Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Prompt: Wolf warrior on the rocky coast


Maugh stood on the rocky shore and shook the rain off his ruff and pelt as he looked across the bay to the village lights—so close and yet so far away. Clara was there, and he wondered if she still kept a candle lit for his soul.

The crack of a branch and a whiff of familiar musk warned him of Toque’s approach. Maugh didn’t turn around as he drew his sword, holding it to point down to the rocks. He was unsure of his reception in the pack, but any sign of weakness would ensure his death. Toque stepped clear of the trees, sword sheathed. Maugh held his ground in silence. Toque stood next to him, thick forearms folded against his chest, looking past Maugh’s small boat to the dark waters of the bay.

“It’s been a long time, Maugh. Do you expect a welcome?”

“It has been a long time. I expect nothing. I offer my service to protect the village.”

“To protect Clara, you mean. You can’t go down there”—

Maugh growled in irritation. “I know. Nothing has changed since I left.”

Toque turned his snout slightly to look in Maugh’s eyes. “Some things have changed. She is married now and big with child.”

Maugh tried not to feel the pain that sliced his heart. He told himself he was glad for her. “Who? Is he a good man?”

Toque stretched out a paw and clapped Maugh’s shoulder. “I suppose. He’s from the plains, not a villager. He’ll never become one of us.”

Maugh looked back across the bay to the village. “Good,” he whispered.

Toque tightened his grip briefly, then lifted his paw and swiped Maugh across his back. “I’ve missed you, brother. Come and offer your service to Drakon. I’ll stand by you.”

Maugh sheathed his sword and reached out to grasp Toque’s forearm. “Thanks, brother. I’m ready.” He stepped forward and pushed against his boat’s stern. It slid off the rock and bobbed in the choppy waves. Maugh tightened his claws in the old wood.

“Return to your master with my thanks for safe passage here.”

He turned back to Toque and shouldered his pack. As they walked into the forest, Toque looked back at the boat. He raised his eyebrows as it drew away from the shore and turned in the water, then slid into the dark bay.

“Well, at least you’ll have some good stories to share with the pack. I am ready to tear out Juntu’s throat if I have to hear once more about his damnable trek up the fire mountain.”

 (Sadly, I do not have a source for this beautiful image, 
but I will gladly include it if someone supplies one!)
                                                                                      
Dogs in house:
Houdini, Brindle, Bacon


Music:
Daughter's piano lesson


Time writing:
25 minutes


March word count:
8268

1 comment:

  1. Prompt: Wolf warrior on the rocky coast

    Waves crashed to Raynar's left, but the water flowed like smooth black ink around the rocks under his trotting paws. He slipped, raising a splash filled with multitudinous reflections of the crescent moon in water droplets. He froze, and the miniature moons fell, dissolving back into the dark.

    The waves were far louder than his splash, yet caution was never wasted. He hissed breath softly over an extended tongue, taking the opportunity of stillness to let the night air pull excess heat from his body. He flexed his flanks, reassuring himself with the pull of the belt containing his knives. Not that they were much use in this form, but he would need them at his destination. His lost clothes would be easier to replace than his grandsire's blades.

    Time writing: 17 minutes, sleeping lap baby

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