[cipher]

(written by werebeargoddess)

Kitty groaned, opened her eyes, and laughed. She was staring right into the eyes of her animal companion, Phraen. <What is it?> he thought at her.
<Nothing> Kitty answered. <Just that your fur is tickling my nose.> They had a mind- link, which meant that they knew how the other was thinking, and that they could speak mind-to- mind, whithout having to speak out loud.
<Huh. You never laugh when I usually try to tickle you.>
<Fine. Let's just say you startled me into laughing.>
Kitty pushed Phraen off her, and walked down to the lake to wash her face. When she got back to her camp, she changed into clean clothes and got something to eat.
<There've been rumors spreading.> Phraen told her as she ate.
Kitty paused. <There have? About what, and where? They're not hurting animals, are they?> Kitty asked her friend worriedly.
<The rumors say that a slave revolt is growing over in Taren. No animals are involved, from what I've heard>
Kitty snorted. <Why are the slaves revolting?>
<Dunno. Probably mistreatment. Wanna do something about it, Kit?>
Kitty shrugged, and continued eating. <We don't have to get involved, but we should check it out. Those slaves might need help, depending on why they're revolting.>
Phraen looked curiously at her.<You're changing. Used to be you wouldn't help a soul. Now you're going so far to help slaves.> Kitty glared at him.
<Look, wolf. I don't want to see those slaves slaughtered. Unless they get help, that's what's going to happen. And Silvanus only know I've had enough of that. Now lets get a move on it, Phraen. We're going to Taren.>
Whithin half an hour she had packed up her few belongings. With her staff in hand and Phraen by her side, she marched to Taren.