I awoke with a yelp, my ears like sand paper from having cried myself to sleep, a thud on my foot made me shrink further into my shelter as a wild red headed woman towered over me, she was beautiful dressed in animal skins and barefooted, a crudly crafted bow in her hand as she parted her lips to speak to me
" well do you know how to use that thing" she nodded towards the bow that i was hugging to my chest.
In complete shock i nodded my head dumbly my mouth opening and closing like a fish before i found my voice as i pulled myself to my feet
"im not great but i'm sure i can shoot a bosk if need be"
I could feel her eyes on me scanning my body curiously her eyes resting on my neck before she laughed and reached into her wild hair and pulled out a lock pick and in an easy manner laughed out her words as if this was just an every day occurance
"well turn around and let me get that thing off you"
A moment of fear filled me as i turned slowly and felt her expertly push the pins into the lock of my collar, the strange woman worked fast and cleverly till the timbles in the lock clicked and released the collar falling uncerimoniously from my neck landing at my feet.
I took a deep breath and kicked it away with a few determined nods of my head and i looked up to her with a weak smile and pushed forward my hand and spoke with as much strength in my voice as i could muster
"
Kerri I am Kerri"
The womans face broke into a warm smile as she clasped my hand in her hers "Well met Kerri, I am known as Storm, now lets get out of here i'll show you to the camp"
Confused i just grabbed up the few belongings I had and followed in her footsteps as she jogged around the lake and to my astonishment before our eyes was an amazing structure of wood and branches, towers and trees, Storm quickly looking over her shoulder pushed a key into a lock on a door and pushed it open dragging me inside and slammed it behind us before turning and speaking
"well this is my home make your self comfortable but keep your eyes pealed, we are never safe, they come hunting us daily"
With a flick of her hair she started towards some ropes and hauled herself up and called over her shoulder
"i have to go do something, be safe sister" and with that she disappeared over the wall and again i was alone.
I started to walk around this camp in awe unsure of whether i really was in a Panther camp only having heard whispers in the streets about such places, the reality suddenly hit me, I kerri the Kajira was a panther, a wild woman of the forests.
At this realisation i fell to the ground and sat cross legs and just shook my head in disbelief. Before I knew it i was surrounded, they seemed to come from nowhere jumping over the fences all pointing bows at me, my eyes darting around looking for an escape as i felt a dull thud to my head as i fell to the ground, I felt my wrists and feet being bound and looked up blinking trying to focus as a dark sinister character covered in jewellery and bone decoration all over his strong body and heard his words cutting into my head
"hmm I like you, quiet the find" he laughed a cruel evil laugh as he grabbed hold of the binds and started dragging me along the ground
"come on lets get you home mine"
Complete anger filled me as a growl came from my lips my mouth snarling and spat out my words
"get your hands off me bosk scum I am not yours"
He just laughed and continued to drag me towards his tarn and tossed me like a rag doll over the back of the saddle before jumping on himself and whistling to the large black bird as its powerful wings started to beat raising us up above the camp.........
After hearing about the numerous thefts suffered by so many fellow designers, I thought to share a little good news with you all, it may not be much but it is a small step and a little good news.
cky
cky
