she actually stepped back, away from the firelight that illuminated the room.

"it heals" was all she said. It still hurt, both physically and mentally, but Gleam was not about to admit that. She shot a look to Lucian, and again her stress level was rising. Her pacing was evidence of that.. and that .. caged feeling.. that was coming over her.

"May I please go outside.... Master Lucian?" he hoped he would say yes, but she was going to go there anyways, but did not want to anger him by doing so without showing that due respect. But this was all still new, and still stressful to her. She wanted... no .. needed, the fresh air to help clear her head.
 
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"May I please go outside.... Master Lucian?"

"Come here."

Lucian watched her hesitate for a moment, but there was no anger or hostility in the command. Slowly, she obeyed, drawing closer....close enough for him to trace a fingertip up the delicate curve of her throat, over her collar. Up and around to the back of her head, she could feel his fingers slide smoothly through her vibrant mane of auburn hair.....

His lips claimed her....without warning, yet with a gentle tenderness she'd not felt from him yet. He teased her lips apart with his tongue, and again tasted of her sweet depths, awaiting her response and completely oblivious to the one provided by his elven visitor.

"You're uncomfortable. By all means, go get some fresh air."

He was very nearly breathless himself as he pulled away to speak.....releasing her and his suggestive caress stroke across one full breast briefly before she turned away from him.

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"Was that necessary?"

Lucian smiled and this time it was his turn to wink.

"She's a lot calmer now, though it might take some time for Gleam to put her thoughts in order. Jealous? Still thinking that it could have been you?"

That spoiled her good mood and he knew it from the thin frown that spread immediately across her face.

"We're just friends, Lucian. You know that."

A soft sip from his own glass and the ranger nodded silently.

"Ah yes, friends. But is that because that's what you wanted? Or was it because that's what you were told to be?"

Yuri flinched. It didn't matter. He'd known the answer for a long time anyway. Humans were a tool to be used, but producing offspring with one was a grievous crime.

"I appreciate you coming."

The elf maiden turned away, scowling.

"Like I said, War Chief demanded it."

A thoughtful nod and a careful choice of words.

"Did the war chief demand that you state you were protecting one of your own, disgraced as he may be?"

That got a reaction, and an angry one at that.

"You should have never been dismissed! Just look what you've done for this forest and its peoples! You're more of a ranger than anything that fat pig of a King has right now. At least you adhere to the basic principles, you protect the land, you protect its inhabitants......just like I do. Only now its you who needs protecting....."

The elf shivered softly, "Do you think she knows?"

Lucian was genuinely confused, "Who? Gleam? Knows what?"

Yuri bit her lower lip in a cute display of nervousness, "That I'm not as calm about all this as I'm trying to seem? That this will actually be my first time away from the forest......in a human city? Gods, I'm scared to death, Lucian! And I can't fail.....if I fail, you or Gleam.....Jakob or Harlan.....could be killed."

"I notice you didn't mention Dagthar."

The laughter came so abruptly she almost choked on it.

"That one can take care of himself."
 
"Come here."

She actually paused for a moment, before she approached him. One may have thought she would lower her head, or her eyes. Or even go to her knees. If she had been alone, maybe she would have. But she was highly conscious of the Elven woman watching, so she did not do any of those things.. but... as she got close to him, she did let her eyes fall for a moment before him...

She was not quite sure what to expect, but she sensed no anger, so when he reached out, she did not flinch, instead, as his fingertip traced along the curve of her throat, up over the mythril collar, and glide to the back of her head, she let out a low purr, one that rivaled the growling she had been doing just moments before. Her head canted back without thought, allowing him access to her throat and when his hand, fingers, drew thru her long red mane, her lips parted...

When his met hers, she let loose that moan that the purr had actually hidden. Her body relaxed visibly, her own hands curling up and into his tousled blonde hair, fingers entangling.. her tongue meeting his, tasting, caressing, first within his mouth, then into the depths of hers. She allowed her body to press into his, the curve of her sleek, feminine form brushing his more masculine.

When the kiss parted, she was flush, and her breathing was shallow, in soft gasps.

"You're uncomfortable. By all means, go get some fresh air."

She could not speak, but merely nodded to his permission given. She felt the light graze of his palm over breast, that touch deepening her blush. Gleam chose not to meet the gaze of the Elven ranger and slipped past her silently until she was outside in the sunlight.

A relieved sigh escaped her then. If she had stayed in there any longer, she would have gone nuts, at least that was how she felt. There wre so many thoughts racing thru her head, she just wanted to be able to sit, away from everyone, Lucian included, and think. Get them all sorted out in her mind. She had no doubt they would be traveling within a week or so. A thought she did not want to entertain at all..
A feast... her being presented... would she be naked? Gleam shivered at that thought. Ferals were not quite as... anal.. about nudity, and she had fur after all... but... her thoughts went to Lucian parading her thru the village, tied to the back of his horse, naked. She had NO desire to do that again. She did not think he would, but would he have a choice?

She palmed the crossbow, again thinking that it would be easier and better to just kill the vile Duke.

She glanced down at the brand that marked her, tracing her fingertip along the seared skin. It stung like hell and she hissed in her breath. It seemed many were not happy with this little turn of events either. How was it that everything seemed to be happening all around her, involving her, yet she had no say in it at all.
 
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The night waned as daybreak struggled against the blackness.....

He was still conscious. He had controlled himself well around the dangerous wine, hadn't let himself become nearly as inebriated as his elven visitor had. Thankfully, her intoxication didn't lead to things getting even more awkward, though Lucian knew full well what some of her lingering looks meant for him. The human simply shrugged it off and blamed it on her weakness for alcohol and comraderie. There was no way she'd even entertain the thought of a human sober, not with the way her people were brought up.

He sat now at the doorstep of the cabin. He'd been trying for some time now to catch sight of Gleam, with very little success. Had she found someplace soft to sleep for the night? Was she hunting? Did she hunt? Never once did it cross his mind that she might have left him, he had more faith in her than that.

His eyes were red tinged and irritated, proof of his own lack of sleep. Still....there was too much to do to start taking such luxuries. So much to plan so that hopefully Yuri would go into this a little more calmer than what she had confessed to be. Yet some things would not be changed, like the simple fact that she was actually leaving her lands at the behest of her cheiftain.

Was he really worth all this fuss?

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He would be scented before he was seen, of that he was sure.

With a soft amused grunt, he shifted his broad shoulders, moving so the cumbersome weight on his back didn't cause the straps binding it to him to cut in so. No matter how much armor he wore, it seemed the damned things always seemed to find a way to make their presence known.

The cabin wasn't really that far off, not from what he had remembered at least. Still.....he had the damnedest feeling that he was being watched. And from centuries of living in the dark tunnels of the earth, he was rarely wrong. Bushy gray eyebrows knitted together as a steel jacketed hand reached slowly for the great haft protruding from his back.

"Show yerself."

The great maul slipped from its bindings as easily as the stocky dwarf brought the thing about with one hand, the other clutching a tower sheild......or at least the dwarven equivalent of one.

"You go in there like that all gruff like, and you're going to catch an arrow in your ass, dwarf."

Immediately his sights moved from threats on the ground to threats in the trees, even though he knew the origin of the voice well enough. The tone at least, that is......

"An elf. And what business do ye have wit' me, treehugger?"

A soft chortle reached his stout ears, the sound serving to only further his annoyance. A soft rustling of leaf and branch, and the slender observer dropped silently to the ground, much to the amazement of his burly newcomer.

"My sister's in that cabin. You must be Dagthar. You're expected, so try not to be so brash. The human's got himself a sexy new little pet now, I'm sure if she doesn't know you're here by now, she'll know shortly."

"Aye....this....Gleam."

Brown hair waved in a sudden breeze as the elf nodded silently, rocking on his heels just a little and feeling out of place just as suddenly as the dwarf flashed him a fierce grin from beneath his plated helm.

"And that makes ye Anton if'n I recall correctly, if I'm correct in assuming that yon sister is Yuri."

Again the dwarf was taken aback as this time the elf blushed slightly. Wait....elves could blush? Never in his entire life had he seen one do such a thing! Well....there was that one time.....Yuri had.....but that wasn't.....embarrassment.

The very thought caused the dwarf's own face to color quite vividly, more so as he noticed the young male before him watching him with a rather peculiar look on his face. Aye....he'd been very careful to knock before opening doors after that experience......

"I see my sister talks too much when she's drunk. Though to think she'd share such things with a dwarf."

"Ye'd best hold yer tongue, lad."

A soft and reproachful clicking of the tongue, "I only meant that she must respect you. Its not like she's talkative around people she doesn't trust."

A moment of awkward silence as the words were carefully considered. Dagthar nodded silently as his assessment completed....there was no intent of insult, and that sat just fine with him.

"Still, I must say....it'll be days before the wildlife settles back down. You've left....quite a trail in your wake."

A soft, annoyed and gravelly growl was the initial answer given as the armored blacksmith started forward again.

"Not my fault these plants o' yers keep tryin ta slow me down. Tried tellin ye that ye needed a road through these parts, but yer people were nae having any of it."

The elf nodded, absently adjusting his leathers, "Every tree is precious to us, a living thing. We wouldn't end their lives so carelessly. We thank you for your understanding."

Dagthar simply grunted, swatting another branch aside.

The forest gave way to clearing soon enough, and that was were he would no doubt lose his elven shadow. Very rarely did the forest folk leave their lands, and though he wouldn't voice it, he strongly doubted Yuri's brother to have half the stones she did.

Hopefully they would know he was coming.
 
Gleam had always liked the night, the darkness, the shadows. It was not always the safest, to say the least, but that did not mean she could not enjoy the quiet that the dusk provided. This night was no different. Once outside, away from the 4 walls, and alone, she had relaxed, even going so far as to allow a relieved sigh to escape her lips.

She ventured further from Lucian's cabin. She did not entertain the thought of leaving. To be honest. Should she? But what would that accomplish? Nothing. He would hunt her again, she knew that. She had already told herself that. And... she had feelings for him. No, leaving was not an option. But, seeking solace away from him and the elven female, that.... was doable. And that was just what she did.

Gleam found herself down at the stream, seeking a sip of cool water to wash the last of the taste and effects of the elven wine from her lips and throat. It was no more than a quarter mile from Lucian's and she scented no enemies, nor "friends" in the area. At least not right away.

The evening was cool, quiet, and after drinking her fill, she had settled down to think, just get her head straight, and enjoy some wild strawberries she had found.

It was then, as she let her eyes close and she listened and felt the land, the air, the water about her, that she sensed that indeed she was not alone.

And it was not the Dwarf she first became aware of. It was an Elf, Male, in the trees. Gleam's eyes opened only as slits. He was upwind of her, that was why she caught his scent in the gentle breeze. Did he even realize? It came from high up, slowly wafting down to where she sat. Gleam lifted to her feet, silent, still scenting and listening. No, he was as silent as she. Who was he? Why was his smell familiar? She took a step, and that was when it hit her, the Dwarf. His scent overpowering the Elf, of course. Dwarves did not necessarily smell good, she had learned. This one was no different, altho he did not have the foul ale smell that the other 2 had. And loud. He certainly was not quiet in the least bit. She wondered how they hunted? Or did they merely trap? No need for quiet if that was how you caught your meat.

He was still more than a couple of miles away. The night air was good for carrying scents far and wide. Both may have even been further. But, a cant to her head, and she heard the Dwarf even more clearly. He was talking to someone, but she could not discern who, or what was being said.

Gleam did not panic. She did not feel the Elf was a threat, nor was the Dwarf. If this had been humans, that would have been different.

But, she was not about to let either of them burst onto the scene at the Cabin. She paused for a moment, weighing the idea of instead, heading off the Dwarf, but her better sense told her no. What if it were a trap she was by chance missing? And the Elven Female had mentioned a Dwarf joining them, so it was not unexpected.

She headed back to the Cabin, but coming in from behind, she finding Lucian nearly asleep out front. He had alot on his shoulders, she realized, not just her own safety, altho she had a feeling it was she that weighed the most upon the Hunter. A quick glance inside and she saw the Elven Female asleep at the table where she had been drinking. Perhaps Lucian would know who the Male Elf was then.

"Master Lucian" she quietly said from behind him. He jumped, and she had to stifle a giggle at his face. "You need sleep, you know that, right? But, others approach. A Dwarf, and.... there is an Elven Male, as well. About 2 miles out to the Northwest." She came to sit beside him, regarding his red rimmed eyes. "Honestly, I do not think you should be drinking this elven wine or whatever it is. It baffles me that, if needed to be onguard for battle or an ambush, that wine would even be offered. I am not sure I trust this Elven female, or anyone else other than you, Master Lucian"
 
"Master Lucian."

The blonde hunter jumped slightly, clearly startled but now fully awake once more. He really wasn't used to being snuck up on like that, and yet, Gleam hadn't been sneaking around him. She had approached him normally, he had just been that deep in his thoughts......

"You need sleep, you know that, right? But, others approach. A Dwarf, and.... there is an Elven Male, as well. About 2 miles out to the Northwest. Honestly, I do not think you should be drinking this elven wine or whatever it is. It baffles me that, if needed to be onguard for battle or an ambush, that wine would even be offered. I am not sure I trust this Elven female, or anyone else other than you, Master Lucian"

He scooted himself over on the doorstep, half surprised that she even wanted to sit down, the other half just as as surprised that she'd want to be this close to him after what he'd put her through.

He reached for her then, playfully tousling her hair just a little as he chuckled.

"Elven celebration wine. Did you know that its almost an exclusively elven drink? Rarely is it offered to humans, and never to dwarves. You might even be the first hybrid feral to taste it."

He could see from the look in her eyes, the disapproval, not only of the taste....but of his imbibing himself.

"Should we always live in fear then? Always fear capture or death? How then will we ever find happiness? Yuri respects us both greatly to even offer us a taste of that wine, yet its her way of showing her respect when she's not so great at voicing it."

He pulled her close enough to brush his lips against her cheek.

"I do believe that last night was the first time I've heard you purr."

Sure there was the times he mated with her, stoked her body into a fiery inferno of desire. But last night had been a simple kiss.....and for that, the response seemed.....more genuine somehow.

"As for our guests, I think you'll find that only the dwarf will progress towards us. Elves don't like to leave their forest. The familiarity anchors them. In fact, Yuri might have received quite a scolding if the Chieftain hadn't ordered her to go himself."

Slowly he rose to his feet, his fingers lingering on her shoulder as if to beckon her upwards too, the two of them staring into the horizon as the sun slowly rose to color the sky. Turning towards her, he gently pulled the feline into his arms.....his lips sealing hers before any questions could be asked.....

"Gleam.....try not to worry so much, ok? I'd rather see you happy."

He smiled as he gazed into her coppery eyes, watching them track his movements, yet always rising to meet his own.

"Be ever alert, but never so much so that you forget to stop and enjoy the simple things that have always made you happy. I've no doubts that its just Dagthar approaching, though its been well over a year since I've seen him last. Fynn will hopefully arrive tomorrow, along with a special surprise for you that I asked him to bring along."

A smile and a mischievous wink. He didn't even have to worry. Lucian knew she'd love what he had planned for her.

"Perhaps I can take your mind off your worries for one day. For now though, won't you please go greet our guest?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grass that would have been waist high on a human was chest high on him. And it was damned annoying too. There was no telling what insects or creepy crawlies were amongst the tall blades, yet he worried little, relying on his own fortitude as well as the armor that covered him head to toe.

Dagthar grunted and watched as a pheasant got flushed from its roost at his approach. Stopping stock still, his helmeted head swiveled one way....then the other.....until he was sure nobody was watching him.

He calmly proceeded around where he figured the hidden eggs would be.

"Damned if'n I let an elf see that I did that. Stupid bird. Goin and makin me look like I care."

He could smell the woodsmoke, though it was days since Lucian had a decent fire it seemed. A steel jacketed digit thumbed across his own bulbous, thick nose. He could almost see the building.....and if that were true. They could no doubt see him.

It wasn't like he was hard to miss or anything, pushing aside the tall grass, his weight crushing grass and reed alike beneath him as he plowed forward. He'd barely taken a score of steps forward before coming to an immediate halt again.

"Eh? Who's this then? Come out and show yerself."

A low warning growl sent a thick hand back instantly to the haft of the maul as he dropped into a well practiced crouch.

Steely eyes widened behind his glistening, polished helm however, as a svelte looking tigress slipped into view. He didn't miss the narrowed nature of her own eyes, nor her response as he readily abandoned the weapon....though not his defensive posture.

"Gleam, I'm assumin?"
 
"Should we always live in fear then? Always fear capture or death? How then will we ever find happiness? Yuri respects us both greatly to even offer us a taste of that wine, yet its her way of showing her respect when she's not so great at voicing it."

"Should we always live in fear?" she echoed his question, looking out over the land, the shadows, the risen moon. "No, that is not what I said. Should we always be vigilant? yes. If I had been as vigliant as I should have been..." she paused to cant her head and look at him, "then perhaps I would not have this collar about my throat or this mark burned into my flesh"... brutally honest was she, that was for sure.
"I wish to enjoy the life I have now been handed... I do not want it taken from me, again. If that means being on guard, then yes, we should be. I imagine that if you had let you guard down at any time, Master Lucian, you would not be where you are, owning land, owning me, and instead perhaps, you would be imprisoned, or dead. If you had let your guard down, we both would be dead, back in my woods, at the hands of one you once called friend, would we not?"

She went quiet, again looking off into the distance, until he pulled her against him, she feeling his lips, his breath, brush her cheek as he spoke...

"I do believe that last night was the first time I've heard you purr."

Gleam smiled then, her cheeks blushing at those words. "Feline ferals only purr when content, or aroused... Master Lucian. Aroused not just physically... I will leave it to you to wonder which it was last evening"

"As for our guests, I think you'll find that only the dwarf will progress towards us. Elves don't like to leave their forest. The familiarity anchors them. In fact, Yuri might have received quite a scolding if the Chieftain hadn't ordered her to go himself."

She stood alongside him, feeling his hand resting to her shoulder. She was a head or so shorter than him as both came to full height. That touch turned to an embrace, she drawn against him. The curve of her form relaxing against the Hunter. His embrace, his arms, his touch, were becoming familiar to her now, as was the desire to have him hold her, touch her, mate her. He had hurt her, yes. He had humiliated her, yes. He had collared her, captured her, taken her from all she knew. But.. she was no longer alone. She would not admit that to him, not yet anyways, but that loneliness, that fear when watching others captured, tortured, raped, and taken away... He had took all that away when he captured her, and proved to her that he.. was not like all the others. He.. was different.

She met his kiss.. lips parting, eyes closing, a low sigh gently rippling past her lips, followed by the purr again, that coming unbidden from within her.

"Gleam.....try not to worry so much, ok? I'd rather see you happy."

Her eyes met his, the golden hues alight deep inside.

"Be ever alert, but never so much so that you forget to stop and enjoy the simple things that have always made you happy. I've no doubts that its just Dagthar approaching, though its been well over a year since I've seen him last. Fynn will hopefully arrive tomorrow, along with a special surprise for you that I asked him to bring along."

A smile and a mischievous wink. He didn't even have to worry. Lucian knew she'd love what he had planned for her.

She blinked then. A surprise? Well, that certainly got her thinking.

"Perhaps I can take your mind off your worries for one day. For now though, won't you please go greet our guest?"

Gleam grinned then. "Of course, Master Lucian"

She disappeared into the shadows then, the forest, the grasses, the bush, all working to keep her concealed. She was good at staying hidden. But, if she were so good, how had he, Lucian that is, managed to catch her as he did? Simple, he was better at tracking than she was at hiding. She knew she could never have that happen again. Even with his mark upon her thigh, others could hunt her, capture her, and cut that mark right off her. She knew that. That was why she was so nervous about all this. Before it was just her, now Lucian could be hurt, Suru, even Jakob and Harlan...

The Dwarf was easy to find, his scent was powerful. Unfortunately, he overpowered the Elven Male completely and Gleam had no idea where he was. That, made her a bit nervous, and on edge.

The bird startling told her he was close.

"Eh? Who's this then? Come out and show yerself."

He was closer than she had anticipated. It was weird, how the stench of a Dwarf just seemed to be there, no matter how close he or she got, once scented, the odor never changed. She would have to remember that.

A low growl came rippling past her lips. It was unintentional, but he was a bit too close for her liking and heavily armed. She was supposed to greet him, yes, so this was her greeting. She slowly showed herself, stepping into the view of the Dwarf. She still wished she knew where the Elf was, but she could neither scent him or hear him, but she had the distinct feeling he was close by and watching, that was evident by the fur on the back of her neck standing up.

The crossbow was held, and loaded in her hands, just in case the Dwarf was not what all thought he was, or, others that perhaps his scent had masked, suddenly showed up.

"Gleam, I'm assumin?"

"yes" she nodded to his words. "And you must be Dagthar.... Master Lucian has sent me to greet you, Yuri is already at his residence"

She flushed a bit at the fact that he already knew who she was. It was a bit, disconcerting to say the very least.

With narrowed eyes, she regarded the Dwarf "I am glad to see you did not bring any of that foul ale stuff that your predecessors did earlier" She scented none of that stuff on him, thank the gods. He looked to be much more the warrior, the fighter, than the others had. Again, it made her nervous to think that he, as well as Yuri, were summoned? Coming? Aligning with?? Lucian, because of her.
 
The dwarf grunted, a beady eye carefully watching the crossbow levelled at him from beneath his staunch helm.

"Aye, I've been told that the elf beat me there already. Prolly won't hear the end o' it fer the rest o' the day neither. Ah well....speed's ne'er been my thing anyway. Much prefer ta take my take gettin where I needs ta go."

He had taken his hand off of his own weapon, he frowned softly as it became apparent she wasn't about to show him the same courtesy.

"Am I yer prisoner then? And do ye actually know how ta use that thing? Took Lucian near a month to learn to shoot things other than cows."

He didn't wait for her reply. He had his doubts that the simple barb could pierce through to his flesh anyway unless it somehow found a lucky chink in the layers of plate. He moved forward heedless of her reaction, and yet it wasn't Gleam he was after, merely the road again....or lack there of. Gradually the sawgrass grew shorter and shorter as the terrain grew more familiar to his ancient eyes.

"Some welcoming party ye got, Lucian."

"Be glad he didn't sent me, dwarf."

The stocky warrior stopped at the sight of Yuri, the elf holding a small plate of dried fruits and sweetmeats in offering to Lucian who still remained seated at the foot of his stairs.

"Bah, and what would you do? Hug a tree till I puked myself to death?"

And yet there was no real tension in the air, the elven ranger trying in vain to hold back a rather fond smile instead of taking offense.

"Are you hungry then?"

The stout armored man shook his head softly, gradually letting his pack fall to the ground as he approached. He could feel Gleam's shadow upon him, but sensed no real threat from the girl. Understandable. She had said he had been expected.

"Brought enough jerky and cheese wit' me ta feed a small army. Glenda tends ta get all choked up when I gets it in me head ta leave the forge. Might not be as young as I used ta be, but I can still walk a jaunt or two ta pay an old friend a visit. Good thing I told Thurgaard ta leave the ale outta there, not only do I not have a need for that until AFTER we pull this off.....but seems yon kitty girl there dunnae like the smell."

There were a pair of soft clicks as stubby fingers found the hidden latches that held his helm fastened his pauldrons. Seconds later, and Gleam could get her first real good look at him.......his grey, almost white hair matted with sweat to his head, that which wasn't drawn into multiple small braids that almost gave him a tribal appearance.

"Dagthar, I do believe you've washed your face."

The dwarf colored slightly at the ranger's teasing, his gaze growing ever more shifty. He hadn't expected it to be noticed that easily.....or that fast.

"Well now....ye can't expect me ta come all the way out here with the grime o' the forge on me now can ye? Not when coming ta see an old friend like Lucian!"

But it hadn't been Lucian he'd been worried about when he went against his better judgement and cleansed his ruddy skin in that underground spring......or trying to impress either. Nor was his coloring much to do with embarrassment....

"Well then....there's three o' us....weren't there supposed ta be four?"

Lucian piped up then, delighting in the feel of Gleam as she sidled in close to him once more.

"Fynn should be arriving tomorrow."

The shaggy, greying dwarf nodded solemnly.

"Well then.....I know the two o' ye, and I've been introduced ta the third. What plans have ye in mind for killin time whilst we wait fer the fourth?"

The sound of elven laughter reached them all, a thick dwarven eyebrow raising in askance. He hadn't thought his question to be all that funny, but if it had caused her to laugh.....

"Breakfast of course."
 
"Am I yer prisoner then? And do ye actually know how ta use that thing? Took Lucian near a month to learn to shoot things other than cows."

Gleam merely smiled. "Ask Lucian" was all she said to the Dwarf, whether he acknowledged her or not.

As the welcome and the conversation commenced, Gleam finally slid the crossbow once more to her back, relaxing slowly. She moved to stand at Lucian's side, actually reaching out to run her fingertips across his own back in the lightest of touches. She felt much more calmed when near him, touching him.

She noted the Dwarf, watched him as he moved, talked. He was a smidge taller than the other 2, looked to be stronger, more compact a frame. A Warrior that was for sure, that maul he wielded so easily, it had to weigh a ton, looked more dangerous than most weapons Gleam had the privy of seeing. She certainly did not want to get hit with that thing, ever.

Gleam nudged Lucian...

"why not tell Dagthar about my, prowess with a crossbow. He seems to think I perhaps could not hit the broadside of a barn" it was said in good fun, but Gleam wanted both the Dwarf and the Elf to know that she was not a powerless, helpless female feral, nor would she ever be. No matter that she bore a collar. No matter that she had been marked. No matter that she was effectively owned. Some would see slaves, servants, pets, owned, as weak, perhaps. Helpless. She was neither and needed that shown to both.

"Well then.....I know the two o' ye, and I've been introduced ta the third. What plans have ye in mind for killin time whilst we wait fer the fourth?"

The sound of elven laughter reached them all, a thick dwarven eyebrow raising in askance. He hadn't thought his question to be all that funny, but if it had caused her to laugh.....

"Breakfast of course."

At just the word breakfast, Gleam felt her belly rumble. Truth be told, she was hungry. But there was more she desired in that moment as well, as she looked at Lucian. She knew, it was going to be some time before they were alone again. She leaned into him, as they turned toward the house, her lips finding, and brushing his ear.. "perhaps we can find some time alone, I need to bathe, and would enjoy... the company" the words were whispered, heated. Even if her heat had waned, Gleam found herself wanting, needing, him, the hunger almost as powerful as the same that even now rumbled her belly.
 
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It wasn't long before she returned with the dwarf in tow.....her own lithe form sidling in close beside him. It was all Lucian could do to stifle a soft moan as he felt her fingertips drift ever so softly along his back. With the knotted abused muscles there, it had long been an erogenous zone for him if played just right.....and he arched gently into her soft touch, already yearning for more. The gaze Dagthar levelled at him was soft and full of aged wisdom.....the wisdom of an old dwarf who knew exactly the pleasure such contact could bring.

Even her soft nudge against his yearning muscles felt good, and he had to force himself to listen to her as she spoke.

"Why not tell Dagthar about my prowess with a crossbow. He seems to think I perhaps could not hit the broadside of a barn."

The dwarf chuckled softly at that, and lifted his gaze towards the feral, his craggy lips splitting into a yellow toothed grin.

"Now now, lass....less nae be catty, pardon the pun. If'n I thought that, I'da hailed ye as Lucian, not yer own name."

The ranger humphed softly, but took the ribbing in stride. He owed this dwarf a great deal after all.

"It looks good on her."

Both sets of eyes turned to him then, perhaps not immediately understanding the meaning of his words right away. Silently, the dwarf shrugged off the huge maul he had slung to his back, and let the ponderous hammerhead drop to the ground with a heavy thunk, his burly hands folding patiently over the pommel as it stood before him.

"The collar, man, the collar! Took me a year ta make the damned thing, least I find ye found someone worth puttin it on. And fer the record, lass...."

He raised a finger to tap lightly at his ears.

"I not be so old that I'm hard o' hearin yet. Ye want ta go wash the...night's activities off....be my guest. I'll keep myself occupied harrassin this elf that thinks I'm gonna be eatin elfy foods fer breakfast."

"You can always starve then dwarf!," came the immediate response from the cabin's interior. The aged dwarf just winked at Lucian and Gleam and chuckled softly.

"Now then, alone time she wants, Lucian. Cannae remember the last time a lass asked me ta run off and watch her bathe. Then again, I'm thinkin that's not all she has in mind. So don't make me box yer ears like I did when ye were just a whelp.....and the two o' ye run off and enjoy yerselves. Fynn's not gonna be here till the morrow, so ye should make the most o' yer little honeymoon."

-------------------------------------------------------------------

"That was awfully sweet of you."

Dagthar humphed slightly as the plate of eggs and bacon was laid before him.

"Since when did ye learn ta cook anything other than roots and berries?"

"Careful dwarf, lest you find yourself on the wrong end of your own breakfast fork."

His eyes lifted to her own, perhaps taking just a little too long in their rising as he made sure to appreciate its upward travel.

"I'm not unappreciative, Yuri. My apologies. Was nae meanin ta offend."

The elf shook her dark hair and smiled back, suddenly overcome with a certain measure of fondness for this one.....now that nobody else was looking of course.

"No offense taken."

"So yer really gonna leave then? The forest I mean. Cannae say I've ever heard the like."

The elven ranger frowned softly, nodding moments later as she lifted an errant piece of bacon to her own pursed lips.

"It's time we started paying attention to the happenings of the world. Its not going to leave us in our forest alone forever. Lucian taught us that."

"I imagine, that kitty's teaching Lucian a thing or two right now."

"Dagthar!"

And yet, there was no blush, just a distinct look of mixed shock from what he had said....and amusement as the words rang true.
 
All Gleam wanted was some alone time. She knew the next days, perhaps even weeks, she would not have that luxury. And to be honest, she was not all that sure how she would handle that. Her experiences with Lucian thus far had been, trying, between his capture of her, parading her around naked, the other Hunters, Fynn and his group, arriving here, Jakob, Harlan, Suru, the Dwarves, now the Elf and another Dwarf, not to mention his taking her as he had, collaring her, branding her.

And now, her presentation to the Duke. And the expected consequences. Lucian fully expected to be attacked, or at least some kind of attempt to kill him and capture her. She wondered how he dealt with that so easily.

Gleam understood the threat of capture. She had lived with that for the better part of her life. But she only had to worry about her, not others. Lucian now had her to protect. And the small fact that she was still the cause of this. She had no idea that she was so rare, and so sought after. She knew she had not seen another Tiger Feral in what felt like years. She had not heard of the capture of any either.

Was she the last?

That thought bought forth a cold shiver, one she could not hide from the Hunter beside her.

The small, clear, pool of water was just ahead. Gleam could hear the gentle splash of the small waterfall that fed this pool with the clear, cool water that was so inviting, so refreshing.

She paused at the edge of the pool, just taking in the sight. It was calming, and the glitter of the sun was dancing on the surface. For a moment, Gleam wished she had lived here all her life. It would have been perfect. A den close by, a source of fresh water and food so plentiful. It was always easy to hunt with water close by. All animals come for water. It was no wonder that Lucian laid claim to this land, and built his home here.

She could feel him, so close to her. What was it about him that wrapped about her so tightly? He had taken her freedom, he had taken her virginity, he had collared her, branded her as his. She had felt fear because of him, pain because of him, shame because of him. But he did not break her. Did not leave her begging for death, or cowering at his feet. He had not sold her to a breeding zoo, or to anyone to make a profit. And, he had taken her to heights of pleasure she had not known existed. He spoke to her as an equal, protected her from others. Protected. She had never felt protected. It was a powerful feeling, a powerful draw, to know that he would keep her safe. Safe from others. Safe from death.

But most of all... she was no longer alone. Gleam had never realized how alone she had been, until now.

She had almost forgotten he was there, so lost she was in her thoughts. And he obviously was allowing her this time with those thoughts.

Gleam looked over her shoulder at the Hunter. She captured his gaze with her golden eyes and held it as she let the crossbow slip from her back to settle on the ground at her feet, this followed by the simple tunic she wore, the soft material gliding free of her form, fluttering a bit in the warm breeze, before it floated delicately to the ground. Her striped fur her only cover now for her nakedness, supple and luxurious. She looked away then, long fire red hair tumbling down her back as she looked forward over the water again. Gleam let her eyes close then, hearing his breathing pick up behind her. Before he could move, the feline feral turned around to face him, and lowered to her knees in the grass. She went to all fours and instead of him having to go to her, she... crawled to him, the grass beneathe her was silken against her palms, against her knees, as she moved, smoothly, to his feet.

She lifted her eyes to him then, alight with a deepening need for him. That was the other thing that drew her to him, her hunger for him, he had awakened her sexually, and now she craved his touch, and only his touch.

"Master Lucian" her voice was thick, deep, almost vibrating in a hungry purr... She let her hands run up the outside of his thighs as she leaned upwards as well, her head, mouth, level with where his cock was surely hardening... "I... need... you... Master Lucian" her words were dripping now with her desire for him, the heat she was feeling so very deep inside.
 
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"Are you well?"

It was the only question he voiced to her as they walked in otherwise silence. It was enough to earn a casual glance and a soft glance. She had shivered suddenly, out of the blue.....and it had worried him, wondering if she was falling ill, or if she simply had something weighing on her mind.

Still, Lucian did not press her. Gleam had been under enough duress lately just meeting his old friends. He knew she was not used to this, had probably not dealt with much of anyone up until she had met him. To be inundated with one new arrival after another had to be hard for her.....

"I'm sorry."

He could see her pause at his words, the miniature lake just up ahead and nearly within sight.

"This must be hard for you. Yuri, Thurgaard, Glenda, Harlan, Jakob, and the others. It wasn't my intention to have everything thrust upon you right away like this."

He drew closer to her, and for the last bit of their jaunt, they walked....his arm around her, his fingers closing softly around the edges of her finely chiseled hip.

They were there then, and he let her take her time....as long as she wanted.....to enjoy the view, feel the cool breeze coming off the water to ruffle her fur and stir the coppery lengths of her hair. For the first time since he had brought her here....Gleam almost looked.....content.

And that contentment made her look even more glorious. So much better than the stressed, upset, even pained kitten he'd made inadvertently suffer these last few days. This was the Gleam he wanted to remember for as long as he lived....

She turned to him then, and he paused, not truly understanding at first....the strange look in her eye as she gazed upon him, holding his own questioning gaze. He was almost unable to tear away from her long enough to notice the crossbow slip from her fingers.....the thick wood making the gentlest of thumps as it settled upon the ground.

Even as he returned his gaze to her, not thinking anything strange of the disarming....his breath caught.....as she slowly peeled her luscious curves from the cotton tunic she had been making use of.....slowly revealing all of herself to him once more. It was then that he silently had to admit to himself....that he had been truly looking forward to this.....this chance to be alone with her.....to perhaps bathe with her......

His own body responded as well, watching her, and knowing she knew full well that he was watching. She turned from him then, her hair spilling like smoldering embers down her bare back, her own hands tracing the edges of her curvature unknowingly as she gazed back out over the small lake....no doubt admiring the tiny waterfall that fed the secluded body of water.

And yet, just as he was about to reach for her....just ready enough to reach out and touch her one last time before she slipped herself into the water.....

Gleam turned to him.....and slowly lowered herself to her hands and knees before him. His mouth went dry.....as Lucian found himself torn between those deep golden eyes of hers.....and watching each and every muscle in her body ripple and contract as she slowly brought herself closer to him.....CRAWLING.....

"Gleam...."

He could see her petite breasts, swaying softly beneath her, could see the soft swaying of her hips as she took her time in nearing him.....as if she invited him to look.....wanted his gaze upon her.....

"Master Lucian."

He groaned then....instant approval of her words, her submission....a submission that until little over a day ago, she had been fighting. He had been frustrated with her, had even wondered if he had what it took to get her to call him "Master", and yet here she was.....the word....easily rolling off her tongue.

I... need... you... Master Lucian."

That may have been true....no....he knew it was true....could see the fire smoldering deep within her coppery orbs. Yet he was in no hurry, the best things in life sometimes needed to be taken slowly. And he would....though she wouldn't know it yet. She needed to be rewarded for this....needed to know how tremendously pleased, not to mention insanely excited this made him....how just looking at her right now made his desire for her soar higher than the strongest of the forest's birds.

He slowly began working himself out of his leathers, starting with his vest. He did so with deliberate slowness, knowing that this time, it was her who was watching. He was not ashamed of his body, though he was not as young as he used to be. The forest, and the rigors of travel had shaped him far better than most youth he ran across these days.

He tossed the vest atop her tunic.....kneeling instead to reach for the laces of his boots. How lucky she was that she didn't have to wear damnable things like these! He unlaced the bindings with a slowness that could have only been teasing, especially when she drew near enough for him to reach out and kiss the tip of her nose. He knew she wanted more than just that.....and she would get it.....but she would have to wait just a little longer.

Lucian grunted as the confining leather slipped away, his socks peeled away without a second thought. By now she was no doubt close enough to see how he strained his leggings, could see the desire she had stoked in his loins.....could see that she was going to get her wish.

"It's yours Gleam.....go after it, show me how much you want it."

He smiled down at her, already knowing she had the confidence to do as he asked and do so without the slightest bit of shame. This wasn't about discipline or training, and certainly wasn't about shaming her....though it may have been a little about seeing just how submissive she was becoming. She had the right to refuse should Gleam choose to exercise it in a teasing manner or not., he would simply do it himself. Either way, she was going to find him more than willing and capable of giving every bit as good as she gave.

"Yours and nobody else's, understand?"
 
"It's yours Gleam.....go after it, show me how much you want it."

Her golden eyes locked on his, intense, afire, and as he spoke, her delicate tongue slipped out and snaked along her lips, moistening, anticipating.. It took her no more than a moment to free his length from the confines of his leggings. He was thick, aroused, Gleam could almost see it throbbing. The idea of taking it in her mouth had never come to her before. Not that she had not witnessed it. She had. Several times. Most often with hunters and a captured female feral. But she had seen it among humans as well. It was ... obviously something that was much enjoyed. One thing she had not seen, was a feral and a feral enjoying this same pleasure.

But, as stated, she had not thought about doing this, and thus had never done it before. She hesitated for a moment, just letting her breath wash over the head, and the shaft. One hand was wrapped about the base, and with a low, almost tentative purr, she reached out, with her soft, pink tongue, to lick along the smooth skin of the head. His reaction was nearly immediate and that, encouraged her.

Gleam began to lick the head, tongue lapping over, underneath, around, tickling, tasting, exploring. That progressed quickly to her taking that head within her lips, kissing lovingly, laying her tongue beneath to cradle. She was tentative, careful, learning. But it was not long before the length began to invade her mouth, Gleam wrapping her lips around, moaning low, trying to control her urge to swallow, and her need for air.

"Yours and nobody else's, understand?"

She let her eyes close, as she concentrated on licking, and now, ever so carefully, suckling in the girth of his cock. It was sooo heated, the scent so masculine, the taste was .. well.. him... Slowly Gleam took him deeper, his slow rocking of hips already giving her the indication of what he wished, she complying. The moans that escaped were felt as a soft vibration of lips...

As she took his cock in a bit deeper within her mouth, her mind went to his words. Hers. Wasn't that backwards? She wore his collar. She carried his brand burned into her thigh. She belonged to him. She was his possession. Yet, was he telling her that he... belonged to her too????

As the thoughts mulled around in her head, her low moaning around his cock intensified...

She could not take him all the way into her mouth. This was not something she was used to, when he got too deep, her swallowing muscles protested, and she had to pull back with a low gasp as she caught her breath. Instead, she concentrated on licking, kissing, and she had started caressing with her hand. The wetness only slicking up the palm of her hand to make the motion even more seductive..and easier...
 
"No no....," his voice was just a whisper, "its too soon for you to learn that Gleam.....just....relax.....enjoy yourself."

He had shuddered softly at the feeling of her throat, his tigress attempting for a second to take him even deeper and nearly gagging on his length. This had been a surprise.....one he certainly hadn't been prepared for when he had told her to go after what was hers.

Her tongue was soft, oh so pink, and even a little rough at spots. He could feel i especially as she ran along the underside of the swollen head. The soft gasp she had gotten when she had first made contact with him....was nothing compared to the all out groan of purest pleasure she had received for doing that deep within her own mouth.

He did not fear her fangs, though they could easily rend him apart for all he had done to her lately. Instead, Lucian watched in awe as she submitted to him completely....almost felt bad as she worked on him, and secretly wondered....having no clue.....where she had even learned to do such a thing! Was this a byproduct of his basement torment? When he had gone down on her until she had cried out for him? Begged and pleaded to be taken? And yet he had continued until she practically had a soul shattering orgasm....

It had been one of the most amazing things he had ever seen.

Now it was his turn to feel torment as everything she did stimulated him more and more.....

"Gleam....touch yourself....run a hand between your sexy thighs.....to all the places you can imagine me licking you.....let me feel you moan around my cock......"

The gentlest of orders, one that he all but told her would bring him pleasure as well as he suspected.....her. He had felt her moan around him once already, even purr.....and the soft vibrations were slowly driving him crazy until he gently rocked his hips back and forth against her....desperately seeking more friction, though still determined to be gentle. This was her first time as far as he knew.....the last thing Lucian wanted was to startle her.....

Not that it wasn't going to happen. Not only did he wonder how she learned something like this, but he had to wonder if she knew how it had to end. There was something about giving Gleam a good, full taste of him that set his swollen balls to boiling as yet another groan escaped him.....

She was too good.....and he could feel his knees weakening beneath her assault until it became a struggle for him to even remain standing upright.

"Gleam....good kitten....."

The suction, the vibrations.....they all added up. He wanted nothing more right now than to grasp her behind the ears and push her down onto him....to slide past the tight ring of her throat.....and yet the hunter held back. He would not control this....and she wasn't ready.....not for that, not yet.

If she could feel him swelling beneath her tongue, Gleam gave no sign.....just continued to service him almost expertly as he stiffened and shook beneath her silken, almost playful touch.

"I'm going to cum, kitten....."

He wouldn't not give her warning at least.....he could do that much for her, and by now, she had to know exactly what that meant.

"Take your master's milk!"

The words could barely be uttered from between his clenched teeth as his whole body seemed to lock up, every nerve ending radiating directly to his cock as he hissed suddenly in the agony that only comes before euphoric relief......his virile cream suddenly exploding outward......as he offered everything he was to her.......
 
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