Furry-Within

It was raining, The heavy downpour drenching everything in the camp. Turning dirt into mud, Warm fires into smoking heaps. Yet the cold wind did nothing to help, Sending soldiers inside their little tents. It made everyone who had to be out in a sour mood.
  At the very center of the camp sat a hundred or so people. Bound in chain's huddled together for warmth. The only sound was the slight wrinkle of chains, the occasional crying of children as they sat in the mud. 
He looked at them, eye's looking into nothing as they all accepted their fate. He knew each and every Man, Women, child. A trophy from various villages. The panther was like them, a trophy to be sold for a few coppers and gold.
  No, that was not the fate the panther chose for himself. Huddled and shivering there in the rain and cold. he was merely a boy who thought himself a man. Those blue eyes of his cold and spiteful. Anger and hatred raged in his heart.
Despite his torn clothes, his muddy fur and short black hair. he watched as the guards stood under what little cover they could find. Anything to get away from this cursed rain.
   The panther boy wrapped his arms just a little tighter around his legs, trying to keep himself warm. Masking his movements as he worked on the locks on his ankles.  His eyes scanning the  hundred or so slaves. Searching for something. A look in their eyes. For any sign that spoke of resistance, any signs of a fighting spirit...

The rain, always the rain, he hated rain. It was raining the night he was born, raining the night his mother died, and it was raining the night he was captured too, now it was raining as they were lined up to be examined. He could see it now, they were setting the "trophies" into makeshift groups. Some would be sold for golds and coppers depending on their age and build. Some would be put to work as slave labor, and the ones that weren't worth either. Would be executed, he'd even heard rumors that the ones that were executed would be chopped up and fed to the laborers to keep them from trying to escape. Nothing kills the spirit like knowing you're eating someone that tried to do the same thing.

He looked over the crowd, his own spirit not dying, it was dead, long dead, he'd ceased caring, yes he was cold, he was freezing, but it didn't help to bother shaking or huddling close, he simply leaned forward, letting the rain slip off his muzzle and drip loudly into a puddle between his legs, the guards wouldn't pay too much attention, but, if anyone was looking carefully, they could see his claws rubbing against the chains, trying to scratch just enough to reach in with fingers and snap them, the chains weren't very high quality, but there were a lot of new trophies and well made chain was expensive.

He could see a panther that seemed to still have fight in him, he couldn't tell if the boy was using a twig, a sharp from some smith's forge nearby, or his own claws but he was working the lock on his chains, he blinked at the boy, a single movement, nothing obvious, but only one eye, if the boy saw it it would clearly be a message, begging his attention, showing they were after the same thing.

No one escaped alone, in all the admittedly few years he'd been trapped and laboring for them, he'd never seen anyone succeed alone, but the boy still looked tough, maybe freshly captured, and together . . . the might just make it out alive, or he might just make it far enough to only need to outrun the boy. Either way, it was a chance.

Fresh meat from a bunny tribe dragged into the camp and over to the others that were already there. Blood ran down from above my eye having reached up to wipe it away with the rain falling down into my face. My wrists were bond in front of me including my ankles. No  shoes upon my feet and clothed in torn clothing. My nose flared with anger not having the fight beaten out of me.  My parents had been the leader of our tribe now dead when they had refused to submit to the invaders, only a few of us where left from my people.

Looking around seeing everyone else that were huddled together for warmth and in chains. Having heard about this in stories never knowing it could really happen to us. Tripping and falling into the mud landing upon my side as i get covered in the mud, a guard grabbing me and picking me back up onto my feet only to shove me deeper into the group.
Passing by Arashi catching the anger with in his eyes as i passed by.  My own deep golden eyes reflected the same anger. 

Getting shoved back down upon the ground as my eyes coming up to the guard. My nose flaring in anger, as he walked away.  I remain still looking around also having seen these tribes either in passing or trading with them at one point to another.  My eyes coming across Mik as he was hunched into himself.  My ears lift up onto my head, seeing Mik try and make eye contact with Arashi.  Looking around seeing the guards not paying attention,  moving to bring my legs up as i cross them infront of me.  Making a big hole between my knees so i could get to the mud that i was sitting on.  I move to pick up some of it with my hands as i start to lather my wrists in the mud to make them slick, having been cursed with nimble fingers and slender wrists.  I start to try and slip from the cuffs.  Bitting my lip as i duck my head a bit to hide my eyes and my mouth,  struggling just a bit as I get one of my wrists free of the cuff. Flexing my hand having had hurt my hand to do it, my lip bleed from when i bit into it to muffle the pain. My heart starting to race in my chest as i start to work on my other wrist to try and get it free.

 He had caught the wolf's eyes as he gave just a little nod of his head.  Staying still as new arrivals came into the cold wet group. Only a few of the new ones caught his eyes.
  he scanned the groups, Making eye contact with the wolf again. he looked towards the Rabbit among the group. One in particular. The one that had made eye contact with him.
Slowly ever so slowly he made his way to her. His muddy fur touching her own. His voice was low.
"Calm yourself.." He said to the rabbit "You'll draw their attention if you move to much".
  A plan dawning in his head, He knew that to big of a group would draw to much attention. But bunny and the wolf would make a good ally.... Or distraction.
  A soft "click" was all he needed to hear. His ears perked as a flood of adrenaline hit his system. he waited until It calmed down. his ears folding flat against his skull.
The three of them might be able to do it.  he looked at the wolf waiting until he got closer, laying out his plan in a slow whisper. he tucked the small finger bone into his fist. hiding it.
   "That group over there.. " He gave a little nod towards the north group of slaves. Huddled together. " They plan to jump the feeding guards when they come. They want the key and then they are going to try and escape. The guards will be busy for a bit.  Our safest route is into the main body or the army.. or at least to where all there tents are. "
   he waited silently Falling over into the mud he curled himself into a little ball around the bunnies feet. pulling up mud and the likes around her feet. Quietly he began to work on her locks*
  "With so many trying to escape they might not notice us.... We have a better chance slipping away.."

Mikkaddo continued to work on the chain, he broke through the link in one side on his ankle, then then worked on the other. The Panther had some kind of plan, knowing the slaves it was most likely to rape the new rabbit that had just come in. It wouldn't surprise him though, this was no life for love or romance. Then he noticed how the panther was moving around her legs.

He was getting her out of her chains! no, it was too soon! He had to move, so he waited until a guard was patrolling, and walked in time with him, staying in the guard's shadow, staying in time, and then silently sat down with the pair. "Don't do that now, it's too early . . . if the patrols even look down, and see the chains gone you'll die. Do like this" and he points down to his ankles, both edges had a broken link but if you didn't pay careful attention they looked normal. "It's more important to have your legs than your arms when we escape . . . and don't run the same direction as the rest, I'm going west while the rest go south, follow me . . . we might just make it out alive."

He looked at the Panther, then the Rabbit again. "At least two of us might . . . if you can't keep up, don't bother, you don't want to know what they do to escapees that don't get away little bunny. Trust me." He fell silent as another patrol came by and pulled the Panther back like they were fighting over the rabbit. "Oi! stop that, you slugs don't get fresh meat, that's OUR preroggative!" the Guard smacked both of them on the back of their heads with a club and then went on with his patrol.

Jumping hearing the Panther whisper in my ear while i remain still upon the mud.  Taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Keeping my hands in my lap to hide that i had gotten one wrist free.  Looking over to the group of slave's he was refering too.  Looking down to the panther as he wrapped around my feet.  I kept huddled into myself as i watch the guard move passed slowly.  Keeping my ears back and down, watching Mik come over to us.  Whispering softly to the both of them- I can keep up, don't worry about me.   With the rain and the mud we will be slick enough that they can't grab us.  -Jumping when the guard grabbed the panther and dragged him back up.  My eyes going wide with fear as i huddle down more.  Having seen the link broken upon the ankle cuffs.  I held still, not wanting to know what they were going to do with me.  I move to get my other hand free of the cuff leaving both of them in my lap.  Moving to take some of the mud and run them up my arms slowly to cover them.

I move to Dig in the mud, having found a rock i could use.  I move to use it on the link near my cuff. Using it to slowly woke on the cuff keeping still and keeping quiet.  Taking in a slow deep breath and letting it go, opening my eyes as i keep my head tucked.  Whispering softly while i remain still- " The forest line would be better for us to escape.  We can find places to hide and run under the cover of the trees. They are to big and bulky to follow. If i know the area correctly its the route we want to take.   We run when they make the move upon the chow line. "

Finishing one of the links as i move to the other side to break the chain off  the cuff.  Keeping my voice quiet as i watch the guards slowly "you might want to work on the chain between your wrists. the weight will slow you down."  Keeping still as i bring my legs up to my chest bringing my arms up so my wrists where hidden between my chest and my legs.  Keeping my ears lowered back to keep the water out of them. I move to slip the cuffs back upon my wrists, having gotten passed the pain i was able to get them on and off.  

He listened carefully to them both. Taking careful note on both his new... allies.
  When he was grabbed her let out a little snarl. "She's mi-"
  He never got the chance to finish. A blurr of white and him hitting the mud. Fuck! those things hurt. He laid there a long moment getting his barring's. Curling himself up in the mud.
  His body shivered from the cold, yet his hands still worked on his ankles. This time He opened his cuffs. Using the metal edge to twist and pry at the chain. Surprised by how easy it was to snap.
Slowly his eyes opened, Sitting up. he stuck the little bit of claw into the opening of his cuffs,  wrapping his wrist. It looked locked at least.
  He could feel hot sticky blood starting to ooze from his scalp. yet he said nothing as he simply waited.  It wasn't long until food arrived.
  The panther moved a little picking up a small bundle. Holding it close to his body, the only indication of a person was a black tail and black foot paws. It was almost time...
"Oiee! you lot. It's feeding time. "
Without another Word he began to toss out hot steaming meat. Sometimes aiming for people other times the mud. "I hope your Ungry, you lot ain't Gonna eat for a whiles I say."
It happened so fast, those that were free moved together in a great hoot and holler over powering the Guard. One was easy.. But the panther knew more would come.
He looked to the wolf and the rabbit. holding the tiny bundle close. He gave a little nod as if letting the others know, he was ready when they were.

Mikkaddo was ready as soon as the guard was screaming about the meat. It was time, he'd been waiting, training for this for nearly a full year, testing the strength of chain, making his claws stronger and making the small metal caps to grind down the chain with, and teaching himself to walk with broken chains that won't appear broken, he'd had at lest 3 broken ribs testing that part. But now he was ready. His arms he would work on once they got out.

He quickly stood and ripped his legs in a single strong motion to either side. The chain ripped and broke, and he grabbed the length as it flew up, and darted off silently to the south, if they were smart they would follow him, he'd worked every station in this camp that laborers were allowed in, he might be young but he was quiet, so he heard everything. He knew what they did, where the guards were thinnest, where everything was, even most of the traps. The south had the least traps because of the . . . local wildlife. They called them "Icewraiths" but he heard one of the older leaders refer to them as Winterwolves, an ancient pre-evolved lupine something like 12 feet tall with white fur and ice on the edges, frozen blue eyes and according to legend, magic powers.

Mikkaddo doubted that part, he never saw magic, but saw plenty of fools professing it and using simple tricks to steal from other fools, or burning effigies in the name of "gods" that didn't bother to help. How can they exist if they wont' help? hell, how can they exist if a place like this did. 

No, now wasn't the time for that. He made his way through the muddy place, rain slicking his tracks, making grip difficult, but he'd been training for it, buildling his muscle and sneaking food when he could so that he could build muscle, carrying extra weight when he pulled carts to do the same, now he was running for everything. The guards were rushing past him and along the walls of the slave area, the bigger issue was the growing rebellion apparently, not 3 kids running in a different direction likely out of fear of the beating they would surely receive.

Then, he got to it, the place he'd made, a spot in the fence that was weak and needed mending, they'd asssigned him once to mend the fence along the south wall, all but one space he did exactly that, he left a single moldy and ancient plank in place, just enough to squeeze through. He leapt at the board and smashed it with his legs, then quickly squeezed his way through, looking back and whistling at the others, they needed to keep up, if he got too far ahead he'd run the risk of getting caught himself, and if he had to keep looking for them he was even more likely to be caught or hit a trap he'd memorized. But, after the fence they'd be in an open field for about a few hundred meters then the forest wall would hit and they'd be all but in the clear. Assuming the Winterwolves weren't real, which, again, likely, they weren't.

Watching the meat sore over head as someone went down infront of me.  Jumping up with ease as my body moved like liquid grace.  The chain upon my ankles was already broken.  I move to take off running after Mik my toes spread out allowing me to move easier over the mud like it was nothing.  Moving to take the restraints off my wrists as i throw them over my shoulder.  Not sure why but who knew we might need them, dodging bodies as i move after Mik.  Feeling a hand try to grab onto me only to slip out of it's grasp.   My foot slipping on some mud as i drop to my ass and slide into the fence with it stopping my momentum.  I move to get up my fur slicked down by the mud. 

With the rain coming down as i move to wipe my hair from my face keeping my ears back.  My eyes start to glow as my vision sharpens allowing me to see better at night.  Getting to the hole in the fence as i move through it after Mik standing on the other side of the fence looking around keeping look out.  Waiting for the panther to follow behind us, having not looked back to see if he followed.  Trembling in the cold i move to wipe the blood from my eye.  I move to rip the sleeve off my shirt as i move to wrap it around my head to try and stop the bleeding until i could properly mend it.  The mud would be useless until it stopped raining.  Not going to be scared going to turn it into energy so i could run and keep up with the other two.  Having a Willowy frame would allow me to be light upon my feet and to keep up with the both of them.  My ears perk up on top of my head as my ears move around picking up sounds.   Keeping quiet having a few questions to ask but wanting to be far from here. 

The panther was not far from behind them. Running as fast as his feet could take him. he clung to the ball of Rags and the fur underneath it.
He ran for his life fallowing them as close as he could. But his burden was heavy, The panther refused to toss it aside.
  A hand grabbed his shoulder yanking him off his feet and onto his back.
  Oee! where are you going boy"?
  Panic grasped him a moment. The guard that spoke to him had a hand on the bundle that held the little fur. he reacted, Shoving the bone into the guards eye.
Wha- AH-
  His scream was cut off quickly as the panther took the guards knife. stabbing him in the neck, He didn't look back, so close to the fence. He shoved the bundle through first.  he tossed the dagger through  before he started to squirm through.
  When he heard it. A horn.. long and loud. It made him look back. Already the guards on their tail.
Noo!.. it was to early.. they'd catch them for sure.
  The panther grabbed Mikks fur pushing the little bundle in his hands along with the dagger. A hard look in his eyes.
"Get her to safety..."
    With that he turned and went back through the hole. His hand drew the dying guards sword. The panther didn't look back, instead he braced himself. Fighting the fear that threatened to consume him And rushed the guards...

He took the bundle and knife, holding both close, rushed past the rabbit toward the forest wall. "GO! we don't have time to wait for him! he's either dead or following, so just run!" he didn't know why the panther took a child with them, it was a massive risk and an even bigger threat to survival after, a third or even fourth mouth to feed, and if was young enough to need milk . . . they were screwed, he doubted the rabbit was old enough for that yet, and even if she was old enough, he doubted she could just . . . make herself do that. Whatever, now wasn't the time, maybe it was his sibling. He just ran, hard and fast, rain stinging his eyes and the sound of the horn ringing still in his ear. They had no fucking time. They had to get away.

He heard screams and cries from behind them, the Panther might be dead or dying, but he was goign to take at least a few of them with him. Mikkaddo had to admit, he admired that, he even felt a little pang of regret for leaving him instead of turning and fighting, getting his own taste of revenge. But now was not the time.

He reached the forest wall, passed it and went into the udnerbrush, finally he could run properly, leaping over bristles and brambles and leaping off the side of trees to gain speed. They might make it if the rabbit could keep up. Then he felt it, sudden, terrifying, instant. A chill hit the air around them, but it was summer! that's not possible. Then it seemed to fall dark, and he saw something flash to the side of him, ice blue, this was bad. Very bad. The stories were true and they would die. He could feel them bearing down on them, all around like they were circled.

Finally he just stopped, dead silent, all the fur on his body standing on end, his blood red eyes burning and wide, a harsh growl building in his throat. His tail was a massive cloud of fuzz behind him, a sign the Rabbit would find impossible to not notice, even if she didn't notice the edge of their presence like he had, she'd notice his fur and the fact that he stopped.

Seeing the bundle shoved through the hole as the panther stayed behind to cover our exit.  Not going to question it as i take off running after Mik.  Keeping pace with him  having nothing to slow me down, my eyes still glowed golden in color.  While we ran i made a suttle shift with the wind behind us to scatter our scent to cover the tracks more.   My ear racing in my chest as i followed Mik through the bushes.  Getting clear in the forest i was able to jump over bushes and bambles.   My mother having always told me i had a way to manipulate the air in what i needed it to do. 

Having ran passed Mik when he stopped in place, i skidd on the mud coming to a stop.  My ears perked up as the twitch around on top of my head.  LIstening then hearing the ice wolves feeling the chill in the air, i come walking slowly back to him.  My eyes still glowing becoming sharper so i could see in the night.  Whispering soflty -Is that what i think it is? -Looking around some more my tail flicking behind me as i stood there. Keeping my voice quiet.- We need to keep going.  Either the guards will catch us.  Or the wolves would eat us.  Unless...-moving to as take the strip of clothing off my head since it had my scent upon it.  I move to lift it up, asking the wind to take it.  The cloth flies up into a whirlwind taking to the sky as it goes into the opposite direction of us.  Hoping to use that as a decoy to gives us time to find shelter.  - There that should gives us some space to let the wolves hunt my scent.  But it's a small window for us to run and hide. -  I move to start move again in the direction we were heading.  I turn to look over my shoulder to see if Mik was following me or if he was still scared shitless.  There was other things i was scared of and the wolves were not it tonight.

That bit of cloth fallowed the wind. Shifting slightly it was carried away. That tiny scrap of cloth heaving through the tree's. A moment passed. A rustle in the woods, the howling growing slightly fainter as the wolves fallowed the scent. It Fooled the wolves, If only for the moment.

Behind A long ways off was a tell tale sign of someone looking. A single torch, Just far enough in the distance a tiny thing. It wouldn't be long before it was joined by others. One torch turned into two, two into four as more torches joined .Another, blast of the horn in the distance, one short three long blast echoed into the stormy night. nearly drowned out as the first flashes of lightning lit the night sky...

The torch was the thing that took the rest of the Winterwolves, a bigger score, more prey than the small pair would be, more prey means more food. Mikkaddo suddenly darted off in the southern direction again, passing the rabbit and still silent. He bounded over brambles, bounded off of trees and then disappeared as he ducked into a hollowed out tree next to a massive rose bush, it wasn't a perfect spot to hide to let things die down behind them, or let her bloody cloth guide them away.

Once the wind had the ribbon, my eyes stopped glowing and the wind around use died to nothing.  Blinking and feeling tired standing there and  breathing heavily as if i ran for days.  Feeling my head throb in pain, unable to ignore it.  Looking up and towards the direction we had come from with the lights and the horns bellowing.  My eyes go wide getting scared as i turn to see MIk take off running again with out me.   Brushing my hair out of my face, as i move to start following Mik again through the bushes and brambles.  Getting into the area that Mik was at not seeing him duck into a hallow tree.  Looking around for him slowly as i turn in a circle.   My tail flicking behind me as  my ears perked up listening trying to find him. Wondering if i had gotten to far behind him that i lost him.  He had already stated that he wouldn't stop for me.  The mud and the rain messed up scents of the forest.   Trembling in the cold as i stood there, wanting to cry as i pull back the tears knowing this wasn't the time to cry.  I look down to the mud to see where the tracks left off to.  But the water had washed them away.   Whispering softly.- Hello? -keeping my voice quiet not wanting to draw attention.  The cold seeping into my skin and bones needing to get warm.  Heading over to the rose bush that was the tree he was hidden in.  I move to get down upon my stomach to crawl under the bush going to use it as shelter, curling up the best I could.  To try and get warm.