7

Ari woke the next morning feeling a drive to get out of town as fast as she could. She packed up what little she had and got down to the stables where Keke was more than ready for them to be off. The storm that had blown in last night seemed to linger still in the morning hours. Dark clouds promised more to come but held off on letting their rain fall. She took off through the hill side enjoying the peace nature always brought. People complicated things far too much. Animals were complex yet simple to her. She couldn't have been riding more than a half day when she heard the cries of a wolf in distress. Her heart broke at its cries. Keke on the other hand said the hell with it and nudged her to continue forward not to veer off to find the source of the wails. "Come on girl let’s take a peek." The horse would not move. Ari even hoped down to lead her by the reining, but she was not having it. "Ok you win." Ari held up her hands in mock surrender. "You stay here I'm gonna go help. "The horse snorted something that Ari was sure mean "Dumbass." but did not move from the road side. Ari slipped into the brush hunkering low in case anyone was near. Deep in the brush she saw the source of the wails. A beautiful grey wolf lay on its side, its hind leg trapped in a large metal claw like device. Another wolf lay to the side not moving. it was clear it was dead. Ari watched for a few minutes making her way circling the pair to make sure there was not an ambush. The only signs of any recent visitors lead directly to them. She drew her long blade and step hesitantly forward. The injured wolf growled protectively but was really in no position to protect itself.

"Alright wolfie, My name is Ari. I'm gonna help you." she placed her palm out showing signs of no aggression. the wolf's eyes showed intelligence but was still wary of her.

Slowly, very slowly she inched forward to the wolf. She allowed it to smell her palm but stayed just out of reach incase it lunged at her. The wolf snitched and settled back, "Ok see I'm not gonna hurt you." she looked at the trapped a oil of some kind had coated the device. She lifted her fingers the oil was pungent but she was not sure why they'd put it on there. She took out her long blade, the wolf growled warningly, “It’s ok I am gonna pry the bars open.' She slipped the blade dislodged one side of the wolves bleeding leg from the metal teeth. She wedge the knife up and the sprang opened. instantly the wolf pulled it legs away. She expected the animal to spring away into the woods but instead she watched from the brush line. "it's ok girl, I'm not gonna follow you." she waited till the wolf turned to leave before making a move in the opposite direction.

Feeling confident that she had completed her good deed Ari headed back to Keke. Thunder shook the skies, Well shit again?! "We will have to find a cave tonight girl, the next settlement is a day out still." She had been in this area before and knew a few caves that would be able to hold her and Keke and not be discovered but it took the better part of the day to find her favorite one. She had stock piled some wood and a few none perishables in it last month when she had made her way up. The rain was blanketing them by the time she found the entrance. lightening crackled across the sky as she moved the limbs and plank of wood shed use to hide the opening.

It didn't take long for her to make her way down the mouth into a open cavern. She had made a makeshift vent for the smoke from her fire to escape from the last time she was here and she hoped it had not gotten blocked. She wouldn’t have been able to find out without going topside and she really didn’t want to do that in this weather.

She'd lit her fire and it illuminated the walls. Tiny flecks glistened as the light played and danced. The heat soon kissed her cheeks and she felt she could relax. "I swear its like mother nature herself is trying to slow us down." Ari joked to Keke. She’d taken a corner not too far from the heat but on a pile of hay resting. Keke's ears began to twitch and she stood looking around but not panicking. Ari grabbed her knife and prepared her self for a intruder.

A soft whisper from the shadows, “May I come in?" it was female. Regardless she held her knife, men and women bought can kill. "I mean no harm. I am looking to get out of the rain." her voice rang with truth and not deceit.

"Come in stranger." Ari replied.

A tall woman, with long brown hair stepped into the light. She was a beautiful creature with her hazel eyes and ivory colored skin. She wore a loose fitting tanned cotton dress and no shoes. Under the cloth you could tell she was heavy expecting. "Thank you. I am Talia."

"Nice to meet you Talia. What are you doing out here?" Clearly a women in her condition had zero business wondering the woods, let alone the storm tonight.

"I am running to a safe haven and got caught, in the weather that is." she blushed with embarrassment.

"come take a seat with me." Ari motioned for her to sit opposite Keke as she was still looking unnerved.

Ari began rounding up some of her food supplies to share with her. the two didn't say much as she offered her a dry pelt to warm herself and then a nice hot plate. Talia took with gratitude.

"Ok we have broken bread Talia what the hell are you doing out here...alone? I know you said you were running but I am going to need more than just that." Ari said as she set her cup of the strong tea down watching every expression on Talia's face. It was hard to read she was like stone. In Ari's experience those she couldn't read held big secrets.

Talia cleared her throat, "Well I do owe you that. Ari I am going to tell you of something you may not like to hear, but I am going to ask that you save all comments and questions till I am finished. Can I ask that of you?" Ari sat back against a rock watching Talia with a relaxed look. She was on edge on the inside but she wanted the woman to feel like she had some trust in her.

"Yes go on."