Predator and Pray

by

C V Ford

xxxxx

Eyes snapping open, Wolf sprang up in his bunk then gave out an exasperated sigh.

Forgot ... Don't have duty today.

Another sigh and shook the sleep from his eyes.

For the next two days!

It wasn't that the wolf-man was what you would call a workaholic. Rather the alien measures as required by the Alnus Towne Watch/Militia puzzled.

All his life until Chief Volcatt contracted the mercenary band Wolf was a member of to Alnus Towne, he knew nothing BUT work.

As a boy he chored non-stop about the family homestead. As camp follower and trainee to the mercenaries he joined he diligently went about his assignments and duties. When not, he trained intensively in blade and bow. When old enough to soldier he did his duty to the utmost in employment as fighter for hire.

Things like "personal time off", "sick leave", "weekends" and something called ...

"peyd-vae-cay-shions"?

To be ... NOT working ... And still receiving money for it?

The thought of any time for doing nothing or what one pleased with the approval of the commander and higher-ups ... WITH PAY ... seemed other-worldly and ultra-strange to him.

Not right ... NOT right at all!

The work itself: Patrolling the town in shifts five days out of the week and only eight hours each day? Two days not working at the end of those days?

Yes, "easy work, easy money," that is if you call walking around looking important and settling comparatively minor disputes with drunks, lawbreakers and rowdies easy. As it was not open warfare thus by far less dangerous though dangerous enough, Wolf couldn't help but feel self conscious about it. The pay was quite generous after all.

Other things, pay raises, very low interest loans, free health care from the healers of the "Jaysdeef" base hospital, pay advances, insurance ... Totally confused him.

As for his other attributes:

He was not quite like the rest of his boisterous band of fellow mercenaries. Something of a loner, not as much a drinker, did less in the ways of wenching and carouse with his fellows on his time off.

In his spare time he trained intensively. One would never know when things would change and open warfare might one day be called for.

When not training it was long solitary walks about town, base and wooded areas around.

At rest he would try to educate himself in learning to read and write. He had the common tongue in print down more or much less in both the old script of the Empire (What the Japanese themselves called Romanji.) and the common one. The other scripts such as elvish classic or the other three of the Japanese had him totally stumped.

Long he would try in scry of the "picture books" the Japanese seemed to like, much to the amusement of his barracks mates. To him manga was originally a fruit from the southern islands.

As for wenching and related past-times ...

Around women he was quite clumsy, nervous and awkward. Except for female members of Militia and Watch when he wore the MP brassard in his official capacity he had much trouble talking to or about the female of any species. Many's the time he would walk patrol beat with various distaff and even sometimes with her holiness herself.

His fellow wolf-men openly spoke in regard to their own "adventures" in his presence and often chided him about his not at least "buying a woman" for the evening to help him get over his squeamishness. In a friendly way of course. Wolf was noted for his bravery and courage in battle so his inclinations and masculinity itself were not in question.

It wasn't as if he never indulged in the partaking of feminine company, far from it. It was upon such he found the past occasional passionless couplings with prostitutes, slaves and battlefield spoils to be quite lacking in ... something.

Stepping away from his bunk and letting out another sigh, he speculated.

Just five days before, he completed a NINE day stint of "doing nothing". Five days of that "peyd vae-cay-shun" with a two day "weekend" tacked on both ends of it. Just about a third of a month!

He and Meia were called in the day before the first weekend by the wizard Altezan, a top member of the Alnus Towne "association". The wizard was informed by Lelei of their "seniority" in the towns' employ and were thus entitled to be among the first to take their "peyd-vae-kay-shuns".

Effective right after the first two weekend days "starting tomorrow".

How to spend it was a quandary to many of the members of Watch/Militia and domestic town staff. Meia having friends and relatives in Italica was able to hitch a ride on a Jaysdeef military convoy and thus was there in less than two hours. Others followed her example, spending it in other towns and villages more or less close by.

Even if Wolf was able to do the same it would take up all his time off just to reach his home in the Vorshants Forest beyond the Mountain Range of Ice and Snow.

Others were to laze about in Alnus, catch up on sleep and enjoy whatever came along. On Itamis' advice Wolf chose the latter.

He recollected the, to him, aimless nightmare those nine days had on him. First two days were spent in relentless solitary practice with blade, bow and dagger. The rest "reading" as best he could, taking walks about town and base perimeter, practicing his horsemanship, taking up time and space in the tavern or making a nuisance of himself at the PX.

He was even "dragooned" into helping Jaysdeef in their kendo/bayonet drills. Wolf concluding that except for the very few sword masters among them the average serviceman didn't have a chance using what they called "primitive" weapons. They decided to depend more on their "rife-els" and magics until they could get a better training program.

One "past-time" was to watch the "ae-roe-planes" taking off for points far away and landing. He stopped that when men on base came up to the fence asking about "connecting" with any of the women in town he might know about. Not knowing as much as he would have liked in "connection" with that he simply walked away.

Japanese men were weird to him. Sure, he could be just as preoccupied with the fairer sex and all things prurient but this obsession ...

And just what was it they found so fascinating with HIM when he was in the public baths?

Could it have been ... ? No ... not that ... Most of the males of his kind were certainly "fortunate" but ... What of it?

The only time during his long days off he was completely enjoying himself, albeit pleasantly guilty, came on the second to the last.

At least until those two DOLTS barged in!

xxxxx

After a "hard day" of vae-cay-shun, he decided to take in the sauna. It was well before his barracks mates would get off shift while it was still the mens' sauna period before the womens' started. No one but he there and he could actually relax in total peace ...

Until-

"Eh-N'YAAAH!"

Quick look up revealing a very fetching vision of a young towel wrapped kat girl. Panicked look on little face lending her even more appeal.

Wolf on bench in bend over so as not to reveal too much, hastily grabbing towel and set on lap.

"W- ... Wolf!?"

Pregnant pause.

"Meia?"

"W-what are N'YOU doing here?"

"About to ask the same of you," wolf-man in reply. "It's still the mens' period for the sauna after all."

Quick look about by Meia.

"Oh! I- ... Must have lost track of time, I-"

"There's no one else here," man in interrupt, "so I guess there's no harm you coming in."

"N'you better not pounce on meow!" She in cautious enter.

"Oh that's just mean." Half smile and thinking.

Kats pounce, wolf-men ... LEAP!

He letting an inward sigh.

And if I only had the guts to leap right now ...

Wolf ... You are TOO much of a gentleman!

Meia was one of the few females in Alnus he actually felt comfortable talking with. Not only in official capacity but also in chatting her up in the PX as a customer as well as fellow employee of the town.

Though in his heart ...

That one day I saw you on your way to work ... , he thinking as she warily passed him to the far opposite end of the bench.

I was on patrol and you were walking up the street to the PX ...

You snatched a little bird in full flight ... So quick! ... Held it in your hands ... I thought you were going to devour it ...

You looking up into the sky ... Smiling that sweet smile of yours and-

You let it go.

Been in love with you ever since.

He turned facing full away from her toward the door.

"So how are things in Italica? Everyone doing well?"

"All is well there and n'you? How did n'your vae-kay-shun go?"

"Kind of slow. Did observe a lot of the Jaysdeef people. They're interesting in an odd way."

"I wish it was slow for me."

"Oh?

"I get to House Formal. All the letters and items the girls here wanted delivered to the staff all in," Meia in start. "Mistress Kane approaches me and ... WELLLL!"

"What happened?"

"I end up training new domestics, get them started right. One a niece of mine.

"They were more clumsy and inept than I was when I first started.

"I'm exhausted! N'rauuwwww ... "

"That's unfortunate," the wolf-man not really sure if it was or not. After all, it was work and one was useful.

"I can't wait to get back behind the counter at the PX!"

"We got another day before work again," he consoled.

"Yes," she wearily. "A whole full day of rest.

"Of ... rest ... "

The last uttered phrase sounding closer.

Feeling the touch of small hands on tail he reflexively turned head.

"M- ... Meia! ... What are y-"

His vision met by a now snuggied up on mans' back kat girl in wrap of his large tail. Glazed, tired look on face buried in ecstatic sniff of wolf tail.

"Aaaaaah! ... Mewww. " In slow breathy sigh. "Scent of moist fur ... Fluffy ... So soothing ... soothing ... soooo ...

"Mmmrrrrrrrn ... ," in cozying up further, side of tiny head 'rub marking' on back. Nail claws in knead of tail.

Ouch! ... Why do they DO that? ... And-

"Look ... Meia ... You can't jus-"

"Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ... "

Now seeing the little shopkeeper in purring slumber.

Oh grand! ... She's asleep, he not so regrettingly noted. Not that I mind I guess ... this closeness ... NICE but-

Now whaddo' I do?

Anybody coming in here and it'd be-

"HO-LEEEE! ... Just look at this!"

Abrupt turn of head back to door revealing to Wolf two of his barracks mates about to enter the steam bath.

"Wolf's assaulting Meia!" Said the first.

"Her holiness is gonna' hear about this!" The second in exclaim.

Both grinning ear to ear in obvious amuse, immensely so.

"NO! ... It's not what you think," he in panic and trying to fan her awake. "She's tired ... uh ... got dizzy and ... and fainted. She-"

"Suuuure she did!"

"Eh- ... huh!?" Exclaimed a now upright and very wide awake kat maiden clutching towel in keeping it over perky breasts.

Quick look about.

Trapped!

In a HOT sauna ...

WITH A PACK OF WOLFEN!

Laughs in abound by the two jerks at entrance.

"N'YEEEEEEK!"

In quick arise a very blushing, harder towel clutching Meia inadvertently brushed aside the towel on Wolfs' lap.

In reflexive reach down to catch, freezing up on getting a very good view of-

OH ... MY-

"N'YAAAAAAAH!"

Young lady in TOTAL schlock.

And he's not even yet fully aroused!

Doubled over bellow laughing fools at entrance 'gallantly' parted way for an extremely fast and embarrassed tiny kat girl, large towel covering too much to their liking.

xxxxx

The ribbing from his fellows and resulting gossip the next few days or so he could take. What he couldn't was the 'walking on eggs' for fear of Goddess Mercury finding out. He was relieved when on walking patrol with her later in the week.

Fearing the worst when he found himself a couple days later finding himself paired with her for a circuit around the town. It was obvious she had something to discuss.

Short and sweet it consisted of her mentioning about what happened and he in explanation.

"You needn't worry Wolf," a giggling Rory assured in concluding. "I talked with Meia about it. It's all a matter of one misunderstanding leading to another ...

" ... and another."

Huge knowing smile on her holiness' face.

Wolf felt Meia may have told her more than that but couldn't determine just what it was.

xxxxx

"Hhhmmmph!" He standing up in arise now wide awake.

I'll never understand this thing about "company ben-e-fits".

The last five of work had gone by quickly to him and he was in no real mood of not working. It was the way he was.

"Ah," a voice from behind the table at the back of the barracks. "You're up."

Turning toward the voice Wolf noted sub-chief Neros' presence at post.

"Sir," Wolf in plead, "if you can find it in you to-"

"No!" Nero in stern answer to what he knew the fellow merc turned policeman would ask. "The regs have it that a certain amount of rest is required at certain intervals, you know that.

"I don't scry it Wolf. Just over a year ago you, I and the others couldn't even dream of a situation like this. To us the long slog of march and boring interval between fighting was rest to us."

"But sir I-"

"Yes ... yes ... I know ... I'm restless too at times. But here we are in what seems the closest to Emloys' or Hardys' Heaven and we shouldn't look a gift steed in the mouth."

"But sir-"

"But nothing!" Nero in command. "You're to take the time off and like it ... or pretend to.

"I swear by the Gods ... You're not like the others ... You're the strangest young 'un I've ever met. The others can't wait for quitting time ... dream of what they'll do not only for weeks' end two days but also in yearn for days end carousing ...

"Even before they start shift!" Older wolf-man throwing up his hands.

"The ones for night watch whining in howl to high Emloy about missing out and-"

The older one hesitated in continue. Yes he felt the same yearn for what they all knew a scant year back. The comparative inaction and "easy" duties had everyone on edge at first, expecting such good fortune to end at any moment only to find it seemingly never-ending.

"Look ... Wolf," in continue. "You've got to learn to plan what you'll be doing to relax on your time off. Something beyond what the others with their drinking and talking up the wenches at the tavern ... Hhmmph! ... Doesn't help only beer and wine served there."

"So ... ," the younger in inquire. "What is it you do when you're bored out of your skull, sir?"

"Ha!" Older in smile. "I guess mostly the same as those oafs you and I are stuck with ... "

"Though every so often ... "

Younger giving hopeful look on Neros' last phrase.

"When I was ... much ... younger, like you I helped out my parents at home with the chores ... My favorite though was hunting. Wasn't really work to me. Tried doing it more than the others much to my mothers' dislike ... Still do when I can.

"And since you now have two full days, I'd give it a thought."

"I remember!" Wolf in recollect. "Three months ago you bagged a really big wild ma-nuga in the forest. You got three of us to help render and bring it back.

"We feasted days after!"

"So give it a try. Something you're also good at and haven't done in a while. Maybe you can return the favor of a ma-nuga yourself.

"Think of it as foraging practice. Gods know that's a skill we've been lax in practice lately."

"You're right sir!" Wolf now enthused. "Should of thought and done that last week!"

"But then," Nero with a wink. "You might have missed out on what happened in the sauna a few days back!"

"Oh sir," whined an exasperated Wolf. "Not you too!?"

"Look ... Wolf," old man beckoning younger to come nearer.

Wolf leaned forward.

"Take this bit of advice from an old man who's been around ...

"Don't pass up a good thing when you see it.

"That's an order!"

xxxxx

At edge of Coan Forest, the hunter re-checked himself out before entry.

While the area had been long ago cleared of enemy, one could never tell. While he had not donned armor, an impediment to the game chase, he didn't neglect taking sword and dagger along with bow and full quiver.

He himself knew that section of the woods well, using it for recreational hikes and such. For hunting it, it would be a first. The loose dark blouse and matching vest Wolf wore along with brown leather pantaloons topping the light moccasin-like feet coverings were more fitting for a hunt than a leisurely walk.

Finding himself ready and all together, he entered the trees.

Not knowing that would be predator had now become prey.

xxxxx

Wolf was determined not to let the hunt be no more than an excuse to take a walk in the woods. It was to be a foraging exercise thus self consciousness at a minimum.

Yes, the forest was beautiful. Thick tall old growth expanse of centuries old trees in trunk, mushroom and flower with rich fern and sparse shrub, sunlit shafts a'peek through leafy roof reminding him of his home of the Vorshants. It was tempting to just hike and ruminate.

No, a foraging exercise it was to be.

Rustling sound in a shrub at trees' foot across a small grassy glade to the left caught the wolfens' attention.

Arrow already nocked, the man drew on the string as he crept along edge of glade to the shrub. A fat wood hen would be a pleasant alternative to the bread, cheese, spicy meat concoction in the sack on his back. What the Japanese called a ... sandwich?

Closer he loped, head of arrow in side to side sweep in anticipation of whatever direction the quarry would be flushed.

The flushing came quick as the grey blur with a squeak darted single leap airborne from back of shrub to tree in scurry of instinctively getting trunk between it and hunter.

Wolf straightened and relaxed tension on string as he mentally followed the upward scrabble sound of tiny claws on bark, maker of the noise coming into view on a high up out of reach branch, acorn in its toothy jaws and balefully looking down on him.

"Well hiya' squirrelly!" The smiling wolf-man said softly as the rodential continued to eye him.

Wolf always did like squirrels. He found them entertaining in their "stop motion" movement and antics. Whenever asked why he would always smile and say: " 'Cause they're so squirrelly."

Putting tongue to roof of mouth the man repeatedly drew in breath in try of squirrel bark mimic.

In return, little one on high branch rearing up, removing nut and chittering back LOUDLY and not kindly at all. Wolf had a feeling the critters' speech contained a hefty amount of what passed for its profanity.

Rearing further up, it two-pawdedly hurled the acorn down at him missing head by inches.

Aloud and he laughing.

"Why you ... little ... sh-"

Angry chitter from the creature in abrupt stop as it looked high and past him. With a panicked squeak it disappeared to the trees' other side, ultra fast sound scrabble of tiny claws in seek of even higher foliage.

Quick turn about and string in draw, Wolf scanned quickly about the small glade.

Nothing.

But two small low hanging branches in sway of an opening in the brush where no breeze had been.

Someone ... Some ... THING ... was standing there ... Watching me.

Keen nose in employ, Wolf sniffed about as he advanced to the opening, bow further bent in draw.

Breeze ... blowing away from me ... No wonder I didn't get a whiff of whatever was there.

And had to have been really QUIET for me not to have heard it approach!

Arriving at the opening and through his keen eyes, ears and nose in scan about.

No tracks ... Must be in the trees.

Or scent ... damn wind still not with me ...

Scan about upper foliage in reveal of nothing.

Whatever it is really doesn't want me finding it ... Just as well ...

Concluding it nothing more than a small animal of some kind Wolf strode on in continue of the hunt.

Some safe distance away in stealthy observe and conceal, the "small animal" in continue of the stalk.

xxxxx

A quarter hour hardly passing when ...

SNAP!

Whatever it was this time Wolf acted as if paying no heed. Not looking up in direction of the sound so as not to reveal his wariness he walked on, working the back slung sword in scabbard and dagger in sheath to ensure ease of draw.

That twig breaking sounded deliberate ... Who ... WHATEVER ... it might be is either very clumsy or wants me to know it's following!

Can't take a chance on it being nothing to worry about this time.

Thinking quick he formulated a plan in mind.

I didn't pick this battle but I can pick my ground.

His knowledge of this stretch of forest served well as he wended his way to a shady glen he had become fond of in his long walks past.

Over a centuries long period a steady brook carved out of the terrain the glen he sought. It extended a furlong or so ending in a soft grassy open space. A pool fed by a small waterfall lay, the carving brook extending from it through the glen it made deeper into the forest in feed of a small lake and beyond.

This would be the arena he would make his stand.

Pick your ground ... Take 'em as they come ...

A large shade willow stood next to pool against rocky face of cliff. At trees' foot he sat, facing down glen in wait of adversary.

Bow and quiver laid down, remove of sword off back out of scabbard, hilt and handle resting on left thigh. Dagger now out of sheath and point down in dirt for easy access to his right.

Waterfall making only a musical late summer trickle into the pool as Wolf made a quick scan of immediate area.

He was in love with this place. Willows making for perfect shade over soft, deep grassy green of the sunlit clearing of glens' end. Times he would come here, alone of course, as a respite from the boredom of now "easy" duty of Watch/Militia. It had been awhile though. Over a month since.

Should have come here while on vae-cay-shun.

In spite of the possibility of soon close combat he felt a mixture of sense of peace and utter joy.

Glancing at pool then pour of waterfall then up into sunlit sky, he smiled to himself.

Yes.

A good day for living ...

Or to die.

SNAP!

Quick turn of head to front.

Not clumsy ... Intentional!

Creature now out in the open. A broken branch next that hadn't been there before.

So ...

It's ... YOU.

On all fours, belly almost touching ground, tail in spasmodic twitch, lope stalking forward toward now alert prey.

Pointed ears flat against head, irises so wide eye color impossible to discern. Only large twin orbs of blood crimson pupil focused on him. Jaws chuffing and nose a'twitch taking in his scent.

Through dripping fangs and ivories it widely smiled.

SMILED!

Anticipation for the kill its only thought.

Wolf re-noted dispositions of sword and dagger.

Any sudden move I make 'll leap sooner I'd want ... won't have time to use either blade.

The conditions for fight now clear.

So ...

Claw and fang is it?

He too widely smiling, fangs and teeth also in show.

BRING IT ON!

Adversarys' twin mounds of haunch and buttock alternately in rise and descent, anchoring for leap and attack.

Posterior shuffle in sudden halt.

"HHHEEEEHH!"

Wait for it ...

Wait for-

"RA-N'YA-AAAARRGH!"

Mass hitting the wolf-man full amid. Fore and back claws on shoulders and thighs, drawing blood.

Snarling grimaced face buried in left chest over heart, bushy tongue in greedy lap of blood.

Canine instinct kicking in, Wolf clamped powerful jaws over the back of attackers' neck.

Up on his feet he began jerking head side to side in effort of breaking assailants' grip and neck.

The quiet of the glen ...

For but awhile ...

Not so quiet.

xxxxx

Exhausted survivor in half stagger to barracks door, reached for the knob.

Hope I timed this right ... Second shift should be gone to relieve first so shouldn't be anyone here but Chief Nero and resting third.

Gotta' get one of those timepiece watch things at the PX ... Learn how to use it ...

Grabbing knob, Wolf gave the door a cautious shove.

Change outta' these rags ... get cleaned up and-

In spite of Wolfs' delicacy in opening door, its swing still gave out an audible thump in contacting wall.

Oh ...

Aforesaid audible thump alerting his presence to an already arrived and subdued first shift in various states of weapons check and readying selves for an evening of carouse and revelry.

Damn!

Now all fixated on the ragged figure of one of their comrades in wretched state at barracks entrance.

Definitely gotta' get one 'a those timepiece things.

"Wolf!" Sub-chief Nero in rise from back desk and breaking silence. "What in the name of all that's holy and in Hardys' HELL happened to YOU!?"

"Nothing sir, I-"

Bulk of the comrades in the barracks swiftly gathered about him. There was no way he could pass off the tattered blouse/vest, rents in pantaloons and the multitude scratches, bruises, myriad bite marks and ... blood ... showing through fur all over upper torso.

"You gotta be-!" ... "What happened Wolf!?" ... "You look like Hades!" ... "Where in- "

"Nothing guys," he in futile try, "really nothing ... uh ... was out hunting and-"

"Chief Nero said you were out hunting but-"

"Yeah," he hoping to lead them off track, "hunting."

"Hunting what!?" One of the two 'jerks' from last weeks' sauna encounter. "Wyverns? ... WITH YOUR BARE HANDS!?"

"Look at all the bite marks!" ... "Musta' been a buncha' of 'em!" ... "Buncha' what?"

"So it wasn't game, was it?"

"Look guys ... I really-" now realizing the hopelessness of talking himself out of it or of their letting up.

"Had to've been a gang of 'em." ... "A BIG gang too!" ... "Bastards!"

"C'mon Wolf," the other of the sauna 'jerks'. "Tell us. There's no honor lost admitting you were bested by superior numbers."

Wolf noted Chief Nero walking up and giving him a closer once over.

Still has his weapons ... so he wasn't bested ... That and he otherwise wouldn't be here.

Is he ... Smiling? Wolf in confuse. Does he ... know?

"NO-body beats on one a' our guys 'n gets away with it." ... "Yeah!" ... I'll bet there's a gang of Haryo skulking about those woods." ... "Lead us to 'em Wolf!" ... "We'll kick their sorry asses!" ... "Or whatever they have that passes for asses!" ... "Asses NOW!"

Growls and laughter lust for a fight building.

"Gentlemen!" Nero in try of control of the situation.

As if on cue the band of Wolfen in unison looked about and cried out:

"WHERE!?"

"Eeeeehh!" Chief face palming fore head hard, shaking head and another try. Volcatt's saddled me with comedians, jesters, phools, jokers 'n jacks! "It's not what you think it is. Just let the man be for now and-"

THUMP!

All eyes again back at barracks door. Figure of a fully armored/equipped wolf-man literally filling the entrance.

"Well you took your time getting back in," Nero using it to get one and alls' attention from Wolf. "What kept you?"

"SIR!" Late arrival from first shift addressing superior then looking about the place. "Guys!"

Latecomer now having everyones attention.

"SOMETHING'S HAPPENED TO MEIA!"

"What!?" ... "NO!" ... "Huh?"

"No ... really she's-" was all he could get in for the moment.

"Tell us!" ... "What happened!?" ... "If it's-"

"Men! ... Slow down." Nero taking control. "Let him speak."

In catch of breath the patrolman told his tale.

"Sergeant Matsumoto and I were doing our last circuit of the town when we spotted Meia heading for the womens dorms ...

"Moving kinda' slow."

Attention of all complete and undivided.

"We catch up and start questioning ... She didn't look to be in very good shape, I mean-"

"How is she!?" ... "Badly hurt?" ... "How'd it-"

"Let him go on." Nero prompting.

"By the Gods ... She looks like the Reaper ran a Hummer over her, backed up and ran over her again ... Wheels spinning all the time!"

"Colorful allegory but what did she actually look like?" Chief trying to get an accurate description.

"Well ... Lotsa' scratches and bruises but the bite mark over her neck really stood out. No blood ... It's as if whatever got her checked itself in time and only wanted to-"

The patrolman chanced to look past the mob and at Wolf. Slow recognition of coincidence about to dawn then subsided. He getting back to narrative.

"We questioned but she wouldn't answer them ... Said there was nothing to worry and everything was fine ...

"Kept giving us this ... 'look' ... and ...

"SMILED at us!"

"Smiled?"

Wolf noticed Neros' knowing grin getting wider.

"Really?" ... "She right in the head? ... "That's just-"

"Yeah, I know," messenger in continue. "So we get her to base hospital ... The healers are treating her now. Matsumoto and I had to stay with healers and MPs completing reports. One of the second shift is going to escort her to dorms.

"As it is, there's nothing we can do if she won't answer questions so no complaints or charges can be filed ... Maybe later."

"If that doesn't-" ... "These things happen in threes y'know?" ...

"Threes?"

"Yeah! ... First Wolf and-"

"Now OUR little Meia!"

OUR!? Wolf started bristling in hackle rise.

Then feeling hand on shoulder.

"Steady son," assured Nero in low tone. So he does CARE! "Let's see if these oafs can scry it out."

"Wolf?"

"Yeah! ... He just got attacked by some ... thing ... ," sauna jerk number two in slow down of speech and realization, "too ... "

"I noticed that coming in," the harbinger in state then looking at subject. "In fact, Wolf, you look like you ... got hit ... by the ... same ...-

And started belly laughing on point at Wolf.

"AWWW ... Ha ... HAW! HAW! HAW! HA- HAAAA!"

The band of mercs now 'getting it'.

"So," latecomer in question in try of suppressing his laughter, " ... So the rumors are true that-"

"Rumors NOTHING!" Jerk one replied. "It's like we told ya' about what we saw in the sauna a few days back."

"Our 'pure warrior's a ... HOUNNN-DOGIE!" Jerk two.

If it weren't for the barracks door now being closed, the resultant collective howl from the men present would have been heard all the way to the other side of Alnus Towne. As it was, it was deafening.

Only an exasperated, ceiling staring Wolf and a grinning, head shaking sub-chief Nero not joining in.

Took 'em long enough to reckon it out, the older wolf-man thought.

"So ... ," the late arrival laughingly concluding, "this awkward, naive lummox and ... OUR little Meia? ... are-"

There's that OUR again! Wolf back to bristle.

"Wooah! ... Hold it big guy!" Armored one noting the hackles on Wolf. "I said 'our' not 'everybodys'."

Seeing an explanation coming if not apology, Wolf calmed a bit.

"As you know," patrolman going on, "just about every male whatsit in Alnus has had his eye on Meia."

"And at least half the women!"

A collective "OOOOOOOOOOO!" from most present.

"Cute being stronger than ravishing after all ... Just about everyone's made a run at her and-"

"And without success!" ... "Ya' got that right!" ... "Gods know I've TRIED!" ... "Life's not fair!"

"Then you ... YOU! ... Who's anything BUT adept with the fairer sex ... comes along and-"

"Ruins it for all of us!" ... "Our dreams dashed! Hopes forlorn!" ... "Life's not fair!"

Mock disappointment/hostility all around.

"OHH! ... ," one expressing dung eating grin at Wolf. "They grow up so fast, don't they?"

"Yes," another also in sarcast. "I'll miss the little cub!"

"AHH! ... Memories," still another with hands clasped effeminately to side of cocked face. "We will treasure them!"

"Dawgs ... PLEASE!" Fertilizers' main ingredient getting too deep for Wolf to take.

Nero in decide of stepping in.

"Alright you curs!" Sub-Chief taking charge. "Listen up!"

All present now on Nero.

"Now that you all had your fun over the harrowing ordeal this poor lad's been through-"

More laughter and mirth by all.

Thanks a LOT sir! 'Poor lad' clenching teeth.

"-Maybe it's time you got on to more serious matters such as the usual wenching and carouse at the ale haus.

"I notice some of you are about ready to go ... SO GIT!

"Others I see not quite, so ... GIT to GITTIN'!

"And you," senior merc pointing to the still armored, "hurry up prep and leave.

"I don't wanna' see ANY a' you ugly mutts around here for the next few hours at least.

"Now move ... THAT'S AN ORDER!"

"YES SIR!" One and all.

Those who could hustle out, did. Those who couldn't, quietly hustled to hustle out. Late one busily removing brassard, mail and plate.

The two leaders at table.

"So ... You knew?"

"Not at first," older one in explain. "On closer look I could see these bites were made by one person."

!?

"Volcatt and I've been around at least three times longer'n you have and seen quite a lot ... of which includes SOME experience with the fairer of the Katzen."

"Never doubted that sir."

"I'm just glad you didn't run into a pride of K'Tarl," chuckled Nero. "Wouldn't have seen you for awhile then."

Both were familiar with the legends regarding that Amazonian tribe of blaze haired katamounts inhabiting the section of the Mountain Range of Ice and Snow just south of the Vorshants Forest.

One legend of which, raiding parties of K'Tarl would swoop out of the mountain vastness of their home in seek of carrying off humanoid males of whatever species for "breeding" purposes. Days ... even weeks later ... said "victims" would stagger out of that mountain range, semi-coherent and ecstatically happy.

"I think we're a bit too far southwest for that sir."

"Now," Nero beginning instruct, "This is what you do."

"Huh?"

"Clean up and change outta' these rags," older giving disapproving scan of the tatters on Wolf. "Then wait about an hour. That'll give Meia some time to get herself looked at and escorted back to the womens' dorms."

"Uh- ... Time to what?"

"Then you get yourself to base hospital and get looked at."

"Wait ... Sir? ... In spite of how I look right now, I'm actually feeling fine ... I-"

"I'd wager you do ... Howsomever ... I don't want you having any trouble with pus or festering wounds when you're back on duty day after tomorrow."

"But sir, I-"

"No ifs, ands or but sirs," Nero being firm. "All are to be ready and fit for duty at all times.

"Now move! that's an order."

"Yes sir."

xxxxx

"I'm tellin' ya' guys, THERE'S JUST NO JUSTICE IN THE WORLD!"

The merc pack on their way to tavern, drunk and revelry were engaging in mock sorrow and lament over revelations revealed of the last few minutes.

"Her ... and ... HIM?" A head shaking one. "Noooo!"

"Maybe she likes 'em big and stupid."

"Unlike of big and handsome such as I."

"Yeah, like you had a shot."

"Now just you-"

"C'mon men. Those two were meant for each other."

"Yeah, it's always the quiet ones."

"So ... Ya' thinks it's kittens over cubs for him?"

"Heh ... With us beastars any kids almost always take after the mother."

"I wouldn't worry too much about that men," a rather imperious one among them. "He'll eventually 'dog up' and do the right thing and father some of our own."

"Though, kinda' makes you wonder where some'a those humans get those red eyes."

"Way I hear it, there's gotta' be a LOT of elf, human, kat, whatever in everybodys lineages."

"Speak for yourself," the imperious one again. "I myself ... Am of the PURE blood."

"Yeah, RIIIGHT!"

"No ... Really I-"

"Then how is it we hear you n'yaah and mew in your sleep every so often?"

"NOW WAIT YOU SEE HERE JUST A MOMENT! I-"

And so the boisterousness went on even long after the pack entered the ale haus.

xxxxx

After about a year in Falmart the MPs, doctors and staff had seen a lot of things way out of their experience in law enforcement and medicine on Gates' other side. It wasn't hard to see what had actually happened to Meia on seeing Wolf enter the main doors for treatment after the little kat girl left. The mating habits of the various species of demi being a never ending source of wonder to them. Unless of course one was a veterinarian.

As both were tightlipped about what may have happened, the reports of both MPs and medicos routinely and discretely ended with the twos' conditions as unrelated and concluding with "assailant unknown".

xxxxx

Meia didn't mind filling in for someone on a day off. It was only for a couple hours and the overtime pay she could always send to her family or save it for the business she was hoping to start one day.

"As this is a small transaction and n'you're only passing through," kat girl laying several various denomination coppers on counter in change before the pair, "we can accept Empire coinage."

"Actually we'll be here almost a fortnight," the trader informed.

"Well then n'you'll need to exchange dinari for n'yen."

"Oh?"

"N'yes, n'yen is only accepted in Alnus."

"I see ... That 'paper money' ... hmmm."

"They're somewhat like promissory notes, dear," traders' wife explaining what both already knew.

"You would have to go to the money changer place across the street." Meia referred to the bank. "It's the only one allowed in town."

"The ONLY one?" Man taking on a suspicious aire.

"The Association decided on that to prevent gouging."

"Sooo ... ," the merchant in slow ask, "what is their rate of exchange"

"A flat fee of one dupindius per exchange, any amount."

"Flat feeee!?" Man and wife in amazement.

"Any amount? ... No matter how big or small?" Wife adding.

"Why so low?"

"It's only to cover the expense of accounting," kat girl in explain. "We'd sooner n'you spent the money on goods and services here in Alnus.

"And n'you don't have to exchange any back when n'you leave if n'you're going to Italica. N'yen is accepted there too."

"You see dear?" Businessmans' wife exclaimed on their leaving. "It's as they said! Alnus is as close to Heaven you can get this side of life."

Meia scanned about the store aisles and displays. Seeing the four other staffers attending to the few customers present and no one coming to the counter she turned to the window to her left.

Looking out, she let out a sigh and slightly rubbed her soft belly under the maid livery she wore.

No ... Not the heats, she smilingly thought. Just plain simple unbridled LUST.

Ever since the sauna ... His fur ... his scent, his-

No ... Didn't start with that.

Musing further.

That one day ... Was coming here for work ... Him watching me in that way when I absentmindedly caught that bird and let it go ... Like he was amused and ... longing ... Not quite the way men do in simple physical desire ...

"Rrrrrrrrrrrrr" ... Yesterday ..."Sighhhh ... "

She would have almost lost herself in purr and thought while watching outside traffic if it weren't for her keen nose picking up a combined scent of antiseptics and dressings heavier than the one on her. Getting stronger as it neared and shadow on wall to her left.

With slow right swivel she was staring at a fur bulked xtra-xtra-large T-shirt.

Looking up ...

"Uh ... Hi," shyly grinning long face in cautious greet.

"N'yuh ... Hi n'yourself," in cautious doe eye-ed acknowledge.

The two didn't seem to notice the several staff and customers in giggle and polite turn away. The sight of a tiny kat girl holding the big muscular stern standing, TAIL WAGGING wolf-man in thrall being quite amusing. More so as the situation was evidently quite sweet and sincere.

Behind counter, cat girls' tail also in heavy execute of spasmodic contort.

"I stopped by to see ... if uh ... " Wolf leaning with huge hands on counter surface.

"I'm all right," she in low tones. "Nothing broken or hurting."

Rub to her neck then with sly smile putting tiny nail claw kneading hands on the backs of his.

Ouch! ... Why do they DO that?

"Had no idea," continuing in low, "n'you doges could be so ... 'ummm ... "

Being referred to as "dogs" to Wolfs' kind could either be the lowest insult or, in Meias' case smiling, a term of endearment.

"Kinda' forgot myself," he in clumsy conclude.

I hope n'you NEVER forget forgetting n'yourself, she in not so clumsy hope.

Straighten up, Wolf in slight hesitate. C'MON! ... It's what Nero said ... Don't pass up a good thing ... FORWARD ya' fool!

"So ... ," man picking it up. "I noticed some of the Jaysdeef people putting up that big flat thing in the amphitheater."

"Oh, the movie screen."

"Yeah, moo-vy ... ," looking about and pointing over cash register to a poster on wall to left of counter. "I think it's ... that. Uh ... ," reading slowly, "Jason no ... hmmm."

The poster featured title and the figures of a man in sword wielding epic posture against what appeared to be a many headed dragon. Golden sheepskin held aloft by man in one hand, a blade in the other.

"Jason and the Argonauts." Meia finished. Her work at the PX helped immensely in her studies of Japanese and other lingua. (1)

At the suggestion of the commander of the small U.S. military observation unit, the Jaysdeef added western made "period pieces" based on European mythology and history to the mix of films weekly shown in the amphitheater. Something the locals could more clearly identify with.

"Yes ... uh,that."

C'mon oaf! ... Take charge ... ASK HER!

"Well ... I was wondering-" reset of lean and hands on counter.

Stop hesitating ya' coward!

"I was wondering ... eh," Wolf in continued stop/start. "I've never seen one of those picture story things before, another language and all ... Heard they have words on the bottom so you know what they're saying ... "

"Subtitles," smilingly Meia clarified.

"Yeah ... subtitles," a try in getting his courage up. Hack it out. THAT'S AN ORDER!

"Can't read as well as I like and-"

"N'you need someone along to help interpret." Not difficult for the smiling kat girl to deduce.

"My reading's not as good as I like." Oh ... I said that already!

"Well, the Jaysdeef," she coyly leading the poor guy on, "have people in the audience for those who can't even read and-"

Wolf did as best he could hiding disappointment and keeping a straight face thus not showing ... much.

"- they'd be more than happy to help so-"

Noting the oh so slight change in would be suiters' expression, she switched. One could lead one on only so much.

"-but if you think I'D be better AT it- ," with knowing grin and modesty not in show.

Kneading nail claws back on Wolfs' hands, leaning up, kat girl giving soft kiss to nose-

CHU!

-and enjoying reaction.

"I get off in about an hour," in whisper and smile.

"Uh ... ," the wolf-man recovering and looking at behind counter wall clock in scry. Hour glasses more to his experience. "Nnn ... long hand on thirteen, big hand on seven."

"Yes ... See's n'ya then!"

Slow drag of soft finger pads down backs of Wolfs' hands and digits.

Suppressing ecstatic shiver, Wolf in abrupt straighten up, turned to the PX door.

Looking over shoulder.

"I'll be back then."

Proceeding to broad, open double doors to PX, Wolf saw Mute' Luna Sires eyeing him in enter sporting on-duty brassard on upper left arm along with customary bow and dagger.

Seeing the BIG knowing grin on fellow MP/Militias' face towards him.

"And just what do you think YOU'RE looking at?" He in mock stern-ness.

"Oh ... Nothing," she in passing by and still in grin.

The Siren gave a soft poke to a prominent dressing in the wolf-mans' side.

"Aaargh!" Smilingly giving out a low mock cry of pain and in clutch of side.

"Nothing at all." Mute' in complete of transit.

In his faux stagger to the street Wolf could hear the womens' laughter inside.

END

xxxxx

(1) Jason and the Argonauts (Columbia Pictures, 1963) By all means see this one as it's a great example of the "stop motion" special FX photography by the late master Ray Harryhausen. Much preferable to this writer over the "cartoony" CGI of today.

xxxxx

Partial storyline and original characters of mine (only) copyright © C V Ford 1-1-22

Disclaimer: The preceding is a NON-PROFIT work of fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. I make no claim to ownership of the copyrighted names/characters, places, and events mentioned in this work. They are the sole properties of their respective owners. Please, by all means support the owners of such properties in the purchase and enjoyment of their works.