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Horses were marvelous creatures for expeditious travel. That aspect of riding the large beasts was not what Jak disliked about them; it was the pain in his legs and butt that made him wish that he were walking on his own hindpaws. The ride north had been easier on Airy. As a Princess of Rikifur, she had spent much of her life riding. She showed no signs of discomfort and was much better at controlling her horse than Jak. When Jak complained in the evening during the first week of their travel on horseback, her advice was that he needed to show the horse who was boss and that given time, his muscles would get used to riding. To her credit, she was sympathetic to his plight and offered to massage his sore areas each evening when they rested. He accepted her offer knowing that each massage was destined to evolve into a love making session. Jak sighed contentedly, grateful that something good came from the pain he suffered and from the fact that he ached less each day as his body adjusted to this new mode of travel.

Even if the pain hadn't lessened, Jak would have endured it because of the rapid progress they were making. The Storfayans were honoring the pledge of their leader, the Juht, to guide Airy and Jak to the ice wall as fast as possible. They rode their mounts hard each day until the poor ferals were lathered and exhausted. At each stop, a troop of new horses had been waiting for them and ready to run again the next morning. Jak could not have covered on his own paws a third of the distance they had traveled the past ten days. This pace would see them across Storfay well ahead of their original schedule.

Most of the journey passed through fertile and well populated prairie that, though monotonous, was comforting in its familiarity. Over the last few days the undulating grassland and fields of wheat and other grains had given way to a rockier and more barren landscape that was cut by many streams originating from the melting ice wall. It was noticeably colder in this rocky wasteland, and only hardy fir trees and evergreen shrubs grew in the boulder and gravel covered landscape they now crossed.

As the land had changed, so had its inhabitants. Villages and outposts with spare horses became fewer until the last settlement was left behind two days journey back. It was from there that a Horse had joined their party to guide them to a place where the ice wall was broken and cut by melt water to form a deep incision that offered a gentle ascent to the top of the ice sheet. The guide told Jak that the sunlit glare on the horizon was the ice wall that marked the northern edge of Storfay. Beyond that, no one lived and no one dared travel. Not only was it a cold and empty expanse of ice up to the top of the world and beyond, but it was said to be cursed, haunted by gods and demons who did not welcome mortals. Eerie colors that flashed in the night and often hung like shimmering draperies over the land were the visible remnants of the immortal's angry passage through the heavens.

Jak thought the cold and barrenness was reason enough not to go there. Stories about gods and demons were unnecessary to deter anyone but fools or desperate travelers like himself and Airy from entering that icy domain. Up until now, Jak had not given much thought as to how they would cross the many miles of treacherous ice to reach the point above the northern extent of the Earth Spine where they could cross over into the west.

Though he was not sure how well he trusted the Horse people, he was grateful for the Storfayan's help. Raeph had brought ample supplies and warm clothing for Airy and Jak's journey over the ice, but somehow it did not seem possible to carry enough to get across without starving to death first. They would each have to drag a sled and ration what they ate to have any hope of making it at all. When Jak expressed these misgivings aloud, their new guide told him they were only two-day's travel from the ice wall and that it was still summer. That gave Jak hope, but it did not eliminate all of his worries.

He hadn't seen Cat since before they left the Juht's encampment. Where was she? It was upsetting to Jak that they might have left Cat far behind. Some primitive instinct informed him that she was needed to help get Airy home. The unsociable feline had skills that they lacked, such as stealth and concealment, that allowed her to move about unseen and unheard. It was true that with more than two dozen riders, they were leaving an easy trail for her to follow, but now Jak wondered if he had seen the last of their shadow companion. Cat was quick and strong, but how could she have possibly matched their pace without a horse to ride?

That question prompted Jak to consider how three of the Horse soldiers from the original twenty that the Juhtmare had sent from her personal guard had mysteriously disappeared while scouting alone. The regular spacing of those events in time made Jak suspect Cat was behind them. Running on her own paws would not allow her to keep up. She needed a horse, and whatever horse she acquired would need to be refreshed the same as the traveling troop's had been. Even though he couldn't imagine one of these creatures letting a vicious predator like her ride it, he decided that when they stopped tonight, he would find some excuse to break away from Airy before dawn and go out from the camp where he knew the feline would find him, if she were nearby.

Airy was happy to be traveling again. Every step of her horse brought her closer to Rikifur. For the first time since they began this quest, she believed that she and Jak would make it. The vast expanse of ice covered land that lay ahead of them was a formidable obstacle, it was true, but the most potentially perilous roadblocks had been the Wolves, Cats and Horses that had inhabited the lands between the ice and their starting point together below the pass. She was eager to have only the elements to fight and not armies of Horses, tribes of wolves and any number of Cats.

Her emotional scars from the latter encounter were gradually healing with the passage of time and the loving company of Jak. It was easier for her to think rationally about the Cats now without falling immediately into tears or depression, though the thought of the female Cat that Jak said could still be following them angered her. Jak seemed obsessed with wanting the tiger bitch to accompany them. His insistence created an emotional divide that left her hurt and angry whenever they discussed the issue.

Airy could see no value in letting the Cat tag along. What use had she been so far? She had done nothing to help Jak fight in the Aarosht. Jak had managed to beat Moordenaar to a standstill on his own. Cat had not provided them horses to speed them on their journey north. Airy's status as Princess was what had earned them that boon. It was clear to Airy that she and Jak were perfectly capable of taking care of themselves.

Yet despite her arguing these very points, Jak still claimed that Cat was a useful ally that could potentially prove critical to getting her home to Rikifur. He contended that her presence caused them no harm. Airy doubted that, too. The Cat had to eat, and Airy didn't want to share her rations on the ice with the horrible feline. Maybe if the tiger pulled the sled, Airy might reconsider. The thought of Cat wearing a harness and pulling Airy's sled while she rode on top gave her a moment's evil pleasure. Airy would enjoy that immensely, but she would derive more pleasure from never seeing Cat again.

Though she was ashamed of herself for thinking it, she was jealous and worried that Jak had developed feelings for the creature. That was the most painful part of thinking about their shadow companion. Airy wanted desperately to trust Jak, but she felt that she could never remove all doubt until she was sure they were rid of the beast.

Gazing backward upon the trailing half of the Juhtmare's guards and the rocky, fir and scrub dotted outwash plain behind them, Airy was comforted to think that nothing on two legs could possibly keep up with their pace. In just a few days, they would be on the ice, and it was likely that Cat was too far behind to catch up. Once Airy and Jak set out with their sleds, she would never have to see her hated adversary again.

The cloud of unease that hung over head dispersed as she convinced herself that Cat was gone forever. There was no reason to despair. Her prospects for safely returning to Rikifur were much improved. She need not worry about Cat. Besides, she wanted to focus on a more urgent and pressing concern before she said her goodbyes to the Storfayan cavalry - Camorra and Jorveth. A plan was needed to deal with the slave woman's surprise request.

Next to Jak, Camorra had become Airy's closest companion and confidant on this trip. The two females talked endlessly as they rode. Most of the subjects they discussed were stories about their lives and other such trivia. The constant presence of the Juhtmare's guard prevented them from discussing anything private or secret, but when they were alone, they were free to talk about matters that neither Airy nor Camorra wanted the Horses to overhear. Last night, the slave had made an interesting proposition.

Having discussions without Raeph or the Juhtmare's guard overhearing them had proven challenging. One of the brooding Horse brothers was always riding at Airy's side. Sometimes it was both of them. At present, it was Kaerdan. Though he was not charming, much to look at, or talk to, Airy preferred the dark Horse to his stockier brother. Bolduohr was surly and crude. The looks he gave her when he thought she was not paying attention bordered on predatory. If he had been one of her own Rikifur guard, she would have had him removed from her service for his insolence. As it was, she kept her sword ready just in case.

In addition to Bolduohr's perpetual scowl, a shroud of looming rape and murder hung about the muscle bound Horse. His presence was a poison that soured the mood of what should have been a joyful expedition. Bolduohr abused the troops under him regularly, leading to low morale that made the whole trip that much less enjoyable for everyone.

"If only they could all be like, Raeph," she thought to herself. Unfortunately, the dashing Captain, who in title was the leader of this expedition, did not have control of the brothers. They obeyed him when they wanted to or on the rare occasions when Raeph threatened them directly. Otherwise, they did as they pleased. Storfay would be an easy enemy to defeat if this lack of obedience was routine in the ranks of their army, but Airy suspected this group was an exception. The military discipline she had witnessed while a guest in the Juht's encampment was a match for Rikifur standards. Something was wrong with these particular troops, and Airy was certain it had to do with the Juht's wife. They were her personal guard after all. There was a tense atmosphere about her. It was not right, and that wrongness infected her followers.

"Let him Leer. Let him be sour and angry," she thought. Airy and Camorra had found a way to outwit them. Being female had the unanticipated advantage of allowing Princess Airiphryone to demand privacy to groom and clean her fur after each dusty day's ride. Her royal status made having a servant help her mandatory. Even Kaerdan and Bolduohr weren't bold enough to challenge Jak and Raeph as they stood guard outside the Princess' tent when she was in a state of undress.

It was during these evening grooming sessions that the females were free to have private conversations. At first, Camorra talked about what she knew about the military and technologic capability of Storfay. It was valuable intelligence that Airy was glad to have and was equally grateful to be able to take back to Rikifur. In the last ten days, Airy learned more about Storfay from Camorra than she ever could have learned on her own in a month in the Juht's encampment. Camorra, even considering that she was Jorveth's slave and companion, had an unusual amount of detailed knowledge about the workings of the political and military aspects of Storfay. She had clearly paid close attention to the conversations of her masters when she accompanied Jorveth among the Storfayan elite. Learning the true extent of the Juht's armies frightened Airy, but the future danger from the innovations that Jorveth was developing or planned to develop scared her even more.

Thus, when Camorra confided in Airy the previous evening that she and Jorveth wished to escape from Storfay and travel to Rikifur, Airy was elated. The inventor's genius would help balance the scales and maybe even give Rikifur the advantage it needed to protect itself from being overrun by the Juht's mad expansionism. Airy was determined to do whatever was necessary to bring Jorveth alive to Rikifur. She was beginning to understand that Camorra would also be a valuable asset in her own right.

Airy recognized that Camorra was not an ordinary slave. In addition to remembering, processing and retelling the useful intelligence that Airy needed, her clever manipulation of Airy's emotions and feelings during the trip to increase her anxiety over the looming Storfayan invasion was unmistakably a prelude to her true goal - to ask for Airy's help to escape to Rikifur. The tactic had worked. Airy wanted the inventor in Rikifur or at least somewhere far away from Storfay.

The Cow slave was a masterful diplomat; perhaps it was from being forced to act as a mouthpiece for her unsociable companion in the presence of dignitaries and military leaders, or maybe she just had an innate political ability. Likely, it was a fortuitous combination of both. Whatever the reason, Airy appraised Camorra's value to Rikifur highly. Securing her and Jorveth together for Rikifur was like a gift from the Maker, perhaps even equal to the Maker's gift of steel.

Thinking of the Maker caused Airy to wonder if His paw was guiding her destiny. The hallucination of her father at the high pass so many weeks ago had suggested to her the maker's guidance was active in her life. The close association of her ancestors with the Maker and the discovery of steel was, after all, the foundation for her families claim to rule. Many in Rikifur believed that the Maker still guided her and her kin's destiny, and by association, all of Rikifur's future. She had always scoffed at that idea. Even in the High Pass, she had blamed her vision of her father on the effects of breathing the Maker's air. Now, though, too many unusual coincidences had brought her through great adversity to learn things and meet people that would no doubt change Rikifur forever. It was becoming difficult for her to believe that everything that had happened was all just luck or due only to her own personal abilities.

Yet, despite the potential of the Maker's paw in her life, Airy was not so naive that she would blindly accept everything Camorra said as the whole truth no matter how tempting her offer was. Jak's unease with Raeph and the other Horses, and his suspicions concerning possible treachery and deceit, had put her on her guard. Jak's instincts and ability to smell lies from truth was not something she ignored. Before she committed to helping Camorra and Jorveth escape, she had to discover the motives behind their defection.

"Why do you want to leave Storfay? For a slave, you have a good life. You only have to tend to Jorveth's needs. If you wanted to escape from him, you wouldn't ask to have him come too."

Camorra blushed at the mention of her Horse companion. The swishing of her short, skinny tail betrayed a hidden emotion. "What you say is true, but I am still a slave in Storfay and will never be free. Is not the desire to escape slavery enough?"

"I accept that things in Rikifur would be better for you, but what about Jorveth? What is in this for him? He will be risking his life, and for what? In Rikifur we will ask him to do the same work that he is already doing in Storfay. From what I have seen, he is happy with his position and is respected and well treated. I can promise similar if not better treatment in Rikifur, but that seems a pitiful recompense for risking his life and betraying his own race."

"Is it not enough that he wishes to leave and join your side?"

"No. It is not. I am far from home with only one loyal ally I truly trust. You are asking me to take a great risk. True, the reward is potentially greater than the risk, but before I consider such a thing, I want to be certain of your motives and your reasons. I need to know that I can trust you."

The Cow fidgeted, her ears drooped noticeably, and she momentarily avoided eye contact with Airy. These were unusual behaviors for the normally composed and poised slave. "It appears that I must trust you first and divulge a secret that would be very harmful to Jorveth and me if it were revealed by you to anyone but Jak. May I have your word as the Princess and divinely chosen future ruler of Rikifur that you will keep this secret even if you decide not to help us?"

Airy wondered what this secret could be. Swearing a blind oath was anathema to her, but the risk seemed low. There was no one in camp she would deign to divulge secrets to other than Jak. In two days, she would see the last of Storfay anyway. Whom would she tell Camorra's secret to then? Aside from Raeph and maybe Kes, she did not even care to bid farewell to the rest of the company.

"Very well. I agree. You have my word. I will reveal your secret to no one except Jak."

"Your word is worth more to me than you can imagine. I trust you, Princess. Jorveth and I would not propose this radical idea unless we did." Composing herself, Camorra paused before continuing. "Jorveth and I are lovers."

Airy's eyebrow rose at this revelation more because she did not think Jorveth capable of love than because they were different races.

Camorra continued. "Such a thing is forbidden in Storfay. The studs of Storfay are forbidden to sow their sacred seed among the lesser races. It does not matter that there can be no offspring from such a union. This is an absolute law. Even Jorveth would suffer consequences if such a thing were discovered."

"If no one knows, then why leave Storfay? It seems you keep your secret well. I had not suspected the truth and neither has Jak."

"There is always risk that we will be discovered. I am sure the Juhtmare and possibly others would use this knowledge against us, but more importantly, we do not want to hide our love any longer. We want to be free to express our affection openly without constraint. We want to be like you and Jak. Rikifur must be a wonderful place to allow such things; if a Princess of the Rabbits can have a Wolf lover, then it must be a place that is tolerant of many things. Surely that makes you and Jak sympathetic to our plight."

It was Airy's turn to blush, and her ear began to twitch. Airy had always envisioned that it would be just Jak and her returning to Rikifur by themselves, keeping their love a secret. Was their relationship a secret she could count on others besides Jak to keep? With the clarity of hindsight, she saw that Jak had been right again; she should have been more discreet while in Storfay.

Despite what Camorra believed, it was certain that Airy's relationship with Jak would be a scandal in Rikifur. Such pairings between species were not common or approved of in her country either. Though not forbidden in law for the common citizenry, it was out of the question for a Princess. Because Jak was a Wolf, a bad situation would be made worse. The rest of Rikifur did not know the truths she had learned about other races. They had no reason to change their beliefs the way she had done. Wolves were no longer regarded as the ancient enemy by Airy, but they still were to everyone else in Rikifur.

What did it matter anyway if Jak's status as her mate was accepted? The loss of her virginity would then become an insurmountable hurdle to achieving the throne. Nothing she could do or say would make the priests, her father or the people of Rikifur accept Jak. The best she could hope for was to keep her love for him a secret and hope her people tolerated him as a strange and unexpected rescuer of their Princess.

Airy sighed inwardly realizing she had deliberately avoided thinking these thoughts and the repercussions of her actions. Now that her dilemma was exposed, she wished to discuss it with Jak. Resolving this problem was something she would have to deal with later, though. Of immediate importance was the question of whether or not Camorra and Jorveth's relationship would be accepted in Rikifur. Airy thought it probable. The Rabbits of Rikifur were unlikely to care about relations between a Horse and a Cow. Foreigners would be expected to have their own alien customs. It would help that their mixed race relationship was likely to be overlooked as a mere curiosity in the wake of the Princess' return. Airy was confident she could guarantee that Camorra and Jorveth would find more acceptance in Rikifur than in Storfay.

"This is what Jorveth wants?"

"Yes. For this, we would risk our lives. It is as important to him as it is to me."

Airy wondered how anyone could know what was important to the introverted Horse. It was difficult to have a conversation with Jorveth. He always seemed mentally far away as though he dwelled on another level of thought high above everyone else, like a god. Perhaps he expressed himself more eloquently when he was alone with Camorra. Perhaps he didn't care one way or other and would go along with whatever Camorra decided. It was a cynical thought, but the Cow was quite persuasive and no doubt was able to cajole Jorveth into doing whatever she decided was best. What an interesting relationship they must have. Was there really a slave and a master? Was it possible to tell who was in which role? Airy shrugged, deciding she did not care and that it did not matter.

"All right. I will discuss this with Jak, but I have no idea how we are going to get you away from the Storfayans. There is only Jak and myself against twenty if you count the Skunk. Those are poor odds."

Camorra fell to her knees at Airy's hindpaws. "Thank you, my Lady. We will try not to be a burden and strive to prove our worth when we arrive in Rikifur."

"Don't thank me yet. I haven't done anything but agree to think about it. I make no guarantees that we will go through with any plan to help you. If it is too dangerous, then Jak and I leave for Rikifur without you. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Princess. I understand." Her eyes became large and watery as she spoke.

Airy felt pity for her. Camorra and Jorveth's relationship was similar to Airy's and Jak's. "I did not mean to dishearten you. I said that to avoid giving you false hope. Have faith Camorra. I sense the paw of the Maker in this endeavor. Get up off your knees. You are not a slave when you are alone in my presence." Airy helped her up off the floor.

"Jak and I will do everything in our power to try to find a way to help you and Jorveth escape." Airy began to walk Camorra to the tent's exit.

"We shall talk again tomorrow. Please leave me now and send Jak in. It is fortunate that the Horses have not tried to question our unusual relationship. It allows me time alone to speak with Jak while they think we are doing...other things." Camorra smiled knowingly and bowed as she left.

Jak entered immediately after Camorra left, and Airy quickly explained Camorra's proposal to him. Jak was thoughtful and paced around the tent as he considered this extraordinary turn of events. "It is a tempting offer, but impractical."

"I know. I can't think of a way to take them with us without a fight. It's a fight we can't win, but we must find a way; it's important they come with us."

"It is possible they could escape on their own and try to meet us out on the ice. They would not be able to carry much in the way of supplies if and when they escaped. That would leave us with two more mouths to feed from an already small larder. I don't know, Airy. It seems impossible."

"But we should try, Jak. Jorveth is the key to winning the inevitable war with Storfay. Just denying the Juht access to him is a major victory for Rikifur. Even if we all die on the ice, the Juht won't have him anymore. That alone would make it worth the attempt."

Jak growled in frustration because he knew Airy was right. He also knew that she would risk her life for her kingdom. If it came to that, he would do the same to protect his new pack. It would be a terrible shame to have come so far only to die of exposure on the ice as unrecognized martyrs for their country. Death did not frighten him, but he did not want to leave Airy's side. His love for her had grown so deep and she had become so precious to him that he had become comfortable with the idea of him being her only lover. It was an unrealistic dream, but he wanted them to both make it back to Rikifur even if they could not be mates except in secret.

"Let's try to find a way where that is the least likely outcome, hmm? We still have two days to think on this and perhaps discover a better way."

Jak sat on the folding cot that served as the Princess' bed and motioned for Airy to join him. "Enough planning for tonight, my love. Come lie with me a while. The Storfayans are expecting us to do more than talk. We don't want them to become suspicious, especially now that we have something to hide. Let's make a little noise to oblige their expectations."

Smiling, Airy stripped her clothes off, jumped on top of Jak and began removing his Storfayan garments. The colorful, loose clothes were easy to take off but had many layers. Airy was impatient to feel her lover's fur against hers. "I liked the way you dressed when we first met. Access to your interesting parts was much easier."

It was Jak's turn to smile now as he held his paws back to let Airy undress him. "It may be a while before I can dress in my own fashion again, I'm afraid. We will have to wear even more burdensome clothing when we are on the ice." Airy pouted at this news, so Jak stroked the side of her golden furred snout in response.

"At night, though, we will have to sleep close together to stay warm. Sharing each other's warmth may be all that will keep us alive." Airy smiled again at that prospect and because she had finally uncovered the object of her search.

Her horse stumbled disrupting Airy's pleasant reverie of her previous night's love making session with Jak. Making noise as Jak had advised had been no trouble. Surrendering to her passion was all it took. In the quiet aftermath of sex, they discussed in whispered voices the perplexing problem of freeing Camorra and Jorveth. Ideas were tossed back and forth between them with no result. It did not help that her and Jak's reception on returning to Rikifur would be tangled up with bringing the Horse and Cow couple with them. It would only emphasize their miss matched pairing. The rest of the night proved restless and mostly sleepless.

During the rest of the day's ride, Airy continued to struggle for a way to free Camorra and Jorveth that would keep them all alive and prevent pursuit by the Storfayans. All of her ideas were flawed in some critical way, and she kept coming back to the same answer: kill the Storfayans. Jak might have misgivings over that desperate plan, but Airy had already accepted it as inescapable.

She glanced at Kaerdan, who looked back at her with a suspicious glare as if he guessed her thoughts. Airy smiled back sweetly to mock him and thought, "I will enjoy sticking my sword in you and your brother's bellies."

Raeph signaled for the company to halt and make camp for the night. It was earlier than needed, but he dreaded the approaching ice wall and wanted to delay their arrival there as long as he could. The decisive moment was almost upon him, and he was no closer to finding a way to protect those he was charged to kill. He had made up his mind that he would save the innocent somehow. Letting them escape would help ease his conscience and restore a bit of his lost principles. When, and if, he returned to Storfay, he would then fight as hard as he could to shield his family from the Juhtmare's wrath. It was a dangerous choice fraught with hazard, but it was the only course of action he felt he could live with now. It would likely result in his death. Rather than frighten or dissuade him, the thought of dying bravely lifted his spirits. A glorious death was a chance to restore some of his honor, even if it did not do his family or friends much good.

Having made up his mind to act did not mean he had a plan to achieve his goal. Every attempt he had made to discuss this with Jak or the Princess was thwarted by the constant presence of either Kaerdan or Bolduohr. One of the brothers or their subordinates were always at his, Airy and Jak's side, ostensibly to protect them. Raeph suspected that the Juhtmare did not trust him and was using the brothers to prevent him from trying to warn or save the Rikifurians.

At least he knew that when the inevitable fight came, he could count on the Princess and Jak; saving their own lives would compel them to fight. Camorra and Jorveth would not be much help as neither the Cow nor the inventor was likely to be able to do much against trained soldiers. The Princess and her Wolf bodyguard were skilled and better with a sword than most or all of their opposition, but still, they were hopelessly outnumbered by Lithia's goons. Even with the three missing riders, there were still seventeen of them left to oppose him. To keep his opponent's numbers as low as possible, he dismissed the guide, allowing him to return to his village. The guide's services weren't needed anyway now that their goal was in sight. Raeph didn't need another potential enemy or innocent with which to contend.

It was enough that he had to worry about why Tigan, the old Skunk prophet, had accompanied them. He could make no sense of that. He had never heard anyone mention or whisper that she was a tool of the Juhtmare. Tigan had always been independent and uncontrollable as her kind was wont to be. Raeph wondered and worried over whose side she was on until he decided it really didn't matter. She was an old doe who couldn't fight. It was a pointless worry. He doubted he would ever get the chance to determine her fate.

Besides, he still had to agonize about Kes. The total against him might even be as high as eighteen depending on where his young lieutenant's loyalties lay. He had some small hope that at a minimum Kes would not fight openly against him when the time came. The fact that the Juhtmare gave in so easily to Raeph's demand to bring Kes only served to make Raeph suspicious of his previously trusted underling. Raeph groaned and held his head in his hands. He was sick of plots and hidden motives. Why couldn't everyone simply follow the rules and act honorably?

During the tumult of setting up camp for the night, he managed to pull his lieutenant aside and away from the other soldiers to try to determine if he could count on more than a neutral stance from his long time and previously unquestionably loyal subordinate. Kes was evasive to Raeph's initial subtle attempts to discuss the coming confrontation with the Juhtmare's Guard. Raeph was frustrated by not being able to ask directly for help. If Kes was against him, and Raeph let him know what he was planning, then when it came time to fight he would lose the only advantage he had - surprise. A different tact was needed. He decided to probe Kes' reasons for being here. Perhaps if he was working for the Lady, he was a hapless victim of extortion like Raeph and could be talked into changing sides.

"The Juhtmare would not have let you come if she did not have some kind of control over you. I asked for you to be included on this mission specifically because I wanted someone I thought I could trust. You have always been loyal and faithful to me. I have counted you as the most dependable lieutenant in my command, but now I find myself wondering if I can trust anyone. Why did she let you come? Tell me how you came to be in her service and how she controls you. What secrets do you keep, Kes?"

Kes displayed no surprise or shock at Raeph's bold proclamation of his servitude to the Juhtmare. "Does it really matter?"

"It does to me. There are reasons that are more despicable than others. I know why the hideous brothers are here. It is for power and the chance to bully and abuse others. Those are evil reasons. The rest of their company has similar distasteful goals. I don't believe that you are like them. Tell me why you are here."

Kes could not meet Raeph's eyes, though he knew his commander meant no harm and was not here to judge him. Kes' Captain had always been fair to him, acting as a mentor and helping him to advance as an officer. It was not Raeph's insistent questions that distressed him; instead, it was the memories of his last encounter with the Juhtmare that came back uninvited to cause him more pain. It was backwards chronologically, but he thought first and with the most humiliation upon the aftermath of the degrading sex he had been forced to endure at her command.

A stream of tears had been running down the sides of his snout to match the seeping cum that oozed out of his violated anus as he limped from Lithia's chambers after being dismissed like a beaten dog. The laughter of Bolduohr and Mongrel followed him like angry crows chasing an eagle from their territory. Their mockery stung him worse than the act itself. It made him feel lower than the basest slave.

In retrospect, he saw now that it had all been done deliberately to make him more docile and compliant to the Horse Queen's will. It had been quite effective. Kes had never been strong of heart nor did he possess mettle and grit like Captain Raeph. Honor and bravado were not characteristics he shared with his mentor. Kes had certain appetites that needed to be sated: sex and gambling being the foremost of his vices. Those two corrupting flaws were what trapped him into her service.

He loved to gamble, especially at cards and dice. Why he enjoyed it was a confounding mystery even to him. He wasn't good at games of chance, and as a result was chronically in debt. It was those mounting, unpayable debts that attracted the attention of the Juhtmare. Kes was desperate for funds to cover his losses. Some of his creditors were threatening to hurt or even to kill him if he did not pay. That was when she offered him gold in return for information.

One thing Kes was good at was winning the confidence of the others. He was naturally likable and appeared so innocent and trustworthy. This was a quality for which the Juhtmare had use. He tried at first to bring her only harmless information, but that did not satisfy her. To make Kes acquire more valuable intelligence, she began to exploit his other weakness by offering him young mares to satisfy his carnal lusts. How she knew what particular sexual acts he enjoyed most was something he dearly wanted to know, but at the time, he was content to be paired with willing females who would pleasure him orally and could take his entire shaft during the act.

At first, he thought he was getting the better of his Queen by making her relinquish more than she received in return. That was a thrilling feeling. For once, he seemed to be on a winning streak with luck to spare. It was a heady experience that didn't last. The Juhtmare played a more subtle and devious game than he imagined. She manipulated him like a marionette. When she withheld his favorite mares from him, he responded exactly as she desired in his desperation to experience pleasure. Kes sought out better, but what he considered to still be harmless secrets that would please her and keep the supply of willing mares available. Like his failures at cards and dice, he continued to throw more in the pot then he could hope to win. He became more reckless with his bets by gradually retrieving information of greater value to his new mistress. Kes had fallen unwittingly into her trap, and all to please himself and satisfy his base and unseemly emotional desires. The fact that Kes thought he could get the better of her was a testament to his gullibility and naiveté. He would never be more than a toy to her, a thing to be used and abused at her whim.

It was Kes who had discovered Raeph's secret and divulged it to her. Like a starving dog, he cowered before her, giving her that knowledge just to be able to continue his sexual adventures and gambling addiction. At the time, her gratitude for his gift meant everything to him. When she offered herself to him by spreading her legs and inviting him to pleasure her with his mouth and tongue, he foolishly thought it was an honor that might lead to further acts of carnality between them. Though thin and severe, she was still an attractive mare. The power that she wielded and wore like a gown added to her allure. He had wanted her badly at the time. Now, he wished desperately never to see her again.

The act started out pleasantly enough. Kes kneeled in front her as she sat in her throne-like chair, and he worked hard to satisfy her, hoping that she would reciprocate and take his shaft into her mouth. The thought of this powerful mare sucking on him as though he were her master made him giddy and had brought him to a full erection. Her soft moans as his long tongue caressed her clitoris fueled his fantasy. He saw himself as her favorite lover, replacing even the Juht. Soon, he had his tongue inside of her parted flesh exploring the depth of her soft and moist inner reaches.

It was then that she clutched his chestnut colored mane in her hands and pulled his snout closer to her sex with surprisingly strong arms. At first, he thought this was a good sign demonstrating that she was enjoying the act and wanted more. That may well have been, but the real reason for her grip on him became manifest when his trousers were abruptly yanked down to his knees.

Despite being stronger than she seemed, Kes could have broken free of her grip. He might have lost some hair in the process, but he was still stronger than her. After all, she was only a mare. The other pair of powerful hands that gripped his shoulders may not have held him in place either. When he realized they belonged to a male and what that implied, he did begin to struggle. It was the Juhtmare's icy voice, carrying the weight of authority and punishment behind it, that held him in place.

"Stay where you are, Kes, and keep pleasuring me with your tongue. You have done well thus far. Do not spoil my pleasure by fighting. Though you are proficient at your current task, I require some additional, visual stimulation to bring me to climax. Sharing you with Bolduohr and watching him work in and out of your firm ass is the perfect image for that."

Kes whimpered. Being ass raped by the uncouth Horse was repellant to him. He had no desire to find out what it felt like to have another stud's cock inside him as if he were a mare. He renewed his struggles, but they were brief and quickly stilled when the Lady threatened him again.

"Do not throw away all that you have achieved in my service, Kes. Do not make me hurt you. Unless you want to leave here as a gelding instead of a stud, you will pleasure me with your tongue and surrender your anal virginity to Bolduohr. Will you do that, Kes?" She stroked the side of his trembling snout with one hand as she continued to clutch tightly to his mane with the other.

Having no choice, Kes nodded in compliance to her will. There was no recourse for him or any place to appeal his treatment. When he entered her service, he had surrendered his rights and his freedom to her. No law of Storfay would protect a Horse who had subverted the authority of the Juht to advance the will of the Juhtmare. That was evident to him now. She could do anything she wanted to him, make him do anything for her, and he would have to obey.

"Such a good little pony you are." She continued to stroke his muzzle and face. "Keep licking."

Resuming his explorations with his tongue, he was surprised that his cock was still fully erect. Despite his antipathy for what was about to happen to his backside, he found being dominated by her in this way strangely exciting. Perhaps it was connected to his gambling addiction. There was a certain thrill in not knowing what would happen next, in being ruled by random forces beyond his control; it was a thrill that was short lived.

His pants were pulled the rest of the way off leaving his backside exposed. Instinctively, he dropped his tail and lowered his rear in a vain attempt to protect himself.

The disquietly soft but menacing voice of his Queen urged him to cooperate. "Lift your tail and ass, Kes, and spread your legs a little wider." He did as she commanded. "Good boy. You've earned a small reward." With her hooves, she grasped the rigid length of his staff and stroked it. "It pleases me that you are enjoying this, Kes. You don't want to displease me now do you?"

Distracted by her hoof massage, Kes was wholly unprepared for the sudden intrusion of the flared end of Bolduohr's cock into his tail hole. He cried out in pain only to have his snout forced shut by the Juhtmare.

"You must relax, my little Kes. Resisting will only make it worse."

What she said was likely true, but his body rebelled on its own at this unwelcomed assault. His muscles fought hard to force the invader out, but each time they relaxed a moment before pushing again, Bolduohr forced himself in another inch. The one-sided struggle raged on until, with a final satisfied grunt, all of Bolduohr's prodigious Horse cock was inside. Kes was shocked when he felt the other stud's thighs against his own buttocks, realizing that he had been hilted.

He could not begin to describe to himself what he was feeling. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before or since. There was pain from the abnormal stretching of his sphincter that was slowly fading to a mild ache, and his insides felt like a stuffed game bird. Unpleasant didn't begin to describe it.

The shame Kes felt was only made worse by the presence of Mongrel leering at him with gloating pleasure. Having a slave watching him be debased in this manner was the deepest cut of all. Dignity was not a trait he had previously prized above all others as some Horses like Captain Raeph did, but this act was stripping him of the thin veneer that he did maintain to protect his own vanity. He sobbed as he lost what little pride had remained to him after becoming the Juhtmare's tool.

Shame overcame him that anyone might learn of this humiliation and think him not a true stud, but instead as a stud lover, like Raeph. How could his Captain walk so tall and proud after having another stud do this ignoble act to him or having done this to other studs?

The Juhtmare plainly saw the grief on Kes' face. She grinned evilly down into Kes' wide open eyes and released his snout to pat and stroke his head.

"Is my little colt not enjoying being a mare?" Her voice oozed false comfort and sympathy. "Then why can I still feel how hard you are while having another stud pleasure you like his mare?"

It was embarrassingly true that his cock was still proudly on display. He blamed that on the scent of her pussy in his face and the continued stroking by her hooves. Without those stimuli, it would have shrunk back into its sheath in response to the touch of Bolduohr's rough and filthy hands on his rump and shoulders.

Aroused by the scene before her, the Juhtmare moaned softly, and her words lost their usual flint-like sharpness, becoming slightly slurred as she began to breathe heavily. "Lick harder, stud. Make me cum, and things will go well for you. Fail me at this, and I will have you cut."

Though blurred by the heat of her passion, her words were like a knife to his throat. Terror was added to Kes' cauldron of overwhelming emotions. She was threatening to geld him.

"Nod your pretty head, dear Kes, to show me and my company that you are enjoying this, and grind hard against me as you do."

He nodded and pushed hard against her with his snout, eliciting a moan of pleasure from his mistress and a shudder that briefly convulsed her body.

Bolduohr laughed at his acquiescence. "He makes an excellent mare, My Lady. The tightest I've had in a while. Taking his virginity is a rare treat. Thanks."

As Bolduohr spoke, he grabbed tightly to the base of Kes' tail and began to thrust by pulling nearly half his length out before rudely slamming it home again. Each jarring shove was another savage blow to Kes' pride and forced his snout more violently against the Juhtmare. She responded by panting heavily and grabbing his ears.

The stocky horse increased the pace of his thrusts in a practiced motion designed to deliver the most delight to his mistress. Kes closed his eyes trying to pretend he was somewhere else and to avoid the leering gaze of Mongrel who continued to watch from the side. Her Wolf slave was clearly aroused by the scene before him. The Wolf had a paw down the front of his trousers as he watched with glee. As Kes' snout was forced more violently against the Great Mare's sex, she began to tremble violently and cry out softly. A rush of liquid accompanied her orgasm and filled his mouth. Much of it ran down his chin and neck to pool on the floor between his hands.

A deep, rumbling groan proceeded Bolduohr's ejaculation. Kes began to cry as he felt the other stud's warm seed begin to fill his abused colon. Leaning over Kes, just above his neck, a trickle of drool escaped the stocky Horse's mouth as he enjoyed the throes of his orgasm at Kes' expense. He then bit him as he would a mare during mating. Kes wanted to die at that moment.

Immediately after the cessation of her orgasm, the Juhtmare's usual icy demeanor returned. As if the sex had never happened, she began giving him orders. She commanded him to keep an eye on Raeph and to kill him if he betrayed her in any way. Kes sobbed his acceptance of her orders and was dismissed, but had to suffer the further indignity of remaining kneeling in front of her while Bolduohr slowly pulled his softening staff from Kes' tailhole inch by agonizing inch. It was the final humiliation to feel the bully's cum begin to seep out his overstretched anus and down his thighs.

Shame prevented Kes from revealing any of this to Raeph. He could only bear to say part of the truth. "I have debts. The Juhtmare pays them for me."

"What do you do for her in return for her largess?"

"I would rather not say, but she does not trust you."

"Is that is why you are here? To watch me and ensure I do what she wants? Did she tell you what she expects me to do?

Kes nodded and hung his head in shame.

"It is a vile crime that she demands." Raeph lifted Kes' snout with his hand so their eyes met again. "I had hoped a Horse like you would see that."

Kes' put his hands in his mane and let his snout droop down to his chest again. He said nothing, but his choppy breathing betrayed his emotions.

"I think I have my answer, then. It seems I am on my own. I sense that you have some honor left in you. Therefore, I will ask one small favor of you that I hope you will grant.

Raeph rode away from the camp alone. He needed time without Lithia's minions watching him to think. Until now, he had been unable to manage even a few minutes alone, but with Kes' agreement to distract the other Horses, he escaped. Though, there was no eluding his worried and troubled thoughts. With Kes' loyalty in question, he had no one to help him fight the Juhtmare's twenty minions and foil the tragic massacre that was set to take place in just two days when they reached the ice wall.

"Seventeen," he corrected himself aloud. Three were missing and presumed injured or dead. Though grateful for the reduced opposition, their mysterious disappearance vexed him. It had also upset the other troops and led to anxious talk of a demon that stalked the prairie. Whether he liked the Juhtmare's soldiers or not, they were under his command. He felt responsible for them. To protect the remainder, he had ordered that no one should travel alone when apart from the main body of the expedition. The frightened soldiers were happy to comply. Some unseen devil was following them, and no one wanted to face the devil alone.

Raeph was not above a certain amount of superstitious dread, but he wondered if there was a more pragmatic explanation. Perhaps some deeper plot of the Juhtmare's was afoot. Had the missing soldiers gone back to get reinforcements? Did they know he was planning to rebel against Lithia's orders? Would they suddenly reappear without warning and surprise him with some new mischief? The additional uncertainty was not helping him plan a way out of his quandary. The more he dwelled on it, the more he desperately wanted to know what had happened to the missing troops.

The answer struck him, not as an epiphany, but as a physical blow. Something from behind slammed into him and tore him from his horse. He landed painfully snout first on the ground with someone on his back. He was grateful he and his horse had been on a sand bar and not on one of the stream banks that were covered in gravel and boulders. Struggling proved futile as a knee was pressed into his back. A paw grabbed his mane pulling his head back, and the blade of Storfayan knife was pressed against his throat.

At first he had thought the prairie demon had come for him, but why would a demon need a weapon? No, he reasoned instead that Kes had betrayed him after all, and his attacker was one of Lithia's goons. Raeph surrendered to the inevitable hoping for a quick and relatively painless death, but something wasn't right. He glimpsed orange and black striped fur on the forearm holding the knife. The voice that spoke was not like anyone from Storfay, making him reconsider his hasty conclusion.

"Prepare to die, Horse. You go to your gods like your three underlings. Beg for mercy if you vish, but it vill do you no good."

Raeph's confusion was now absolute. A new and unknown player had just been introduced to this drama. "Who are you? Why are you killing the Juhtmare's...Urk!" The blade dug into his throat slightly as Cat yanked back on his mane.

"I did not say you could ask qvestions. That is not begging. I only let you live a little longer so you can tell me something useful. You answer my qvestions, I kill you qvick. You keep asking qvestions, I vill make you suffer much before you die, pony boy."

It was obvious to Raeph that the gods had decided against him. He was going to be killed by a Cat. The Juhtmare's plans would succeed, he would die, and his family would suffer because he had failed them.

"I am not afraid to die, nor am I afraid of pain. I deserve both for being weak and forsaking my honor by accepting a charge to kill my guests and my fellow Storfayans. Clearly, this is the gods will and punishment for my actions. Do what you must, strange messenger of the gods, but I will tell you nothing unless you can prove to me that you mean no harm to those who are in my care."

His noble speech was answered by a menacing growl. "Bah! I am no errand girl of your stupid gods. Vhat I do, I do for me and me alone." The knife pressed harder against his throat drawing blood this time. The grip on his mane tightened. "I have heard much of your brave, pretty talk, pony. I am not impressed. Do not vaste your last vords trying to impress me. Tell me vhen and vhere you plan to kill my Jak and the little bunyic or I cut you apart slowly into little pieces."

Was this creature a friend of the Princess and Jak? Did Raeph dare hope that this creature was somehow connected with his guests in some positive way? Could she be trying to save them, or was she just another servant of the Juhtmare? A tiny flame of hope was rekindled from the dying embers of his heart.

"Only if you can assure me that you mean them no harm. Are you a friend of theirs?"

"Vhat did I say about qvestions?" The blade left his throat and dug painfully into his upper arm. Raeph winced and ground his teeth against the agonizing pain, but said nothing.

After a minute of torture with no response from the Horse, Cat spoke again. "You are stubborn mule. How much pain do you think you can endure?"

"Whatever is required to protect my friends."

"You say friends, but you plan to kill them. That is not friendly. They are my friends, and I kill to save them. That is friendly."

"It is not my desire to kill them. I was forced to do this foul deed, but I have decided not to go through with it. I am trying to think of a way to save them. Maybe you can help me. We can work together. We seem to have the same goal."

"You are lying to save your life. I don't believe you. I have listened to your Horsemen talk and discuss vhat they are going to do vhen you reach the ice. I have heard you plotting vith them."

"How do you listen without us seeing you? There is nowhere to hide on the open prairie." Raeph grunted in pain again as the Cat pushed her knee hard into his back and jabbed his arm with the knife, deliberately twisting the blade to inflict the maximum pain.

"You are stupid Horse vhat does not learn. No qvestions. You give answers only. It is enough for you to know that I know your plans and vill save Jak and his little bunyic. I vant you to tell me everything so I can do that."

When she relented slightly in her torture, Raeph was able to catch his breath and speak again. "What can I say that will convince you I want to help?"

"There is nothing you can say. Your vords are vorthless to me. You are a liar and a murderer. Only information vill make your death less painful."

Being a Horse of honor, Cat's words stung his pride. He was used to being trusted. He wondered if this was how his life would become if he stayed a minion of the Juhtmare: never thought of as honorable again, instead forever branded as a liar and deceiver. He knew he was undeserving of Jak and the Princess' trust. They had placed their lives in his hands, and for a while at least, he had been prepared to let the others kill them. Now he realized that he had to place his life in their paws and trust that they would want to do the right thing as he now did.

"Ask Jak. You trust him don't you?" Raeph was gambling that his assailant shared a similar respect for the stoic Wolf. Jak was the only fur she had referred to by name.

There was a short silence, and the knife was removed from his arm. He gasped involuntarily.

"I do, but Jak is not here to ask, and your Horses vatch him closely. I can move vithout being seen, but how am I supposed to get to him and speak vithout being heard?"

"I don't know. Create a diversion of some kind and sneak in to talk to him. You must be stealthy if you could sneak up on and kill three of my scouts and take me unawares so easily."

Cat considered his suggestion. Twilight was beginning, and it would be dark soon. This Horse would be missed, but she had time to try his plan. If he was telling the truth, then he was in a position to do much to help save Jak and the bunyic. If he was lying, then she could return and spend all night making him pay for deceiving her.

Cat unwrapped several long, leather straps from around her waist that she had saved from the horses of the other riders that she had killed. With astounding strength and agility, she hog tied Raeph's wrists to his ankles so that he could neither stand, walk or crawl. The result was painful but allowed Raeph to hope that this meant that she might help him and not kill him before talking to Jak.

"Does this mean you will do it?"

Cat put her snout against his left ear and yanked hard on the straps so they bit into his wrists agonizingly. "I don't answer qvestions, stupid pony."

Abruptly the weight on his back was gone. He rolled on his side and watched her catch and lead his horse away. Though he had guessed her species already, he was still surprised to have it confirmed that his mystery assailant was indeed a Cat. How had Princess Airiphryone and Jak come to befriend one of her kind? Cats were notorious for talking with no one, much less helping anyone but themselves. Yet clearly, this Cat was willing to help them. No Horse delegation had ever been successful at even being able to parley with their kind. Many Storfayan diplomatic parties had never even returned from Asearth. The Juht had long since given up trying to communicate with them.

Raeph tried to struggle against his bonds, but it was futile. He gave up and spent his time instead praying to the gods and thanking them for this unlikely savior.

The sun was setting, slowly. At these high latitudes, twilight lasted far longer than in the south. Airy, Jak, Jorveth, Camorra and Tigan sat around a small fire nervously eating their dinner, oblivious to the spectacular orange and red sunset provided by the recent eruption of the volcano that had sundered the Earth Spine. Their anxiety was fueled by the behavior of the Horse soldiers, who had uncharacteristically left them all alone to quarrel among themselves on the other side of camp. Their leader, Raeph, was missing. It was presumed he had gone out unaccompanied against his own orders. Now that he could not be found, rumors were spreading that the prairie demon had taken him. The blood red sunset amplified their pre-existing fears over bad omens and ill portents.

Bolduohr and Kaerdan were arguing with Kes. A few of their words drifted over to where the Rikifurians could hear them, but not enough for them to understand what was being discussed. They were animated, though, and the exchange was heated. Something wasn't right. The fear and tension in the air was so strong, Jak could taste it.

Jak growled deep in his throat as he often did when he felt threatened. To Airy he whispered, "I don't like this. Something bad is brewing; I can smell treachery in the air."

Months ago, Airy would have scoffed at his pronouncement, but now she trusted Jak implicitly, and believed in his intuitive abilities. Pretending he was becoming amorous towards her as a feint to not raise the suspicions of the others, he licked behind her ears. "How about some private time together, Love?" he said louder than necessary.

Airy took the hint, and rose with him to walk slowly to her tent. The Storfayans were too busy with their argument to pay them any attention. Their three fireside companions were well acquainted with Jak and Airy's relationship and politely ignored their departure.

Inside the tent, Jak revealed his suspicions and concerns. "Something dangerous is going to happen soon, Airy, but I am not sure what. With Raeph gone, there will be a struggle for leadership. The Horses may fight with each other. It may be that we are in danger. Whatever happens, we have to be ready to defend ourselves. This may even be an opportunity for us to escape with Jorveth and Camorra, but we need help."

"But there is only you and me, Jak. Who else will help us?"

"I think I know what happened to Raeph. It is unfortunate, but I think it confirms my suspicions that Cat is nearby."

Airy scowled. "I don't want her help, Jak."

"It doesn't matter if you want her help or not. We need her help. I am sure she is the prairie demon that all the Horses speak of in worried whispers. I need to talk to her and coordinate some kind plan so we can fight effectively together."

"I'll go with you."

"No. You won't. Someone has to stay here and keep up the ruse that we are in this tent just in case the Storfayans settle their arguments and come snooping around." It was clear to Jak from Airy's expression she did not like nor want him near the Cat alone.

"Let me go and talk to her," she proposed.

Jak growled in frustration. "And how will that encounter turn out, do you think? I know you hate her. You have made that clear. She may or may not deign to approach or speak with you. You'll never find her if she doesn't want to be found. This is urgent and we don't have time to work out grievances and risk this chance to talk to her. Like it or not the Cat is an ally. Like it or not, we need her help. Like it or not, she will prefer to find me." Jak sighed as he made his last point.

Airy's paw went to the hit of her sword. "I'll kill her, Jak, if she lays a paw on you!"

Jak grabbed her wrists with his paws and pulled her towards him. "Airy, listen to me. This is not the time for this discussion. This is not about her attraction to me. This is about diplomacy. You are a Princess and need to learn this lesson. You cannot always choose your allies. You will not always like your allies. You have to work with the resources you have to achieve your goals and put aside your own emotions, likes and dislikes. We have no hope without Cat's help. With it, we have some. It is possible that we can use the superstitious nature of these Horses against them by having Cat create terror and confusion that will allow us to escape with Camorra and Jorveth. There is no way we can coordinate that unless I go meet her. I must talk to her, alone. Do you understand?"

Releasing her grip on her sword hilt, Airy pressed herself against Jak and nodded. "I understand. I don't like it, but I understand. I do hate her Jak, but you are right. What kind of a queen will I be if I only surround myself with people I like? I know that my father has many advisors that he finds offensive or repulsive in some way, but he keeps them around because they are valuable. I have seen that, but never really understood it until now."

Jak enveloped her in his strong arms and kissed her. "I am proud of you for accepting this. I think you are growing into a fine Queen, Princess Airiphryone."

It always amused Airy whenever Jak used her title. She smiled and pushed him away in a mock formal manner. It was easier to part from his company if she treated him as a subordinate. "Well then, Captain Jak. You have your orders. Find this unpleasant ally have her do my will, which is...whatever you determine it to be."

Jak knelt in front of her on one knee in the Rikifur fashion showing the most respect to a superior. "I obey, Princess. I will return as quickly as I can. I suggest you let some time pass after I am gone, then call Camorra in so you can inform her of our plans and prepare her as best you can for whatever is about to happen."

Rising, Jak turned and crawled under the back of the tent. Airy paced to release some of the tense energy she still felt inside of herself. Just because Jak was right, did not make letting him meet with Cat alone any easier. It was moments like this when she wished she were not a princess next in line to the throne. As she paced, she began a count to one thousand to distract herself from negative thoughts and as a timer for summoning Camorra.

Jak had feared that he would be seen even with the tent between him and the arguing Storfayans, but something had disturbed the feral horses while he and Airy had been talking. The nervous soldiers were too worried about the prairie demon getting their precious mounts to look his way.

Thus, he was soon walking out of sight beyond a line of scrubby fir trees when he smelled the familiar scent of Cat just as a slender paw slipped into his broader paw. It was eerie how stealthy she was. Jak looked at her face, which wore her typical sardonic and mischievous smile. He began to slow, but she silently and insistently began to lead him in a new direction.

Jak spoke softly so only Cat could hear him. "Was it you who startled the horses so I could get away?"

"But, of course."

"Are you responsible for the disappearing Horse soldiers?"

"Correct again, smart puppy."

"And Raeph?"

"Him, too."

Jak growled. His ears lay flat against his head. "I wish you had not killed him. He was a potential ally. I fear we may need all the allies we can get very soon."

Cat stopped, partially concealed in shadows cast by the moon that was now hidden behind a stand of fir trees. The rattling of stones in the nearby, noisy creek ensured they would not be overheard if anyone happened to be lurking about. She drew Jak close to her so their bellies touched. Being taller, she looked down into his eyes with her chin nearly touching the tip of his snout.

"Then I grant you your vish, sveet puppy," she whispered. "He lives."

The Wolf's ears stood back up. "What? Where?"

"Not far. I vill take you there, but first, there are things you must know. As usual, Cat is here to rescue you from your own folly, though she gets little or no revard for her efforts."

Jak was well aware of what kind of reward she hoped to claim. "Why don't you tell me what you know first, then I can decide if it is worthy of a reward."

Her grin broadened, and she kissed Jak hungrily on the lips as she pulled him tight against her lithe, muscular body. Jak growled, but did not resist. When she was through, she laughed.

"I prefer my revard up front, although that vas just small token of vhat I have earned. I think you vill agree, puppy."

"If anyone else but Airy called me puppy or touched me like you do, I would knock them to the ground."

"Vhy don't you knock me down, Jak?"

He hesitated. "I don't think I could." That was not his only reason, though. Her scent was intoxicating tonight and reminded Jak of their first and only love making session when they had met. It had been forced; that was not in question, but Jak's current feelings towards her were conflicted. A part of him that was used to mating with whomever he wanted whenever he wanted, wished to prolong that kiss. That part of him wished to do more than just kiss this dangerous female, but it was in discord with the part of him that wanted to stay faithful to Airy. This was a new experience for Jak that left him confused. A high pitched and nearly inaudible whine escaped Jak's lips. "I don't think I want to. I don't know, really."

Cat purred loud enough for Jak to hear. "Really, Jak? You give me hope. Therefore, I vill tell you all I know. Aftervard, we shall see vhat more reward I deserve, eh?"

She pulled away from him but did not let go of his paw, dragging Jak along as she walked across the stream to the more open ground beyond the trees on the other side. "Your so-called friend, Raeph, has betrayed you. He has orders from Horse qveen to kill you, Bunyic, the Cow girl and the crazy Horse thinker."

"How do you know this?"

"I listen to foul, loudmouth Horse brothers talking. They discuss their plans vhere they think no one can hear them. They do not know Cat is vatching and listening."

"You have a knack for moving unseen. I am beginning to believe that you could stand between them, and they wouldn't know you were there."

Cat laughed a genuine and non-mocking laugh. "I am good, but not magical. They make it easy for me vhen they go off alone to talk. It is simpler to hide from one or two than tventy. That is how I hear all their plans to kill you. This order comes from their Horse Qveen."

"Why?"

"They do not know, but Raeph does. Juhtmare told him after sending the brothers avay. They vere upset over her trusting the pretty Horse more than them, and putting the Captain in charge of ensuring you die." With a snarl in her voice she added, "He accepted her order. I heard him admit this."

Puzzling clues that had baffled him since the day of the Aarosht suddenly made sense to Jak. Raeph had been dissembling and evasive that day; during the ride north he had remained distant and aloof. Raeph had behaved like such an honest and true ally when they first met that Jak had let himself be deceived. Now, not only was his own life in grave danger, but Airy's as well. Jak was angry more with himself for his failure than he was at Raeph, but the Horse Captain was going to bear the brunt of his wrath. A low, menacing snarl preceded his next words.

"You say he is alive. Take me to him, please."

At first, Raeph felt relief when he saw the tigress return with Jak. His hope faded when he beheld the grim and angry expression on the Wolf's face. The predatory grin the Cat wore was even less friendly. Jak squatted down next to him and drew forth Airy's steel knife. The moonlight glinted off the shiny blade with each subtle movement of the Wolf's paw. It was unclear to the Horse if Jak was going to cut his bonds or his throat. He hoped it was the former.

"Why did you agree to do it Raeph?" Jak's tone was neutral and devoid of emotion. He was giving no clues to Raeph concerning his state of mind. The Horse hoped Jak was more willing to talk and listen than the Cat had been. He also hoped Jak would not use that knife to try to extract information as the Cat had done.

There was nothing for Raeph to do but tell the truth and pray for the best. "I assume the Cat told you everything. Your demeanor tells me that. It is true that I agreed to kill you, Airy, Jorveth and Camorra for the Juhtmare." It was not in Raeph's nature to lie. Being a servant of the Juhtmare would give him plenty of practice, but he was not going to try dissembling with Jak. If the truth could not save him, then he did not want to be saved. "At first, I fully intended to do it. I deserve your hate and perhaps even death by your paw. What I decided in my heart was dishonorable and ignoble. I thought only of my family, my herd and myself. I was selfish. I have forsaken my honor, and for that you are within your rights to kill me."

"Family? How does your family enter into this?"

Raeph explained the circumstances of his kin and how dependent they were upon his success. He further revealed to Jak the secret of his sexuality that the Juhtmare was using to coerce him.

This revelation puzzled Jak. "Being attracted to other males is a crime and is deserving of punishment?" In his youth, Jak had experimented with sex with other males. It was not something he had done in a long time, but he could not see why such behavior would be wrong, or deserving of punishment.

"In Storfay it is. If the Juht finds out, I will be discharged from military service, and my family will suffer."

"You said at first you intended to kill us. Have you changed your mind?"

"Will you believe me if I tell you?"

"If you speak the truth, I will know and believe you."

"I do not ask or beg for any special treatment. I have wronged you. I am baring my soul to you and your judgment. I have trusted you with my secret. I will let you decide my fate. You have no reason to believe anything that I say. I accept that I have brought your mistrust upon myself, and for that I accept the consequences that follow. I am a horse without honor, but I will do what is right to regain it if you give me the opportunity."

Raeph paused to see how Jak would react to his speech. The Wolf's neutral expression did not change, nor did the openly skeptical look the Cat had worn since she returned with Raeph's only hope to stay alive and possibly undo the harm he had already done.

Sighing, the Horse closed his eyes. "I know it sounds improbable, but it was a combination of my honor and my affection for you and the Princess that convinced me that the deal that I had made with the Juhtmare was evil and intolerable for me to carry out. If you doubt my honor, I cannot fault you. What I did was ignoble, and I know it. Concealing my sexuality was shameful. Whether or not I am fit to serve in Juht's army is irrelevant. I knowingly broke the rules. I also would not be surprised if you doubted my assertions concerning my feelings towards you and the Princess. I have become a liar to keep my secret, but believe this, if you believe anything I say: since the moment that we met, my fondness for you and Princess Airiphryone was genuine and has only grown with each passing moment. I think the world would be a much sadder place without the two of you in it. Certainly, I would mourn your passing dearly."

Raeph paused, mentally bracing himself for Jak's judgment. "I have given you the reasons I have recanted my deal with the Juhtmare. In addition to those, I pledge that if you let me free, I will willingly help you to escape to the best of my ability no matter what the consequences are to me. Know also, please, that I am imperiling my family by these actions, though I can see no way now to save them anyway. Their fate is in the hands of the gods. My fate is in your paws. That is all I have to say. Pass your judgment on me."

Raeph opened his eyes and met Jak's lone, inscrutable eye. The Wolf raised the knife and brought it down. Raeph held his breath expecting to have his throat cut, but instead found his numb wrists and ankles freed from their bonds. He rubbed his wrists.

It had been many days since he had last had cause to smile, but it was a natural expression for him that came back to his face with ease. "I am grateful that you trust me after all I have done, friend Jak. Please, tell me why."

Jak placed his right paw on the Horse's shoulder and smiled with the Horse. "You are too hard on yourself, Raeph, and you rely too much on the will of the gods. They are notoriously unreliable and capricious. My people learned that lesson a long time ago. It is a pity you don't trust in yourself more. You have not been as selfish as you thought. I see no dishonor in you. You chose family over strangers. I might have done the same in your situation. Help us now, and you may consider your honor restored."

"How do you know I am not lying now and don't still plan to betray you?"

"All Wolves have some ability to tell lies from truth. It is not infallible, but you, Raeph, you wear your feelings like these colorful Storfayan garments for everyone to see. If you aren't telling the truth, then I am not a Wolf."

Jak helped Raeph to his hooves. His legs hadn't yet recovered from the tight bindings, and he was unsteady on his hooves. As Raeph moved about to restore his circulation, he looked expectantly at Cat.

"And what about you, mysterious lady? Do you trust me?"

"I trust Jak." The Horse waited for her to say more, but she remained impassive, staring at him as if he were the enemy.

"I guess I shall have to work extra diligently to earn your trust, if that is possible."

Cat stepped between Jak and Raeph and glared down at the Horse. Her contemptuous demeanor softened slightly. "It is possible, but vill not be easy for you." She paused and reconsidered. "And yet, I find myself sharing company vith Bunyic and Volf, vhy not Horse? I vill tolerate your company on my terms."

Neither Raeph nor Jak could react in time to stop what she did next. With the speed that only Cat's possess, she raked her claws across his chest, ripping the fabric of his shirt and eliciting a yelp of pain from the still unsteady Horse. His hand instinctively covered the wound and blood seeped between his fingers. "Gods! Why did you do that?"

"Two reasons, pony boy. First, I vant you to know that I can kill you anytime. Betray us and you are first to die. Second, you can't go back to your other ponies unscathed. They are certain you have been killed by prairie demon. Now you look like you vere in fight. Vith that vound they von't suspect vhat you vere really doing out here."

Raeph thought the previous wounds that she had given him with her knife were plenty of proof but kept his snout shut. Jak was less intimidated by her and growled at Cat's mischief. "That was unnecessary and possibly counterproductive. The other Horses back at camp are agitated and scared enough as it is. Now that I know of this plot to kill us, I suspect the argument they were having when I left camp was over whether or not to kill us now so they can go home before the demon strikes again. I need to return to camp immediately and make sure Airy and the others are alright."

"Let me come with you, Jak," begged Raeph.

"No, Raeph. We should not be seen returning together. Despite her methods, Cat is right about avoiding suspicion. I will sneak back into camp. I hope they haven't missed me yet. You need to return separately and pretend you barely escaped the deadly clutches of the prairie demon." Jak glared at Cat who casually flicked her tail and pretended not to notice. "Try to use that to keep them disoriented and unsure of what to do until I can talk to Airy. Is Kes on your side?"

Raeph sighed and hung his head. "I don't think we can count on him to help. He may even fight against us."

"That's a pity. Every sword we have magnifies our chances of success. I still have to discover if Jorveth and Camorra can help in some way or not."

"Do you have a plan?"

"Other than fight if attacked? No. Anything could be happening in camp right now. We will likely have to improvise. Cat?"

"Yes, Jak," she replied almost demurely. Her manner of speech was softer and less confrontational whenever she spoke to him. Raeph wondered at her deference to the Wolf and the mystery behind their relationship. Until today, the Horse had never heard of Cats working with any other races or even much among themselves. Since he was a colt, he had been instructed that all Cats were loners and murderers who stalked the edges of the prairie to pounce on unwary Horses who wandered too far from home alone. He still suspected there was a great deal of truth in those old mare's tales told by mothers to keep their colts in line, but now he wondered if the world was a more complex place than he had ever imagined. Subjects like honor and race now seemed to have less sharp boundaries.

To his even greater amazement, Jak clutched her upper arms with his paws and kissed the Cat passionately. His affection was returned, but she kept both eyes warily on the Horse as she enjoyed the embrace. Her paws slid inside Jak's shirt where her claws raked sensuously up and down the fur on Jak's back. Raeph thought he could hear a soft purring from the striped killer. He could not help but gape openly at this spectacle.

When they finished, Jak pulled her arms out of his shirt, and briefly held Cat's paws in his. "You have likely saved all of our lives. Our chances of survival are much better because of you. I wish I could give you more of a reward than that. You know the many reasons why that is not possible."

Always full of mischief, Cat ran a single claw down Jak's chest and belly to stop just above his groin. "Yes, that vas little revard. I think I have earned more than that. Just think, Jak, you could have me right now. I don't care if pony vatches or even joins us. I hear his kind are rather large down here." Her claw moved lower as she spoke. "That could be fun, except I think he is more interested in you than me."

Blushing enough that it showed through the fur on his face, Raeph coughed into his hand and looked down at the ground. Jak lifted her naughty paw and gently kissed it. "You know it is more than that. Now, go retrieve Captain Raeph's horse, if it is still alive, and return his weapons. He will need them to help us. After you do that, stay close to camp unseen and help out however you can. I need to return now."

The Wolf ran back toward the camp, leaving Raeph alone with the formidable Cat once again.

"I am at your mercy again, mysterious feline. Please don't abuse me any further. I wish to remain hale enough to be of some assistance in the battle to come."

"If there vere time, I could do things to you that vould make you lover of females again, pony boy, but it is not to be."

Winking slyly, she turned and ran up and over a small hillock before the Horse could respond, leaving Raeph to wonder if she would ever return.

The long, northern twilight had faded to night by the time Jak returned to Airy's tent. The camp was quiet. An air of expectant menace hung over it. The Horses were still clustered together at the edge of camp, but were too quiet to hear now. Airy and Camorra were also talking in hushed tones as Jak scrambled under the back of the tent. Airy rushed into his arms. Sniffing at his fur, she wrinkled her nose.

"You smell like Cat. Did she put her filthy paws on you?"

"A kiss. Nothing more." Airy's expression turned to anger. Jak tried to mollify her concern. "She demanded it as a reward. When you hear what she uncovered, I think you will agree she deserved it."

Airy doubted that she would ever agree to such a thing, but she held her anger in check, sensing Jak's urgency and the seriousness of the situation. Jak indicated that Camorra should stay, then he quickly summarized what he had learned from Cat and Raeph and explained the tentative plans they had made.

Camorra was shocked and dismayed that the Juhtmare wanted her and Jorveth killed. "But, why? It makes no sense."

"I didn't think the reasons were important enough to waste time asking. If we survive this night, you can ask Raeph. Cat says that he knows."

In contrast to the Cow's reaction, Airy was almost jubilant. "So, Raeph is on our side. That is wonderful. He's an excellent swordsman. We can beat this disorderly bunch of malcontents, especially if we take them by surprise. By the Maker, I'll even admit I want Cat's help, and will be grateful for it. Though, if she presses for a greater reward than what she has already claimed, I will kill her." She emphasized this last point by poking Jak in the center of his chest with her finger then grabbing his snout with both paws and pulling him down to her for a kiss.

It was clear to Jak that Airy was glad for the chance to fight. Rushing into combat was her preferred method of dealing with her enemies. That was not always wise, but today, it was a good trait. Jak could see no way out of fighting now that he understood that the Horses had meant to kill them from the beginning. Airy was right. They had to act first and fast to hope to overcome the odds against them, which he didn't view as favorably as his lover did.

Airy already wore her armor. The only steel sword east of the Earth Spine hung from her belt. Jak picked up the tournament shield he had kept from the Aarosht and let Camorra help affix it to his lame left paw.

With the lust for battle upon her, Airy began preparing strategy. "The darkness will be beneficial to us. It will make it hard for them to take advantage of their numbers and especially hard to use their bows. We need to keep them off their horses or capture the horses first ourselves. Being mounted will tip the odds even more in our favor."

Heavy hoof falls and voices just outside their tent interrupted her planning session. Airy's ideas were possibly all for naught if this was the assault that Jak feared might begin before Raeph returned and Cat could prepare to harass them from behind. There was no time to gather all of their allies together. Jak slapped his forehead with his paw. He had completely forgotten about Jorveth. Jak worried he might already have been killed.

"Camorra, where is Jorveth?" he whispered urgently.

"He wandered out away from the campfires to get a better place to observe the stars and take notes. He also was hoping to see the colored lights in the sky the guide had described. He is very curious about such things."

Jak was grateful for the inventor's eccentric behavior. It left one less innocent to worry about.

"Thank the Spirits. Now you get under the cot, and cover yourself with blankets. Don't come out unless the Princess or I ask you to."

The slave was barely out of sight when the tent flap was thrown back without even a request for entry. Kaerdan and Bolduohr both stood in the opening with their swords drawn. Airy and Jak drew theirs simultaneously in response to the intrusion. Kes was standing behind the two brothers and wore a worried and frantic look on his face. The rest of the Juhtmare's guard milled about behind Kes holding torches.

"Where're the skunk, the inventor, and his slave?" Bolduohr's tone and manner were rude and provocative. He was no longer even pretending to be polite. The unpleasant thug irritated Airy when he was at his best. Now that she knew he intended to murder her, she was in no mood to be bullied by him or cooperate with him.

"How dare you barge in here without permission? We are honored guests of the Juht. When Raeph finds out what you have..."

"Raeph ain't here. He's likely dead by the claws of the prairie demon. We ain't staying out here any longer to get killed ourselves. Now answer my question. Where are the others?"

"How should I know? It's your job to protect them and know where they are. I can't be expected to worry about a slave and an eccentric Horse. If they are lost, it is your incompetence that let it happen."

Airy was itching for a fight, and she knew her odds in the confined space of the dim interior of tent were better than out in the open. She was hoping to goad the brute and his brother into making their move now so she and Jak could kill them first. Without leaders, the others would be disorganized and might even retreat in confusion.

Bolduohr's face became even uglier and more menacing than usual as he raged over Airy's insult. He seemed on the verge of obliging her by attacking, when Kaerdan put his arm across Bolduohr's massive chest to stop him.

"Kes!" shouted Kaerdan. "Send two studs out to find the inventor and that damned skunk."

Jak and Airy could hear Kes issue the orders, then a shout was raised by the Horses behind the brothers.

"Captain Raeph! It's the Captain! He's returned and is injured."

Despite the confusion, which included jubilant proclamations that Raeph had killed the prairie demon and equally despondent cries that maybe there was more than one out there surrounding the camp, Kaerdan and Bolduohr never let down their guard or took their steely gazes off Airy and Jak. Jak savored the sense of confusion and worry that spread through their enemies' ranks. Whatever Raeph was telling the soldiers was working to make them fearful and less effective fighters. Several tense minutes passed until Kaerdan and Bolduohr were shoved roughly aside as Raeph entered the tent between the two brothers.

"What is the meaning of this? Kaerdan, report immediately."

It was Bolduohr who responded. "We ain't waitin' any longer to do the job. There's no sense in putting this off for two more days and lose more studs to the prairie demon." A trace of fear momentarily appeared on the brutish Horse brother's face, and his gruff voice trembled slightly at his own the mention of the mysterious killer that followed them and the blood and ripped fabric on Raeph's chest. To cover his apprehension, he pushed on with his typical lack of diplomacy. "We ain't taking orders from you no more, Raeph. All the studs here are agreed we kill them tonight."

Bolduohr looked past Raeph as he said this and leered at Airy. "Maybe we'll have a little fun while we're at it. Heh. Heh."

Airy began to move forward, but Jak stayed her with a paw on her shoulder. Raeph drew his sword and pointed it at Airy, ostensibly to hold her at bay, but he gave her a sly wink as he did with his back to the others so that none of his own troops could see.

"Well, it seems that the secret purpose of this expedition is no longer so secret. It would have been better for everyone if this could have been handled with more surprise and stealth. I suppose there is no way to avoid a bloodbath now. Perhaps our guests would be willing to put down their swords in exchange for a quick death?"

Both Airy and Jak shook their heads and remained ready and alert.

"No?" Raeph drew his knife with his left hand. "Pity. Still, it makes it more exciting this way." As he took one step forward as though he were intent on killing Airy, Kaerdan and Bolduohr moved with him, doing exactly what the Horse Captain had hoped they would do.

Spinning swiftly to his right, Raeph turned his feigned attack on the brothers. Caught unawares, Kaerdan was defenseless as the dagger in Raeph's left hand swept up and plunged under his chin, severing his carotid artery and windpipe on its journey to emerge just below the base of his skull. With a fluidity of motion born of years of practice, the sword in Raeph's right hand simultaneously tucked in between Kaerdan's and Raeph's bodies and then swung outward with Bolduohr's neck as its intended target. It was a bold and well executed attack planned to eliminate the two most dangerous foes at once.

Unfortunately, ill fortune or some cautious sense alerted the brutish brother to react in time to save himself. He didn't have the speed to block Raeph's blade with his own, but instinct caused Bolduohr to raise his right shoulder just enough so that Raeph's blade was deflected upward off his bronze shoulder guard to strike the side of Bolduohr's helmet. The impact of the blow was formidable and knocked the helmet from his head.

Slightly stunned but relatively uninjured, Bolduohr staggered backwards into the throng of soldiers behind him while inelegantly, but successfully, fending off Raeph's pursuit and attempts to finish him off. In seconds, Raeph was under siege by several of the Juhtmare's studs. He would have been hacked down If Airy and Jak had not rushed to his rescue, killing two of the enemy who were too busy attacking Raeph to defend themselves from another opponent.

Despite having surprise and more skill than their opponents had, the numbers against the three heroes were too great. Even the best swordsman cannot hold off multiple opponents for long. It helped that Raeph had his dagger to fend off one opponent while using his sword to attack and kill another. Jak was similarly equipped in that he had his shield from the Aarosht clutched in his crippled left paw to ward off blows as he used the Storfayan blade in his right to kill as many Horses as he could.

It was a bloody and exhausting business that was likely to end badly for Airy, Raeph and Jak. They stood side by side with Airy in the middle and the tent at their backs. It was the best defensive position available, but still allowed too many enemies to attack them at once. The Juhtmare's lackeys may have exhibited a shortage of discipline, but they were still soldiers trained to fight under conditions similar to this.

When the Horses charged en masse in an attempt to overwhelm the brave trio, Raeph managed to kill one. In addition to Kaerdan, whose body lay behind them in a pool of his own blood from the wound to his throat, three more of the enemy were now down, either dead, dying or too hurt to fight. The charge succeeded, though, in driving the three valiant heroes apart so that they could no longer help defend each other's flanks. Jak tried desperately to get back to Airy's side, but was forced to fight three Horses at once. It took all of his efforts to defend himself, and he was hard pressed to do that. He knew he would be dead soon if he couldn't kill his opponents faster.

Airy was in a similar situation, but the close quarters made her size disadvantage a larger liability than usual. With what little attention Jak could spare with his only eye, he watched in horror as Airy was knocked backwards off her paws to land stunned on the ground. Jak was helpless to interfere as the huge Horse that felled her stepped forward and drew back his blade to thrust it into her chest.

The Horse froze in place instead, as a dagger flew unexpectedly into his eye. He clutched at it feebly before falling to his knees. Airy was as mystified by the unexpected serendipitous attack as Jak. A mad cackling from Tigan revealed the source of that fortuitous dagger throw. Where the Skunk prophet had come from, how she had got into the tent, and why she was helping them were mysteries to Jak. Nevertheless, he was grateful that Airy still lived and fought.

Airy was still on her back, though, and the next Horse, a piebald stud, moved forward to finish her while she was down. His stricken comrade was flailing about in pain, making the two-colored Horse stumble and lose his advantage. Airy was quick to seize the opportunity. The tip of her blade plunged though his groin and up into his belly as she jumped back to her hindpaws. It was a fine recovery, and Jak was impressed. His love was an excellent fighter despite her size and sex. In the next few moments, he knew true gratitude when his life was saved by her skill.

Jak found himself losing ground. The Horse in the middle of the trio attacking him managed to pin Jak's blade with his sword, which left Jak defenseless against the Horse on his right. With help from another of Tigan's thrown daggers that downed another Horse in front of Airy combined with the clutter of bodies in front of her blocking further assault by the Juhtmare's Horses, Airy was momentarily free to bring her own steel blade up and sever the sword arm of the Horse who was about to impale her lover.

With just two opponents remaining, Jak reclaimed the initiative and punched the Horse on his left in the face with his shield. The force of the blow broke his snout and drove the soldier backward and off his hooves to land on the ground unconscious. Jak then jumped in the air while spinning around to deliver a roundhouse kick to the side of the head of the Horse who had pinned his blade. The impact made the Horse lurch to his left onto Airy's waiting sword.

Free of opponents, the pair looked to their ally and saw that Raeph had managed to kill another of the Juhtmare's guard but was sorely pressed by Bolduohr and two others. The handsome Horse Captain could not fight them all at once and was too far away for Airy or Jak to help or save.

It was Bolduohr who stabbed Raeph through one side of his belly forcing him to drop his sword involuntarily. Drawing back his bloody blade to finish the stricken Captain, Bolduohr froze with his blade at chest level. Looking down, he saw the tip of a sword protruding through his chest. Blood oozed freely from the wound, and consciousness slowly faded from the bestial lout as he sagged to the ground on his knees.

Raeph was heartened to see little Kes revealed from behind the stout Bolduohr as the second of the awful brothers sank downward to the ground and died. Raeph's own vision was swimming from the blood loss from his wound. He also dropped to his knees, certain that his end was near.

Heedless of his own safety, Kes dropped his bloodied blade and rushed to Raeph's aid. He would have been stabbed from behind by one of the remaining two Horses if Airy had not impaled one and Cat had not stepped out of the darkness to snap the other's neck with her strong arms. As Raeph's vision narrowed and his breathing became shallow, he observed with detached bemusement the hateful glares the little Rabbit Princess and the tall Cat gave each other even as they stood side by side having killed a common foe together. His father had taught him that an enemy of your enemy was by association your friend, at least while you both saw the third party as an enemy. Raeph wondered how long it would be before these two had no more common enemies and were forced to deal with each other alone. He suspected he wasn't going to live to find out and all went dark.

[End of Chapter]