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3.

I'd returned to the waiting pilgrims. They'd taken their fill of mead, juices, meats, cheese and fruit. My armor was packed neatly in the remaining satchel, and each of the ladies wore simple cotton robes of blue and the children had cotton robes of yellow. I let them know of the plan to set sail in an hour, and with a bit of resistance collected five hundred rotaran from the pilgrims to add to my belt that was worth at least four thousand rotarans. After I had my fill of food and drink we hustled down to the docks, me leading them in my returned cloak and my sword back in the satchel. It wasn't hard to find the Albatross, Captain Tilson's galleon. It was painted white and the ship head was carved into the very water bird it was named for.

The boom and crack of black powder and splinters of wood coming off a barrel to our left let us know it was time to run. I shouted to the pilgrims to run for the ship as I turned to look behind while I ran. The local port militia had come out and leading them was none other than Commander Stelphin. Then it clicked in my mind. The gate guards were conscripts at the Madesto Monastery and attended my stripping and trial. Stelphin must have hedged his bets on Port Tabitha and had them here as a look out. Another boom rang out as smoke billowed from a musket rifle and a crate splintered by my hip. I ducked, kept low and ran like hell. I despised fire arms. Not for their violence and assuring death, but for what they stood for. Humaran presence still lingering in our homeland.

There was a roar of challenge as Stelphin took up the chase and made me long for the safety of the ship dearly. I didn't dare look back. I knew the powerfully packed, muscled Felissii that boasted Saber Tooth Tiger blood was going to catch up to me at any hesitation. More musket fire rang out, this time from the Albatross as the crew tried to cover my escape. The twin lynx' leapt up from row boats to block the last twenty strides to the gangplank. They both had on steel cuirasses and bore rapiers as well. Seems my assessment of their positions was quite off. I slid to a stop and heard the heavy thundering paws coming behind me. The twins strolled towards me, rapiers unsheathed and menacing slashes made in the air to herd me back to Stelphin. I fumbled into one of my satchels and barely missed tripping on the deck. A sharp crack was heard and one of the twins fell into the water in surprise as a hole was blown through his steel clad chest. The other mewled in pain, feeling his twin mortally wounded. He fell to a watery sleep as another shot took him out of his loneliness.

The sound of muskets firing back and forth as the militia now sparred with the Albatross' crew had the air whistling with flying lead balls. I shoved my sword back into the satchel and before I could take a step forward, a steel grip latched onto my shoulder and spun me around. I had a nice view of Stelphin's over sized tusks as he drew his free hand back. The punch snapped my head to the side and it rang a bit, blood from a cut on the inside of my cheek gave me a coppery round of cheers. I felt myself drawn in for another brutal punch when suddenly I was let go. I spat blood and saw Stelpin cursing from a gunshot to his shoulder. He seemed to file the pain away as he looked up and pounced upon me, his strength and weight taking me down to the decking of the dock.

"You're not leaving you little weasel. You'll face everything you have coming to you. You'll beg to die, and we'll just laugh and leave you in a mud filled hole. You'll pay for my sister!" He roared.

I stared up into his reddish brown eyes, my hand worming into the satchel with my sword in it. "Calipo would've been better off a lady. Not a corrupted pawn in the Order!"

He smashed his forehead into my nose and I cursed as I saw stars and tasted more blood. "She would've been better off not looking up to you as a saint. I'm going to enjoy taking you apart."

My hand closed upon the cold rubber and steel handle of what I sought. "I'm sorry I killed your sister. I did my best to train her right. I'm sorry you set her on a path of corruption. May you forgive me, Commander."

Several loud pops and flashes erupted from between us and Stelphin stared in shock at me then fell over. Several large holes exited his steel armor. I scrambled to my feet, the pistol I'd lifted off of the cloaked woman during the meeting with Captain Tilson fell from my fingers and clattered beside his body. I turned and fled reaching the sanctuary of the Albatross as the ship made sail and began to pull away from the docks. Panting hard, I took shelter behind a hull beam of the ship and glanced out the open hatch. I watched us pull away from the docks and with a good head wind stared as Port Tabitha shrunk away in the night. I watched as I left the only country I knew.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I and the pilgrims shared a cargo hold that was getting a bit cramped after three days at sea. Most of us spent time up on the deck of the Albatross, staring at the vastness of sapphire blue water. At night the sky was a delight to behold and it kept the two kittens occupied as their mother and fellow pilgrims pointed out the constellations the captain was navigating by. I spent time chatting with Captain Tilson, lending a hand to the crew, maintaining my armor and rapier to ward off rust from the salt air. I never seemed able to catch a glimpse of where the other two odd passengers took up lodging. They seemed to go everywhere together, talked in low tones and stayed apart from everyone. On the second day they finally threw their cloaks over board and the crudely made animal masks they'd worn. We did indeed have two Humarans aboard as they sunned themselves on the deck.

Ahmeh was by rough estimates, nearly six feet tall, with a refined bronze beauty and white hair. She displayed green tattoos at the temples and sides of her neck. I never knew the fascination Humarans had with shoving ink under tender skin, but her inking seemed less ornamental and more functional. She had emerald eyes that took in everything with a critical gaze as if she was scoring everything for evaluation. Her partner, Bethany was about mid shoulder height to Ahmeh. Raven black hair cut short in a military fashion and a shifty, wary glance to her brown eyes. She bore a belt with a few pistols holstered upon them, though a holster was empty on her right hip. Maybe lifting that pistol from her back in Port Tabitha was not the brightest idea, though she seemed not to be lacking in fire arms. Stelphin never knew what hit him either and I was still alive and breathing. It all came out as a wash in my mind.

Sunrise on the third day was spectacular to me. A vivid and rich crimson color drenched the indigo night as day pushed night away. A few clouds were forming like large cotton balls and a steady cool wind had filled the Albatross' sails. As I stood there enjoying the sunrise, I noticed the sailors about me muttering low and glancing at the horizon and crimson sky. When I stopped a grizzled looking Tortoise colored Felissii sailor to ask what was up, he simply grunted out, "Red in mornin' sailor take warnin'. The sea don't set right today miss."

I left him to his work of securing rigging and clearing up some cluttered barrels. As I moved to the wheel house of the ship I saw Ahmeh and Bethany in conference with Captain Tilson.

"I really don't believe the Humaran Navy is about. We haven't seen a ship of theirs in years." Captain Tilson said in a voice that spoke of habitually repeating itself.

"Since the fall of the Humaran Empire from the Anthro Wars I am not surprised." Ahmeh said. "They are not dumb enough to be painfully obvious in enemy waters. I simply ask we stay away from usual shipping lanes. Any ship can be Humaran under guise."

Captain Tilson leaned on the ship wheel, studied the compass before him and gave Ahmeh a smirk. "That be the case, why Yester Wende for refuge? They are largely Humaran. You looking for neutral territory to surrender?"

Ahmeh adjusted a robe of cotton dyed light green, lumps from some kind of armor beneath it seemed to make the robe shift around on her body in odd ways. "Yester Wende stayed neutral in the wars. I seek sanctuary on neutral territory."

"Funny." Captain Tilson said.

"What's funny?" Bethany spoke from her lean against the railing of the wheel house.

"If you truly are the glorious General Phoenix, why not go blasting the Humarans away? You run like a young kitten from a dire rat." Captain Tilson said.

"I'd rather not hurt my kinsman directly." Ahmeh said.

Captain Tilson gave a small purr and a grunt. "I heard tales of Yasmiir when I was in port at Axzim. You fit a lot of the local legends in looks and beauty. I believe the name they called you was Beautiful Death?"

Ahmeh shifted in discomfort hearing his words. Bethany moved from her lean and strolled over to Captain Tilson and poked him in the nose.

"Don't you dare call her that name ever again. The General can go where she pleases and does not have to explain herself to the low likes of a ship captain." Bethany sneered.

"As you wish, Bethany. But I still stand by my assessment. We stray from the shipping lanes, trouble will find us. The sea is slowly gaining teeth, the sky glowers red. We are in for a rough trip soon." Captain Tilson said.

"Keep off the shipping lanes." Ahmeh stressed slow and deeply.

I thought I caught a glitter in those emerald eyes. Captain Tilson seemed likely to refuse but went a bit slack in his face and muzzle. After a few moments he simply nodded to Ahmeh and worked at turning the ship toward the eastern horizon dripping in red clouds now. Ahmeh and Bethany walked down the steps from the wheelhouse and caught sight of me. I gave them a small, courteous nod and Ahmeh stopped in front of me.

"The Crusader so eager to go to Yester Wende. Would you like to break your fast with us?" Ahmeh asked.

I glanced at Ahmeh, then Bethany who seemed absolutely bored and less amused about someone joining them. I gave another courteous nod.

"Would be my honor to join with our former masters, the Humarans." I said.

Ahmeh smirked. "Spare me the civility and thin respect. I know you most likely hate me and my kind. I'm not asking you to eat with us to gain favor. I want to know what influence your people have in Yester Wende and how best I may have to deal with things."

I gave a small smirk on my muzzle and bowed more to her. A direct and to the point Humaran. That was an odd thing to behold. I followed them to a cabin that bore Captain Tilson's name upon the door frame. Seems the Humarans were still getting preferential treatment. Some things never change no matter how much blood was spent to change them. We sat around a small table shoved and screwed into the corner of the captain's cabin. The cabin spoke of a man married to the sea. Sparse furnishing neatly held down, sea charts and maps folded on a large table and few pictures of family. Breakfast was salted pilmoo meat, dark and grainy Losus bread, and a pitcher of water and some bottles of brackish ale to wash it all down with. I decided to forge into the discussion first and see if I could put Ahmeh off guard.

"So, why are you lying to the captain? I've never heard of the White Haired General seeking sanctuary. Only peddling death." I said and chewed on the hard Losus bread.

Ahmeh gave me a slight smile and sipped from an ale bottle. "Bold little kitten I see. What makes you think I'm lying? Many have peddled death on Chanteer. Even the Crusaders of the Golden Crosses that you hail from."

"Our local history tells of you coming to Madesto Gulf several years ago; that, before you arrived, Humarans had us soundly beaten in the wars. Then you brought the smell of death. Gun powder. Guns that spit out lead faster than an archer can loose arrows. Even the Madesto Monastery has records dating a decade ago that you organized raids with our people. All Crusaders are warned to steer clear of you. You're trouble." I said.

"I think we have an educated kitty on our hands Ahmeh." Bethany said as she shoved in a strip of salted Pilmoo meat.

Ahmeh ate some of the Losus bread in a dainty fashion that made me wonder if the woman ever saw any form of labor. "While an educated Felissii is a treat, it does pose problems to us. Or it would, if you weren't lying as well." She said, dancing around my question. "Yester Wende is a neutral port island. It holds no religions nor gives them any means to stay around. I strongly believe you aren't a missionary to start a monastery there. You're running. Now why would a crusader be running?" She looked to Bethany.

"Probably stole something like she nicked my pistol. That was a gift from Ahmeh. You'll be paying me back for it for a long time, stripes." Bethany said.

"I do not steal. I simply acquire what is needed to survive at the moment. You're pistol was tempting and useful when avoiding others." I said.

"So what did you simply acquire to get the wrath of your fellow crusaders and the militia of Port Tabitha?" Ahmeh asked.

I filled a pewter mug full of tepid water and took a drink. Setting the mug down, I took my time chewing on some of the salted Pilmoo meat before answering. "Ah, ah. You two are going to paw around with my question like a scared mouse, but demand direct answers from me? Trade. You show me yours and I show you mine." I narrowed my amber eyes at them both.

Bethany sat back and laughed. "She has a spine. I'm beginning to like her, Ahmeh."

Ahmeh gave a slight smirk and sipped more ale and ate more bread before speaking. "I'm actively being pursued by my psychotic brother. Humara wants me back. They want to enslave me. Point me in any direction they want and make me wipe out nations. So I'm spitting in their eyes, starting up thousands of anthro rebel groups and creating weaponry for them. Your homeland, Chanteer, only one of ten in the last twenty years of our work. I'm on the run to Yester Wende to find ways to acquire more supplies to fund and start more rebellions. That and the Crusaders were showing a lot of interest in me this last year. Trying to hunt me down. Would you know anything about that?"

I leaned forward and grinned. "You're a popular trouble maker. Could be a thousand reasons why they wanted to hunt you down. I'd wager greed and a favor with the Humarans. The Crusaders haven't been the same for years." I sat back and fiddled with a strip of salted Pilmoo meat. "Had it been three years before, you'd have been left in peace. We'd be too busy looking for artifacts. Holy relics. Tending to those with faith in the True One. Doing good for the world. Not taking from families faithfully serving. Not..."

"Extorting and robbing pilgrims?" Ahmeh finished.

I gave a silent nod.

Ahmeh tapped her chin slowly. "The Felissii that are with you. I wager they are part of some blood debt?"

"Yeah." I slumped a little. "Former trainees of mine roughed them up. I stopped thinking of my own hide and stepped in. A young man in their group died. I wasn't fast enough. Now they are marked like I am if caught."

"Imprisonment?" Ahmeh asked.

I shook my head slowly in disagreement. "Death. I slew my trainees."

Ahmeh ticked an eyebrow up for a moment. She looked to Bethany. Bethany looked bored and waved her hand as if hearing many stories like this. Ahmeh smirked more and gave a soft chuckle.

"Oh dear we are in the company of a murderer. What shall we ever do? You should have left the pilgrims. Additional weight will only get you killed. Though I know your type. You won't drop them. Should you ever tire of playing the martyred saint, come find me. I could use a smart Felissii to help watch my back. Bethany has many more uses than just body guarding." Ahmeh said.

"I'd rather let you swing by your neck by your own Humarans." I said before I thought.

"That never gets old." Ahmeh laughed.

I glanced between her and Bethany.

"There's a long line of people and countries wanting her dead. Do you see her in the ground pushing up flowers?" Bethany said with a slim smile. "She's not going to kill you for mouthing off. But it'll be a miserable life if you refuse her offer." She grinned.

"Now Bethany. Don't go scaring the anthros again. Seriously. She has free choice. Not my place to tell her if fate would weigh heavily against her favor to be opposing me." Ahmeh said as she finished her ale.

I shook my head in disbelief. "If you think I am going to side with a stinking Humaran, forget it. Your kind put my kind into centuries of servitude. I am not your house pet. I'll take my chances with fate and be free than dishonor my ancestors. Good day to you both."

I stood to leave and found Bethany's hand around my wrist like a steel vice. "She's offering you a chance to survive this world. You'd be a fool to slap that away. Bury your wounded pride. We aren't the Humarans that enslaved you. We merely seek allies where possible to oppose the atrocities committed by our kind."

"Start with shipping your furless hides back to Humara." I snarled.

"Your hatred is blinding you." Bethany said.

"Let her go, Bethany. Just let her go. She's chosen her path. Let her walk it. Maybe fate will cross our paths again. If so, perhaps she'll have time to reflect on things. Till then, thank you for your company." Ahmeh said.

Bethany let go of my wrist and I stormed out of the captain's cabin. The insolence of those Humarans wishing me to abandon helpless women and children; abandon pilgrims to safe guard a mass murdering Humaran was ludicrous. I wore my anger like a storm wrapped about my midnight blue cloak. Sailors and pilgrims alike avoided me as if I was a ticking fury ready to unleash claw and fang. I returned to the cargo hold and resigned myself to the swaying of my hammock. The ship's rocking picked up rhythmically and I was fast asleep.