Snowbound (part 2)
by Tal Greywolf

---

Eleria awoke to a soft glow in the cave.  Standing in the center was Jadren, his
morning ritual of exercises already starting.  He was still in the morphic
snowcat shape, adding an extra exotic look to his movements.  He turned around,
claws out in a defensive position and ready to strike.  Then a soft chuckle came
from him, and he relaxed.

"Morning, dear.  You'll be happy to know the storm is starting to slacken
outside."

She stood up and walked over to him, planting a small kiss on his muzzle.
"Mmmm, that's good."  Taking another look around, she blinked in surprise at the
sight of their packs and belongings on one ledge. "How did... did you move our
stuff in here?"

"Earlier I did, yes.  Woke up about an hour before you did, decided to try and
get our belongings in here.  Discovered something else, too." Pointing towards
the entrance, Eleria saw that the original opening was now large enough for her
to almost step through.

"How did you manage that?"

He shrugged his shoulders.  "My magic working differently now.  That was a
simple spell to shape a stone into an image.  Instead, it carved the opening."
He pointed up at the light glowing on the ceiling.  "That shouldn't have worked
at all, but it did.  Most of my magic has changed while I'm in this form."

"Huh."  Eleria sat down, thinking over what Jad said.  "Maybe some of your magic
is attuned to your form now, since you're not fully human."

"You might be right.  But I've never heard of anyone trying to use magic while
this way."

"Neither have I."  Eleria sat quiet again, then looked up at Jad. "But maybe we
can make use of it.  We still have those raiders to locate."

Jadren nodded slowly.  "Mmmm, so you're thinking we stay this way for now?"

"Why not?  It's a comfortable form, we're able to use our swords and weapons if
we need to, and it's better designed for what's out there than just being
human."

He mulled it over.  "Ok, that makes sense."  He peered outside at the slowly
drifting snow and nodded.  "First let's get something to eat, then we'll go."

"Sounds fine to me."  Eleria went over to her pack, pulling out some trail
rations.  Quickly they finished off breakfast, then started adjusting their
outfits for wear in their current forms.

A soft breeze blew past them as they stood in the snow, male and female snowcats
in leathers.  Jadren looked at Eleria, then got a speculative glint in his eyes.
"Remember what we said about my magic?"

"Yes?"

"How about you trying your tracking ability?  Focus on Tarkis and see if you can
find him."

Eleria shook her head.  "My tracking doesn't work that way.  I always needed
something physical..."  Her voice trailed off, then she chuckled again.  "Oh.  I
forgot."

Jadren grinned.  "Well, if it changed my abilities, it might have done the same
to you."

Looking just a bit chagrined, Eleria nodded then closed her eyes. She slowly
turned around, then stopped.  "That way," she said softly. "Can't get much more
specific, but he's out there."

Jadren nodded and started walking through the snow, Eleria right behind as he
broke the trail.  They moved through the silent landscape, the softly falling
snow muffling sounds around them.  Even their own footsteps were soft, a far cry
from the sound of leather on snow from yesterday.

Both were alert, however.  Their senses were heightened from the altered shape,
human and cat senses blending together.  They carried on a gentle conversation,
comparing impressions and feelings about what they were now.

---

Hours later found them crouched low, peering through snow-covered bushes at a
small clearing.  There, a series of small encampments were visible, along with
several fires burning.  Two sentries patrolled through the forest, muttering
about the cold and snow.  They passed within touching distance of Eleria, but
with their natural camouflage they weren't even noticed.

Jadren let out his breath and looked over at Eleria.  "That was close."

Eleria nodded vigorously.  "Too close.  Any idea how many in camp?"

Jadren looked again.  "Looks like a dozen horses, so maybe 15 or so. Thinking
what I'm thinking here?"

"If we can get Tarkis, the rest will run or throw down weapons." Eleria looked
back at the camp.  "What we need is to create a large enough diversion."

"Leave that to me."  Jadren moved away, disappearing into the white forest.
Eleria slowly moved forward, already getting her sword and knife ready.

Inside the camp Tarkis opened the flap to his tent, spying one of his raiders.
"Fahrlin!"

A red-haired youth's head looked up.  "Yes, Captain!"  He walked over towards
Tarkis' tent, snapping a quick salute.

"I need you to ride.  Take this message to Lord Krevs asking for sanctuary for
myself and my men."  He handed the youth a parchment which quickly went into a
belt pouch.  "If the answer is no, go on to Vupna and wait for us there."

"Yes, Captain."  The young man quickly headed toward the tethered horses,
finding his and quickly heading off into the woods.  Tarkis nodded as he watched
him disappear, then went back into the tent.

A sudden swirling breeze shook the tent, then shouts came from outside.
Throwing open the flap, he looked out at the confusing sight.

Snow swirled around the camp wildly, the winds whipped into a frenzy.  Raiders
fought to stay standing upright, the horses rearing in panic.  There were shouts
and cries, then the sudden sound of metal hitting metal as someone screamed in
pain.

Through the snow Tarkis could see two figures in the camp, the glint of swords
in their hands.  Already some of his raiders were rushing to battle, swords
being unsheathed and the cries of battle.  Tarkis considered his options
rapidly, and vanished back into his tent.

---

Eleria grunted as a raider came at her, sword swinging high overhead.  She
twisted out of the path, her knife slashing out to connect with the raider's
side.  He let out a muffled cry and fell to the snow, then another rushed her.
Before he could strike at all a low growl came behind and the raider went down,
a throwing dagger in his throat.  Jadren stood there, tail lashing angrily
behind him.

"What's the count?"

Eleria blocked another sword, then knocked her attacker off balance. "Three
down, two ran off," she growled.  "And no sign of Tarkis."  She lashed out again
at her attacker, knocking him to the snow once again before forcing his sword
out of his grasp.  He looked at her with fear, then scrambled away.  "I want
Tarkis alive."

Jadren nodded, then a movement caught his eye.  Turning he could see someone
mounting up, someone very familiar to him.

"Eleria!  Tarkis is trying to escape!"

Tarkis spun his horse around, glaring at the two.  "I don't know who you are,
but you're going to pay for this."  Spurring his horse, he took off into the
forest and away from the battle.

Eleria spat, then found herself fighting off two more raiders. "Jad, get him!"

"On my way!"  Jadren started running after Tarkis, leaving Eleria to deal with
the remaining raiders.  He stretched out his arms as he ran, feathers rapidly
replacing the fur.  A loud screech came from him as he began to flap his wings,
the rest of his body quickly changing into a giant eagle as he flew into the
air.

Overhead he quickly spotted Tarkis riding hard through the snow.  He waited
until the right moment then let out a screech and dove down. Tarkis looked up in
surprise, then found himself being knocked to the ground by Jadren.

As Tarkis got to his feet, Jadren quickly shifted back into morphic snowcat
form, snarling at the raider.  Tarkis pulled out a knife, brandishing it at
Jadren.  "Damned Guild sh'kai."  Then as he looked at Jadren, a hint of
recognition came into his eyes.  "You!"

Jadren lashed out.  "Yes, me.  The brat you tried to steal away." Tarkis lunged
at Jadren, but struck only thin air as Jadren twisted around, knocking him to
the ground again.

"Damn you brat!  Do you know what you've done?"

Jadren grinned ferally.  "I have a very good idea."  Suddenly another growl came
from behind Tarkis, and he turned to face Eleria's blade at his throat.

"If you value what's left of your life, you'll give up.  Now."

Tarkis' eyes went white in shock and surprise, the blade suddenly dropping from
his grasp.  Jadren reached down and picked up the knife, then nudged him with
the point.  "Move."

---

The village constable nodded at Jadren and Eleria as they handed off their
prisoners.  "So these are the raiders that were attacking the territory?"

"The main group, yes.  You shouldn't have any problems dealing with the
remainders."  Eleria looked relieved, and Jadren echoed her feelings.

"Tarkis is the leader," Jadren commented to the constable.  "Guard him
carefully, as he's the one to be most concerned with."

"Don't worry about that."  The constable smiled a bit.  "Got a kingdom patrol
due in tomorrow, so they can take him off to prison quickly.  The rest we'll let
heal before sending them off."  Standing up he shook their hands.  "Good job,
I'll be letting your masters know in my letter."

Eleria smiled gently.  "If you ever need more help, you know where to call
again."

The constable nodded, then went back to his desk.  Eleria and Jadren headed
outside to where their own horses waited, already saddled and ready to ride.

"Not a bad mission," Eleria commented.

Jadren picked up the reins and nodded.  "No, not really.  Going to have some
long debriefs waiting for us at the Guildhall, though."

Eleria sighed softly.  "I know.  At least we'll get a week's rest while
explaining this one to Wyl."  She paused, looking at Jad.  "Are we going to tell
him?"

"If we don't tell him first thing, he'll say we're hiding it from him."  Jad
leaned over and gave Ele a light kiss.  "He might be old, but when it comes to
emotions he's sharp as a knife.  And then there's your parents to tell."  He
looked skywards, then sighed a bit.  "I'm not going to get any rest."

"You will when I'm through with you."  Eleria winked at Jad's reaction, then
nudged her mount into a slow trot.  Jad looked at her, then shook his head,
getting his horse to follow behind.

"You're asking for it, you know," he shouted at her.

She turned her head and grinned.  "I hope I get it, too!"

---
Snowbound
copyright 2015 by Tal Greywolf
All rights reserved