Thornfrost squared his shoulders as Silversnow leaned against him. "Tonight's the night," she breathed, gazing at the sunset and wrapping her long plumy tail around Thornfrost's neck. "Silversnow, if I don't make it out...just know I'll always love you, and I'll never find another." the white tiger replied, squeezing his eyes shut. "Oh, Thornfrost, I love you so much..." Silversnow murmured, pushing her muzzle in her friend's fur.
"Come on! Hurry up!" he hissed. The slaves filed slowly over to an old prison pit, then climbed down. "Are you sure this is safe?" A cautious panther padded over to Thornfrost, her two cubs trundling after her. "We have to try," he returned in a whisper. Silversnow brushed past him. "I'll go first," she offered. "You can be right up with me so you and your cubs are the first to reach safety." The panther nodded gratefully, and Thornfrost felt a rush of adrenaline and protectiveness for the little family. "Go!" he growled softly to Silversnow, who padded through the crowd of slaves and into a low tunnel. "I'll be last, to fill in the tunnel," he added. "That should slow them down if they find out how we got out." All the prisoners began creeping through the tunnel. In a moment Thornfrost urged a sturdy old lioger on, and backed into the tunnel, scooping rocks and hard-packed earth over the hole. Soon he could see moonlight filtering in up ahead.
He scrambled out, staring around in wonder like the others. He'd never seen the outside of the fortress they worked in. But Silversnow wasn't awed by the scene. "Let's go," she mewed. "We've got to get to the hiding place!" The other slaves started grumbling. "Can't we rest?" someone protested. "We've been overworked, and now all this trauma and stress!" "You can rest when we get to the hiding place!" Silversnow retorted, lashing her tail. Thornfrost strode to her side. "We were the ones who organized this, so we're the ones you're going to listen to till you're absolutely free!" he snarled. The panther stood up. "I'm as frail, weak, and worried as any of you," she meowed. "But for the safety of my cubs, I will keep on going to the hiding place!" Gratitude for the panther came out in the smiles and nods of the two. Silversnow lifted her chin. "All those who want to feel safe as you sleep, with a full stomach, will follow us." She began to pad away, Thornfrost behind her, along with the panther, cubs dangling from her jaws.
The white tiger glanced back. No one else was going with them! "Silversnow!" he whispered heatedly. "They're not coming!" Silversnow's blue eyes widened in surprise. "I'll take the mother and her cubs to the hiding place, then," she mewed. "I'll hunt for her, and once she has a more strength, I'll come back. The hiding place is safe and she will be strong." Thornfrost nodded. "And I'll stay here."
"Halt!" Everyone froze. "You are slaves, and you have disobeyed orders. You will go back to your lives as prisoners. Now." Thornfrost bristled. "Over my dead body!" he snarled, tackling the shadowy figure who had spoken. It was a black lion, his fur darkened by evil. The lion clawed at Thornfrost's face. "You will not be accepted!" he roared. "You will be left in the prison pit!" Soon the other slaves were letting out wails. More and more agents of the fortress appeared, grabbing them and dragging them back. Thornfrost fell back, blood dripping from his wounds. Soon more evil creatures appeared. One raised a knife as Thornfrost was held down by others. "No!" Silversnow shrieked, diving in front of the blade. "Silversnow!" Thornfrost yowled, his anger and grief overwhelming him. Fury coiling in his stomach, he attacked the dark beings. Finding time, he bent over Silversnow, whose sides were heaving. "Thornfrost...please, run. Escape. Please...help me....I'll always be a part of you...take that part to freedom. Run...now!" With that she shuddered and closed her eyes for the last time. Horrified, but obeying her plea, Thornfrost fled into the forest, past the mountains, his paws feeling as fast as the wind.
He suddenly had a vision. "Welcome," a snow leopard meowed. "To my pride."
Subject: Thornfrost and Silversnow-The reason of the departure. 
Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:32 am
