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Twisting Winds: Freedom

Bane, Dasher and Sebastian sat around the camp fire. Shaun had waded into the river to bath himself. Staying clean was important to the fox however clean is a luxury when being hunted by slavers. He smiled as he scrubbed days' worth of grime out of his white fur. This was the first time in many days that he had felt remotely safe. The ordeal wasn't an abnormal one though, slavers were common in the area and there were few people who could make a real change. The slavers were afraid of nobody. When challenged, they usually resorted to violence, so most people left them alone. This group that had found him was different.

He reflected upon the comments he had heard made by the trio to the slaver who delivered the threats. He could feel that they were indeed telling the truth about their death count. The fact that the blood of so many was on their hands made him shiver. So much death and yet it was not from evil intent. Rather, it had been from protecting others... It was an enigma. Bane and Dasher felt as if they were truly good. Sebastian felt dangerously indifferent about his victims, yet there was a noticeable alteration in his attitude. Shaun grinned as he slowly cleaned his sheath and balls. He could feel Dasher and Bane subtly watching him. He didn't mind, in fact the opposite was true. He loved the attention, and felt quite complimented that they found him so attractive. He had felt Bane's desire as soon as he had woke up. He had felt the same from others as he had met them. Bane and Dasher's desire felt different. He smiled as he reflected upon his teasing of Dasher. Reaching back, he washed his tail hole, setting off exciting feelings as he thought of them taking over the job and proceeding to show him how they would like to explore him. His cock began to grow from his sheath but the cool water helped keep it under control. If things were going to go as he hoped, he had better uses for his pleasure than wasting it on the stream.

The trio sat around the fire as Shaun bathed himself. Bane and Dasher were angled so they could look out into the water. They watched as the fox slowly cleaned his sheath and balls. Bane murred without realizing as he watched Shaun lean his head back and let out a soft moan. As Bane turned his attention away, he realized Dasher and Sebastian were looking at him with smirks on their faces. "Why Bane," teased Dasher, "you could go help our friend with his bath. I think he might not mind you doing his back and his tail" Bane chuckled at the cheetah's teasing. The truth was, he had that on his mind from first sight. As the three attempted to get the fox out of their minds and back to the issue at hand, discussion ensued.

The goal was to free the captives but the question was how to go about it. Each had their own ideas about how to accomplish the goal. Bane sat and considered the position they were in as Dasher and Sebastian discussed tactics. Discussed might be too mild a word for it. Dasher wanted a discreet attack while Sebastian wanted to crush them with force. Bane had tuned the two out as his mind wandered from possibility to possibility. The wolf would listen to his friends but ultimately would make the final decisions.

Bane looked up, realizing that both Dasher and Sebastian were looking at him. Bane smiled and said, "Gentleman, you're both thinking too small. Dasher you have mentioned various use for your speed. Sebastian you keep mentioning what you can do with your powers. Why not use both? Sebastian what exactly can you do?" The dark cheetah grinned from ear to ear. "Well...I don't like to boast..." Dasher shook his head with a grin and teased, "Oh yes you do." Sebastian glared at Dasher and then continued, "I can do basically anything that you need within reason. What did you have in mind?"

Bane smiled and sat back as he told them, "I have two goals for this. First and foremost is to free the captives. I detest slavery and anybody who uses it to further their financial status. The second goal is to not only punish but to give everybody else pause before they abduct people. Sebastian, you keep mentioning your powers... Can you transform into other forms?" Sebastian proudly answered, "Yes, anything you want but it will be black." Bane nodded and told him, "Sebastian, I want you to be some form of bird. That will allow you to survey the area and gain us situational awareness. You can come back and give us the lay of the land. From there, I will go confront them, seemingly alone. Sebastian will be near but out of sight. Dasher, you will use your speed to sneak around behind and free the slaves. Sebastian, you and I will use some good old fashioned trickery to convince the slavers that I'm all powerful."

Sebastian considered that and asked, "Alright but why not let me be beside you?" Bane chuckled and answered, "Dear, let me ask you a question? If you were attacked by seemingly one person who was all powerful versus three, what do you think your reaction would be?" Sebastian nodded and thought before saying. "I suppose that if only one attacked, I would be given much more reason to pause than if it took three to defeat me" Bane nodded happily and said, "And that's the exact reason I want it to seem like only me. Do you think you can manage it?" Sebastian nodded in agreement and said, "It wouldn't be overly difficult. I'll take care of it." Dasher chuckled at seeing Bane's smile. The cheetah knew him well enough to know he didn't care if they knew about Sebastian. He simply wanted to put on a show. He had done this several times in the war. It wasn't how powerful you actually were, it was how powerful your enemy thought you were. Bane was good at this and more than once it had turned the tide of a battle.

Shaun drew their attention to himself again as he waded out of the water. Water ran out of his fur, over his lean body, and onto the ground. He smiled to himself as he walked onto the bank and shook his fur out. He was blind but not dumb. He could tell all three were eyeing his body and decided to put on a little display for them. He chuckled to himself, he was a healer and sometimes sex could be a very effective tool in healing. It was interesting to him to read each of the three.

Bane was a strong leader but there was so much pain in his past that he simply held back. The fox chuckled softly as he considered what he felt from the wolf. Bane was destined to be a great man, regardless of the world or situation. He never sought out trouble but it always found him. There was so much death in his path... Some would come to say death followed him wherever he went but that was because they didn't know him. His actions were often forced upon him by others' choices. Then there was Dasher.... Shaun knew exactly who he was. The cheetah who saved so many from fates worse than death. At least, that was his reputation. The fox knew there was more to the story and if he played his cards right, he might just learn the whole story but that would have to wait for the future. Lastly, there was Sebastian. This cheetah was very interesting to the fox. He was layer upon layer of emotions, each one hiding the one below it. He was a tidal wave of sorrow waiting to happen. He had spent his life hurting others but not by his own will. That didn't matter because each death affected him, even if he never allowed himself to feel it. A time would come when the cheetah would have to confront his past and make a decision to accept it or have it destroy him.

Shaun walked over to the trio, not bothering putting his loin cloth back on. He swayed his hips from side to side, swaying his tail as he went. He smiled as he neared the fire, feeling it starting to dry his fur. The truth was he wanted to dry himself quickly but the opportunity to tease Bane and Dasher was too much to resist. He sniffed the air, smiling as Bane and Dasher's scents betrayed what they felt. He didn't need to read them but doing so was amusing. He turned and grinned as he said, "See anything you like boys? You know how bad us foxes can get. Sometimes we just get that itch that's... six inches deep." Shaun licked his lip and gave a wink, then giggled.

Bane shivered as he used all of his restraint to keep from pouncing the fox. Shaun grinned, having another reason he was doing this. He needed to trust them before he walked into the slaver camp with them. He would have to go in case anybody needed medical treatment and because they would know and trust him. However, he had no intentions of becoming anyone's payday again. He smiled happily as he dressed himself, confidant that the three intended him absolutely no harm.

Bane caught himself, giving the fox another once over and diverted his gaze. He blushed slightly as Dasher leaned over to push his buttons by teasing, "You're bigger than him... You could easily have your way with his delicious body." Bane smacked the cheetah in the arm and replied haughtily, "I'm not that kind of a man, thank you." Sebastian laughed and commented, "By the way he's showing off, I don't think he would mind it much." Bane found himself blushing. One cheetah teasing him was enough, now he had two!

Shaun smiled as he got dressed and sat beside them. He asked, "So, do you have a plan?" Bane chuckled confidently and said, "Well, I plan to go in fighting, hope something good happens, then take credit for it." Dasher laughed and said, "So basically, the usual?" Sebastian just shook his head. He had seen the wolf in action, luck had nothing to do with it. Dasher smiled and confided, "Shaun, you have nothing to fear. We are going to save the captives. Trust me, if you want to make Bane mad there's two ways to do it. Threaten him or hurt innocent people. These guys have done both." Shaun bowed his head and softly said, "Then I pity them."

Sebastian stood up and said, "I'm going to go ahead and get a lay of the land. I'll be back in a shortly." With that, the area around the cheetah distorted. A flash of light and black raven stood where a cheetah had previously been. With a flap of his wings and a jump upwards, the bird took off to climb quickly above the trees. Bane shivered, seeing how high he was. Dasher chuckled to himself. The wolf had commanded entire fleets of battle ships yet he was afraid of heights. It amused him greatly but didn't reduce the respect he held for him.

Thirty minutes later the raven swooped back down and landed beside Bane. With another flash, he was restored to a cheetah. Sebastian told them, "The good news is, they only have about ten men total. This isn't a very large crew. Others could be out on patrol but I doubt it." Sebastian squatted down and picked up a stick as he went on, "The main camp is in a circular clearing of trees, about fifteen minutes' walk from here. They have six large cages with several furs in each one. The guards are all armed with swords but I did see a few arrow quivers. There's one way into the camp and only one. The brush is thick enough for them to wait to ambush anybody who tries to walk in. They are expecting us because I saw a few already waiting for us along the path. They don't seem to be interested in coming to us, surprise!"

Bane nodded and studied the map that Sebastian had drawn in the dirt. He told them, "We did give them a deadline and they obviously think I'm playing. So I think we need to go have a friendly chat." Sebastian nodded and told Bane, "I have a suggestion for what to do with them. Why don't I just trap a few of them in a pocket dimension?" Bane looked blankly at Sebastian, obviously having no idea what the cheetah was talking about. Dasher laughed and explained, "Bane dear, he's suggesting that we simply place them in what is basically a bubble of closed space/time. Time doesn't exist there so they would live forever but not know it until they were brought out again. I think it's fitting, as they trap others." Bane nodded and told them, "I'll leave that to you two."

Dasher put a paw on Bane's arm and said, "I don't mean to tell you how to lead but this is my world and I'm not sure you know yet how different where you came from it is. You want to make an impression on slavers and the common folk here? You need to step up your game with a bit of flash!" Bane's brow wrinkled as he thought of it and wondered what Dasher meant. Dasher looked at Sebastian and said with a grin, "Ready to help us create, BANE! The Shield of the Innocent?"

Sebastian grinned wickedly and rubbed his paws with a deep laugh. His feral grin gave Shaun and Bane a shiver down their backs and Sebastian said, "I'm all ears... What do you have in mind?" Bane wasn't so sure he was going to like this but he too listened closely...

Shaun tapped Bane's shoulder and said, "Bane, I need to come with you guys. Some of the captives may need medical help. They know me, so they won't fight you, once they see me on your side." Bane agreed and told him, "Alright but stay behind me. I'll make sure they don't touch you." Shaun smiled and felt protected as the trio stood up and gathered their things. They intended to come back to their camp but they would need supplies for the fight and after what lay ahead of them.

The four friends walked through the forest, toward their goal. As they walked, Dasher leaned over to Bane and said, "You do know we have one of them behind us following us, right?" Bane nodded easily and said, "He was watching us at the camp. I suspect there are several more men along the path waiting to join him. Likely, they believe they can surround us and attack from both sides." Dasher nodded and lightly said, "Cute, isn't it?" Bane chuckled in response and thought that after all they had faced, it was almost cute that they thought a simple tactic like that would work.

As they neared the camp Bane nodded to Dasher and Sebastian. With a flash, Dasher assumed his feral form and ran off to hide near the camp until he was needed. It was easier to hide and not draw attention in this form. Sebastian snapped his fingers as he faded from visibility. Shaun shivered, feeling the magic flowing from Sebastian. Bane smiled as he heard three sets of footfalls coming up behind him. They were getting closer. Shaun shivered nervously as Bane pulled him behind a tree, out of sight. Bane motioned for him to be silent.

The three came into view. There were indeed three, all wolves. Bane shook his head regretfully, why was it always wolves? The three stopped and looked around. They hadn't been that far behind Bane, yet he was gone! Bane motioned for Shaun to stay behind the tree, then he stepped into sight.

Confidently he said, "Gentlemen, were you looking for little old me?" The largest wolf growled out as he pointed accusingly, "One of those men you killed was my brother!" Bane nodded and shrugged as he said, "I do apologize but I'll make you the same offer I did him. Set down your weapons and leave quietly and you may live. Or go ahead and attack me so I can have you join him. That way you can be together again." The three wolves readied their swords, looking grim. Bane smiled and thought, 'These guys are slightly smarter than the ones I fought earlier.' The three raised their swords at Bane and their leader said, "We outnumber you and have swords... What can you hope to do?" Bane smiled and answered, "This is what I can do!" Three neon purple bolts of lightning crashed to earth around Bane, courtesy of Sebastian. Bane pointed at the largest one and the one to his left. They floated into the air and screamed once before vanishing, their screams cut off in mid shriek! The remaining wolf stood with mouth open in shock. He cowered, ears down, tail tucked between his legs and he actually pissed himself in fear! Bane said menacingly, "That's what I hope to do. Now run along to your camp and tell them I'm on my way. Go on now, I want them to be ready with their trap when I get there. Prepare your best swords, if it makes you feel better. Oh and before I forget, you can also tell them I'm coming alone. I don't need my cheetah friends to deal with you."

The wolf threw down his sword and yelped, "Oh HELL no! I didn't sign up for this. I quit!" He turned and ran away as quickly as they could. Bane couldn't see Sebastian but he knew the cheetah was well pleased with himself. Shaun stepped out from behind the tree asking, "Why did you let him go? He will warn them." Bane nodded and said, "You're right, he will. He will tell exactly what he saw. How would you react if you were told a wolf single-handedly made two of your best warriors vanish?" Shaun nodded and walked slightly behind Bane. Shaun began to see the real plan. Scare the crap out of your enemies and they are not going to be as much trouble to take care of, without extra effort on your part. Bane could tell he was near the camp as he began to smell the smoke of a fire.

Bane rounded a corner in the path and the entrance of the camp became visible. A large fox walked out and stood between it and Bane. He bravely stated, "Wolf, you have killed four of my best men and stolen my property. Now you have the nerve to threaten me?" Bane nodded easily and said in a western drawl, "Yep! That sums up the situation nicely. So I'll give you two options... You can free the slaves and let them go in peace... Or I'll kill you all and take them." The fox snarled a laugh and said, "You may win at hand to hand but how are you at stopping arrows? I have my best archers in the trees, surrounding you on all sides. You know, originally I was going to let you live and sell you. It would have let me recover the cost of the men you killed. Now, I'm going to kill you and skin you. I'll wear your pelt as a coat!"

Bane listened carefully, his training telling him that he was indeed surrounded on all sides. This situation was slightly worse than he had prepared for. He could hear the tension of the strings being drawn back. At any moment, arrows would be flying at him. He rocked back on his heels and confidently said with a smile, "If it makes you feel safe, you're more than welcome to fire them at me." His life was in Sebastian's hands at this moment.

The fox grinned as he motioned for his men to fire. Two arrows flew out of the trees on each side. The four arrow's streaked toward Bane's chest. Just inches from impacting their target, they froze in midair. There were four flashes as the arrows fell onto the ground, burning!

The fox stood in complete shock. Bane grinned wickedly and said, "I figure you had ten men at your disposal, including you. I vanquished two on the way here, two to save Shaun, four in the trees, so that tells me it's just you and one other remaining." Bane slowly walked towards the fox and past him into the camp. Bane grinned as he looked around at the open cages. He said merrily, "Well my my... it seems that you've been cleaned out already!" The fox glared at Bane. He pulled his sword out as the remaining wolf hid behind one of the cages. Bane smiled, not even taking up a defensive stance and said, "Look friend, you've been beaten. There's nothing more to it, you just lose. Now hear my words! Run... run away and tell everybody you see, what has happened here. You tell them that anywhere an innocent fur is enslaved, I won't be far behind. Any who hear and don't give up this foul trade in innocent furs will be dealt with, just as you have seen me do today... You tell them, the citizens of this world are under my protection!" The fox dropped his sword and ran away as quickly as he could.

Bane then turned his attention to the wolf hiding. He grinned and barely threatened, "Friend, I suggest you run as well. I let you live as a witness to what has happened here. Don't forget to tell everyone what you have seen and heard here. If you don't... I'll come for you!" The wolf turned and ran as quickly as he could. Bane smiled as Sebastian became visible once more. He grinned quite happy at his work. Bane pulled him into a hug and said with a laugh, "Good work my friend. I think we made an impact." Sebastian hugged back as Dasher walked towards him, followed by a group of now freed slaves. He laughed out as he joined them all, "Did you see how scared that wolf was? He peed himself!" He was joined in laughter while the slaves looked on in confusion. One, then another saw Shaun and looked surprised but happier.

The group surrounded him, shaking his hand and hugging him as questions poured forth and Shaun told them of how he has been saved by these very special furs.

There were furs of all kinds here, both male and female. Bane smiled as he shook hands accepted hugs of gratitude. One by one, they departed for their homes after Shaun looked them over to ensure that they were alright. Bane shook his head as the last fur walked away. They had tried to offer him gold, food and in some cases, their bodies, which he refused to take. He hadn't saved them for money or rewards. He did it because it was the right thing to do.

Shaun stood back and watched the spectacle. He was amazed that Bane didn't want any of the gold offered him or the sex. He knew the wolf had a strong sex drive and had felt attraction to a few of the freed furs. Dasher walked up beside the fox. He was now well aware that although traditional sight was denied the fox, he could indeed see better than most. Shaun turned to the cheetah and asked, "Dasher...why has Bane refused anything that was offered him?" Dasher chuckled, well aware that Bane's mindset wouldn't be understood here. He put his arm around the fox's shoulder and said, "Shaun, Bane works on a different set of morals than most. He did this because it was the right thing to do. He put on the show not for fame but so that others would talk of the hell hound who single handed, defeated a small army of slavers. Bane has never sought fame or fortune. He gets satisfaction from the result of his actions to help others."

Shaun nodded and confided, "He carries himself as a common fur but he feels of royalty. It's very confusing, what I feel from him." Dasher chuckled as he knew, Shaun was very good at what he did. Most of what he got from Bane, made little sense to him because he had no experience that would prepare him for it. Technology wasn't used here, it had never been developed. The images he got from Bane's mind of sky ships, worlds upon worlds and great sky battles had no meaning to the fox. What was understood was that there was a line in the sand and that line was Bane. He never acted out of fear or cruelty, he never harmed another when there was another way.

Dasher walked up to his friend and slapped him on the back as he said, "Bane, that was very effective. I dare say that soon, stories and rumors of you will be told for miles around and that will grow rapidly. After all, the great wolf waded into a slaver camp, single handed he defeated them and saved the day." Bane pointed at the cheetah and growled, "If you call me your majesty, I'll throttle you." Dasher laughed as he had indeed planned to tease the wolf but he held his tongue.

Dasher shook his head and instead said, "If you keep this up, you will have many coming to you for help. You will earn quite the reputation." Bane nodded seriously and said, "I will help anybody who needs it. But I will be honest, it was nice not to worry about blasters or space ships raining down hell on me. A good honest fight was just what I needed." Dasher laughed lightly and said, "You cheated with magic... How was that an honest fight?" Bane smiled and returned, "Because I honestly wanted to destroy them." The cheetah shook his head. Bane had quite a future ahead of him. This was exactly what he had come to expect from the wolf. Bane had an incredible sense of right and wrong that would serve him well here.