Happy Valentines week!

The setting of this story is Thundera, 10 years before it's destruction.

Blind Romance

Chapter 1: Her spots

Her spots were the subject of much male speculation.

The Lady Mau was of the lower merchant classes, born to a full house with many siblings. But she favored by a doting father. Because of that she was able to devote much of her time to learning. She learned accounting by overlooking her father's books, and learned about the law from her uncle. Her uncle was one of the few common cats that studied and practiced the law with some competence. It was these two father figures that helped her obtain a spot as a notary in the Thunderan palace. She was awarded the position over a noble, who had assumed the position would be his- as it had been his sires. But the Prince Claudus gave merit where merit was due. As the appointment of royal clerks was one duty that fell to him and not his sire, the prince rewarded merit and not bloodline.

Lady Mau worked as a notary for many years, before her promotion to tax clerk in the royal treasury. But to the wandering eyes of many male nobles, this was unimportant. What was important is she was her exotic beauty, though born of common Lady Mau was thirty summers old. Though no longer a cub, she had blossomed into one of the great beauties of Thundera. She possessed gray fur and gray eyes, described as deep as the ocean. But it was her spots of darker gray that were subject of much speculation. How far did those spots descend? Did they extend down her back, down to her buttocks and wide hips? Did they play between her legs as they did down her tail? Her infernal modesty gave no clue to these conjectures.

And though the color of her eyes entranced many nobles and rising soldiers attending to duties in the palace, they became so lost in the color that they failed to see the sharp intelligence that laid there. Many Nobles sent gifts hoping to use them to entice her to their bed. Yet she refused these gifts and returned letters unopened.

"I only wish to work and serve my kingdom," she said. "And to study."

But there was someone. All the courtiers knew it. She lived in the apartments of the palace set aside for the staff. Her maid was seen at times bringing breakfast to her room for two, when she had only served a dinner for one the night before. And on those mornings, when her maid washed the bedding, the other servants noticed the smell of male musk that permeated Lady Mau's bed sheets. Someone was sneaking into her quarters at night and making love to her. Her relaxed demeanor during the day after these suspicious occurrences confirmed it. But who? It was the subject of much speculation and boasting. Many claimed the deed, and boasting they had seen the glory of her spots, unhindered by clothing.

Lady Mau's maid had been pressured by the other servants to reveal the identity of her mistress' lover. But the maid remained loyal to her mistress, and said nothing about the Lady Mau's secreat. Even when the elder cat had been threatened by Grune, she remained steadfast and silent.

"That maid is quite the brave old lady." Panthro laughed when he found out about his freind's fruitless interview.

"Who the hell is it?" Grune snarled. He brought his club down hard on Panthro. But his friend lifted his nunchuck and blocked. He then spun suddenly, catching his sparring partner off guard, and nailing Grune in the ribs with a hard kick. They were sparring in the courtyard, but Grune's mind was not on the exercise.

"Why do you care?" Pathro shrugged. "She's never had your interest before."

"She's unimportant." Grune scoffed. "It's just I can't believe it's not me! Have you had her?"

"I don't have time for women," the panther dismissed. "And you don't either, if you know what's good for you. Femes are always trouble, unnecessary trouble."

"Except for the five minutes in which they're useful." Grune joked, his smile a salacious leer." You should try it some time. Come on, Panthro! Don't tell me you've never wondered if she's got spots down there too."

Seeing his opening, Panthro took it. He swung with his right arm, and hit Grune with his weapon three times one immediately following the other. The sabertooth's face flushed with surprise for a moment, followed by pain. Then the staggered back and fell to the ground.

"No I never have." Panthro said directly.

Grune growled and cursed. He rose from the ground, indignant.

"Best two out of three." he challenged.