2
The cat watched me intently, and I knew that it considered me an intruder, if not its prey.
It was roughly three feet in length, not including its bushy tail, and thick with muscle. The head was domed, and its muzzle was short. Its fur was mostly white, blending in with the surroundings, and its face was dotted with small black spots. I’d never seen anything like it before.
It growled again and hunched down, preparing to spring at me. I tried to draw my sword, but the blade was trapped in the sheath. I kept yanking on the hilt, and I suspected the cold had frozen it stuck. I quickly unhooked the belt and gripped the handle, swinging the entire thing up as I took a defensive stance.
The numbness in my hands made it difficult to hold the sword steady, and when the giant cat pounced and
