The Panther Girl's Prolouge

The Northern Forest was transformed into a winter wonderland stretching out as far as the eye could see. Every tree and bush was coated with fresh snow, and the air was crisp and cold. The snow was so deep that it came up to Tove's knees, and with every step she took, she could hear the crunching of the snow beneath her feet. Despite the cold, she pushed along the winding hunting trails marked by the tracks of various animals. The silence was only broken by the occasional birdcall or the sound of the wind as it whistled through the trees. Tove was left with only a handful of items by Fleer, among them, a set of clothes that appeared to be specially designed for navigating the treacherous terrain of Gor. The attire was fashioned from high-quality tan leather, and the seams were expertly stitched together using animal sinew. The clothing hugged Tove's statuesque body, accentuating her curves and providing protection and comfort while she braved the wilds of Gor. Despite being left with so few belongings, Tove was grateful for the pieces of clothing that Fleer had given her.

Tove had returned to her beloved forest, stood stall at 5'9", and retained her athletic build even though it was a little softer than it had been before her stint in Rarn. She weighed roughly 140 lbs at her norm, but now, she was a little underfed and skirting ten pounds lighter. In her leather quiver, which rested on her back, the leather strap crossed between her breasts rested five gull-fletched arrows tipped in steel. Aside from her usual panther girl garb, Tove's hip bore the weight of a leather belt with a 6-inch dagger she had taken to the whetstone and sharpened should she need to gut - a fish. Resting in her left hand was a bow she had not had for long, and notched within the string was one of her five gull-fletched arrows.

Surviving in the wilderness was an arduous task that required constant movement. In such a situation, one couldn't afford to stand still, as the unforgiving weather could turn against them at any moment. Therefore, the only choice was to keep moving until a shelter was found. Tove had been following the trails of the hunters searching for white-furred larls. The tracks were challenging to pursue, and keeping up with them took a lot of work, especially in the rugged terrain. The predators lurking in the wild were always looking for their next prey. They were hungry and desperate, and when they were starving, they would take risks. Tove could feel the predator within her, always hungry and ready to take any chance to survive. Despite the challenges, Tove persevered. She was determined to succeed in her mission, even if it meant risking her life. She knew that the only way to survive in the wilderness was to keep moving forward, even if it meant facing the unknown.

Tove stood still momentarily, taking in the refreshing coldness of the air around her. She could feel each breath filling her lungs with crispness and vitality. Despite the chill, she found herself enjoying the sensation of the cold air on her face. She felt her pores tightening as if they protected her from the winter elements. If she had a mirror, she would have noticed a rosy tint on her cheeks, the result of the cold air's embrace. There was a purpose to her being here, this far North, before she returned Southward to warmer weather where she could sustain herself as a rogue in the forest. Tove had been living alone for what felt like an eternity, but it was only a few days. She had no one to talk to, so she started conversing with objects. But in reality, she was speaking to herself in her head. She walked by a TF carved into a tree long ago. Tove examined the notched grooves on the tree and whispered, "Thunder Falls." She ran her fingers through the grooves, feeling the rough edges under her nails. Then, she pressed her tongue against the crease of her mouth and kissed the mark on the tree. "You are still mine," she said to the tree, feeling a sense of comfort in its presence. She leaned forward and pressed her forehead to the tree before crossing the boundary. She would have more.

As she made her way through the pathless woods, she pressed on, step by step, moving through the thick layers of snow obscuring the roots, rocks, and limbs beneath. The snow crunched beneath her feet, echoing through the silent forest, as she ventured deeper into the woods, her breath visible in the icy air. Despite the chill, she was determined to continue, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement or life. The serene beauty of the winter landscape was broken only by the sound of her footsteps and the rustling of the branches above as she walked further away from civilization. However, there was movement in the brush, and a small white pelted rabbit darted out, surprised by the sounds Tove made. Tove lifted the arrow's tip, following the rabbit's movement and loosening it through the air. The arrow whistled through the air, and after taking the shot, Tove carefully retrieved her arrow from the still-kicking rabbit that was now stained pink from its blood. She inspected the tip of the arrow to ensure it was not damaged before wiping the blood clean on its fur and placing it back into the leather quiver. She lifted her bow and hooked it over her shoulder, securing it to her body. As she did so, she felt a sense of pride in her archery skills, knowing that even though she had been gone from the forest and lived amongst society. She tied the rabbit to her belt, letting the white creature dangle precariously before she caught a whiff of smoke and heard the sound of Thassa. Was she this far North already?

Tove carefully reached down into the leather sheath attached to her belt and drew out the six-inch dagger. She held the handle between her teeth, her tongue feeling the cool metal against it. Then, with both hands-free, she began to move the large tree branches that had fallen near the tree's roots. She felt the rough and scratchy texture of the bark on her fingertips as she worked, tugging and pulling until the heavy branches cleared away, revealing the twisted roots beneath. With a determined look, Tove tightened her grip on the blade handle and pointed it towards the towering Tur tree. She raised her voice and spoke to the tree, "You," she said, waggling the blade at it, "are mine." After a brief pause, she took a deep breath and plunged the knife into the tree trunk. She then carefully dragged down the sharp end of the blade, carving a deep line into the bark repeatedly. As she worked, sweat dripped down her forehead, and her arms trembled with the effort. Once a deep incision was made, she drew another line horizontally to the first one, forming a T. She stepped back to admire her handiwork, breathing heavily. The T-shaped pattern was a mark telling others that the tree was claimed and belonged to her. This was simply what it was - a claim of territory and a warning for any of the villages nearby to be wary of stepping within the boundaries of what she's claimed.

Tove halted her march, stopping to contemplate her next move. She was well aware that the hunters or any other men from the village could stumble upon the trail of trees she had marked one after the other. Despite being an experienced hunter, she knew it would take a little while for the others to notice the markings and be warned not to follow her trail. As the snowflakes began falling, she realized she would soon lose her way in the forest. She quickly took out a knife and marked the trees with a "T" for her name - Tove. Tove was a skilled tracker with a good sense of direction, but the forest was dense, and the snow made it difficult for her to see. Her boots stepped on leaves, twigs, and moss on the forest floor as she walked around, marking her territory. The tall trees provided a canopy of shade overhead, and the sound of rustling leaves and chirping birds filled the air. She had been wandering through the forest for hours, carefully marking her territory. She realized it was time to return home to an abandoned Larl cave in the forest beyond. She felt a pang of hunger in her stomach as she thought about the warm meal waiting for her. As she made her way back through the forest, she quickened her pace, eager to reach the safety and comfort of her home.