Talisia’s camp was along the edge of the city, but was far enough away that the sands of the desert easily surrounded her. A few steps away from her tent and she could see the vast stretches of sands that glimmered in the sunlight away from the oasis. In a way it was reminiscent of the snows that lingered in her heart from Zena. Despite the freedom of less clothing, the girl did miss the cold mountains with their gleaming ice and snow. Not that she would have the courage to ever go back….
I would have to become so much stronger if I even dared to think of such a thing.
Stronger, how could she do that? She had been sparring with Dris, but the girl’s body was still weaker than others. Quick as lightening, but not so strong. Still when Talisia’s ears caught wind of some noise the girl frowned. What could be causing trouble on this side again?
Apparently her camp wasn’t so isolated at all. There along the edges of the sands were the familiar burrows of the perzai that she had encountered the other day. Normally the smaller creatures wouldn’t bother with her as long as she stayed on the outskirts of their territory, but today there were a series of hisses and screeching that floated through the air. Did someone else make the same mistake I did? Her gaze flickered with amusement at the memory of her own situation before concern quickly crossed through. If it was a youngling then they would be in for some serious pain, but if it was someone who could easily out maneuver the creatures and didn’t appreciate a family’s protection…
Then the little ones would be in trouble. Biting her lip thoughtfully, Talisia finally shook her head. Fine! She would go and brave facing those sharp clawed beasts again. Grabbing her whip the girl took off with quick steps. To her surprise, however, there were no other earthlings in the area. Rather to any observer who hadn’t heard the noise the place would appear vacant. But it was Talisia who caught sight of the new perzai who had come into the scene. Was this a territory dispute? Did they even have that?
Silly of me to have rushed here. I should just leave. Yet, as she turned her back another screech lit up the air. They were still squabbling? Sighing Talisia took a step forward. She would just leave this place and go to the market where there weren’t hordes of wild perzai to annoy her. As soon as the thought left her mind a tiny yowl sounded behind her.
Oh, no. Were the little ones being brought into this? Talisia cursed quietly under her breath, a rare thing for the more lady like female. This was bothersome. Just because they attacked her last time….did that mean she should just ignore them? It was obvious that the perzai from the other night were struggling against the bigger ones. She worried about what invaders would do the babies as well….Fine, fine! She gave in once again with a sigh.
“Get out of here!” Boldly, Talisia marched up into the middle of the hissing beasts. “You don’t belong here so back out while I’m asking nicely.” It seemed to confuse those who recognized her scent, but it was obvious that she was stalking towards the intruders. Even so the group of felines paused as they glanced around at the strange earthling. As their noses sniffed the air around her, the group’s eyes narrowed. Whatever the earthling was, they realized one thing…she was standing in their way and they were already pissed.
Almost as if in unison the group snarled towards her. Talisia slowly shifted her feet. She had dealt with these guys only a few days before so her body now knew better how to dance around their quick claws. As the first two leaped towards her Talisia twisted backwards and a foot connected with one of their faces. I’m not so easy this time, am I?
Even if these were a new group of perzai, the girl could definitely place her frustration from the previous encounter onto them. Her face twisted up into a playful smirk. It seemed her speed was pretty useful here! Darting around the holes Talisia tried her best to lead the perzai away from the others. Perhaps if she could chase them off here then the little ones would be safe for the time being…the mothers would surely move their babies as well.
After all why leave a defenseless one in such a dangerous position?
If she were a mother then she would have moved them as well. Not like that was ever going to happen but still…distracted by the thought Talisia was caught by surprise as a stinging pain lit up her leg. One of the perzi had managed to get its claws in her while she stumbled around an empty den. “Ouch!” Frowning Talisia kicked out to fight back against the beasts.
Five had chased her while the rest either fought with other perzai or had lost interest and left. The five she had pissed off were bigger than the rest and obviously had been living on their own for a while. The scratches and missing eye of one made her think more of a street thug than anything. Talisia just rolled her eyes in faint humor before going back into the fray. The scratches on her legs stung and one managed to cause her to flinch and roll towards a hole, bruising her hip, but the girl managed to chase two of them off. It seemed a good smack to the rump with her whip was enough to encourage any to back away.
The other three, however, seemed beyond reasoning and continuously attacked her. Wincing as one managed to dart in an attack, Talisia took a few steps back. Who knew that these could be so vicious? The last time the group had backed off once she was away from the little ones, but these just wanted a fight. There was something completely different about their demeanor. Talisia was thankful that even though she stumbled backwards a group of the other perzai actually came to chase off the three that had her cornered.
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-------------------taming attempt----------------------
Smiling Talisia reached out a hand towards one of her ‘rescuers’. “Thank you…are the little ones alright?” But the perzi just glanced at her with its emerald eyes before turning its back to run along with the rest of the group. For a second it had sniffed at her gently and Talisia’s hopes had been raised that maybe her bravery in helping defend the little ones had made her a new friend, but she should have known better.
All the girl could do was shake her head as the beasts disappeared in the distance, back to their dens where the rest were waiting on them. “I’m sure they’ll be gone in the morning.” Already they had a strange earthling bother them twice and with the street perzai roaming towards their homes the group had a reason to relocate.
Oh well at least she had managed to be somewhat useful in the dispute. She was glad that the little ones were safe. Though it would have been nice if she could have seen them for herself, but she doubted the perzai would like that. It would be like our first encounter all over again. Laughing quietly to herself, Talisia wandered off so that she could tend to her light wounds.
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