FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

This story follows this one here in an impromptu story series about two furs escaping the authorities in a steampunk inspired world. :) Not so much steampunk this story, as our two heroes rush through the mountains trying to escape their pursuers. If you're just here for the sex, that isn't until the end, but I hope you enjoy the journey getting there. This will probably keep going, as long as I have the inspiration to write it, so any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

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The low, mechanical buzz of passing airships sounded overhead, visible in glimpses through the evergreen cover over a near bare forest landscape. Three airships, small balloons with overpowered engines and hardy gondolas flew low over the green cover. Figures in the grey uniforms of the military peered down with long spyglasses, while others swept the area with multi-barelled rotary guns, fierce weapons built to sweep and shred airship balloons, or to scour a target with dozens of bullets a minute. They swept back and forth across the cover at a speed a fraction of their maximum, the occupants peering with fierce concentration as they tried to pierce the greenery to the forest floor below.

*

"Whew; I thought they'd never move on! That was a long sweep."

Amanda gave a sour look to the bright expression on her companion's face as he tossed off their hastily made cover of ground-scatter and pine boughs. The lioness carefully got to her feet and tried to brush away all the pine needles, though it was nearly impossible as they found every nook and cranny and stayed there, where they could poke and prod her whenever she moved.

"Yes," Amanda growled, "and you weren't the one who had to lay with a rock sticking in between two ribs." She frowned and rubbed along her side, "I think that is going to leave another bruise."

She attempted to glare at the antelope that was her current travelling companion, though fugitive was probably the better term for their current situation. Until recently, Amanda was a physics researcher at one of the most prominent schools in the country, until one day the results of their research sent her on a desperate escape out of the country. She'd boarded an airship bound for a convention, notes in hand, only to have that ship boarded, and told that the team she worked with had all been killed by the government that wanted her research, and by extension, her.

Her unlikely savior came in the form of an antelope on the airship named Matthew. During their travels the two of them began a fleeting romance. Amanda also found he likely set up their relationship, as Matthew turned out to be some kind of special agent that rescued her from the government forces by pitching her out the airship with a parachute and instructions to "head west." He'd caught up with her, and the two of them started the journey across the mountains that separated the two nations, but they soon found the search for her was more intensive then they'd originally anticipated. It seems the past several days were just a series of hurried rushes from cover to cover, interspersed with hour after hour of simply waiting while search teams flew overhead. The only good thing was that if there were ground searchers, the pair was staying ahead of them for now, though if they continued stopping that likely wouldn't last.

"Mmmmm," Matthew said with a half shrug and a grin that Amanda would have called "infectious" at one point, but now just annoyed her with the nonchalance that he used to brush off her complaints, "a few scrapes and bruises are to be expected, I'm afraid. We're not exactly equipped for a mountain camping getaway, after all."

"Well, we're not exactly equipped for much of anything, now are we," Amanda continued, unwilling to be soothed from her irritation by his good mood.

While talking the two started walking as they continued their trek west towards the mysterious benefactors that Matthew claimed had nothing but good intentions for her, and her research. Between the two of them, they had a couple of emergency blankets, and a few more days of food. They had no water, but clean water abounded in this area, they'd already crossed two snowmelt streams, and an icy river that slaked their thirsts on their travels.

"True, but that's half the fun, isn't it? Dodging bad guys, trekking through this beautiful forest, eating what we can find. I assure you though, once we get deeper into the mountains we'll be better off, some of the mountain ranchers here are friends of mine and will give us a place to recover."

"Trust you?!? You have been lying to me from the first time we met, why do I trust you now?"

It was a plaintive question, one she'd asked several times over the past days of travelling together, and in her head, she could almost hear his answer word for word, even as he spoke it aloud.

"Well, because I'm just irresistible, and besides, no one else has a vested interest in keeping that cute little behind of yours intact."

She glanced over at him, where he grinned irrepressibly, and she just sighed and quickened her pace, so she was walking ahead of him along the soft grounds.

"Well," she started in a tired voice, "you can spend a little bit of time just looking at it then, and I think I'm done talking to you."

Behind her, she heard a chuckle, but wisely, he otherwise kept his mouth shut.

*

They managed to avoid the air patrols for the rest of the afternoon, which let them make good progress into the mountain passes. Amanda could taste the air as it grew crisper to her nose and tongue, and the chill of the higher altitude sunk slowly into her bones the higher they went. Her travelling clothes were not suited for cold weather hiking though, so she found as the night crept on she shivered with the growing cold. She kept walking on though, until she nearly tripped and fell over a root she'd missed as the sun went down and she'd not bothered paying more attention to her night-vision. Matthew saved her though as he dashed forward and wrapped his arms around her.

"Holy crap, you're practically frigid," he exclaimed, especially when she didn't struggle to get away from his hold, "why didn't you tell me you were this cold," he asked with worry in his tone.

Amanda shrugged slightly and turned a fanged smile on the antelope, "Not that cold," she mumbled, "'sides, not talking to you." She explained, though even she felt like she was acting sluggishly, and she couldn't focus quite right.

"Stupid, stupid, you may have fur, but you can still freeze up here..." he said as he quickly took off his jacket and wrapped it around Amanda's shoulders, then wrapped the emergency blanket around that.

He guided her to the side of a large evergreen that had some time in years past pushed aside its neighbors, knocking them over and pitching them at funny angles that left a bit of a wooden overhang that would shield them from their searchers.

"This will have to do," Matthew muttered as he quickly busied himself gathering up the various fallen branches, under cover and moss from the area. He piled them into a small stack in front of Amanda, where she sat and watched him, trying not to move while the shivers continued through her.

Matthew carefully stacked the pile of kindling in the corner nook formed by the various trees, and with a small lighter soon had the kindling smoldering, and then a small fire sprang to light.

He added bits of wood to the fire gingerly, while he occasionally looked up to see the direction of the smoke. Amanda watched him as the warmth from the fire seeped into her body. She carefully unwrapped herself from the layers of clothing and reached forward, sitting as close as she dared as it warmed her sluggish body.

"W...won't they see this," she asked as she looked up to Matthew, the fogginess in her head clearing a little with the added heat.

Matthew shook his head, "Can't be helped, you were going to freeze if we didn't do anything...I thought you cats were used to this kind of environment." He commented to her, as he stood close, watching her hover over the fire.

"Pumas...yeah...cougars...sure...I'm not exactly used to the cold you know," Amanda replied in an annoyed voice, "I seem to have forgotten my cold weather gear."

At her annoyed tone, a flash of a smile crossed his features again, "Well, next time you'll know better won't you. Always keep jumping-out-of-airships gear, just for such an occasion." He tried a wry smile.

She couldn't help it, now that the fire was warming her up, she smiled in response, and nodded sagely, "Oh yes, I'll make sure to pack it next to my toothbrush, and my knickers." She would have said more, but a low grumble echoed from her stomach, and she ducked her head in sudden embarrassment.

She reached for the pack with their emergency rations, but he forestalled her with a squeeze to her hand, "Hold off on that, we don't want to eat our emergency foods unless we absolutely have to. Usually around here there's plenty to eat, give me a bit and I'll see what I can find."

She nodded in response, but patted her stomach, "Best make it fast then, and don't come back empty handed, otherwise you might start looking a lot more appetizing, and not just as a bedmate."

It was his turn to give her a sour look, which she responded to with another wide, fang-filled grin, before he grumbled and shook his head, and ducked off into the evergreens.

*

Despite maintaining the fire, Amanda found her head nodded somewhat as she absorbed the warmth, and the dancing, flickering flame kept her mesmerized. She did pay enough attention though, that when she heard the bushes swaying and crunching, she was looking directly at the edge of the brush when Matthew came through.

"I see some of your instincts are intact at least...though I'm glad you didn't greet me the same way you did last time I came up on you in camp." He said as he approached, and somewhat to Amanda's surprise, shook off droplets of water that splattered around, some of them hit the fire and caused little sputters of steam.

"Believe me, I was tempted," Amanda replied as she looked at him, "never know what kind of tasty morsel I could have caught."

He replied this time with a wry smile, "Yes, but why have stringy ol' antelope when you can have these instead?" He tossed a bundle made out of one of the emergency blankets onto the ground next to the fire near Amanda. She opened it to find two large trout, still weakly flopping out their last breaths on the silvered surface.

"I got lucky, there's a nice sized river that runs near here. Not too fast, and I got these easily enough."

Amanda's mouth watered as she looked at them, and without even asking, she quickly speared the fish and planted them practically in the small fire.

"Yeah, but what, did you go swimming after them? You're soaked!"

He smiled sheepishly, "The bank was a bit slippery, and I might have overreached a little when going after one of them." He made a hurt face, "That water is cold," he exclaimed, as he crowded in to the fire.

Amanda smirked in response, but refrained from comment, instead concentrating on the fish as fragrant smoke and steam rose from the cooking flesh.

*

Between the two of them, the fish went quickly. Once the heat seeped into her bones, and the warm fish settled into her stomach, Amanda's self-preservation instinct started sounding in the back of her mind. She looked over to Matthew again, who was lounging across the fire from him,

"Shouldn't we really put this out? I mean, I'm not cold anymore, and they will find us this way, won't they?"

Matthew grimaced, "It was worth the risk, especially to get you warmed up again...but yes, you are right, tomorrow we need to get going very quickly. They generally don't send ground searchers in at night, lousy night-sight on t heir bully boars, but they'll be here soon enough. For now though, let's just enjoy it while we can."

Amanda nodded, and watched Matthew. Despite a brave appearance, it was obvious he shivered nearly as bad as she had earlier. With a resigned sigh, she stood up and walked around to his side of the fire. When he looked up in surprise, she sat down next to him and wrapped the blanket around both of them.

"Don't get any ideas...this is just to keep us warm. We're supposed to share body heat; I read somewhere or other, right?" She pulled his shivering body close.

He nodded in return and gave a weak smile, "Right...but really, we're supposed to be nude, for that to work the way it's supposed to."

She gave him a sidelong glance, "Don't push your luck spy boy; I'm still annoyed at you, since you still won't even tell me your name."

He shrugged again, "Matthew is good enough, and really...any other name I gave you would probably have about the same amount of meaning. You wouldn't be able to trust that I gave you my "real" name, and it doesn't matter in the slightest to me, my name changes on the needs of my mission."

Amanda's gaze softened a little bit, "That seems like it might be a hard way to live, never to have a name that means anything more than your job."

"Mmmm, no harder, I suppose, then any other job. It's just part of the skills you need when you do this. Some people carve wood, some shape metal, some do particle physics," with that he winked at her, "my skill is to be whatever I need to be to do the job."

She snorted, "Well, some of those skills 'to do the job' must be more fun than others," she smirked, "since you can't tell me it wasn't your job that taught you how to keep your marks satisfied in bed."

He laughed at that, "As I said before...it wasn't my job to seduce you. Doing that probably would actually get me reprimanded, to be honest. Worth...every...minute though."

She smiled playfully again, "Good, because you're not going to be getting any more of those minutes again, any time soon. For now, get closer to the fire, if we're going to share body heat, I don't want to lose any of it while we sleep."

"Yes ma'am, of course ma'am, shall I turn down the bed for you too?"

"Mmmphh...be quiet, so we can get enough sleep so we can continue escaping tomorrow."

*

Amanda woke to a hand gently squeezing and shaking her shoulder, but when she turned over and started speaking, that hand quickly moved up and covered her mouth. She started to speak past Matthew's hand, until she saw the expression on his face. He looked into the bush, both ears swiveled and alert as he tracked something just out of Amanda's view.

She strained her ears, and soon she could hear what brought on his sudden caution. She heard the distinct sound of rustling greenery, and the crunch and breath of somefur, no, several somefurs pushing their way through the brush towards them.

When Andrew lifted his hand, Amanda licked her lips and looked up to him questioningly. He looked down after a moment and knelt down so he could whisper into her ear,

"They started earlier then I thought they would, they must have moved troops in overnight. Gather everything, and if I'm not back in twenty minutes, just go. Head west as far and as fast as you can, you should hit a series of mountain ranches as you get higher, someone there will shelter you...they don't like these boys up there." He tried a mischievous smile, but even to Amanda it looked strained.

His expression was so off from his usual easygoing manner she had a sudden realization,

If he's trying so hard to be funny, we must really be in trouble.

She nodded jerkily and unwrapped the blanket, while Michael moved off into the forest. Even knowing where he entered the greenery, Amanda could not pick out where he went, nor could she hear any trace of his passage. She briefly wondered how she caught him, that first night, if he could move like that, but stuffed that into a bag she mentally labeled 'for answering later' while she also stuffed the remnants of their campsite into her survival bag.

Within five minutes she had the bag slung and ready to go, and even considered heading off when she suddenly heard a shout coming from the forest. She tensed when she heard an answering shout, and a moment later a gunshot, and then another. The cracks of the weapons sounded shockingly close to her, even with the echoes and reverberations from the trees around them, and Amanda unconsciously took a couple of steps, getting ready to run should anything poke it's head out she didn't know.

The silence that followed the gunshots was nearly as sinister as the sound itself, and she felt her lower lip tremble as her mind whirled,

I should get out of here...those were shots. Matthew must be in trouble. He told me to run, but how am I going to know where to go?

The thoughts swirled through her mind even as she continued backing away from the sounds.

She was just about to turn and run, when crashing bushes in front of her revealed a grim looking Matthew as he emerged from the brush. He had two canteens slung from his shoulder, and he was using a third to wash his hands, while Amanda did her best not to realize what it must be that came off as the water washed red from his palms.

"We have to get going...now. If the fire was a clue to our location, those gunshots will have every search team within kilometers coming this way,"

He didn't give her a chance to question him as he grabbed her upper arm and pulled her west. She involuntarily flinched away from him, but followed as she looked at him and licked her lips,

"What did you do to them?" She asked quietly,

"They didn't give me the chance to disable them," he said tiredly, "hopefully the bodies will make anyone following cautious about trailing behind us too quickly."

Amanda looked over Matthew's face as she followed him into the brush, still tugged along by the antelope's quick pace. Even when arguing, when rushing through the forest, hiding from overhead patrols, or when he helped her escape from the airship he'd maintained an almost playful attitude. Amanda noticed the change; he just looked, wearied as they wove their way through the trees.

*

After the incident with the patrols, Matthew set a grueling pace through the trees. Amanda could barely keep up, but he made sure that she did. He pulled her over tough patches of ground, helped her through streams and over the terrain that rapidly became more tangled, craggy and rough. The tree cover became sparser as well, and on more than one occasion Amanda found her body pressed tightly to a tree's trunk, while Matthew pulled one of their blankets, darkened with mud and brush, over both of their heads while the buzzing sound of an air patrol flew overhead. During those brief respites, where she could hear his breathing, and feel his heart beat against hers, she was tempted to speak to him, to ask him what he did to the soldiers at their camp, but one glance at those tired eyes forestalled any question she had the heart to ask.

He also stopped talking, beyond giving her instructions or orders when crossing the terrain. She found she missed their playful banter, even just after the few hours they travelled through the forest evading patrols. She did eventually break the silence though, when pressed against the trunk of a tree he'd practically slammed her into just a few moments before. Even she hadn't noticed the air patrol nearly on top of them, and only by diving down against the trunk, hunkered down among the roots did she think they missed them.

In this position, she was acutely aware of his body against hers, and the way his thigh pressed between hers, while he pressed her down and kept her from moving. She swallowed heavily and let out a panting breath to make it seem like she was just catching her breath, as if she was winded, while she tried to control the responses that it sent through her body.

"H...how much father do you think we have to go," she asked in a quiet voice, while she tried to suppress the breathy note in her voice, especially when he shifted and his thigh pressed at the juncture between hers.

"I'm starting to recognize where we are, we're not too far, but we definitely need to hurry. I think they are catching up, and we want to get to the edge of the forest by nightfall."

"T...the edge? Why?"

"Because this cover thins out very fast now, we're going to have to travel at night tonight, and hope we can get somewhere I know before the sun comes up," he looked down to her and tried a small smile, "I don't know about you, but I'd rather not be a sitting duck once the sun comes up."

She tried to respond with her own smile, though his definitely did not reach his eyes, "Umm, no...we lions tend to like eating the sitting duck, not being one."

She squirmed against him, trying to deny her responses, even as she felt her nipples tightening under her shirt at the continued rubbing between her thighs. Just when she thought she'd have to make some excuse to pull away before he picked up any evidence of his effect on her though, he pulled off the blanket and got to his feet.

"They're gone...we should be able to move now."

He offered his hand and with a grumble of both frustration, and perhaps a bit of relief, she took it.

She didn't notice the sidelong, questioning glance he gave her as they started off once again.

*

The clouds covered the moon, but the occasional breaks let enough starlight through that Amanda had little trouble navigating the terrain even as Matthew rushed her across the grasslands late after dark.

The two of them reached the edge of the forest a little bit before sundown, the edge marked by the transition from tall evergreen trees to low grassy mountain scrubland. The transition was so sudden it seemed no natural force could cut such a clean line between types of land, but no stumps or evidence of logging marred the otherwise pristine landscape. While they waited for the sun to go down they caught their breaths. They drank from the canteens and munched some of their travel food. Amanda looked back and then gave Matthew a nervous look while she checked the forest brush.

"How far behind us do you think they are," she'd asked nervously.

"Closer then I'd like," he replied, his smile still somewhat wan, though he'd tried to stay lighthearted for the past several hours, "But it can't be helped. If we try to get across that," he gestured to the open fields ahead, "and one patrol airship goes overhead, we're done." He took another swig from his canteen and wiped his muzzle, "Don't worry though, just a couple of hours and we'll make it...I know the area." He looked over the grasslands, and Amanda caught another slip of his light-hearted mask, as a hint of a lost look passed through his features. She'd decided not to comment, especially when he'd then turned back and baited her out with another comment about her lack of experience camping 'in the great wonderful outdoors.'

That was several hours past, and despite his reassurances she found her feet were sore and she suspected she was getting blisters. Only the layers of survival gear on her and the mechanical motions of their hiking kept her warm. Not to mention muscles she'd barely used since she stopped working out after she got into her research complained at the horrible abuse she was putting them through. She suppressed the whine that wanted to escape her throat when Matthew suddenly stopped and pointed ahead.

"Oh thank the gods...there it is, for a moment I thought I was lost in the dark."

Amanda followed his gesture and looked out into the darkness, where ahead now that he pointed it out, she could see the regular flicker and glow of a lantern, framed by what could only be a window in the distance.

The two of them made for the distant light, and Amanda was somewhat satisfied to see that even Matthew showed obvious signs of exhaustion. He stumbled once or twice as they approached a low built home, partially dug directly into the gentle slope of this section of the mountains. A wood fence extended quite a bit out from the main home, and Amanda could see goats, cattle, and even a couple of horses milling around in the pasture.

Amanda followed him as he guided her to a gate in the fence, secured with metal twine. By the time the two of them made it to the door, they were both stumbling at the sudden relief at having reached a destination, any destination at all. Amanda looked up wearily as Matthew rapped firmly on the door and propped her up under his arm.

Amanda winced as the door swung open, and her light sensitive eyes took a few moments to adjust to the sudden glare,

"Who is it, we get no visit...wait, is that you Mathiaus? We haven't seen you in an age, and who is this, you both look exhausted!"

As her eyes cleared from the sudden glare, the sight of a decidedly matronly looking deer met her gaze. Unlike most deer, this one looked like she'd surrendered the weight battle to age, and filled out a well used, but clean looking dress, and was absently wiping her hands on the apron that hung from her neck.

"Hello Maevan..." Matthew said in a tired voice, though Amanda couldn't help but hear the note of affection in his tone, "do you mind if a tired antelope and lion take a minute to catch their breath here? I'd be mighty appreciative."

The deer raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side, "You aren't in trouble again, are you Mathiaus?" She stepped to the side though and gestured them into the house.

Matthew gave a wink," Always Maev...always." As he drew Amanda inside he leaned over and kissed the deer on the cheek, eliciting a humph from her.

As she closed the door, Maevan looked over her shoulder and shouted into the house, "Its Mathiaus, Da and he brought someone with him this time!"

Amanda gave a sidelong look at the antelope and raised an eyebrow, "This time? Mathiaus?"

He had the courtesy at least to blush a bit and ducked his head as he replied, "Yeah...I, I'll tell you later."

She managed a predatory grin and poked him in the side, "Yes...yes you will."

*

Amanda sighed as she relaxed; steam slowly rose up around her as she luxuriated in almost uncomfortably hot water.

Maevan's home was larger than it first appeared, with just as much below ground as above, apparently carved into a natural space just beneath the surface of the grasslands, carved by lava flows, water pressure from hot water springs, and the pressure from the up thrust mountain chains. It also meant that besides several belowground rooms dedicated to storage and cooling, they'd also found out how to tap into the hot spring and piped the water up into a bathing and sauna room, with two separate baths, of course.

The deer hadn't let Matthew, or Mathiaus as she called him give her any explanations as they took them in. She'd quickly shooed them both off with admonitions to clean up, and she'd have food for them after they'd cleaned the travel dirt from their fur. Matthew had been decidedly disappointed when Amanda strung up a large sheet between the two of them before she'd stripped out of her clothes and taken advantage of the tub.

Even as she floated, she could hear Matthew as he cleaned up in the tub across the room.

"So..." she started, and she soon heard the splashing water cease, "how do these folks know you, and why do they call you Mathiaus?"

She heard a sigh from across the room, and she heard him shift over to the edge of the large tubs closest to hers.

"I...was on another assignment. I wasn't escorting a person though; I was the courier. It was supposed to be easy, or so I was told...and as new as I was I actually believed them."

He pause, and she could almost hear the smirk in his words as he continued,

"Things didn't go as planned, as they usually don't...and I found myself trying to escape pretty much right along the same route. I wasn't nearly as good as I thought I was though, and someone managed to put a bullet in me."

Amanda licked her lips, but didn't say anything, instead just letting him ramble as she floated in the water, her ears perked over as she listened to him,

"I doubt I would have made it back if Maevan and her husband hadn't found me. The person who put the bullet in me left me for dead and took the item I was supposed to secure, so they didn't care anymore. These two, took care of me."

He sighed,

"The mission was a failure of course, and I knew that if I told them what happened to me they'd probably find some reason to disappear these two sweet people. So I made up a name for Maevan, and when I got back I fed them a line about them leaving me for dead, and me holing up in some den or other until I could get back. I doubt they really believed that, but they didn't bother to question me further, it was just my first black mark. They don't let you get too many of them before they 'retire' you." His voice trailed off.

"But why Mathiaus?"

"That's one of the first things we're taught, when you pick a cover name, pick something close to your real name...that way if someone calls it out and you respond naturally, it seems real. Also, if someone calls your real name, you can pretend it was close enough that you reacted...it's just safer."

Amanda nodded, and then ducked her head down beneath the water, while her head spun and wrestled with the emotions she suddenly realized were a lot more complicated towards the man that seemed to be bound to protect her, even if just as part of some unknown mission.

*

Dinner was a relatively casual affair, but the amount of food the two older furs put on the table made Amanda wonder just how often they had guests, especially when they put several meat dishes on the table without comment, which couldn't possibly have been on their regular diet. Amanda figured it was not polite to probe too heavily as the fragrances made her mouth water though.

"I hope we aren't making you dip into your winter stores," Matthew started, before he grabbed thick sliced country bread and slathered it with some bright looking jam of some kind. "It seems like this might be a harsh winter," he continued, before he looked sidelong at the older woman questioningly.

She gave a deep laugh and clapped him on the shoulder, "Oh, now don't you worry about us," she started in the way of mothers everywhere, "Da and I don't eat heavy anymore, and it's just unneighborly not to have a good meal available to guests, unexpected or otherwise." She smiled to Amanda, who did her best and smiled hesitantly in return. The older deer woman then turned to the chair across the room, "Isn't that right Da?"

'Da' who was surprisingly a heavyset elk, graying around the head fur, but his seasonal antlers still grew large enough that indicated there was probably still quite a bit of life in the older male. He, like Maevan had let old age soften his waistline into the round shape that gravity seemed to like to favor in older males, though Amanda could still see he most likely still had the musculature beneath that indicated the hard life the two of them chose.

He was enjoying a salad of some sort of dark gathered greens, covered in dried fruits, nuts and a thick, creamy dressing that even Amanda could smell had a tangy note to it. Considering how quickly he tucked into it, Amanda restrained any thoughts she had wondering how the two could live in these mountains, as the 'salad' looked almost as hearty as the maple and honey sauce covered goat loin she'd taken gratefully from the table.

"Thank you," she said politely between her dishes, "This is really, really good...I am kind of, surprised you would have something for a guest like me here." She said cautiously.

Maevan's eyes twinkled as she looked at the lion, and her amused expression made Amanda feel much younger, as if she should still be wearing skirts and pigtails somehow.

"Oh, dearie, you're not the first stray that Mathiaus has brought by here, and we get folks roaming from all over the mountains. If we're going to be hospitable guests, we just have to be ready for anyone that shows up at our doors."

With that, she turned and pointed a spoon at Matthew, while she put her hand on her hip and gave him a scolding look. The way he seemed to shrink a little made Amanda smile at the relief that Maevan's motherly power affected the nearly irrepressible antelope as well.

"Speaking of...now I won't ask what kind of trouble you two are in, I know better than that, but you better come right out with it and tell us what other kinds of guests we might be having here."

Matthew gulped, and carefully pushed his plate forward. He ducked his head a bit and smiled somewhat apologetically,

"Well Maevan, Da, I think this time there are soldiers after us. They've been following us all the way through the forest, and I don't doubt that as soon as the sun comes up they'll find this place," he put his utensils down, "we'll get a couple of hours sleep, and then be on our way just before first light, so you don't have to lie to them about us being here."

At the mention of the soldiers, 'Da' perked up from his place in front of the fire, and the older elk put his plate to the side and walked over to the side of the table. Amanda startled when she realized that he'd made no sound at all as he walked over, even to her sensitive ears. When he spoke, it was in a deep timbre, and he put his hand on Matthew's shoulder, which startled him especially since it seemed he'd not heard him approach either.

"Son, you know we've got no love for soldiers around these parts," he started while Maevan nodded, "either the ones from here, or the ones next door, and for the most part they don't bother us, we're too few and too spread out to be worth it. Now, are they chasing you...or are they chasing her, and don't you lie to me."

Matthew looked up at him, and then sighed and shook his head, "They're after her, but I bet they wouldn't mind getting their hands on me either."

The older male nodded and then looked at Amanda, "Now, I won't ask you why they're after you, young lady...I just need to ask how important it is that you get away, and if you get away, is it worth the cost?"

Faced with those questions, and the direct, calm gaze of the older male, Amanda found she couldn't hold back the emotions; she trembled and nodded jerkily.

"They...they killed everyone except me according to him," she said with a gesture to Matthew, "they think it's worth it...and my friends did. I don't know if it's worth all that, but they've all paid the cost with their lives, how can I say it's not worth that?"

She found she was suddenly on the brink of tears, as the reality of that statement rang true inside her heart. She'd never let herself really process what he told her about her research partners, her friends, but looking into the steady gaze of the older elk made the truth of it. She'd never see them; they'd all died probably in horrible pain. The realization hit her and she couldn't control the tears.

Before she could break down into sobs though, Maevan was there and wrapped her arms around Amanda's shoulders. Maevan pressed Amanda's muzzle into her apron and held her as the lion let out all the tears that built up from the strain of their headlong rush.

Matthew managed to look embarrassed, and turned his head away, while Da just gave one single nod and then looked to Matthew.

"You are going to stay here tomorrow...and no boy, no arguments from you. I have some folks to contact tonight and tomorrow. Ma here will take care of you tomorrow and handle anyone that comes by, you understand?"

Matthew gulped and nodded, "I understand...umm, sir. I just don't want to get you into trouble."

Da smiled grimly, "Sometimes it's time for trouble boy, and you realize you can do something about it early, or get rolled over when it gets too big for anyone to handle."

He patted Matthew's shoulder and walked over to the entrance to the home, where he grabbed a long duster-style coat and popped a wide-brimmed hat onto his head, one cut so that it fit between his horns where needed. He then looked to Maevan and gave a much warmer smile,

"Ma, I'll be back as shortly as I can, think you can handle these two youngsters for now?"

Maevan lightly stroked Amanda's neck, while the lion's sobs eased, and she looked over at Da.

"Of course Da, you know me; I'll make sure they don't get themselves into too much more trouble."

With another nod, the elk headed off into the night.

Matthew looked from the door, to Maevan, a somewhat bewildered look on his face,

"Wait...what, where's he going?"

Maevan leaned over and gave Amanda a kiss on the top of her head, as the lioness sniffed away the last of her tears,

"Just because you country folk think we're part of one group or another, don't mean much around here," she started, "we're mountain folk, and sometimes it's good to remind one group of people in uniforms or another just why it's better that they leave us alone."

Amanda's eyes widened at the suddenly predatory look on the old deer's face, and she was inordinately glad she didn't direct that gaze at her. A moment later though, and it was gone and the deer's motherly look came right back before she looked to Matthew, then Amanda.

"Now then, you've had your bath and your supper; you're no doubt tired as well. So why don't you help an old deer clear the table, and we'll see about setting you both up for the night."

Amanda looked at Maevan, then Matthew, who returned her look with the same confused one he no doubt wore, before he looked back to Maevan.

"Oh, of course Maevan here let me get that platter for you."

*

Well, I suppose it's better than sleeping on the floor, it just might be more awkward.

Amanda looked on with consternation at the single, wood-framed king-sized bed that occupied the guest room Maevan directed them to once they'd finished with the somehow soothing chore of cleaning up the dishes and washing them in under the older deer's gaze. Drying wet dishes as the other two passed them to her was almost soothing, as Amanda could let the simple, mindless action let her mind shift away from her earlier darker thoughts.

When done, Maevan had shooed them out of the kitchen, telling them to make use of their kids' old room, which meant that Amanda somehow expected it to be...smaller.

Rather, the room was big, with its own hearth, that already had a smaller fire burning, a large toy box carved out of some kind of dark wood, and a single, huge bed.

"I guess they umm, had all the kids just share the bed," Amanda commented with a little cough as she noticed Matthew trying not to look at the large bed.

"Yeah, that's not all that uncommon here...it's easier with one room and a bunch of kids. That's...yeah, that's ok though, I'll just sleep on the floor, give me a few furs and I'll be fine."

Amanda couldn't help it; she smiled at the blush at the tips of his ears. She'd seen him as many things, but embarrassed was not one of them.

"Mmmm, that would hardly be fair, would it? Especially since you need to sleep well if it starts getting, well, not good in the next couple of days. If you promise to behave you can have one side, I'll take the other."

He nodded hesitantly, and she stifled a little giggle as he started to get into the bed on his side, without bothering to take off any of his clothes.

"We've been sleeping in our clothes for days now," she reminded him, "I doubt you want to do it now, right? Besides, I'm pretty sure we've seen each other without our clothes. If it makes you feel better though, Maevan was so kind as to lend me a sleeping dress, it's a bit big on me, but it should keep me decent, all right?"

"Yes...um, that would probably be better." He said with a hesitant smile, though he continued to look at her expectantly.

"What, you expect me to change into it right here? Bad boy, turn around," she grinned impishly.

"Oh, right." He turned away and started undoing his clothes.

Amanda watched him, his position had him in front of the fire, and as he stripped off his shirt and pants she took a moment and admired his form, silhouetted by the firelight. The light lent him more definition, and she could see each curve of his lean muscles as he moved.

Mmmm, well...secrets or not, he really is not the worst bed companion I've ever had.

A sudden mischievous urge struck Amanda, and before he could turn around, she took off her own clothes. She left the sleeping dress behind before she slipped underneath the covers on her side of the bed. She pulled the covers up, so the furs covered her from neck down, and watched as he finally finished pulling off his clothes and turned back to the bed. He raised an eyebrow at her bundled up state,

"Well, I've heard cats need their dens, so I guess one made of furs can't be too much different," he commented in a tone that showed a return to his idly amused attitude.

She stuck her tongue out at him and hmphed, while he managed a little chuckle. He banked the fire carefully and slipped beneath the covers, carefully facing away from Amanda on his side of the bed.

The low firelight shadowed his form; he tucked the blankets under his arm so that Amanda's low light vision easily could make out more of his body. Of course, she'd seen it before, but she'd not spent much time really looking him over when on the airship. Now, her gaze adjusted, she spent some time looking over what she could see of his body, noting the thin traceries of scars she'd never noticed before, and hadn't looked for.

She inhaled slowly and picked up his scent, somewhat muted by the fresh, clean scent of the rough soap they used in the baths.

He really did save me...even if he lied to do it. He's done so much for me. What would he do if I weren't his 'assignment' though? Would it matter to him, to me?

She licked her lips slowly as she looked over him,

I don't think it does.

She finally concluded, and with that thought, she made up her mind. She slipped across the bed and pressed up to him from behind, so that her naked form had to be obvious as their fur meshed and tickled each other. He gave a short breath, especially when she slipped her arms around his chest and ran her claw tips over his pecs, and down to his waist.

"Hey...I thought we were going to behave," his voice had a note of sleepy surprise, but she couldn't help but also hear a bit of a pleased note to it as well.

"No," she murmured, "I told you to behave; I don't think I ever made that promise."

She spoke directly into his ear and then lightly brushed the tip of her tongue across it, which provoked a slight flick of it away from her. She smiled as she dropped one hand lower, didn't even bother stopping at the waistband of his loose boxers, and sought out the heated length beneath. He let out a low groan when she found it and wrapped her hand around his hardening shaft. She stroked him lightly, teasingly, exploring his reactions in a way he didn't let her the first time they had sex. His hands went back and gripped her hips as she worked over his length, at first smoothing her hand over his silky soft skin, then alternating by gently tugging it with her hand as she stroked him to full hardness.

She kept her other hand on his chest and held him as she almost leisurely stroked him off while he shifted and made little sounds of pleasure from deep down. She also lightly ground her mound against the small of his back, and she smiled as her own growing arousal became more obvious, through both scent and the dampness she felt between her thighs.

He tried to turn, but she squeezed him and dug her claw tips into his chest lightly, which provoked a little gasp,

"Now now...I told you to behave, that means I get what I want for now..." she chided him with a husky voice, even as she stroked him a little bit faster and he jerked his hips back against hers.

She felt a little bit of pre-cum seep onto her fingers, and she brought it up for a taste. She licked the salty, slightly bitter bit off her fingertips before she dropped her hand back down. She used the slick substance and lubed her strokes a bit more. She stroked firmly at the base of his shaft and then loosened her grip as she shifted up to his tip in a sort of reverse-milking motion that soon had him squirming and humping up against her hand.

His rather freely flowing pre-cum soon covered her hand, and her strokes had a wet, slick sound as she drew her fingers up and formed a circle around his crown, squeezing there firmly before she slipped back down again.

"Oh fuck," he panted out, "I'm gonna cum...fast if you keep doing that."

"Good," she purred, "Then you'll be ready for the second round even faster..."

She gently pushed down the covers, now that the heat between the two of them was growing almost uncomfortable. It also revealed the glistening sight of his long, black shaft, coated with his pre-cum, more and more of it drooling from the tip and covering her hand as she pumped along it quickly. Every time the tip disappeared between her fingers he let out a little moan, and she could see his sac tighten up and his body tense as he teetered at the edge of climax.

Amanda didn't hesitate any further; she shifted down and slipped over his body. Her torso rested on his thighs, and she could lean over his side and guide the tip of his cock at her muzzle. She stroked quickly then, sliding her hand up and down at a fast pace as her body weight made some effect at keeping him from moving too much.

In that position, with those strokes, he wasn't long in cumming, and heavy streams of his hot, thick cum soon met her open muzzle. In that position, she could feel the muscles flexing through his hips even as his cock bobbed in front of her, and it sent a thrill through her all the way down to her clit. She took his load in her muzzle, and made sure she pumped him until the last few dribbles of cum met her tongue before she finally swallowed it down. The taste lingered, and she purred in satisfaction as she slid up his body, while he turned onto his back as she moved. She especially made sure her pussy slid up his leg, and rested on his thigh when she made it all the way up and met his muzzle for a kiss, enthusiasm dampened not at all for the taste of his cum on her tongue.

"So...what brought that on? I thought you said it was never going to happen again?"

Amanda blushed slightly and smiled, "Consider it a big thank you, you've saved my life at least three times that I can count, and I don't think I showed you how much I appreciated what you've had to do to accomplish that."

He smiled and slid his hands up her sides, and she did not stop him this time as he pulled her close, "That was all that it was? A thank you?"

"Mmmmm, maybe not just that. I know you can't tell me much about what you've done but as long as we're travelling together, I think I would like to keep doing this. Even though I know it will end, whenever you have to go."

She purred lightly as his hands caressed up her back, and she slid her hips against his, which ground her pussy against his thigh. She bit her lip in an unabashed sign of pleasure, and he chuckled at her expression.

"They will definitely fire me, or worse, if they discover I've been doing this." He lamented, even as he ducked his head down and kissed her again.

They kissed and stroked each other; her body rubbed against his, his hands held her close. She straddled his thigh, ground her sex against the meat of his thigh, and rolled her hips so her wet folds stroked up and down against his hard muscles. The firm texture provoked a groan as she arched her back and rubbed her clit back and forth against the yielding, but firm flesh. He slid his hands up over her ribs, circled around and captured her breasts, sucking on one, and then the other in turn, as her fingers sought out her clit. She stoked lightly above it even as she ground down, squeezing her thighs around his and riding the feeling into a nice, low intensity orgasm as her clit sawed back and forth against his thigh. She panted above him and smiled in giddy pleasure, while he licked his muzzle and mmmmed,

"That was hot as hell to watch," he commented, even as she narrowed her eyes and smiled down to him and his slowly resurgent erection.

"I can tell," she purred as she slid her free hand down and again stroked his growing length. This time though when she got him nice and hard, she slipped up and shifted forward, straddling his hips as she bent down and kissed him, "Now let's put this where it belongs, for now."

"I can think of nothing better," he replied, and then groaned as she shifted backwards and guided the tip of his cock to her needy, open sex.

The orgasm left her more than wet enough, so she stretched around him and was able to take his length in one long stroke, leaving just few inches of his long, thin shaft outside of her as she settled back. She felt full though, and he couldn't complain either especially as he felt her muscular body squeeze around him, clenching his cock in the heated slickness of her pussy.

When they started moving together for the second time, the pace was slow, measured. She rolled her hips up and down, moving just a couple of inches, so the tip of his cock moved and shifted inside her and he never really slipped out of her heat. The movements found new angles, new sensations as her inner walls held him and slid along the top, or the underside of his shaft. She'd flex her inner muscles so it seemed she was milking him from bottom to top, which provoked another gasp of pleasure, smothered by her muzzle as she kissed him hungrily.

They moved together against the threat, and the cold, and the fear of their circumstances, and as a result, the sex was passionate, extra hot and slick as she growled and he moaned. She dug her claws into his chest; he clamped down with his teeth and bit her across the collarbone, over her breast, and even onto the nipple, which provoked another moan of pleasure from Amanda's lips. All the while, her hips slammed against his, her body dragged against his as she ground her clit against his pubic bone with each thrust, and he did his best to impale her on his entire length with each movement.

Somehow, eventually, they ended up with him on top, thrusting hard and fast into her beneath him, while her legs braced against his shoulders, bent nearly in half as the position left her spread open and completely accessible to his pounding thrusts. Both of them gasped as the room seemed degrees hotter than the fire allowed, and sweat dripped from his body onto hers. Their eyes stayed locked on each other, and her fingers rubbed quickly over her clit as he pinned her body and nearly bottomed out on each thrust.

"C...coming..." she panted out, and whimpered, as her inner muscles finally gave up fighting against the pleasure against his long cock and her stroking fingers and let go in a massive orgasm. She whined in pleasure as she felt it spike through her, through tired, sore muscles, through all the weariness, just a pure expression of pleasure and a fire that turned her into a limp, muscle-less ragdoll beneath his thrusts.

He grunted and kept thrusting. He pounded her as she simply lay beneath him, accepting his thrusts until she could take his orgasm. She reached up, hooked her hands over his shoulders and pulled him close for shorter, sharper thrusts. The changing of the sensation was more then he could stand though, and he gasped and buried himself in her as a second climax, seemingly stronger then the fist pulsed through him.

She felt his cock pulse with each muscular twitch, and her body clenched around the sudden flood of liquid heat as it filled her battered sex. She mewled up to him, purring, panting, and moaning all at once, as he pressed down and made sure each pulse joined the last inside her pussy before he finally released her legs and dropped down on top of her.

The two of them just lay like that, him on top of her, while their breath mixed, and their heat cooled a little. She savored the slick, sticky sensation of their wetness as it spilled out and matted down her fur. She tried to move, they both did, but it was all they could do to separate, but remain in contact, body to body as they shuddered and shivered next to each other with the aftereffects of their powerful orgasms.

It wasn't long after that both of them could feel the exhaustion coursing through their muscles, as the post climax lassitude, the events surrounding them, and their heat finally caught up to t hem and forced them into a deep, blissful sleep.

*

"I know I was young once too, but if you youngsters are going to make a mess like this, you might do an old woman a courtesy and put down a few extra layers before you decide to go at it like bunnies."

Amanda woke to the amused sounds of Maevan, and even with the teasing tone, and the knowledge that there was someone else in the room consciousness came somewhat slowly. At the somewhat more coherent stammers of apology coming from Matthew's lips and the laugh from Maevan's she couldn't even get the energy up to blush, nor could she be embarrassed as instead all she felt was the lingering effects of sleeping well.

"Oh child, I know you don't want to hear it, but you've got to get up. One of those darned airships just buzzed overhead, and that means the soldiers can't be too far behind."

That brought her awake rather more quickly, and she pushed up from the bed, suddenly realizing how sticky she felt after the previous night.

"Just let us get dressed Maevan, and we'll run, Da isn't back yet, and we should have a good enough head start to make it clear."

Matthew was already reaching for his clothes, clumsily pulling on his discarded underwear as Amanda climbed out of bed and tried not to yawn. She somehow couldn't manage to feel self-conscious in front of either Matthew, or the old deer, especially when she caught an expression of what might even be approval on the matron's face.

Maevan reached over and swatted him on the behind, which provoked a yelp,

She does know how to handle him all right.

The thought passed with a grin while Amanda reached for her clothing.

"Nonsense, the two of you aren't going anywhere. Da will be back soon enough, if I know him, and you're not really equipped to go anywhere. You've got time, and I've got hiding spots, so you two get cleaned up quick and I'll get you somewhere safe."

Amanda paused and looked over to Maevan,

"Are you sure? We, I really don't want to cause you any trouble. You've done more than enough just giving us a place to sleep and a good meal."

Maevan sniffed in response,

"As Da said last night, we mountain folk can handle a little extra trouble, when we think it's worth it," her eyes softened a bit, "just seeing you too together, in my eyes, makes it worth it." She concluded, and then with a final nod to forestall any discussion, the deer turned and left the room.

"I don't think anyone wins many arguments with her," Amanda said in an amused, but sardonic tone, while she grabbed her clothes, and the case that she'd never left, even through their entire escape.

"Yeah...sooner or later you realize it's just not worth the trouble," Matthew admitted with a return, sheepish smile, "especially since she just usually gets her way anyway."

Amanda smiled as she finished gathering her clothes and without bothering to put on anything at all started on her way to the door.

Matthew watched her move with a little grin, and as she swayed her tail at him, which gave him flashes of her ass and her pussy, she noticed his male hood twitch again and start to harden under the fabric of his underwear.

"So...umm, share a bath then? It's more efficient that way, you know."

She grinned over her shoulder at him and winked,

"Just as long as you remember that we are under a bit of a time pressure you know, deathly peril and all that," she replied as she paused in front of the door.

"Right...so, we won't completely fuck each other into insensibility eh? I bet I can get you off faster," he challenged with a gleam in his eye.

"That is a fools bet," Amanda said with a grin, "but it will be fun proving why, if you can catch me!"

She then flung open the door and raced towards the bathing area, Matthew quickly followed in hot pursuit.

*

"When she said she had hiding spots, she really wasn't kidding," Amanda muttered, her previously ebullient mood somewhat repressed by the little maintenance area she and Matthew currently packed themselves into.

Ostensibly to maintain and regulate the plumbing that shuttled the hot spring water all over the house, the little area beneath the floor of the house served as a serviceable hiding area, especially with the heavy flooring above, the wood covered in the furs and rugs of what was obviously decades of sewing and knitting by Maevan's deft hands.

It was, however, little big enough for one person to do maintenance on the home's plumbing, much less the two of them stuffed into its confines. The pipes also radiated heat and steam, and Amanda and Matthew both found themselves toweling off dripping water and sweat, as they stayed secluded.

Maevan's predictions proved correct, as not long after the two of them finished cleaning up (after a brief period getting dirty again,) Maevan reported that a group of soldiers had come into sight, marching straight for the house. The old deer stuffed them into what amounted into a somewhat larger crawlspace with warnings to be quiet, while she'd waited for Da's arrival.

The two of them could see somewhat into the house's main room through the cracks between the wood, and they heard when shortly thereafter a sharp rap sounded from the front door. Amanda stole a look to Matthew, who nodded and kept his lips shut while they saw Maevan shuffle with exaggerated slowness towards the door, while she called out.

"Just a moment...just a moment, these old bones take some time."

A second knock, harder, sounded just before Maevan reached the door and opened it,

"Now now, I'm here, I'm here," she started as she looked outside. Amanda couldn't quite see who was at the door, but she saw several figures blocked the doorway. To her credit Maevan didn't look the slightest bit intimidated as she looked them over before she spoke, "what's so important that you're bothering an old woman at home up here so far? Restlan isn't due here for another few weeks to check in, and he's our usual marshal around here."

A gruff voice sounded from the door, rough and harsh and from behind that voice, Amanda could hear the sounds of snorting and snuffling,

"Military business Ma'am, we're pursuing two fugitives that are travelling through this area. You haven't seen anything have you?"

"Fugitives huh? No...I think I would have remembered anyone coming through here...but Da went out gathering and he hasn't said anything about finding anything in the past couple of days. We gotta get ready for winter, don't you know...just what did these fugitives do, to get you coming way out here looking for them?"

"Nothing that's your business," the gruff voice replied, "and if you haven't seen anyone, you won't mind if we come in and look around, do you? It's your duty to provide aid where required, by law, as you know."

"Yes yes...I know what the law says, but if you wanted something to eat, you just had to ask. You know, I'm always glad for visitors."

Through the cracks, Amanda watched as five soldiers pushed their way in past Maevan, who stepped away while she wiped her hands on her apron. Three boars, accompanied by a tall wolf, who if Amanda had to guess was the one that spoke to Maevan, and lastly a heavyset looking bear spread out around the house.

"Don't be making a mess, I just cleaned up," Maevan warned.

Amanda gritted her teeth as the soldiers pushed over chairs as they left the main room. Amanda could hear doors opening and closing in other rooms. She also thought she heard crashing, as it seemed the soldiers were bound to tear the place apart searching. The wolf casually righted a chair and pulled it up to the table. He reached forward and grabbed a hunk of bread and butter that Maevan set out for her own breakfast, and he munched it lightly as his troops looked around.

A restraining hand on her shoulder kept Amanda from calling out though, or doing anything else hasty as the soldiers searched. A couple of times they even approached their hiding spot, but they seemed more interested in tossing the place and giving the appearance of a good search rather than actually searching the house.

The wolf chewed thoughtfully and he gestured towards Maevan with a serving knife, before he commented,

"You know that harboring a fugitive could lead to very serious repercussions," he smirked, "if we found anything that indicated they are here, and you didn't cooperate, you could be arrested as well. It would be a shame to drag you out of your home, and of course, the premises would be forfeit. They might even end up sold for the good of the state."

Maevan frowned and put her hands on her hips, "I already told you that there's no one else here. Da's out gathering, and you boys are being mighty impolite, especially since I invited you in. If you'd wanted some breakfast, you just had to ask, I could have put together a nice plate for each of you. Since you're making such a mess though, I'd kindly ask you to leave."

The wolf smirked even more widely and planted the knife in the table with a dull thunk.

"I don't think you understand the position you're in old woman, as a citizen magnanimously allowed to live and work in the state, you have certain duties to the servants of that state. If we need to stay here, say, a day or two while we conduct our search, you should be proud to provide us with all the food, warmth, and shelter we need. As a good citizen, of course."

Maevan frowned even more and wrung her hands in her apron, while Amanda watched with held breath. It looked like she was just about to say something, or do something that might get her in even greater trouble, when Da walked in, pushing past the half-open door. He looked around with seeming surprise as he took in the tableau. Amanda noticed that he had an old looking gun slung over his shoulder, something just a bit out of character if he were gathering from the forest.

"Ho here Ma, just what's going on here?" He asked in his gruff voice, while the wolf frowned at the new arrival.

"Well Da', these men here think that we might be harboring all sorts of dangerous folk, and they think they might need to stay here a while for their search."

The wolf nodded at that, and was about to say something, when the return of the soldiers from the back rooms stopped his comment. He looked curiously at the bear,

"It doesn't look like there's been anyone else here. These folks've got nothing," he said with a snort.

"See, there you go;" Da said, "Nobody here, now you can take your folks and get out."

The wolf stood up from his seat at the table, knocking the chair over with a clatter, before he walked over to the pair. He gestured to the other soldiers, whom filed out the door to the outside, while the wolf stood in front of Maevan and Da'. The wolf's gaze flicked over to the rifle, and returning to his haughty expression, he pointed at the weapon,

"That seems like an interesting tool to take with you while gathering supplies; I don't suppose you have a license for it."

Da tilted his head,

"There are some dangerous critters around here, I dare you to go out into these mountains without some kind of weapon and come back safe, so no, I have no permit for it."

"Well, then I would say you are in trouble, sine all weapons need to be properly licensed with the state. For all our citizen's protections, you understand. If you turn it over right now, along with the proper fees for a fine, I suppose I could look over this violation...this time."

It was Da's turn to smirk; after a glance out the door, he straightened his shoulders,

"I think you might want to reconsider that demand, young man."

The wolf's expression turned stormy, and he opened his mouth to say something, when the sudden 'crack' of a firing rifle rung out. The wolf turned his head to the entrance. Amanda couldn't see past the doorway, but a familiar sound of shouts of pain and surprise accompanied a sudden barrage of gunfire. The wolf turned his head back to Da, perhaps about to say something, but at the same time, he reached down towards a sidearm holster at his hip.

He didn't even get the chance to draw the pistol. Faster then she thought someone of his age had any right to move Amanda watched as Da bull rushed the wolf into the side of the doorframe. He grunted and tried to push the elk off, but somehow during the rush the older fur had drawn a long hunting knife, and in one motion sunk the 6-inch blade into the wolf's side.

Amanda winced, even from her position, her eyes wide as she watched the wolf's muzzle open. She expected some kind of sound at the opened muzzle; instead, what came out was a wet gurgling sound, and blood flecked foam spilled from him before his eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed to the floor. Da looked down at the wolf's still figure before he grunted, reached down, withdrew the blade and wiped it clean on the dead wolf's uniform.

Maevan walked over to the crawlspace and opened the panel, before she gestured the two furs out,

"You can come on out now children,"

Amanda couldn't help but look at the dead body, only the second she'd seen so far, despite all that Matthew had done during their escape.

Maevan noticed Amanda's gaze and gently turned her to look into the younger lion's eyes,

"Now sweetie, it's good to be affected by someone's death...it's never a good thing, but sometimes you do things that need to be done."

"Speak for yourself Ma," the elk said, and grunted as he pushed the wolf with his hoof, "this bastard probably had it coming, if how he acted here said anything."

The two looked over as five more furs of all different species, wrapped up in furs and carrying all manner of firearms, knives, and survival equipment came in from the front door. The first, a big ram that nearly matched Da in size, and with his huge curled horns was likely a couple of inches bigger then the elk, came up to him and started speaking in a deep, but surprisingly quiet tone,

"The others were no problem, one tried to rabbit, but Garny here took care of it," he gestured back to, well, a rabbit, who merely nodded, despite the ram's comment.

Matthew looked from the body to Maevan,

"You know, this is going to bring others here, once these don't report in. They had to know where this squad was going."

Maevan nodded, "Of course Mathiaus, but we'll handle that when the time comes. We made our choices after all, and we'll stand by them."

They bunny grinned in a bloodthirsty fashion that did not look at all appropriate on an herbivore's muzzle before he spoke up, "I think they'll find that for a while, sendin' their patrols out 'er is gonna be a losin' thing. Lon' enough, anyway."

Amanda looked from Maevan, to the group, and the suddenly reached out and hugged the deer tightly, "I, I don't know how to repay you, you're doing so much, taking such a risk."

"Ahh dearie," she replied. "It's our risk to take, and as we said before, we think you two are worth it. Just make sure, wherever you're going, it's the right place, and the right people are there to handle...whatever your important thing is." She smiled kindly.

Matthew stepped forward and grasped Da's hand in a firm shake,

"I'll make it back here as soon as I can, to make sure you're ok, and offer any help I can."

Da nodded and looked over to Amanda, then gave a surprisingly light smile and a wink, "Boy, take your time, we can take care of our own here. Now let's get you set up so you can get where you need to go."

Matthew nodded and reached out; Amanda took his hand and smiled, then stepped close and gave Matthew a squeeze.

"Yes, I think it'll be better when we get there,"

Amanda returned the two older fur's smiles, as she was surprisingly, looking forward to where their escape might be taking her next.