197 They Circled Each Other
Ashleigh was down on one knee taking deep breaths as she tried to calm her lungs while making sure she stayed out of sight.
She hadn’t expected that last attack.
Ashleigh had found a place high in the trees to observe the wolves that were trying to sneak up on her, she had a perfect vantage and was preparing to launch her assault. When suddenly, a pressure on her back sent her flying from the tree.
She had barely managed to correct her fall before she landed hard on the ground. Her legs were shaky from the impact, and the kick to her back had knocked the wind out of her.
There was a small outcropping of rocks with just enough of a lip for her to slip under it and conceal her body from those that were seeking her.
Shifting was a risk, she was faster and more robust in her wolf form, but she was also pure white. Which was a significant advantage in Winter, but here, she stood out among the browns and greens of the forest.
She listened closely.
The sound of footfalls not far off, panting, and low growls.
They would be on her soon.
She decided the benefit outweighed the risk. Shifting quickly into her wolf, she took off in a sprint.
The first wolf was caught completely unaware, she tackled him down and bit his shoulder until she heard a crack. His companion spotted her and charged forward. Ashleigh moved out of the way just in time to avoid his charge.
They growled at each other, but he dove first, and Ashleigh was able to get ahead of him, she bit down on the back of his neck until she tasted blood.
The others would arrive soon, she needed to be quick.
Ashleigh ran through the trees, ducking and diving, sniffing the air for traces of them. Other than the first two, she had managed to avoid those hunting her. But it was a long way between her and her target.
She continued to make her way through the forest, she heard the approach of at least three. Ashleigh quickly hid behind a large boulder. She shifted back into her human form, grabbing her karambits, she took a deep breath before she edged her way around the boulder until she could see the first wolf.
Gripping tight to her blades, she sprung forward, drawing her arm upward as she got close, she heard the whimper that told her she had hit her mark.
Ashleigh continued forward, running to the nearest tree for cover. Although she looked back just in time for another wolf to jump at her, Ashleigh jumped back, barely avoiding the snapping jaw of the wolf.
It dove at her, and she rolled to the side, the wolf landed hard on the ground, its snout smashing into the forest floor. Ashleigh quickly rolled back, stabbing its side with her blade as she moved away from it.
There was one more wolf, she knew she had heard three.
Ashleigh threw herself to the ground on her stomach suddenly as she felt the change in the air just before the wolf flew at her head. It missed her by millimeters.
Lying flat on her stomach, she saw the wolf land and quickly turn to come for her once again. Ashleigh rolled on her back and threw herself to her feet.
She pressed her karambits to her chest, and they immediately were absorbed back into her armor. Then, putting herself in a defensive position with her fists at the ready, she focused on the wolf as he stared her down.
Ashleigh took a breath and then leaped at the wolf; an action she could see surprised him. Then, as he tried to react to her, she shifted, shaking him even more.
She landed just past him, as he attempted to turn and protect his body, she lowered her head and opened her jaws to catch one of his legs.
Clamping down, she pulled him to the ground. He let out a pain-filled howl as she bit down harder until she felt the crunch of his bone between her teeth.
Ashleigh let the wolf go, immediately turning towards her goal and running at full speed.
She was almost there, if she made it up the hill and over the downed tree, she would reach her goal.
Ashleigh pushed with all she had to move faster. She was almost up the hill when she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye.
Barely in time, Ashleigh stopped herself, skidding into the dirt and loose rocks under her paws. The haze of red fur passed just before her snout. Ashleigh turned her body to face off with the last remaining wolf.
A large, thin wolf, fur almost entirely red with a small amount of white and black at the ends. More of a fox than a wolf.
Fiona. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
They circled each other.
Ashleigh took the risk and glanced back at her objective, Fiona didn’t miss the opportunity, she leaped forward.
Ashleigh was able to move away, quickly shifting back into her human form she pulled out her blades.
Fiona shifted, holding a baton in each hand, she twirled them and smiled.
‘Damn it…’ Ashleigh thought.
Fiona ran at her, Ashleigh blocked her first and second attacks, but Fiona wasn’t giving in. Her attacks were quick and decisive. Ashleigh was able to defend but couldn’t do much more.
‘Defense alone will only wear me down,’ she thought. ‘I need to attack.’
Strike after strike, Ashleigh continued to block, but there were no openings. Fiona knew how to keep her on the defensive.
‘Guess I’ll have to make an opening myself,’ Ashleigh sighed to herself.
Fiona brought down both batons in a heavy attack, baring down all of her weight on Ashleigh’s crossed arms, desperately holding her back.
Ashleigh blew the air from her lungs and threw herself backward, she braced herself and brought her knees to her chest as she hit the ground.
Fiona lost her footing, placing all her weight on Ashleigh meant that when Ashleigh fell backward, Fiona fell forward.
Ashleigh straightened her legs with force, catching Fiona in her stomach and launching back over Ashleigh’s head.
She quickly got to her feet, turning around to face Fiona again.
Fiona picked herself up, she took her batons and slammed the ends together. They connected and formed a bow staff. Fiona twirled it in her hand and behind her back. She crouched down and smiled, preparing to launch another attack on Ashleigh.
Ashleigh held her karambits tightly. Fiona came low and hard, Ashleigh tried to jump over her, but the bow staff was a problem.
Fiona jammed the bow staff upwards, catching Ashleigh’s shoulder.
Ashleigh screamed out as she felt the shoulder dislocate. She fell to the ground, unable to catch herself. The impact only intensified the deep pulsating burn in her shoulder.
She grabbed at her shoulder, trying to stabilize it. But her hand was painfully knocked away.
Ashleigh looked up.
Fiona held the bow staff against Ashleigh’s dislocated shoulder. She nudged it just enough to make Ashleigh cry out.
“Do you yield?” Fiona asked.
Ashleigh clenched her jaw. She glanced out of the corner of her eye up the hill to the downed log.
‘If I sprinted, I might make it…’ Ashleigh thought.
Fiona shoved the bow staff hard against Ashleigh’s shoulder.
Ashleigh cried out loudly this time. She clenched her teeth together and breathed in and out through her nose.
“Do you yield?!” Fiona shouted again.
“Yes!” Ashleigh growled in anger.
“Good,” Fiona smiled.