[Flashback] Dream A Little Dream [Ursus]

[Arabella Sintos]

Winter, 505 AV

Her heart was racing as she ran, massive paws beating against the cold snow that lay on the ground in the deep chill of winter. Her breath was seen on the wind as the white tiger moved through the dark forest. Arabella had attempted something that she hadn't in a long time, she was trying to escape slavery, she had been dreaming of the night when she would run and she had chosen that night to do it. There had been events that had led up to the fateful night, a severe beating that had left her to within an inch of her life, an advance from her master that she hadn't been able to fight off, and just so much, she was tired of it, she couldn't do it anymore. Arabella wasn't the sort of slave that believed for even a moment that she deserved to be enslaved, she had been raised in slavery and never did she think that she deserved it. She was better then slavery, she was made for more then this.

So she ran...

Ara's large form jumped over a fallen snow covered log, her tail helped her to steer as she ran, snow being thrown upwards as she ran. She wouldn't be able to run for long, she would have to stop and rest for a while and yet she could hear her pursuers in the distance, she could feel them as though they were breathing down her furry back. She couldn't stop, had to keep going. Her heart beat so fast, so hard, that she was certain it would lead them to her and yet aside from dying, she could do nothing about it.

Around her neck hung a thick metal collar, a broken chain dragging along the snowy ground. She had been chained and yet she had found some way to break the chain, some burst of strength that she hadn't even known she had. The chain would stop her every so often, being caught on something that lay on the ground. Don't stop, keep going. She told herself, trying to stay strong because if she could keep running, maybe she could finally escape, maybe she could finally find the freedom she had been dreaming of for so long. Her heightened senses and her keen eyesight helped keep her from running into anything and while her feral nature kept tugging in terms of hunting and stalking prey, she had to ignore it, had to escape.

She could hear them still, they knew Arabella so well. Perhaps they had known she would try to escape, maybe they had allowed her to somehow slip past her master. A game to them maybe? They were the sort that would enjoy a hunt and should she be caught....She didn't even want to think about it really.

[Ursus Umosa]

In pursuit was a group of a half dozen horsemen and one deformed hunchback. Their pace was relaxed and recreational which was quite a contrast to the escaped slaves' frantic fleeing.

"Halt!" The leader of the group called. The hunchback, who had to make do running alongside the horses knelt in the snow and sniffed a set of large cat footprints.

"It'sss her mathter..." He lisped and looked hungrily in the direction that the slave fled. "I would recognithe her smell anywhere...anywhere."

Arabella would find her first moment of truth before long. Before her lay a wide frozen river, the ice covered by a blanket of compact snow. North a few hundred yards was a bridge that would allow her to make a safe crossing but would take a considerable amount of time to reach. Attempting to cross the river would be safer but full of danger. South would take her along the riverbank but it would be miles for a safe crossing.

On the opposite side of the river was a forest. She could see a traces of a logging trail and could smell the faint scent of man.

[Arabella Sintos]

Arabella could hear the sound of the horseman not too far behind her, she had slowed her stride because for a moment she thought her lungs would collapse, but the sound of hooves beating hard against the ground spurred her on once again. Never would she have tried such an escape in her human form, she would have fallen much too quickly, but here, in this form, she had a chance. She could almost smell the arrogance in the air, the bastards that would catch her and take her back. They hunted her much like one who hunt deer or fowl, she was game to them, nothing more. She tried to ignore the scent of those that pursued her, tried to think only of her escape, of her dream of freedom. She growled deep in her throat in frustration as she jumped over another fallen log, her tail whipping to and fro.

Had she been in her human form, she might have shed tears from her amber eyes, but in this form no tears fell, no cry of fear or pain fell past her lips. She thought back to the dreams she had of this night, she had planned it in her mind before she had ever gotten the courage up to do it. She had imagined herself running, feeling the cool air on her fur, the snow between the pad of her paws as she maneuvered herself through the forest. She had dreamed of the beautiful feeling of freedom that would come as she broke through the snow covered forest into a new life that somehow waited for her. Being chased by men on horseback for sport was definitely not apart of that dream, perhaps her foolish naivety was showing.

It wasn't too long before Ara came to her first obstacle or perhaps it was a godsend. She skidded to a halt, snuffing at the snow that went up her nose. What lay before her was a large frozen river, the ice covered water was her chance at escape. Or was it? She had no way of knowing how thick the ice was on the top and of course since it was a river, it couldn't be completely frozen. She looked behind her quickly, breathing heavily as she tried to come to a decision. Another glance brought her amber gaze towards the bridge. It was a sure thing, not like the ice, but the distance...it might guarantee that the horseman would catch her before she made it over the icy lake. She could cross the icy river, but she would take the chance of drowning should the ice break. She didn't want to die...but wasn't death surely a better option then slavery?

The faint smell of men touched her senses and it wasn't from behind but rather in front of her, on the other side of the river. Would that someone, whoever it might have been, help an escaping Kelvic slave? Of course she wouldn't know until she tried after all. Her heart clenched as she looked back once again, eyes wide as she realized her time for rest was coming to an end. A deep chill went down her spine as she made a split decision, choosing to be on the safe side and race towards the bridge as fast as she possibly could, hoping that she didn't make the wrong choice. She wasn't going back, she refused to be taken back to slavery, she'd rather die then be taken back into chains.

[Ursus Umosa]

The white tiger redoubled her efforts and headed towards the bridge...

She found the bridge unspectacular and sturdy. It was a simple wooden contraption wide enough for a carriage and strong enough to support a lot of weight. The bridge was unoccupied and while she could smell and hear her pursuers, they were still out of eyesight.

The tiger crossed.

The hunchback knelt by the bank of a river and sniffed the air. Once again he read the signs and pointed towards the bridge.

"That way!" He hissed and the slave catchers turned north.

While the bridge was the safest course for her to take it had allowed her pursuers to make up ground. Halfway across the bridge the tiger would catch a glimpse of the slave catchers heading towards the bridge. 6 humans on horses, armed and vicious looking. One crippled hunchback who moved very quickly, quick enough to keep pace with the trotting horses.

The other bank of the river was forested. Ara would find a large forest path begin at the end of the bridge. A hundred yards down the path forked and gave her a few options. To the south a small logging path led to the scent of man and a campfire. To the west the tiger could see many tracks, the road was well used. Or she could take her chances and try her luck within the woods.

[Arabella Sintos]

Arabella's tail flicked irritantly before she began racing towards the bridge, snow flying behind her as she dug her paws deep into the snow, the sound and scent of her slavers was there, spurring her harder on. She knew the scent of one and it struck deep fear into her heart because she knew him well, the hunchback would be able to smell her, be able to track her down until she dropped. No! She wouldn't give up and let herself be caught, she couldn't give up!

There was a fear that she wouldn't reach the bridge before her pursuers overtook her, but thankfully they remained out of her sight as she moved towards the bridge. It was as though they sought to tease her, she knew they were there, they knew she knew, but she didn't know how close, how many... Her large paws thudded against the sturdy wooden planks, she slowed slightly in case the bridge was unstable, but thankfully her large form was held up and no danger was presented. Once she realized this, she picked up speed again, over the bridge and over the frozen river as well. Ara was glad now that she had chosen the safe route, though it was possible that she had made a mistake since taking the time to reach the bridge meant less time before the slavers appeared on horseback.

She could have turned and looked back, but had she done it she would have felt fear clasp her heart and she would slow, she couldn't afford it. Her ear flicked as it picked up on the sound of voices, the hunchback's voice for certain and a shiver ran down her spine once again. She couldn't let him catch her, she couldn't suffer at his hands. Despite the fear of looking back, she couldn't help but do it, her heart gripped with an icy fear as she caught the glimpse of all who had been sent after her. Six horseman had been deployed, vicious brutes that would take no mercy on her when she was finally taken. They were relaxed, there was no panic as though they feared losing their prey, they were trained and they knew what they were doing and of course....they had the hunchback to guide them.

Ara had reached the other end of the bank and had two choices and very little time to make those choices. She growled deep in her throat, breath coming out quickly as she made a split second decision and turned at the last second to move through the forest, it was her best bet as far as she was concerned. Snow flew up around her as she dodged trees and jumped over logs as she moved through the forest, sniffing out the human as she moved on the path. She was taking a chance of course, but such was life and she had to take a risk. She could catch the scent of the human and it seemed stationary, the smell of smoke causing her to believe there to be a campsite.

At this point she concentrated hard, feeling her large feline body shift as she slowed to a halt, stopping behind a tree as she shifted to her human form. She doubted a human would be interested in helping a large beast, if anything, she'd be in more danger with the human. She took a breath and then began running again, her body sparsely clothed and bruised. She would continue running until she found the human and his campsite, if she didn't get caught first.

[Ursus Umosa]

Sharp evergreen branches and low lying bushes scratched her body and added to her battered image. However it did not take long to find what she was looking for.

The forest thinned a little and opened up into a small clearing. In the middle stood a tent, a cozy campfire, and a young lumberjack. A mule, chomping lazily on some hay, was tied to a stake nearby the tent. Cords of wood were stacked neatly on either side of the tent and a couple axes were propped up against the firewood.

The young man looked in his twenties and was intent on putting a piece of meat on a spit and roasting it. He was tall and handsome with a bushy blond beard that nearly every good woodsman wore. His piercing blue eyes saw Arabella approach. The man was so surprised at the sight of her battered frame he nearly dropped his meat into the fire. Although appearances were always deceiving he had a kind aura to him. Arabella would sense nothing amiss, however the smell of food would surely be overpowering.

"Oi!" He called and waved. "Who are you?"

The hunchback had a strange gait. His body gyrated and half limped, it seemed like he had to pull his body along. But along he did and surprisingly fast.

They had reached the bridge and the hunchback, whom Arabella knew as Eck, grinned and led the party across.

The man was approaching Arabella, concern written across his face.

"Are you ok? Gods what has happened to you?" He stopped suddenly, he saw the chains and collar. He breathed in sharply and his eyes widened. A long second passed. He reached up and pulled down his coat to reveal his neck. A thick red scar circled his throat, it's pattern resembling a metal collar.

[Arabella Sintos]

When Arabella had been in her tiger form, the stinging cold of winter didn't really effect or nor did the feeling of branches or twigs, she could run past them easily enough. But now that she had shifted into her human form, she began to shiver, her bare feet deep into the cold frigid snow. The sparse clothing she wore barely covered up much, just the essentials and even that wasn't too much, the collar hung around her neck still and the chain weighed heavily on her body as she moved. She gritted her teeth as she ignored the pain that came with the strike of sharp branches and the snapping twigs beneath her feet. She was hurting but pain was nothing compared to the possible taste of freedom. Her breath was seen against the air as she moved, still holding to the feline grace she held in her tiger form, moving around trees and such on the path.

The faint glow of a fire could be seen and hope rose further in Ara's heart as she pushed herself harder towards the clearing. The crackling snap of a fire greeted her near exhausted senses as she broke through, falling to the ground on the edge of the clearing, eating a good bit of snow mixed with dirt and grass. She near choked on it as she tried to take a breath, the freezing cold of the snow all around her. For a moment she wasn't sure she was going to be able to stand, the scratches from the branches now started to sting as she lay there, trying to regain some composure in the snow. Slowly she lifted her gaze upwards, the sound of an animal chomping could be heard, the strong scent of a mule reaching her senses, she didn't even need to see it to know it was there. What overwhelmed her senses was the smell of food cooking, food that could easily be in her stomach.

Arabella pulled herself to her feet, sure that the human hadn't seen her yet and she slowly approached, the snow covering her front as she approached, her eyes downwards, hiding her feral amber eyes as best she could, her white-blonde hair hanging down in front of her face. She was wary of course, but she just had a good feeling from the handsome young man, he had a friendly aura about him and while she didn't trust him, she had to hope he wouldn't turn her away. She flinched as he called out to her and halted, forgetting for a moment that she was being pursued by Eck and the other horseman, her mind focused on the handsome young man.

Ara hugged her arms around her body as she moved forward, the young man moving forward, concern written on his face and laced in his tone. He worried for her, he saw her state and he worried for her. Despite the concern, she couldn't raise her eyes to meet his piercing eyes until he breathed sharply. For a moment she thought he knew what she was and perhaps he had, he saw a slave before him, a runaway slave considering her collar and chains. Her amber eyes looked upwards slowly as he pulled down his coat, realization washing over her, he was a slave as well or perhaps a former slave. Despite her wariness towards the handsome stranger, her feline curiosity peeked and she stepped forward, brushing a hand against the scar should he allow her before she drew back quickly. "Please.." She said softly, looking back as she recalled what lay behind her. "I'm being pursued." As soon as the words fell from her lips, she regretted them, could she be placing this young man in danger?

"Can't run anymore..."

[Ursus Umosa]

"You know what they will do to you don't you?" The young man whispered as he fell to his knees before her. ...and to me if I help you? He thought but did not say. Their eyes locked as he touched his neck where her hand had been moments prior. A sorrowful, pained look washed across his face as he soaked in the situation. Finally his face turned resolute and he nodded his head.

"You're freezing, wear this..." He said as he pulled off his coat and wrapped Arabella in it. It was a heavy, fur-lined wool coat that seemed almost as big as she was. It cut down the cold and soothed her wounds a little. "The name is Erasmus. If there are slavers after you we need to get out of here fast." Without asking permission he gathered her in his arms and stood. He turned and rushed as fast as he could back to his camp. He laid her gently by the fire as he quickly gathered some belongings. Within reach was the barely cooked meat that Arabella lusted after.

She would barely have time to take a few bites before Erasmus approached carrying an ax, some dried meat, a canteen and riding gear. He threw a blanket and saddle on the mules back and put a harness on its head. Satisfied, he untied the mule, grabbed the reins and walked back towards Arabella.

"Come," He picked her up and put her on the mule's back. He mounted the beast as well and adjusted her so he could both hold her up and control the mule.

"Don't fear, Jordie is surefooted and knows these woods like the back of his hand." He told her before chuckling slightly. "Or should I say the back of his hoof? Yah!" He shouted and kicked the mule in the ribs.

The both of them almost fell off as Jordie catapulted himself forward as if shot from a bow. They headed south and wove through the trees and away from the camp. Erasmus was right, Jordie knew the way well and expertly threaded through the forest.

The slavers came across a logging camp. The fire was still burning brightly. The stopped at the edge of the clearing as Eck inspected the scene. He sniffed here and there, stopping for a long while at the place Arabella had fallen. His head tilted back and his non-lazy eyelid fluttered as he breathed deeply. The hunchback shuddered a second before being being shaken out of his very tender moment.

"And?" Came an impatient question from the leader of the group.

"She wasss here mathter...and she hath turned human. hee hee hee!" Eck giggled with delight.

The hunchback limped over to the campsite and continued the investigation.

"Anotther mutht have helped her. I see another pair of feet..." Eck stopped. "Ttthhhey have a mount."

"Well then, we'll just have to move faster, won't we Eck?"

[Arabella Sintos]

Tears stung her eyes as she brushed strands of stringy hair from her dirty face, she didn't want to involve him, didn't want to involve anyone, but she had no time to move on at this point. His words caused another shiver to run through her body, not from the cold but the fear that his words instilled. Of course she knew what they would do to her if and when they caught her and while his words remained unspoken on his own safety, such a thought did cross her mind and she worried for him. She should have shifted back into her tiger form, but now that she had crossed his path, he would be in danger because Eck would know he had met her and he enjoyed any reason to inflict pain on others. Damn creepy little hunchback! "I know...still have to run.." If she noticed the pained look in his eyes, she said nothing.

Her quivering body was swallowed by the large wool coat, her small petite form nearly falling over from the weight of it. Despite all that, she was a good deal warmer and her wounds that stung from the bitter cold were soothed beneath the wool coat. It was as though she was back in her tiger form though she had no sharp teeth and no claws either. Exhausted, Arabella was ready to pass-out at this point, barely hearing as Erasmus introduced himself. She squeaked as she was scooped up into his arms, her head lolling to the side against his chest, she huddled close, not wanting to be dropped. She knew the danger of the situation for the pair of them now and yet she couldn't bring herself to pull away from him and go her own way again, she wasn't strong enough. "Arabella." She offered softly, her eyes drifting to sleep and waking again. The scent of the cooked meat caused Ara's stomach to growl, she hadn't eaten that day before she had made her run. She was set down in the warm coat with the meat as Erasmus went about gathering things.

She took a few weak bites as she waited for Erasmus to return, flinching at the sight of the ax since she was still unsure about the young man. She held her arms out to Erasmus as he moved over to her, wanting to be safe and comfortable. She felt chills up her spine at the thought of the slavers catching up with them. "I'm sorry..." She whispered from her position on the mule. Her instinct was to be on the ground, she didn't like moving on something other then her feet, she got sick on wagons and such, but she was too tired to argue. She offered a weak smile up at Erasmus as he spoke, his chuckle music to her tired ears, it wasn't a wicked chuckle like she was used to but rather something filled with warmth. She curled up on the mule, getting comfortable as she could, however she yelped as she nearly fell off the damn mule. Who knew mules moved so fast.

Her chains rattled as they moved, her collar making it so hard to get truly comfortable on the mule. Though she was exhausted, she couldn't help but glance up at Erasmus. "You were a slave too?" Had he been released? Escaped? Was she going to get him caught again if he had escaped? So much danger. She traced a finger over the brand on her wrist as she lay there, the scent of Eck reaching her once again, the sound of his giggling causing her eyes to widen, a memory triggered.

Eck...

The creepy hunchback's eyes followed the young Kelvic as she went about her chores, never moving away from her form. He desired her, anyone with eyes could see this yet he kept his distance when her master was around. Eck would lick his lips anytime his little black beady eyes would meet with Ara's amber eyes, drool often on his chin. How his eyes promised so many dark things, what he would do to her when he was given the chance, the screams he would pull from her...

"Don't make me go back." She whimpered, clinging tightly to Erasmus at this point, clearly terrified of what she felt would be her inevitable fate. "Please."

[Ursus Umosa]

Erasmus held Arabella tightly to his chest as Jordie the mule spirited his way between a pair of trees and over a log. It was starting to snow. Fat, lazy flakes floated down all around them.

"I was, but I am not currently in bondage." Erasmus ducked a branch and looked down with a sly smile. "And truth be told I sure didn't purchase my freedom." He did not elaborate as his attention was torn away from his past.

She could hear it as well. The hoofs were getting closer. Close enough for the human ear to hear it. Erasmus' lips pursed and he kicked Jordie with urgency.

The six riders were arranged in a line and were in hot pursuit. They dodged trees and wove through the forest while still staying in formation. They were all swathed in black, armed with scimitars and had bows strapped to their saddles. The slaver's faces were obscured with scarves and their heads topped with black furred ushankas.

Eck the hunchback lumbered behind, panting in anticipation and effort. He crashed through the forest, breaking branches and busting through prickly bushes.

"Mathter! Remember she'th mine!" He huffed as he tripped over a log and fell on his face. His head rose as the slavers were racing out of sight. "Mathter!" He waved a feeble hand.

"Jordie you old bag of bones! Go! I'll make you into glue if you don't go faster!" Erasmus threatened his mule. Jordie strained and huffed, turned and pivoted, jumped and hustled. Each minute seemed an eternity as the forest blurred past them. Yet the hoofs kept getting louder.

A horrible realization came to Erasmus.

"We're going to be able to outrun them Arabella." He said worriedly as he glanced over his shoulder. "Jordie's not going to make it!" He felt near panic- what could he do? Where could they go?

"Hold on, I have an idea!" Erasmus cried. He had a favorite cave nearby, nestled in a nearby bluff that overlooked the river. It was actually a small cave system which he knew quite well from his own days of being on the run. He steered Jordie in that direction and hoped for the best.

They reached the mouth of the cave and Erasmus pulled Jordie to a stop. He jumped down first with his ax and then lifted Arabella down gently. With a sad look on his face he raised a large hand and smacked the mule on the ass.

"Travel safe my friend." He said. "Find your way home."

Startled, the mule took off running south along the bank of the river. Erasmus watched worriedly as his friend and mule dashed out of sight.

Each step Erasmus took into the cave was careful and when they reached the cave Erasmus pulled off his shirt and hastily brushed away their tracks. With any luck the slavers would miss them and keep pursuing Jordie the Mule. Erasmus carried Arabella into the cave and hopefully to safety. A hundred yards in he laughed once again.

"And to think a half hour ago my biggest worry was not to burn my steak!" He shook his head and looked at Arabella. "Though do not think I am sorry whatsoever."

"Mathter!" Eck yelled, horribly behind the horsemen and unsure where exactly they went. "Damn!" He cursed.

His nostrils flared and a gruesome smile spread across his face.