Times Arrow: Hunted
#2 of Times Arrow
Times Arrow: Hunted.
In a distant area of woods a brief flash illuminates the night. A shepherd nearby stirs from his sleep, his flock restless, they begin keening. Looking around the Collie sees no sign of a storm and he sets about calming the sheep. Meanwhile several dark figures slip through the trees.
Elsewhere. John and Hitomi had not long settled in camp for the night. It was easier to travel at dusk, less chance of being spotted or drawing unwanted attention. It was several months after the rescue and wanted posters had been distributed via runner and postal service. They could not afford to stay in any single place for long. Unfortunately Siamese women stood out far too well in this period and area, making any protracted stays very dangerous. John had not heard anything from his command. This in itself was of concern, it indicated that they most likely knew about his breach and had severed links and support.
Now they would have danger from two fronts. Wolf Packs would be dispatched to return him. They were a far bigger threat then anything in this time period. All the training and technical support he previously had, and extra training to counter just such occurrences as rogues like he had become.
But for now he lay with Hitomi, their bodies snuggled up close as had become common now. With her not needing to flee his bed and return to town. Their love deepened with the growing closeness and intimacy the situation gave them. Although signs of stress were becoming evident in her, being hunted was not something many could cope with, especially someone as tender and gentle as she. She stirred in her sleep, cuddled in his arms as if his thoughts had disturbed her. He snuggled closer, his proximity comforting and her sleep settled.
John loved to watch her sleep; it was soothing when his worries and concerns threatened to overcome him. As she nestled in close his thoughts slipped back to their love making earlier.
The heave of her bust as he plunged into her depths, how her pussy clamped tight on his member each time he hilted inside. Her howl at release and her juices flowing freely as her climax rippled through her body. How she milked him intensely until his seed erupted long and hard and their bodies collapsing together. He felt his member respond to his thoughts, swelling between them. A smile played over his lips but he resisted the urge to wake her. There would be plenty of time for that later.
...............................
The mayor sat in his office, resplendent in all the majesty the town's heavy taxes had provided him. Across from him sat a pair of wolves in religious robes.
"We have come after the news of a demon and its consort; please tell us all you can of the incident."
"Well, it was a while back. We count ourselves lucky that it has not returned and attacked us again."
"Of course, but please recount as much as you recall."
"It began many months ago. There had been talk of a shadowy figure seen in the area around our town. Its speed and ability far exceeded any regular person and so it was clearly demonic. Our priest increased his services and we followed all holy doctrine about cleansing our folk and avoiding demonic influence."
"As is right of you. Now tell us of the girl."
"She was new to our town, a traveller apparently. Her race was unknown to us, but we welcomed her as the good book teaches. Her ways seemed unusual but it was her absences that raised suspicion. She was seen leaving the town and heading towards the area the demon had been seen in. After a few such sightings and her reluctance to attend our services we realised she must be in league with it. Our sheriff had his militia take her and we planned to execute her and appease the lord."
"Go on." The wolves urged.
"It was our normal execution day. I was making the pronouncement when it attacked. From our church of all places! The defilement of our Lords house. We had to demolish it and rebuild it from the ground up. It cost a large portion of my treasury and I have had to raise taxes even higher to make up for it. The people are..."
"Yes, yes. I'm sure this is important to you but you are starting to ramble. Tell us about the demon!"
"It was so fast. It slaughtered our entire militia, the sheriff tried his utmost but ultimately fell to the demon. It then snatched away the girl and fled. We have dreaded its return ever since."
"Have there been any other sightings since? Any lead as to where the demon may have gone since?"
"Only the vaguest hints. No-one has seen a demon, but the girl was seen, and she was in the company of a leopard male?! Could the demon have taken the form of a mortal?"
"There have been such claims yes. To deceive or seduce. Where were these seen?"
"West of here. Several days ride. We have sent runners and messengers out to spread news and warn other towns against them."
"Thank you. That will do nicely. My brother and I must depart now and bring this news to our.... Bishop. Yes, our bishop. Thank you again for the hospitality of your town."
"Before you leave, please? How best can I help keep my people healthy and free from this demons sin?"
"Remove all evidence of it from the town, and from your records. And as to your taxes, they must return to their previous level. Or you will be the next under the axe! Follow this and you will continue on as before."
The fox blanched and stiffened in his seat. Anger stirring beneath the surface.
"Who are you to tell me how to run my town?!" His defiance manifesting in a violent outburst.
"You wanted to remain holy. So the choice is yours. Follow those suggestions and you will thrive. Refuse and well... We already covered that. The choice is yours and we must now depart."
With that the wolves stood in unison and left. Outside the town their three squad mates awaited them. The commander and Lt brought them up to speed and soon the five of them were making their way west, towards the next town and hopefully leads to their quarry.
Daylight saw John awaken early; Hitomi twitched and began to purr. Stretching her body against his, morning arousal stirring between them both, mouths meet in deep, passionate kisses. Paws seeking those spots that intimacy has taught them trigger the deepest pleasures within each. She rolls to her back as he takes a dominant position above. His tongue laps lovingly along her neck, down to her shoulder and bust, her nipples swelling and becoming more pronounced from her fur, his mouth covering one, suckling and bathing it with hunger. Hitomi's back arches as his ministrations send shivers through her body. The smell of arousal fills the air as her juices flow and her pussy throbs in anticipation of their mating. He licks lower down, paws caress and spread her thighs as his tongue reaches her sweet entrance. Her back arching further as his rough tongue teases and slips into her wetness. His paw slips down to tease her tail hole as his tongue brings her to a shuddering climax. His reward, her fragrant juices squirting over his face. He eagerly laps up her cum and slowly licks back up the length of her body. Their mouths meeting again as she encircles his member with her paw, guiding it to her throbbing slit. Penetrating her silky depths, paws wrap around each other as he drives in to the hilt. Her claws emerging to rake his back as they mate with passion, their pace quickening as heat grows between them. Murring growing louder as they approach the crescendo, growling together, she begs for his seed and with a loud roar he reaches the point of no return. His hot cream flooding her passage, the heat of it and the sensation of her lover filling her are too much, and with a wild growl even louder then his, her muscles clamp down and spasm into climax, drenching them both with her ejaculation and his seed, expelling from her tight convulsing slit. They kiss slower now, hunger giving way to deeper layers of love and closeness.
Once his strength returned John lifted Hitomi into his arms and carried her out towards a nearby lake. There they bathed each other and rested in the early light, drying in the sun. They spoke of plans for the day and then sought out their packs to prepare a light breakfast. They would be approaching a new town and as they had learned the hard way, keeping a low profile was their best option if they wanted to restock supplies and move on without attracting attention. John pulled out his PDA and looked up Intel on the upcoming town. While he read he checked the quantum uplink, his way of communicating with and getting support from his own time. It was as dead as it had been these last months. The old data suggested the town was of average size and its main resource was a coal mine. That wasn't good. Anything of value like a mine would also mean a larger militia presence to prevent thieves and brigands from looting it. And such militias tended to be even more suspicious then most, always looking out for trouble coming into their town. This could go badly wrong.
........................
The wolf pack made good time, keeping clear of towns except to seek any leads. Stores would prove useful as the fugitives would have been seen when they needed supplies. But the pack could not afford to dally long at any one place. They knew they were well behind the pair and that time lost at villages and towns would only make the chase longer and potentially lead to them causing temporal changes. With boosted systems they were able to cover the first two towns during the night. The third was their first stop in the early morning hours. The store owner had barely opened and the bear who ran it was constantly rubbing a paw over his rather rotund belly as he recounted his sighting of an unusual feline woman who matched the Siamese's description.
This part of the country was well populated but they knew the woman at least could not travel as quickly as them or the renegade officer. He would have to slow to her pace and that would be his undoing. Or so they hoped. Records suggested this was their best course of action. Romance was a high factor in many previous renegade actions. Long tours in lonely situations could be enough to test even the best officers. Many found release through brothels and areas of ill repute, where questions would not be asked. Others just had to be difficult...
........................
Entering the town John and Hitomi immediately got the feeling of being watched and monitored. It was as expected, no sooner had they passed the furthest buildings when a militia fox with sabre approached them. His stance suggested openness but a paw was poised near the sabres hilt.
"Halt there strangers! What brings you to our town?"
"Hail my good man." John welcomed.
"We come merely for some hospitality and to get supplies. Our packs are low of food, but ample in coin."
"Welcome then, but mind your manners. We don't suffer fools or braggarts here. Insult the wrong person and your days may end in our mine."
"We are polite and respectful people, we will cause no trouble. Would you be so kind as to direct us to the best store and perhaps an inn of quality?" John held up a coin for the foxes help. It would amount to nearly a weeks wage for a simple miner here. The foxes eyes glinted at the sight and his paw snatched toward it as if it might vanish before his eyes or worse, be withdrawn.
"The pick and cart is our only inn. Its reasonable but can be boisterous at shift change. Old man Barns runs a good store. He is over yonder, perhaps 300 paces and to the right there." He gestured off towards a row of homes and a corner just past them.
"Thank you for all your help and knowledge. Enjoy this once you are free from your duties" John tossed the coin which was caught and vanished in the blink of an eye.
They moved off in the direction pointed out to them. Once out of earshot Hitomi spoke up.
"That was a pretty large tip just for such little information."
"I know, but it should help allay his fears of us and perhaps help him turn a blind eye."
"Or it could do the opposite, people with so much coin and a loose pocket can easily become the target of trouble or those who wish to relieve us of it."
"Very true darling, so we will not remain long. Let us get supplies and be on our way. If he thinks to send trouble our way they will most likely look to the inn hoping that we will have been drinking and vulnerable."
As they turned the corner a small store stood out from the houses surrounding it. Entering they found it run by an affable old Tabby cat. Barns was rather expensive but he had a good supply and their packs soon bulged. After handing over payment they made their way out. Hitomi found her thirst growing as it approached midday.
"I know we agreed to move on but can we perhaps get some lunch and something to drink?"
John smiled fondly and they looked for the inn mentioned before. After a few minutes they found it and entered, it was hot and musty. The sun was high outside and ventilation was poor within. Smells of freshly cooking food made their stomachs rumble and they looked for a table, once seated they were approached by a young female squirrel who took their order. No sooner had they begun eating when the doors slammed open and many dirty, loud miners entered. The shifts must've changed as they settled down. Too late now. They tried to seem small and stay out of anyone's line of sight. This proved as successful as their timing had been.
A particularly loud Great Dane approached their table.
"What's this then? Faces I aint seen in ere before. What brings you here then?"
"We just stopped by for some food then must be on our way." John said quietly.
"Ah you don't wanna be leaving yet. Stay! Join in some games ere with us guys."
"We really don't have the time. Sorry."
"Oh. So your too good for us good honest miners are you?"
"No, no. It's not that. We have an appointment in the next town. We have to get there fast."
The Dane drew back and up. Anger forming with no apparent way to calm him.
His arm swung back in preparation to hit John. But he was too much of a brawler. John slipped from his seat into a defensive crouch. As the Dane swung John stepped in, aiming a savage jab to his throat. The Dane dropped clutching at his throat, finding his airway blocked. Chaos erupted around the bar. The other miners sprang up to get revenge. Hitomi dashed for the door and got clear. John was cornered and only had his basic defence skills to fall back on. Thankfully that was more then the miners had, although he had to be careful of their numbers and avoid getting mobbed. A bear moved to grab him, a swift kick to the groin and then knee sent it face down on the floor groaning. A growl to his side signalled a feline charging. A wild punch went wide of Johns head; he crouched and drove his elbow into the cat's stomach sending the wind rushing out of him, followed by an uppercut that sent him to the floor unconscious. Another dog came at him from one side as a tiger lunged from the other. John side stepped and flung a kick towards the dog's knee. A resounding crack followed by a high yelp showed his kick had connected well, the dog fell. The tiger was too close though. Landing a savage blow to John's head, causing him to see stars he shock his head to clear it. Just in time to block a swipe, claws extended. The tiger threw another clawed attack, John dodged it then swung a blow to its neck, connecting and dropping him. In the gap that followed John dashed for the door and got out.
Hitomi was in the shadow of a house opposite, they met up, John sweeping her into his arms, kissing tenderly then John yelped as an unseen cut was pressed upon. Hitomi looked worried and pulled back, but John drew her close again. Kissing softly and then leading her back towards the town's outskirts and their stashed kits.
Shouts from behind them showed the other miners had been called in and their welcome was well and truly over. Their pace quickened as more shouts sounded, the militia would be involved soon as well.
They got clear and John was able to get his kit and weapons where they had stashed them. They made their way into the nearby woods and kept moving until deeply obscured and hopefully hidden from any search. Sounds of movement showed that at least some town folk had followed them and were searching. John beckoned Hitomi back into deeper shadows and sent the signal to deploy his armour. Clad in its dark embrace he headed towards the sounds of their searching. He soon found them. All with weapons, varying from mine tools to militia with sabres and axes. He leapt up into the tree branches and observed the searchers. They were ragged and uncoordinated but they were heading roughly towards Hitomi. His paw went to the sword hilt and he gave thought to ambushing them from here. Then another idea came to mind. Too many had died before and he didn't want to add more here if he could help it. Instead he scouted behind the searchers and found a good diversionary route to lead them away. His first step was to draw their attention. Jumping down he made sure to make plenty of noise through the debris on the ground. The sounds of the searchers swung his way as they honed in on his sound. He lead them away from Hitomi and off deeper into the woods. After half an hour of this cat n mouse he leapt back to the trees and silently passed above the party and back to Hitomi.
Once safely away he was able to use his PDA to locate a nearby cave system. It would provide shelter for the night and had fresh water nearby. Reaching the cave took the remainder of the natural light and as dusk settled they found themselves hunkered around a small fire John coaxed into life.
"I think we should lay low for a while, we stocked up well so can avoid towns for perhaps a week now. I think we should change direction as well. These riders and posters are becoming problematic; too many connections between towns could see us ambushed if we're not careful".
"But your always one step ahead of them Love".
"I wish that were true, but today proved just how slow I can be if not watchful".
"You have my trust and love in all things". With that Hitomi leant in, kissing him deeply and all conversation died. The rest of the night passed with slow tender love making. As Hitomi slept, purring in his arms, Sam felt a tingle run along his spine. Intuition telling him trouble was closing in. His happiness might not last much longer. His eyes fell on Hitomi's sleeping face and he felt calm flow through him. He settled down, curving his body to match hers and sleep finally came.