Tigerlily and the Hermit 02

Tigerlily talks about her transformation, and is attacked by a great cat.

Any constructive comment is welcome

Tigerlily and the Hermit 02

Berry and Farim carried long knives with dark well- worn handles. Farim wore his on his right side. They walked a good amount in the light of a cool morning. The sun was bright on their faces. They talked small talk for the first three miles, hesitant to tell too much to strangers. Tigerlily was not hesitant about her background.

"And so, Martha, the Witchy Woman I lived with fed me a potion and I transformed from an orange tabby cat into mostly a Human girl. Martha was a Human herself and was greatly lonely. At first, I was confused, and had to learn to walk and talk, and eat sitting down at a table. She was patient with me, and I learned what was what in my second year with her. Well, eventually she grew older and died about six years after. I had got to know the townsfolk well, and played with the other children, but it was mother I still loved. I did not know enough about herbs and potions though she had taught me some of her knowledge.

For six months I learned what I could from old Thom, who used to be a soldier (this is his old short sword) and others of the village like the huntsman, the treasurer, the seamster, the teamster, and the storyteller I left town and headed East. As they had had apprentices, I had to promise I was indeed leaving on my quest at the end of my training. I intended to find any other animal turned into a sentient species as I had been.

I did not believe going West into the Endless swamp would be of much use for now, though I have met some of the Hyla (they really resemble frogs in their faces, hands and feet). I do not like running or standing water all that well. Baths are ok, but a river or pond is too much. Goodness, I feel like I have been talking forever."

"You have been." Berry said joyfully while Farim seemed entranced. His mother nudged him. He came out of a reverie.

"Why are you traveling East?" Tigerlily asked finally.

"We are going to meet with my cousin. She lives in Growl Cradle which is about a week's walk from where we used to live in Book End. My sister is Handfasted to a miller, has a larger house, and invited us to live with them. Our cottage burned down last week, and we had nowhere else to go." She seemed reticent to go on any further.

For the break meal the three sat on a fallen tree, it had been pushed over in a storm, and ate their splendid picnic. Washing it down with some wine, a nice white wine from Berry's and Farim's hometown, they rested for about an hour. There were still hills, and the woods were less of the swampy variety and more oak, elm, and spruce, but the roadway was generally in good condition with some bad spots. They had made good time in the morning.

A great cat leaped from the trees and roared as she landed on the Catgirl. Tigerlily had not been caught off guard. Her feline instincts knew something, or someone was watching them. She had her sword half drawn as the great best struck her with its front claws. The weight and impetus bowled her over and into the grass. The claws raked her pale skin. She knew she was bleeding. Pushing with all her considerable strength she threw the wild feline off her and against a tree. She rose unsteadily to her feet, whipped out her sword fully, and bellowed. "Run! Get away!"

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