2 Part Two: Curious Cave

Moments later, the two women found themselves in the Azazel Forrest, thousands of miles west from where they came from. Nothing, but trees and a small lake nearby. As soon as Sarah was released from her grasp she began to collapse. Humans tend not to take that kind of transportation well. Tessa quickly caught her housekeeper and helped her down onto the soft bed of moss they stood on. Tessa sat next to her companion and watched her breath for a while before deciding that she would be alright, hopefully. Tessa picked up the dress, and cloak that were strewn over the ground. She folded them messily and went to the small lake nearby. She took off her clothes, exposing her soft caramel skin. She steps into the near-freezing water unfazed. She walks deeper and deeper until only her shoulders are visible above the water. She wraps her arms over her extended stomach and looks to the sky. A silent prayer in her eyes as the tears she has been holding in fall. The sun was beginning to set as the sky turned into a mix of blues, yellows, oranges, and pinks. Tessa just got done rinsing her hair when she hears a "SNAP". She surveys the area quickly but doesn't see anything. She quickly gets out of the water and runs with her clothes into a more secluded area. She quickly puts on her black peasant dress and black velvet cloak. She slips on the same black booties she wore until now. Her hair put up into a braided ponytail. She goes back to Sarah but finds her shivering on the ground. Her lips turning slightly blue. Tessa moved into action and lay next to her companion wrapping the black cloak around them both. She pulled Sarah to her and shifted into a pure white wolf with brownish-red only on the tips of her ears and tail.

The next day, Sara woke up in a warm embrace. Fabric wrapped around them, and black hair falling over their faces. With bated breath, she opened her eyes to find familiarly beautiful gold ones watching her.

"Miss Tessa?" Sarah asked looking into a face she wasn't sure she recognized. The woman had the same gold eyes and black hair. Yet, She had elven like ears, fangs protruding from her lips, and her eyes now glowed. Though she still had a remarkable beauty that seemed to shine through. Hearing Sarah call her Tessa the woman smiled and nodded. She was happy at both being recognized, and that her companion was alright.

"Ah, good morning Sarah. How are you feeling?" Asked Tessa catching her friends face in her hands to look into her eyes.

"I am fine, but where are we?" Tessa asked as she looked around. Confusion settling into her eyes.

"We are in the Azazel Forrest, though I think humans call it something else. I can't seem to recall what though." Tessa stated and stood up. She held out her hand to Sarah and helped the girl to her feet.

"Seems my legs are working at least," Sarah commented smiling to herself.

'I don't want to be a burden on you Tessa. I will do all that I can to repay you for saving my life.' thought Sarah as she watched her companion pick up the bag, and look around.

"We should get moving. It is already three, and we have many miles to cover. For today, I think we should look for shelter along our route." Tessa spoke softly, but with confidence.

"Alright, Which direction do we need to head?" Asked Sarah.

"North. We have just short of thirty miles to cover," she responded, and Sarah nodded following her lead. They walked in comfortable silence for a while.

"Sarah," Tessa called out to her companion. Who turned to look at her, but said nothing.

"When we are safe, We will need to have a chat. I still need to explain why you need to be close to me. For now, I need for you to trust that I have your best interest at heart." Tessa spoke slowly, sadness creeping into her voice, before stopping and looking back at Sarah.

"Miss, you saved my life back there. We both know that you could have saved yourself, but you saved me as well. Not just last night either. You have saved me a total of three times. Though, I doubt you remember the first time." Sarah said stopping in her tracks. Tessa looked back at her shocked by her reply. She closed the distance between them and hugged her human companion.

"You might be surprised, but of course I remember the little girl who was being beaten by the guards for being hungry. You told me you had been skipping meals so that your younger siblings had food, but one day you were starving and stole for the first time in your life. I am old, but not senile." She said with a smile on her face. She cupped Sarah's shocked face and kissed her forehead. She then spun around and started walking towards their destination again. They fell back into a comfortable silence as they walked.

They had been walking for three hours, and the two were tired. Sarah's pace was starting to slow, and Tessa knew they needed to rest. Humans don't have her level of stamina. Sarah sat with Tessa underneath a large tree and drank some water. They still had about twenty miles to cover, but Sarah was now sleeping peacefully. Tessa looked at her human companion, but decided, for now, she would search for shelter. She walked around somewhat aimlessly before coming upon a large cave. She entered the cave and searched for any signs of life. She found a few rabbits huddled together, but nothing larger. She returned to where she left Sarah and pulled a blanket from the bag that still looked overstuffed. She flattened it over the ground and somehow managed to get her companion onto it without waking her. She slung the bag over her shoulder and dragged the sleeping housekeeper to the cave.

'How the hell are you sleeping through all of this' though Tessa after hitting her companions head for the dozenth time. Once inside the cave, she started a fire and began to clean and cook the animals she had found.

"Little Sarah, it's time to wake up," Tessa called out to her companion softly as she removed the meat from the fire. When Sarah didn't stir, Tessa become mischievous. She sat next to her human companion and tucked her legs below her.

"Oh, my dear little Sarah. If you don't wake up I will make you my meal instead," she said humor laced in every word. She rested her fangs on the girl's neck, and that was all it took. Sarah was now sitting straight up looking at Tessa who was now laughing so hard it brought tears to her eyes.

"Is everything alright miss?" She asked looking around. Confusion finding its way onto her face as she realizes they aren't under that big tree anymore.

"All is well. Now come on. I have some food ready. Come and eat." She responded, the laughter finally subsided.

"How did we get here?" she asked looking at Tessa concerned. She remembered sitting beneath a big tree where she must have fallen asleep.

'This is so odd. I am supposed to look after my mistress, but since we left the castle it seems reversed.' thought Sara.

"Oh, I used the blanket you are laying on to pull you here. I don't even know how you slept through it all." Tessa responded as she started adding more wood to the fire.

"Wow, I don't mean to be such a burden miss." Said Sarah as she stared into the fire with sadness taking her over.

"Honestly, I don't mind these minor inconveniences. Sure, my journey would probably have gone quicker if you were not here. Yet, it would have been lonely, boring, and honestly terrifying since I have to see my parents." Said Tessa as she sat close to the fire. Her otherworldly beauty made even more amazing due to the fires glow on her skin.

"Thank you, miss," Sarah said with tears threatening to spill. Tessa offered her some of the meat that she cooked to her companion. She took the food gratefully and began to eat. Tessa began to nibble on her own as she stared down at the soft glow of the fire. The silence so thick it could be cut with a knife. It was Tessa that broke the silence.

"Little Sarah, Would you do me a favor? We are out of water. I saw a stream next to the cave. Would you mind filling our canteens before bed tonight?" Tessa asked, and Sarah nodded in agreement without any hesitation. Tessa smiled and offered her thanks before turning back to the fire.

'Something is bothering her. I shouldn't ask, but I hate seeing her so listless.' thought Sarah as she finished her food. She decided not to ask and left the cave carrying the canteens.

"I am going to the river now miss. I will be back shortly." She said as she walked out of the cave. She turned left out of the cave and began searching for the river. It didn't take long for her to find it and fill the two canteens. She cupped her hands and got some water from the source and brought it to her lips. She sipped it slowly from her hands. She then cupped more in her hands splashing it on her face. Feeling refreshed she began walking back to the cave. It didn't take long for her to find the entrance again. She walked in looking for Tessa, but she didn't seem to be in the cave any longer. The fire was still burning but was slowly going out. Sarah added a few more twigs before sitting down by the fire. She knew that it wouldn't be wise to venture out again without Tessa. She reached out and grabbed the bag placing the canteens back inside.

"Where are you Tessa?" she whispered aloud.