Amongst the Natives (for Monique_Minx)

[monique_minx]

Catanga struggled to keep her balance as the weight on the branch shifted, she hadn't had time to pull her blade, her hand merely resting on it as a dagger was placed against her throat and her hair pulled back.

“Yield?”

"Saita?!" Catanga gasped in recognition of her once best friend.

Catanga pulled her hand from her blade and placed them up in surrender before she slowly reached for her belt and unbuckled it. She pulled it from her waist slowly and held it up for Saita to see and then let it fall to the ground with a clink.

"Yield..." Catanga said softly.

Only Saita could sneak up on her and because Cat was impaired by alcohol; she had given Saita a distinct advantage.

"I'm no devil's whore Saita, a hug does not constitute a whore!" Catanga had so many retorts, she could've called her friend a million names but that wasn't the kind of person Cat was and she still felt a sense of loyalty to Saita.

"What do you think this is going to achieve Saita?" Catanga asked her once best friend, curious to see what she had planned.

Catanga rearranged her footing slightly and the dagger bit into her neck to draw the tiniest drop of blood, Cat felt it roll down her chest. The pain of the position caused her great discomfort but she ignored it, instead choosing to concentrate on breaking Saita and reminding her of what the pair of them had once been - something akin to sisters.

 

[FaeBites]

Saita laughed cruelly at Cat’s denial, watching the belt slither to the ground in approval. Her hand tightened in her hair at Cat’s question, and she shook her by it lightly, the soft scent of blood just exciting her further. “Achieve?” She laughed, a cold, dangerous sound. “Oh Cat,you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this. How would you like to watch the entire tribe wiped out? Do you want to hear the warriors scream as they die? And your father plead for his miserable life? I can grant you that slight favour, friend.” She made the word sound like an insult, her tongue trailing out to lick the droplet of blood from her flesh.

“I’ll even let you be there when I slit the throat of your pretty little western devil. Tell me do you care for him, Cat? Do you yearn for his arms? Perhaps he will beg for his life to, I’m sure he’ll beg for a lot of things once we’re done with him.”

She let out a piercing whistle, dropping three octaves in a pattern, and moments later heard the reply. As she waited for the men to find them, she breathed in deeply, her gaze looking over Cats shoulder and into the inky darkness beyond. “These lands are ours, Cat. But you and the tribe lost the right to them when you betrayed us all. We’re reclaiming them, even if it has to be through a bloodbath.”

 

[monique_minx]

Catanga shivered at the feel of Saita's tongue on her skin and heard the reply of her whistle, knowing that she would soon be surrounded by other bandits and taken to their encampment in short order.

"You don't know what it is to own these lands Saita, you and your friends lack any honour beyond that of thieves and liars!" Cat spat her words angrily.

"You don't think I know what you had to do to gain their trust? How you degraded yourself for them? I may have fallen Saita but I fell with grace and I can stand again...unlike you! What's it to you if I do care for the so called western devil?! We were friends you and I but now I don't have to tell you anything...enemy" Catanga spoke fiercely for someone in such a horrid predicament but she knew Saita would have killed her already if that was her plan.

"You would kill your own tribe? Wipe out your friends? Your family? Your home? How black your heart has become Saita!" Catanga spoke with conviction, "So what do you plan to do with me dear sister?!"

 

[FaeBites]

As Cat’s rant went on, Saita found her words beginning to stab under her skin like hot knife points. She snarled at the girl, her rage consuming her, spinning her old friend around so they came face to face, not seeming to care whether the other kept her balance. In fact, the solid strike of the back of her hand against the other woman’s face determined for her to lose it. Luckily they were fairly low to the ground, and her fall should have done little more then wind her. Saita pounced from the trees into a crouch over her, her hand wrapping around the others throat and squeezing her against the ground, cutting off her air supply.

“You have no idea what I have been through! I have no friends, no family, I was abandoned by them as surely as I was by you. Don’t you dare try to lecture me on honour, Catanga! Your family lies and deceives with the best of them!”

Footsteps near by announced the arrival of the others, they paused in the clearing, feeling the waves of her fury emanate off of Saita as though it was a living thing. The brothers had seen her like this before, and decided it was best to stay out of the line of fire. Saita shook her once, shoving her into the ground before allowing her room to breathe. She took in a few breaths herself, calming her desire to kill, and gestured at the others. She gave Catanga a look of pure disgust, spitting on her as she stood.

“Get her tied and wait for me at camp. If she causes any trouble- drug her.” She pulled her dagger, pulling on one of the golden ties that adorned Cat harshly until it fell away, she nicked Cat's skin with her blade without emotion and saturated the gold tie in her blood. She looked at the tie with a grim smile and waved it lightly in the air. “I have to go and pay tribute.” She left her friend to be bound by the men, bounding up into the trees and making her way back towards the village.

 

[monique_minx]

Catanga had the wind knocked out of her as she landed on her back with a thud. Saita gripped her throat quickly and she'd had no time to get her breath back so while Cat tried to remain calm, her eyes were streaming with the lack of oxygen and her face was stricken with terror.

When Saita finally let her go; Catanga rolled onto her side gasping for breath and felt Saita's saliva on her cheek, she wiped it away as Saita pulled a tie from her arm. This didn't bother her until she felt Saita's dagger cut into her skin, Catanga moved her head slightly to see her dip the tie in Cat's blood. She recoiled in disgust, the cut was nothing compared to the amount of scratches and thorns one could get stuck in their skin when bounding through trees.

"Enjoy it!" Catanga called to Saita as she leapt off through the trees, leaving Cat to the brutes.

Catanga pushed herself up off the ground as the men advanced on her, the cut bleeding down her arm in a stream but she ignored it. Cat glared at their leering faces and held her hands behind her back.

"Here, I'll even make it easy for you so your dear leader won't fret that I've escaped you. Don't worry, I intend to escape her first!" Catanga spat her words viciously, there was so much hatred and poison in them that if she had not been in such a vulnerable position; she would have been quite frightening.

 

[FaeBites]

The men advanced, though Natis flashed a leering smile at her bitter words. “Now, now, Princess, I’d have thought such attitude beneath royalty” he grinned, moving to grab her arm and turn her around. Mati made a low groan, crude yet effective as he looked her over, “Fuck attitude, I rather her beneath me.” His brother smirked, motioning to Ari who held the rope. The younger man hesitated, uncomfortable with how the night was going. He’d left his tribe in hopes of glory, and found traitors and killers instead. Ari approached, moving to bind the woman’s hands. He was gentler then the others, though the ropes were secure. He didn’t want the punishment for making them loose enough for her to escape.

He thought he’d hid his actions until a large hand cuffed him out of the way, Natis double checking the knots then gave Catanga a slight push in the right direction to get her walking. “You’re binding her, Ari, not fucking courting her.” Ari fell back miserably, longing for the open plains that he called home once. They moved towards the make shift camp they’d set up as Saita had stalked Cat. Another rope linked through her wrists and tied to a sturdy stake in the ground so she didn’t have to be watched continuously as they broke camp.

--

Saita moved from the cover of the trees into the shadows of the village, moving silently and unseen all the way up to the mansion. She avoided a patrol of guards, swinging up onto the roof of a home to take a better look at what she was up against. A curl escaped from its binds, tickling her neck, a flicker of light revealing an auburn tint. Her hair was a lot darker then Cat’s, and more brunette, the red tint coming from the red henna of the war paints and tattoos. Her eyes however, were a similar green, though hers held depths of hate and cruelty that were yet to reach Cat’s own. There was also that shattered sense of when all shreds of innocents where stripped away at exactly the same moment.

Traitor, Killer, Torturer. Saita was all these things, she’d learnt to thrive in it, else she drown beneath its weight. She was too far gone now, to far for Catanga’s harsh words to draw her back into the light. She lived for revenge, her heartbeat for it, her lungs screamed with it. Revenge that was so close to fruition her veins bubbled in excitement. She closed her eyes briefly, shaking her head free of distractions. You’re to close to start getting sentimental, Saita.

 

[Bsquad]

Vincent watched as Catanga left the safety of the grounds and exited into the night. He was worried, not just concerned, worried. Cat was a proud woman, perhaps too proud for her own good, she shouldn't have left his grounds and he felt more than a mere pang of guilt at the thought that he had somehow failed her. But such a thought was foolish, he had no responsibility to her, he could not dictate to her and force her to do what was best...she had been the envoy of a tribe he wished to befriend. Berating and ordering her would have harmed that delicate issue beyond repair.

He sighed and stepped out onto the main walk, hoping that some evening air would clear his head of the thoughts that seemed to assail him without cause or sense. He, of all people should not have had such a disjointed mind at that moment. No, he had been a logical and rational man back home. It was probably the journey, the new home, the new sights and sounds and feelings of this place. Of course, that must have been it.\

Vincent slowly made his way through the gardens, walking through the torch-lit grounds, making his way past rose bushes and other plants that his uncle had imported from home at a steep price. But instead of sigh in disgust at the pointless nature of it all, he took a measure of comofort from something so very familiar in an alien land. He paused, looking up from the red petaled flowers and into the night, taking in the stars and the bright moon high above. He felt calmed, but in that calm the worry still lingered, worry for Cat.

 

[FaeBites]

It might have been beautiful in the moonlight, the way it cast the garden into glittering diamonds and shadows. She’d been looking for an open window when she realised her target had made it easy for her. The golden tie, now stained mostly crimson was damp in her hand as she prowled after him, using the high walls to her advantage, ducking low when the light might have sent her shadows to the guards on the other sides.

“Reminiscing?” She purred maliciously from the night, her form crouched lazily on top of the wall when he looked to find her. She was dressed as scantily as Catanga had been, though her clothes were designed for fighting and camouflage. “I wasn’t told devils had emotions; so excuse me if it seems like a bit of a shock.” Her voice was icy and laced with sarcasm, her green eyes almost black in the shadows, and dark with hatred. She lazily lifted her hand, her balance perfect without it, uncurling the bloodied tie as she observed it, doubting he’d realise what it was but not worried. “I noticed you met an old friend of mine, we use to be real close… we’re going to be again – but not in the manner she was hoping I bet!” Her laughter was devious and as close to evil as any mortal could get.

She sobered though, peering down at him and releasing the bloodied tie so it floated down to join him in the garden. “This is your only chance, devil. Go back to where you came from, or die with the rest of them.” She shrugged, her hand still held out, revealing the blood residue. “Frankly I hope you stay, Catanga’s torture will be that more complete when she has to listen to your screams.” She grinned maliciously, then right as a guard called out a warning from below, rose and ran along the wall, disappearing into shadows before a weapon could be drawn against her. Leaving just the bloody little tie and a red hand print on the wall to remember her by.

 

[Bsquad]

Vincent was startled by the sound of a woman's voice coming from the night. It was several heartbeats before he could see where she was, but his eyes were not attuned to the evening like hers had been. But he saw her, the shadows of the outer wall, lounging there as if it were a regualr place for her to be. He didn't make a move, instead glancing about in case it were some kind of trap, but no attackers emerged from the shadows. He finally gazed back at the girl, realizing that there was something very familiar in her, but just what he couldn't place...this had to be the bandit leader that Cat had told her about.

"So you're the traitor to your people. You hate them because they've decide that freindship is better than War? Because they want prosperity more than Destruction? I won't leave, and you shall not drive me from this land, nor will you harm Catanga's people! On that you have my solemn vow!" He said, his voice dangerous. He was not going to be intimidated by some mere criminal. It was his duty to protect his family's land, and now to help the Kamiski tribe. He was about to call out again when the woman disapeared, making him run after her, heading up the wall and arriving at the place she had rested, the lamps of two guards illuminating the handprint and the small tie that he had seen Cat wearing.

"I want to know if Catanga made it to her tribe." He said, his voice low and authorative. He had not even been here a day, and already he found himself embroiled in a conflict whose depth he knew he was ignorant.

 

[FaeBites]

Nothing he said could upset the bandit now, his vow just exciting her at the prospect of a challenge. The guards were stirred like a nest of angry hornets, but she was adept at stealth and slipped away from the village without being detected easily. She paused at one of the known streams on her way back, washing off Catangas blood. It was only perhaps three quarters of an hour after she left that Saita strolled back, wondering into the camp that had already been packed up. Her confident smirk and stride all that was needed to tell the men she’d been successful.

“My bet is he’ll send an envoy to the Tribe now, looking for Cat. They’ll be warned, but it’s to late by then anyway, if Karvo’s been successful they’ll be missing more then just their princess.” Her emerald eyes glittered, naming the last member of her motley crew. “I have a present for you, when we get back to base, Cat. I know how eel like you can be with getting out of tight situations – so until your western devil is in chains, I got myself some leverage.” She snickered, untying the rope from the stake and dragging her former friend to her feet.

“Ari, run ahead and let them know we’re coming. Last thing I need is a stray arrow in the dark.”

 

[monique_minx]

Cat let the men lead her away, she would be true to her word and fully intended to escape Saita's clutches; not their's. She refused to reply to their sneers and lewd comments, instead choosing to keep her fury for Saita. She watched them pack the camp and her arm finally stopped bleeding, Cat remained quiet until Saita returned and pulled her to her feet.

“I have a present for you, when we get back to base, Cat. I know how eel like you can be with getting out of tight situations – so until your western devil is in chains, I got myself some leverage.”

"What have you done Saita?" Catanga asked warily, Saita wasn't beyond anything at the moment.

Cat knew Saita wouldn't have been able to resist taunting Vincent, she had been like that since they were children and Catanga regretted ever finding it funny now. She just hoped Vincent wouldn't do anything stupid like attempt to rescue her, I won't need rescuing...I'll just push her til she screws up!

Catanga flipped her hair in a haughty manner to show Saita how far above her she really was and eyed her former best friend with the glare of a royal, her eyes blazing her disappointment and anger like knives.

 

[FaeBites]

Saita couldn’t contain her grin at Catanga’s question, her eyes more amused at her desplay of haughtiness. She pushed her along in front of them as they started walking. Her smile was feral, her eyes glittering in a way that couldn’t be entirely sane. “So you’ve started teaching, hmm Cat?” She asked, in an obvious façade of innocent curiosity, “Some of the young ones have grown quite a bit since I last saw them.” She didn’t say another thing on the topic, merely smirking. It wasn’t far, and she didn’t bother to blindfold Cat, as once the tribe was attacked there’d be little need to hide their main camps location.

As they neared the outer border of where the camp was hidden among the trees, Saita let out another piercing whistle, making a pattern of octaves once more. There was an answering whistle again, and after a few more metres two guards materialized out of the forest in front of them, leaning on weapons with predatory smirks as they took in the prisoner. Saita ignored them for the most part, though she moved up behind her charge, her hand wrapping around one of the tied wrists in a controlled hold. The camp held no real order but for their defences, tents and fires were all over the place, with only something slightly akin to a path leading deeper into the maze. Quads of men trained together, hinting that despite the disorganised look, the bandits were well prepared for war. The numbers were also astounding, the sea of tents expanding in either direction. Lewed cries and drinking were also common, they passed quite a few couples entwined in shameless displays. They headed for the largest tents at the very middle; the bandits on duty straitened at her approach, but didn’t move to stop her.

“Natis, Mati, Find Ari and Karvos and insure he was successful, get him to bring his charge to my tent and meet me there.” She ordered before stepping inside the large pavilion, still holding onto Cat. She dragged them through another set of pulled back curtains, and into something that looked entirely like a throne room. Saita couldn’t help crinkle her nose as she usually did at the show of arrogance, moving before the figure who reclined in the large chair and with a foot to the back of Cat’s knees, forced her to the ground.

“You’re late.” A coolly amused voice, male and arrogant, announced from where he sat, one leg draped over the armrest of his chair. Saita had become increasingly more tense since entering the tent, and at his voice her eyes hardened alarmingly. “I didn’t realise we were being timed.” She retorted coldly, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger in an exaggerated relaxed stance. The man tilted his head, observing her in a calculating way that spelled trouble. For the first time since Cat’s capture, Saita wasn’t her cocky, arrogant self. Infact if anyone looked deep enough, there was fear, hidden in the glossy glint of her emerald eyes.

The bandit leader raised a dismissive hand, “give her to the guards and return to your post.”
“No. She stays with me.” The tent fell tensely quiet at her soft refusal, his own incredulous eyes looked at her, an eyebrow cocked. “I’ve given you her tribe on a platter, she’s mine, the credit is mine, she stays with me.” She replied defiantly, her head tilted and her spine rigid. Her hands, tucked behind her back, shook though. That tilt of a brow brought back to many nasty memories. The leader smiled after a moment, a smile as cunning and sadistic as Saitas own. He nodded his complience. “So you have, luka.” He said, using an unflattering, possessive term for her. The bandit swallowed, turning to leave, dragging Cat with her.

“Oh, luka? Report back to me once you’ve got your prisoner settled in.” Saita froze, her fingers tightening unintentionally against Cat’s arm. She spun around, disbelief on her features. “I’ve set all of this up! You wouldn’t have this advantage if not for me – all of my debt is paid off! You can’t… I’m not…” her hand tightened around her dagger as she glared at him, his cold eyes narrowing dangerously.

“I decide when your debt is paid, luka. You’re dismissed.” Saita looked at him in shocked fury for a full moment. Her tortured soul screamed for his death, but she knew she wouldn’t make it within a metre of him, then her punishment would be worse. The ghosts of memories stung her skin, her eyes not leaving his. Finally resignation slid her eyes away, knowing she was out numbered here. She turned, grabbing Cats arm and leading her out of the tent and into the night. Her cruel pleasure replaced with a haunted distraction for the moment.

She led her captive a few tents over, only coming back to herself when they neared their destination. She shook her head to clear it, wiping her eyes and face of expression. To show weakness was to invite death, in this camp. She didn’t say anything though in till they reached a small circle of tents, where the men waited. She caught sight of Karvos, his smile at the sight of her bringing attention to growing affection she wanted to ignore on his part. They’d started a fire, the flames licking back the fingers of darkness and taking the crisp note out of the night air.

“Were you successful?” She asked him, trying to avoid his dark blue eyes as they roamed over her, checking her for injuries. “I’m fine, Karvos. Where you successful?” She snapped, tying the rope to another stake planted for exactly that purpose. The man in question frowned, running a hand over cropped black hair and nodding, stepping away from the fire to reveal the prize that sat in the dirt behind him. The young girl glanced up; her wrist was tied and bound to a similar stake, though only as tight as it had to be. Maja’s big eyes caught sight of Catanga before Saita stepped into her line of sight, crouching before her, though making sure Cat could see.

“Hello sweetheart, how are you holding up?” she asked softly, the girl looking at her with uncertain eyes.
“I want to go home.” Her bottom lip quivered, and Saita shifted so she could see Cat again.
”I know darling, but you can’t just yet. You see I need you to be a big brave girl, I need something from Cat before I can let you go home.”
Child like confusion landed on the Princess, but Maja nodded stubbornly, trying to be brave. Saita rested a hand in her soft curls, her eyes watching Catanga over her head, her smirk back in place. “I don’t think I have to tell you what this means, do I Catanga?” she asked softly, the Men’s attention flickering between the two woman. She kept her touch gentle, even as her hand slid down to wrap caressingly around the back of the child’s throat. Would Saita threaten the life of a child to get what she wanted…? All evidence seemed to point towards why yes, yes she would.

Saita had definitely changed. For the worse.

 

[monique_minx]

As Catanga was pushed through the bandits camp; her eyes widened on shock, it was bigger than she'd thought! She averted her eyes at the couples engaged in disgraceful acts that were better kept private and stared at the lead bandit's tent as she was shoved inside. Cat fell to her knees with a slight groan at the pressure of Saita's foot on the back of her leg and looked up at the man on his 'throne'.

Her expression showed clear defiance but she was grateful to be ignored and had to contain her pleasure at Saita's uncomfortable stance and nervous nature in front of this man. She was even more pleased that she was allowed to remain in Saita's care as she was the one person Catanga wanted to anger and embarress before her thieving peers.

So she does fear something, Catanga thought to herself with great satisfaction however the smile disappeared as she was pushed into yet another tent and tied to a stake on her knees again. She sensed something was wrong and her worst fears were confirmed as Maja came into her line of sight.

Catanga gasped and watched Saita in horror, she couldn't believe her old friend would go this far! Finally Saita stopped toying with Maja and addressed Cat.

“I don’t think I have to tell you what this means, do I Catanga?”

"Saita, she's a child!" Cat whispered, her voice stricken with fear for her student.

"Don't do this...you don't have to do this!" Cat begged, her eyes flicking from Maja to Saita and back again.

Catanga swallowed her horror, she knew she had to think properly if she was going to get Maja out of the camp unharmed so her eyes levelled with Saita's.

"What do you want?" Catanga asked bluntly.

 

[FaeBites]

Saita took the look of horror across Catangas face with a twinge of satisfaction. Yes she’d chosen the right weakness to implement. And the woman refused to believe her old friends begging registered at all on her conscience. At the question, a bitter expression stained those lifeless green eyes, and she left the child stalking across to her. “What do I want?!” She hissed, crouching before her, a hand squeezing around her captives throat. “I want…” to go back to how things once were. The thought came out of nowhere; from the dark recess of a part of her mind and heart she’d long taken as dead. Her eyes softened momentarily under the weight of it and she looked away to shield that.

“I want nothing you can offer me voluntarily that I’ll enjoy taking from you more.” She finished, her voice cool but lacking the passion of a few minutes ago. She hadn’t realised being so close to her child hood friend, protector, and champion would bring back such painful memories. But the past was done, and had paved the way for the future. She was finally close to the revenge that would ease the pain that tumbled around inside of her, magnified over the years. “Maja will be perfectly fine as long as you don’t cause any trouble. Try to escape or succeed – and you wont like the consequences.”

She stood, looking down on the face that was still so similar, as resisted the temptation to lay down with her, head on her stomach, watching the stars like they’d done so many nights. Everything had changed, and it was all her and the tribes fault. She had to remember that! Her lips twisted in disgust with herself as she turned away, motioning to Ari. “You can feed her and give her water, release her if you want, as long as she stays docile. Just make sure one of you is with Maja at all times. She wont leave the girl behind. But She’s not to leave this campfire, for her own safety.” Her lips twisted in malicious amusement as she glanced back at the captive, turning back towards the leaders tent.

“Where are you going?” The question she’d been dreading, she reluctantly looked back at Karvos, trying to steel herself. “I’ve been ordered to return.” She said, her tone trying to ward off anything he might say further on the subject, to no luck. Karvos’s face paled in the fire light, his lips tightening, he strode the distance over to her, his strong grip circling her arm. “Return? But your debt-“
“Has yet to be repaid, apparently.” She tried to pull away, “Karvos! Let go! This isn’t of your concern.”
“Be damned it isn’t… I’ll kill him myself.”
“Karvos!” Her tone snarled, warning him, with a self-conscious look at the others she pulled him just out of earshot, though they could still be seen. The argument that followed as easy to follow, even without audio. His possessive and protective hold and her trying everything to deter him. Eventually she snarled something at him that had him retreating in shock, and she stalked away from him and towards her doom. The shunned male returning to the fire.

“You don’t own her, Karvos.” Natis told him angrily, even as Ari ignored them and came over to Catanga, releasing her wrists and handing her a canteen of water and some dried meat and bread. Karvos tensed in anger, then relaxed, smiling tightly in resignation. “No, no one owns our Shunkaha-Luta.”
“He does.” Natis refused to drop the subject, his eyes flickering to the tents that held the Leader. Karvos growled, a deadly sound, and Mati shoved his brother away from the fire. “Come, Natis. We’ve work to do.” He interrupted, leaving Ari and Karvos alone with child and captive. Karvos settled beside Maja, who recognised him and crawled into his lap sleepily. Karvos stroked the girls hair, refusing to look anywhere but the large tents that Saita had returned to, his face creased with sickened concern.

“Is there anything else you need?” Ari asked softly of the Princess after a quick sympathetic glance at the other man.

 

[monique_minx]

Catanga watched her old friend in confusion for a moment, she seemed to look upon Cat as she did when they were younger; when Cat taught her how to bound through trees and learn when someone was sneaking up on her. Catanga taught her using games, made it fun and challenged Saita to catch her sneaking up on her, those days were long passed and Cat was brought back to reality with Saita's words.

Cat nodded curtly, she wouldn't leave Maja behind for anything and finally understood why Saita had done this; used this particular form of insurance. Cat watched the argument between Karvos and Saita with interest, it seemed the man cared for Saita a great deal and Catanga smiled sadly; thinking of how Saita might have turned out if the Harikani's hadn't turned their back on Cat's tribe.

Catanga drank the water gratefully, the alcohol had dried her out a little and she ate slowly and watched Saita leave the tent. Cat watched Karvos' tender nature for Maja and smiled slightly, at least some of these people had hearts!

"No thank you...Ari is it?" Catanga smiled gently, she would be compliant enough to keep Maja safe and perhaps these bandits would question their actions if they saw the real Catanga.

"Do you love her?" Catanga eyed Karvos meaningfully, wondering if he merely held affection and devotion for her old friend or if he actually loved her.

Catanga stayed on her knees, shifting only slightly to keep her muscles from cramping up, she had her pride and could hold her own with the best of them. She intended to prove that she was no mere female in the least.

 

[FaeBites]

Ari nodded his compliance, glancing between princess and bandit as the question was asked. He settled beside the fire, his quiet nature easily allowing him to fade into the background. Karvos turned his eyes slowly to the woman, their depths bottomless with his emotions. His head tilted, looking over her curiously until finally he smiled slightly. “Saita doesn’t make herself easy to love.” He said in form of answer, his eyes drawn into the fire as he rocked the sleeping child in his lap. “She didn’t become like this by choice, you have to understand that. All her cruelty and revenge stems from the pieces of her that were broken when she made the mistake we all made - by being swayed with the promises of the ultimate freedom.”

Saita glowered up from her knees, his black eyes scorching her skin. He beckoned her closer, and she hesitated, the leaders eyes darkened dangerously, and her nightmare began.

He glanced around them bitterly, as though every tent and person redefined that shattered promise. He shook his head, sighing. “By the time I realised the mistake I made… I wasn’t willing to leave her. And by the time she realised… well. She was in to deep then.” His face grimaced, as though in pain at the thought, his eyes dragged back to the tent he knew Saita resided in. His imagination torturing him no worse then he knew she would really be going through. Thinking of that brought the memory of how she’d gotten there to surface though, and he smiled sadly.

The rope burnt her wrists, her teeth bit into her lips as she refused to make a sound for him, refused to cry or scream, and in turn, worsened her punishment.

“To see her fight though! I knew I could never leave her that day. She hides the good that’s left in her well, but that day…” Karvos laughed, a deep, free, sound, in spite of everything. “One of the outlying tribes had refused to pay tribute, and was raided, the warriors brought back five of their woman for the men of the camp in punishment…” his face twisted in disgust at the prospect. “One of the girls would not accept her position, and Saita watched her fight, and struggle, and scream. I do not know who she reminded her of, or what triggered it, but finally when the girl was being beaten down time after time again, Saita stood and said it was enough. The warrior ignored her, so she walked up to him, and in three strikes had broken his wrist. When he tried to lash out again, she killed him. The other warriors attacked, three of them, all twice her size. Mati and Natis holding me back so I didn’t get involved. She killed them all, rising from their bodies without a scratch on her, her eyes feral and the energy of the wilds radiating from her body.” He paused, his eyes distant as he remembered how beautiful she’d been, like a goddess of revenge reincarnated.

The taste of blood filled her mouth, her body throbbed from its abuse, her skin crawling with disgust at his touch. Determined to break her this time she knew she should have feared for her life, but somewhere, amid the cloud of pain, she didn’t have the will power to care for it anymore.

“The commotion called our Leader, and she stood defiantly amid the bodies as he moved closer, even stepping between him and the girl she’d protected! He’d said something to her, to low for us to hear… and…” His teeth gritted, a hand clenching, then relaxing in anger and sorrow. “The fight just drained out of her, the life and love dropping to the ground with the dagger she’d acquired during the fight. He spoke louder then, telling her to kneel, and she did. He wouldn’t kill her for the murders, I spose she was to valuable alive, but instead enslaved her with the debt of each mans life she’d taken. She spent half a year in his favoured men’s tents, coming back to us each morning more broken and bruised then the last, the life slipping from her eyes until revenge consumed her.”

His teeth tore at her viciously, all of his games aside as his frustration became too much. He moved inside of her, hard and tormenting as he pulled the last card to get the scream he wished for so much.

“It was the Leaders own pleasures she dreaded more though. He’s sick and twisted that one, a pity he’s to paranoid a leader else she’d have killed him a long time ago…” the ‘or I would have’ was implied silently. “So no, I don’t love her, as she is unwilling, or unable to accept it. But I wait, I will be here when the Saita of fire and passion returns, when the storm clears and the damage begins to heal. I’ll be here.”

There it was, the one cry, shattering the night sky. His triumph devoured him, and his victory snarled against her skin. ‘Now, now your debt is paid, luka. But I’ll always own you.’ Saita sunk into the sweet carress of darkness, willing herself away from reality.

His words flowed like the ring of prophecy, his eyes once more returning to the tents as he awaited for the stumbling silhouette that would announce his chosen’s return. Ari wiped at his eyes, caught up in the story and the new understand of his vicious mistress. And then it came, the cry, scream, that rented the peace found in the night and created a black hole where it had been. Karvos went rigid; the only thing keeping him from standing was the child in his lap. Pain laced his muscles as though he shared it with her, and his torment new no ends. “Ah, Shunkaha, no.” He said softly, his voice heavy with strain. “Don’t give in to him.”

 

[Bsquad]

Vincent

The mannor whould have been drifting towards sleep at this time of night, but the place had become a flurry of activity. Guards were rushing about though the grounds, checking the walls and seraching the house. A pair of riders had thundered off into the night and returned from the Kamiski tribe...bringing the news that Catanga had not returned to her people, that realization bringing justification to his fears...and guilt. He had retired to his Uncle's office, his office back inside the mannor, and was staring at several of the maps on desktop.

He was no military commander. But he did have several within the ranks of his guards and soldiers. which was why at the moment he was sitting very quietly and listening to the explanations of Harrold Jobs, the leader of his...enforcers. He led the soldiers who were sent out to deal with 'problems' and at the moment the bandits had become the chief concern of Vincent.

"Sir, there are quite a few locations that we might find these bandits. This valley to the north and the mountains far to the east are possible locations...but the most likely is within the Jungles to the south. The scouts under our employ report that they cannot penetrate deep within the area since there is an unsual amount of bandit patrols. None of them have seem any encampment, but it's the most logical location for them to be hiding." Jobs explained pointing to the large splash of green across the map.

"No one is able to enter?"

"None sir, we have one scout who has spent a large amount of time in there. The locals consider him to be just some independent wanderer who has no ties. Your Uncle paid him well for his abilites and kept the payment discrete. As far as the bandits are concerned he's simply an independent scout who works for anyone." Jobs explained.

"Can you contact him? Perhaps he can investigate and locate Catanga." Vincent said, still looking at the map and studying the jungles.

"We haven't contacted him for over a month. Your uncle gave him similar orders just before his death. For all we know he's dead." Jobs said grimly. Vincent didn't answer suddenly at that. He instead sat down and looked at the wall, marshalling his thoughts. It was still his first day, and this was his first crisis.

"Have a message sent to the regional governor requesting assistance for a grave and growing threat of rebel bandits nearby us. Ask him for military assitance as quickly as possible. We have reason to suspect that this is the precursor to a full rebellion. Also contact our regional office at the coast and have them hire at least three hundred more mercenaries to be sent here immedeately. These bandits will be coming for us quite soon." Vincent said darkly, standing and going to the window to look out the grounds. He lifted the small golden tie again, and just what emotions might be coarsing trough him were his alone.

The scout

He was standing amidst the enemy. There was no other way to describe it. The bandit camp stretched out around him, men and women who would kill him if they had even the slightest idea of where his true loyalty lay...well, perhaps not since he was loyal to money. And the Schnider family paid the best, in gold coin which never brought many questions anywhere. They'd promised him a lot of gold to sneak into the heart of the beast and didn't ask questions about how he did it. Given what he'd had to do to earn their trust, he was glad for the Schnider machiavellian streak. There were almost a dozen Schnider guards lying dead on the savanna...two of them tortured to death at his hands. But the actions had earned him the comfortable acceptance of the bandits.

Which was why he could walk through the camp, and spend his time counting the blades at the bandit leader's command, study their tactics and training, and learn of their plots. He hadn't batted an eye when word that Xavier Schnider had died, his pay had come from Jobs...the rather brutal commander who handled the Schnider problems. He was going to be paid no matter who was in charge...the bandits wished the Schniders wiped out slightly less than they wished to kill off any tribe that was friendly with the Schniders. He'd seen what had happened to the few villages that were not as violently opposed to the Schniders as the should have been. The men all dead, the women all raped and killed, the childeren all enslaved. It was not pretty but as one european had said...the purpose of Terrorism is to Terrorize.

The Bandits had done a lot of terrorizing.

The scout paced the dusty trails of the encampment, his clothing worn and faded enough that he would have been a pauper in the European settlements...but in the bandit encapment his worn and muddy khakis marked him as an outsider. He was coverde in the khaki fatigues, wearing a pair of worn boots. Leather magazine pouches on his belt matched the leather scabbard on his hip for a native style blade, and a khukri was on his back, the large blade of the Ghurka soldiers of india. Across his chest another bandolier of magazines was waiting. His head was wrapped in a middle-eastern style scarfe, a bush hat was on his head with strips of burlap hanging from it to break the outline of his head, a cloak made of burlap was also draped across his shoulders, he was a sniper...a marksman of excellent talent and skill, and cradled in his arms was the tool of his trade. An old worn Enfield rifle with a beaten scope attached, burlap was wraped around the weapon too.

That rifle was both the reason that he was here...and given glances that seemed to be both hatred and wary respect. They hated him because of that western weapon he wore, but then respected him because he held a weapon that none of them wanted to use. There had been many attempts by the bandits to kill him for his presence...but none of them had been sucessful..and none of them would try to attack him again. Word had spread that the outsider was not a man to be trifled with, these days things were limited to a few glares adn grumbles, but never an insult to his face.

The scout was making his way past the center of the camp when he saw the arrival of the dark woman Saita and another who was restrained. He hovered about the edge of the clearing, watching and listening to the exchange...and hearing words that caused his blue eyes the widen through the slit between his scarf and his bush hat. They were plotting an attack on the Kamaski tribe? And they had captured the daughter of their leader? Things were approaching the time when he had to leave and report all that he had learned of the bandits...but first he would need to try and retrive Catanga, or garner some leverage for the Schniders to negotiate some kind of protection.

 

[monique_minx]

OOC: All of Karvos' answers have been provided by Fae, what a peach of a woman!


Catanga nodded her understanding throughout Karvos' tale and didn't interrupt, she was polite and once he started talking; she didn't want to give him a reason not to go on. Cat shuddered as the scream ripped through the night and the almost deadly silent camp, she wondered what the leader must've done to Saita to get such a scream from her.

Her heart ached for her former friend but she would never let it show; save for a single tear that slid down her cheek in silence. She felt Karvos' pain, it was so similar to the way she felt at seeing Saita become what she had become. Maja stirred at Karvos' tensing muscles and Saita's scream but did little more before she resettled herself and went back to sleep quietly.

"What....what does he do to her?" Cat asked cautiously, her voice strained with sympathy and curiousity at what could cause such a blood curdling scream.

When Karvos returned his attention to her, his eyes were abyss like. He seemed to take a minute to hear the words properly, then paled, shaking his head. "There is no limits, Preena" his voice shook slightly as he finally spoke, referring to her in their native language. "She doesn’t speak of it, just hides the scars. But they in themselves leave too much, and nothing at all to the imagination."

He looked away once more, sentinal against the roaring flames before him. "But I hear her nightmares, I hear her relive each moment as she sleeps. But I will not tarnish your soul with the burden of them aswell."

"You already have De-Menshi" Catanga said softly, she called him De-Menshi which meant 'one who is like the land', both broken and solid at the same time.

"Why do you all stay if you hate it so?" Cat asked as kindly as she could manage under the tense circumstances.

"All?" He shook his head bitterly, choosing to focus on this question than address her statement. "I was too vague, there are plenty that remain, for raping, pillaging and plunder is their ultimate freedom. But I remain for her, and she remains...I do not know. I presume because she thinks there is no where else to go." He said the words with no tone of reproach; Saita had spoken little of the Tribe, and what she did painted a conflicting picture. "The others, well, you’ll have to ask them." His eyes flickered to the silent Ari, but he seemed not to hear, lost within the flames of the fire.

Anything Catanga might have said after this was lost as both Karvos and Cat turned to the leader's tent again and watched a stumbling silouette of a woman emerge...

 

[FaeBites]

She could have died then, Saita decided.

Could have fell beneath the rain of blows, torment of pain, and not bothered to awaken. But her heart refused to cease, her lungs refused to still, and the gods wished her to live out the punishment for her evils, done and planned. His voice still echoed in her head, and as reality swum back reluctantly she tried to cling to the fact this was the end. He had no hold over her. The promise was weak even to her own desperate ears, and she knew for as long as she stayed, as long as he lived, his pleasure would be her pain.

A sharp scent filled her nostrils, forcing her into complete lucidity, a weak hand batting away the smelling salts. He bid her stand, and her body, so broken and unwilling to incur more pain, complied. Before her mind could even remember her own name. She wavered on her feet, but he didn’t seem to care, finished with her for now - his interest was dropped just like a favoured toy now broken, no longer held intrigue. Loyal bandits to him helped her from the tent, and she endured their touches, their comments and their hands only until they stopped at the outer curtains. By will alone she stepped back into the real world untended, her eyes turning homeward bound while some conscious part of her mind begged her feet to follow.

Saita could see the fire; see the male and female silhouettes turned towards her. She took once step, then another, her muscles screaming in protest. Then just as easily, she could go no further, her footing stumbled and the ground consumed her form.

Karvos remained silent until she fell, his stricken cry soft and haunting. He stood, the child scooped into his arms, jostling slightly as he laid her on animal furs. He didn’t hear her murmured cry, nor look back as Saita’s crumpled form eclipsed all else. He skidded to a stop in the dirt by her, unsure of where to touch without hurting. She’d acquired a cape from somewhere, the thick material clung to her blood and sweat, but hid a majority of her skin from his sight. He spoke to her in their native tongue then, murmuring soft words as he could bare it no longer and his hands descended upon her flesh. Even with his unswerving gentleness, a low moan escaped her lips.

He cradled her to his chest, not noticing the red smears that stained his clothes and skin at every touch. As soon as he was back in ear shot the orders came. “Ari! Reheat the water, and get our medical supplies. Preena, go into the tent, you don’t want to see this.” His voice was gruff, but he spared neither a look. And if Catanga remained, would not argue, Saita consuming his attention. His worry was palpable in the air around him; concern over her condition that was so much worse then all the others. "She usually makes it a point to walk all the way back" he muttered to himself in grief, "wounded and feral, allowing none other near her. She’d be distant and untouchable for days. She’d hiss, and snarl, and hate us all. But she’d be alive."

His hand hesitated on the edge of the cloak, his words wavering to an end, unwilling to bare the pain that lay beneath, so waited. When the water started steaming Ari pulled the metal pot out of the fire, pouring the hot water into a bowl and adding some of the herbs that promoted clean healing. Again Karvos hesitated, his hand shaking. As though on cue her eyes opened, the green seeming almost colourless in the firelight. For a moment it was as though she would speak, her eyes clearing with intent, then her body resumed it’s hold and she fell unconscious once more. “Go.” He said, then turned to look up, snarling when they hesitated. “Leave us!” Ari nodded, hesitating as he looked at Maja, but left the girl sleeping. Instead nudging Catanga into one of the tents, closing it behind them. Still enough light filtering through the canvas to see by, he pulled free a wooden board and a sachet of smooth pebbles. The native game known by even the youngest of children. He set it up, whether she’d play or not, trying to ignore the soft murmuring of Karvos’s voice outside. “What are the western de-“ he eyed her, then corrected himself. “-westerners like?” he asked, to distract them both.

 

[monique_minx]

Catanga hesitated to follow Karvos' orders, she generally held a compassionate nature but Saita had been close to her heart most of her life and to see her so broken now; it reminded Cat of all the times they would treat each other's cuts and scratches when they played through the trees. Cat could see Saita's condition hit home in Karvos as well and when he ordered both her and Ari to leave; she did so with haste.

She felt conflicted, she shouldn't want to help Saita so badly as she was now the enemy but when Catanga looked on her, she saw her childhood friend and sister. Cat brought her attention back to Ari and tried to remember that Saita was her enemy and not her friend anymore as much as she would like.

"They're kind, Vincent is at least...they only want to help us, I don't see why we should deny them the right to farm. If we don't move forward...we die out..." Catanga said softly, she wanted him to understand why her tribe had come to this decision of peace.

"I never thought any of this would come out of peace..." Cat felt a tear run down her cheek "peace is supposed to be...peaceful...I never wanted Saita to run away from the tribe...from me...why did she do this? Why would she put herself through this? Is this really better?!"

Catanga shook her head, she couldn't understand and she kicked the board aside in her frustration. She stood up and paced a moment before she realized Ari was still in the room with her, she smiled apolegetically and resumed her seat.

"I'm sorry...I just don't understand why you all follow this leader of your's if you are so unhappy..."

 

[Bsquad]

The Scout

He'd arrived in time for the spectacle. He had never spent much time within the leaders circle. Instead he had avoided it and taken his instructions from the bandits from the lower level leaders. It would not do well to be around the leader and within reach of his whims against outsiders...because useful or not, he would have been killed without question should the leader have so wished it. So it was best for him to stay on the shadows...and so he did and was rewarded with the sight of the leader's pet leaving his tent and stumbling along. The scout had spent enough time inside the camp to learn about the leaders perversions...and witness some of them first hand.

His pragmatic nature didn't extend to someone like that...he would have been more than happy to put a bullet between the savage's eyes if someone was willing to pay...

Hell...he'd probably do it for free.

But as he watched the clearing, he saw the Saita girl fall to the ground and get carried off by those loyal to her. He followed at a discrete distance, watching the procession curiously. As they carried her into their tent he could see another woman, more than likely Catanga, the daughter of the Kamiski tribe. Slipping through a few tents he slid close to Saita's and listened at the canvas to the conversation...and waited for a good moment to strike.

 

[FaeBites]

Ari had nothing to say to her words, it seemed to unsettle him as she’d wished, his eyes distracted as he glanced at the tent walls, seeing the camp beyond. His lips tensed as she raged, though he didn’t say a word against it, sitting back as she kicked the board away. His gaze was sympathetic, but he held himself still. He reminded himself who she was, and what would happen to him if he began thinking of her as a comrade, and not a prisoner of war.

With her question he shrugged, dutifully recovering all the stones that had spread with her display of frustration. “I’ve killed my own men, Preena. There’s no going home after that.” He said simply, resuming setting up the game and making his first move in it, glancing at her to see if she was playing to pass the time. He didn’t know what to say then, so remained quiet unless she spoke, ever so often glancing towards the tents entrance as though hoping to see what went on by the campfire.

When each of the wounds were washed and bound, stitches in place where she needed them, Karvos was both physically and emotionally exhausted. Her body had been a patchwork quilt of evil pleasures, torture and pain, but thankfully for them both - she hadn’t stirred again. He kept speaking to her though, the soft murmur of his voice like the bubble of water over stones. He stroked her face, the only part of her body that remained untouched, but for the slight swelling along one cheek where she had been struck down. A collar of bruises was already forming around her throat, vivid and angry, and the rest… by the end of it Karvos just didn’t want to see anymore.

His hands were restless, burning with the need to kill the Bandit Leader for all he’d done and caused. But he knew the plan was hopeless, not with so little chance of escape from the repercussions. He lifted her once more, moving her into one of the other tents and settling her amid the furs to rest. “Sleep, Lolay. All your plans will come to completion soon. Then perhaps you’ll rest properly.” His lips brushed against her unmarked temple, lingering longer then they should, especially as she unconsciously lent into the comfort. When he returned outside, he’d changed from his bloody clothes, and washed his hands, closing the tent flap behind him. He sat by Maja once more, his expression grim.

“Ari, you and the Preena can come out as you wish. It’s done.” He told the night, Ari glancing over as he did. As if on cue, Mati and Natis returned, stumbling into the fire light with drunken laughs. They quickly noticed the feel of the camp, and sobered enough to sit over the other side of the fire. Ari stood, glancing at Catanga, “It’s cool enough for us to sleep by the fire, so we do. I’m guessing your preference for tent or fire is your own.” He smiled slightly, and stepped outside, his eyes on Karvos.

“She’ll live.” Was all the man said to the unspoken question, Mati and Natis quickly realising what they must be talking about. Neither said a word, though Natis’s eyes gleamed with an emotion to sickly like triumph for his brother to acknowledge. Karvos didn’t even bother to look at him. Some bandits, were entirely like the picture painted. Karvos lay down beside the child, slipping his arm around her so he’d know if she woke. The girl burying into the warmth of his body. Then he ignored the rest of the world.

 

[monique_minx]

Catanga didn't speak to anyone, merely nodding at Ari and choosing the safety of the tent over the outdoor fire. She sat with her head in her hands, avoiding Natis and his brother's eyes as much as possible as she contemplated what tomorrow would bring.

She smiled at Maja and Karvos curled up together and brought a fur over to cover the child in his arms. Catanga settled herself on the far side of the tent, she wondered if tomorrow there would be fewer bandits in the camp so she could come up with a way to; at the very least, get Maja out of there, it was no place for a child.

She laid down, sleep would not come easily and the noise within the camp was drifting in; drunken males and females, celebrating some victory in each other's arms. Catanga rolled over, annoyed and missing her home, she wondered if her father and mother were worried for her and realized that they would make an attempt to get her back. Just what that attempt would be escaped her with sleep...

~ The Kamaski's ~​

Maskus paced back and forth in his bedroom, his wife had been crying for hours since they had discovered Catanga missing. The old chief had been trying to decide the best way to handle the news when it was brought to his attention that one of their young children - Maja was also missing. This could not be a coincidence and Maskus realized the bandits must have her also, a useful tool to keep Cat in check.

Maskus finally sat down on the bed with his wife, he pulled her into his arms and murmured words of comfort to her.

"She'll be alright, we've raised our daughter well my dear. She's clever and independant, better than me at thinking on her feet and better than you at scrambling through trees. I'll send an envoy in the morning to ask what the bandits want for her safe return."

That said; the pair laid together for what promised to be a restless night of consistantly interrupted slumber...

 

[Bsquad]

The Scout

He merely crouched by the back of the tent...waiting in silence and listening. He stood in shadow and caught the light right that he looked like little more than a few rags and blankets draped by the side of the tent. As he listened to the conversations inside he merely made note of everything that he could learn, but after spending so long within the confines of the encampment he had learned just about everything that he could. Part of him wondered just why these bandits thought that they could stand against the forces of the West. It was that same kind of foolish pride that he had known back in India against the British.

The bandits could call on hundreds, maybe thousands...the Americans could marshal hundreds of thousands should they wish. The bandits could call on their bows and thrown stones...Springfield rifles, Browning Automatic rifles and Thompson Sub Machineguns...rapid fire artillery were within the arsenal of the westerners.. The Bandits could run through the woods...the americans had calvalry and dragoons. They didn't know how hoplessly out classed they were. But even if he strode into the chieftan's tent and told him the truth they would not listen. He had been such a fool once. He was a Ghurka, a soldier without equal, and he had fought alongside the British in India and Afghanistan, learning first hand how much power the great nations of the west could command.

And these Americans that the Schniders sold their goods to, the nation that their family had come from was so much more dangerous than the British in a myriad of ways. But it didn't matter, the westerners were always the same...they were powerful, and they were more numerous than any tribe in these lands. But these bandits were so foolish, killing off the only locals who wished to work with the Schniders, and attack the industrialists themselves! That would force the governor to adress the problem, because they would stop being bandits and start being rebels.

The scout shook his head sadly. They were a proud people. But pride always blinded those who thought they could win with spears and blades in the face of rifles and machineguns. It would be bloody, it would be decisive, and it would destroy them. He banished the pity quickly, they were not of any concern. He was paid to do a job, and the Schniders -by extention the Americans- were the ones paying him the gold. He looked back at the tent, waiting for the lamps to slowly fade before he could turn and slice in, retriving Catanga.

 

[monique_minx]

Catanga awoke in the night, startled and sweating she rolled over and blinked a few times before she realized Maja was pulling on her arm. Cat sat up, wondering what the girl was doing in her home when she suddenly remembered - she wasn't home!

The camp was quiet, it felt like early morning and the bandits had finally stopped celebrating and gone to bed. Catanga sat up warily, the alcohol had left her system completely and at last she could function properly.

"Tanga, wake up please? I need to go use the toika!" Maja whispered insistantly, using tribal language for toilet.

Cat held her finger to Maja's lips and whispered in return "Shhh Maja, we have a chance to leave here, you want to go home now?"

Maja nodded "Yes, I miss my mummy and daddy..."

Cat wiped the tear that slid from Maja's eye and removed her hand, she gathered the girl into her arms and stood quietly. To enable Catanga to escape the camp or at the very least get Maja out, she had to keep her emotions in check and wouldn't allow herself a moment to think of how Maja might feel. That would have to come later when she was safe and Cat could deal with her guilt at the seven year old having been involved in this war as well.

"I need you to be brave and very very quiet Maja, above all I need you to listen to me and do exactly what I say, understand?" Cat whispered close to Maja's ear as softly as she could manage, her eyes surveying the sleeping bodies of Saita, Karvos, Ari, Natis and Mati.

"Yes" Maja nodded.

"Good! If I say run; you run. If I say hide; you hide. If I say jump; you jump. You don't look back at me, you don't try to help me and you don't make a sound, understand? You run as fast as you can all the way home and don't stop until you get there! Use the trees as much as possible, promise to do what I say Maja?" Cat asked her, her voice low and insistant.

"Yes Tanga." Maja whimpered, she knew that Catanga wouldn't say such things unless it was for Maja's safety.

"Good!"

Catanga stepped over Natis and scampered to the tent flap, she peered outside and saw a few guards and various people wandering about but the fire had died and it was far too dark to see. Cat decided to make a run for the forest; a hundred metres away, it was a fair distance but also the closest part of forest they could make it to. Catanga took off with Maja in her arms...