The Jaded Leopard

Chapter Five

Could you at least try to walk faster?

The pair had set out on their journey earlier that morning, after a short breakfast on Roksana's part. She'd offered Kuzma some of her bread as she ate, but the leopard only scrunched his nose in disgust and turned away from the offending meal. By now, they were travelling along the mountain, heading for the opposite side of it- north. Kuzma was treading quite adeptly over the massive drifts of snow, barely sinking into the powdery masses despite his massive weight, being specially adapted to walking on snow. Roksana, however, was lagging much farther behind the leopard, struggling to pick up her legs and place them into the snow, which was by now almost as high as the middle of her thighs. She had seriously considered swimming through the powder, so difficult it was to walk through it. They'd had to stop several times so Roksana could rest, since walking through such massive drifts wore Roksana out considerably. Kuzma was by now visibly annoyed by their slow progress, and had been urging Roksana to go faster for the past half hour.

Oh, I'm sorry. Roksana stopped as she put her hands on her thighs, breathing heavily. It's just that not ALL of us can walk through massive drifts with as much ease as you. Roksana's tone was scathing, so irritated was she with the leopard and his constant demands. She was already exhausted, and Kuzma wasn't helping at all.

The leopard groaned and planted his face in the snow several times in exhasperation, as if praying this day couldn't have gotten any worse. However, luck had been on their side, and barely a flake of snow had drifted down from the sky all morning long, and the sun shone faintly though the clouds. Kuzma turned and padded back towards the girl, grumbling all the way. Roksana had a feeling he would've stomped his way over to her, but he would have sunk into the snow without a moment's notice. Roksana had to admit that, for the Lord of the snow leopards, Kuzma wasn't extremely dignified.

Finally, Kuzma stood over the panting girl. Get up and keep moving. He growled, anoyance flashing in his eyes.

No. Roksana crossed her arms across her chest and sat down in the snow, which she soon realized was a mistake. She sank immediately into the drifts, and soon only her head and shoulders could be seen above the snow. She grinned sheepishly at the leopard as he groaned again and bumped his head against the snow several times in exhasperation.

A little help, please? Roksana said indignantly, trying to get out of the snow but only succeeding in burying herself further. Kuzma rolled his eyes and began to dig away the snow around Roksana to give her enough room and leverage to stand. The leopard worked quickly, and soon Roksanan was on her feet again. She brushed the snow off of her cloak, and muttered a haughty 'thanks' before continuing to struggle through the snow. Kuzma rolled his eyes, but looked slightly amused with her efforts. They had only been travelling for a few minutes before once more, Roksana was far behind the leopard and falling even further behind.

Kuzma sighed and padded back towards the girl, tail twitching with annoyance. He turned so his back was facing her, and Roksana paused. Climb on. Kuzma grunted, gesturing with his head at Roksana. She hesitated. But won't we sink into the snow? It was a logical question, but Roksana was more preoccupied about whether it was proper to ride the leopard Lord.

If we do, it won't be very much. Besides, you're skinny and probably don't weigh much. Climb on. We'll go faster that way. The leopard gestured at her with his head once more, but his voice wasn't as gruff as before. Roksana hesitatdd for a heartbeat before clutching Kuzma's thick fur, and after much struggle, managed to clamber onto the mighty leopard's back.The leopard winced. Put your arms around my neck or hold my ruff, don't clutch my shoulders like that. Roksana gasped and released her frightened grip on Kuzma's shoulders with a hurried apology before letting them hold the thicker fur of the leopard's ruff. Hold on tight! There was an excitable edge to Kuzma's voice that Roksana had a bad feeling about, but before she could ponder this, the leopard rocketed forward with tremendous speed, and Roksana screamed slightly as the leopard ran forward, his long legs devouring the snowy ground before him.