I am hoping for some feedback. This is a rough draft, and my first novel. Any constructive criticisms is welcome.
TIDAL ISLES - BOOK ONE - CHAPTER ONE - ANG DEAVER
Skydda, alpha male of the Viska wolf pack, closed his eyes and cast his magic out into the forest and up into the mountains on this warm summer night. He let his mind float across the land, sensing his pack as they wound their way through the trees and up into the mountains. Sensing the familiar essence of Zuri, one of the Viska Guard, he spoke into Zuri's mind.
Ah, one of my favorite celebrations.
Is there any celebration that isn’t one of your favorites? asked Zuri.
True. Things here are going slowly. May I join you?
Skydda felt as Zuri's magical ward came down. Skydda pushed his magic through his own sight and bound it to Zuri’s eyes. As Zuri looked around the meadow near the top of Brohir mountain, Skydda could now see many of his pack gathering around the flat green plain, celebrating the return of summer. Skydda watched as Zuri looked over the ridge down the side of the mountain as the pure white Viska wolves prowled through the great forest of ancient pines until they made their way to the top and into the meadow. They gathered to welcome the new season, underneath a nighttime sky filled with multi-colored threads of light dancing across the starlit heavens. The blue, red and white gossamer of lights intertwined as they wove a mystical story all their own.
continue...
TIDAL ISLES - BOOK ONE - CHAPTER ONE - ANG DEAVER
Skydda, alpha male of the Viska wolf pack, closed his eyes and cast his magic out into the forest and up into the mountains on this warm summer night. He let his mind float across the land, sensing his pack as they wound their way through the trees and up into the mountains. Sensing the familiar essence of Zuri, one of the Viska Guard, he spoke into Zuri's mind.
Ah, one of my favorite celebrations.
Is there any celebration that isn’t one of your favorites? asked Zuri.
True. Things here are going slowly. May I join you?
Skydda felt as Zuri's magical ward came down. Skydda pushed his magic through his own sight and bound it to Zuri’s eyes. As Zuri looked around the meadow near the top of Brohir mountain, Skydda could now see many of his pack gathering around the flat green plain, celebrating the return of summer. Skydda watched as Zuri looked over the ridge down the side of the mountain as the pure white Viska wolves prowled through the great forest of ancient pines until they made their way to the top and into the meadow. They gathered to welcome the new season, underneath a nighttime sky filled with multi-colored threads of light dancing across the starlit heavens. The blue, red and white gossamer of lights intertwined as they wove a mystical story all their own.
continue...
He should be there with them, leading them during the celebration, they both should, but tonight they had a more important journey. He disconnected after thanking Zuri, and returned home but his eyes remained shut as he listened, waiting to hear it. A single wolf howled a melody, then a second joined in, until dozens of wolves’ howls coalesced into a magical song that drifted across the forest, welcoming the new season. Summer was upon them, a summer born of great changes, that not even the most ancient of them could prepare for, or foresee.
The song filled the villages across Avit Isle, comforting the inhabitants like a sweet lullaby. The song of Summer Solstice wafted in on the warm night breeze as it came through the open window and fell on the large straw bed, where Lojala, Skydda’s mate, lay on her side panting. Their bedroom was a standard bedroom, made for the wolves with all the normal furniture found in a human house. The bed was a four-poster bed with a firm mattress, big enough for two giant wolves to sleep on comfortably. The servants stored fresh linens in the chest of drawers, and two large chairs near the window they could sit in and enjoy the view of the family garden. All kinds of comforts filled the house for both wolf and human; chairs, couches, pillows, all covered with expensive light colored cloths. Windows were left open when the weather was clear, for the Viska preferred the cold nights of winter to the heated homes of their human friends.
Skydda watched Lojala from across the room and doing his best not to annoy her. Her tail twitched, and she panted harder than before, but he was certain that if he asked her if it was time yet, she would bite him. Again. Harder.
Sure, he was the bigger wolf, but her teeth were sharper. Scolded, he sat in the corner of their bedroom. He sniffed the air cautiously, but silently.
Well, what he considered silent.
You’re making that noise again! Her voice grated in his mind.
Perplexed, he looked around and back at her, What noise?
You’re sighing, her hackles raised across the snow white fur on her neck.
You mean breathing?
A growl of anger rose from her and he stepped back and leaned into the wall.
Stop doing it! She snapped her teeth at him, from across their bedroom.
I can go outside-
Don’t move!
All right-
Don’t talk!
Whimpering, he laid on the floor with his head on his own white paws, he didn't understand that pregnancy would make her so petulant, and now this. He thought she was in labor, but when he asked, it only got worse. He started out on the bed with her, now three hours later he is by the door, cast to the floor like a common dog.
Skydda closed his eyes, he listened to her ragged breathing, waiting for something to change.
Did you fall asleep?
No, he said.
Is the birth of our pup boring you?
So is that what is going on? I have been try-
I already told you, no talking, she added with another growl, and not her playful growl either.
Even in this state, Lojala was the most beautiful wolf he had ever seen. She was white, like all Viska wolves, but her white had a hint of blue. Her fur was always soft and well groomed. While his fur looked as if he hadn’t bathed in months. Skydda stood and put his head low as he walked over to her. She didn’t protest, although encouraged, he kept his ears down in submission.
When he reached the bed, he put his front paws on the mattress and gently leaned over towards her and nuzzled her between the ears. Eventually, she responded and rubbed back into him.
I love you, he whispered in her mind.
She nuzzled him back, It’s time, let’s tell them.
He tried to contain his excitement, but he felt such a surge of energy as it rippled up his spine, reminding him of when he was a pup. The thoughts must have carried over to his mate because she snorted with laughter. They were the only two Viska wolves alive who were Bonded with humans. They hoped, beyond hope, that this pup might change that.
Bergrosen is on her way, she told him. Bergrosen was her Bonded human.
Skydda, exhaled and tried to wake Ulric, his Bonded human; who was very hard to wake. Ulric… he wagged his tail as he waited. Wake up… he sat on the floor.
Bergrosen walked in with a giant smile on her face. A tall, muscular, woman with cropped off white-blond hair, and the luminous blue eyes a feature that all the Bonded share. She sat on the mattress next to Lojala and encouraged Lojala to rest her head in her lap. “Still no Ulric?” she asked.
Bergrosen began to pet Lojala’s head, “You know twenty-seven years to have your first pup is long even for our standards, but I am so glad it's finally happening,” she spoke out loud so Skydda could hear her too, for Bonded humans can only use telepathy with their Bonded wolf.
You’re just glad it isn’t you here in pain, said Lojala.
“I've been thinking for some time now, that perhaps it would take you two longer, since you are both Bonded, and will live so much longer. It's rare for two Bonded to mate.”
I'm not in the mood for one of your theoretical discussions, at the moment, Berg, Lojala lifted her head and stared at Bergrosen.
Bergrosen smirked and then fell silent. Lojala laid her head back in Bergrosen’s lap, encouraging Bergrosen to continue petting her, by rubbing her face back and forth on Bergrosen's lap.
Skydda huffed. Ulric, it’s time.
Hm? Ulric responded, still sleeping.
WAKE UP! He jumped up and barked.
…
Desperate times, call for desperate measures, he growled softly to himself. Focusing on Ulric and bonding himself to his sight, and he couldn’t see anything. Skydda tried a different tactic. (The sounds of a cough, coughing up and finally wolf vomit), rang through the Ulric’s mind. Learning to project those kinds of sounds telepathically was one of Skydda’s specialties.
Skydda watched as Ulric’s eyes slowly opened and looked around the room for the noise.
Ulric’s room was more decorated than his own. Humans collected more things, for decoration, than wolves did. Skydda liked his comforts, but pictures on the wall and little things scattered on the table tops that could get knocked off with a stray tail wag, held no appeal to him.
“I’m up, hold on,” Ulric said as he jumped out of bed, and looked for the source of the sound, and then looked down at his wife, in bed. Lattbris woke up, lifted her head and fell back to sleep, her multitude of small braids blanketing her face.
Ulric gained focus and continued to look around, but did not find the wolf or any vomit all over his bedroom floor. Skydda? He projected back to his Bonded.
(Snorting) Skydda always found this funny.
This better be important, the Chieftain grumbled as he got back in bed, and pulled the covers back over himself.
It’s time; our pup is almost here. It felt like the blood in Skydda’s veins became rushing rivers. He ran in three circles before catching himself and stopping. Lojala’s glared at him. Skydda reminded himself, quiet and still is what she wants from him now, he sat, head bowed.
Ulric jumped up so fast he forgot he still had the covers in his hand as he ran out of the room. Leaving Lattbris without a word or any blankets, snoring in her pillow.
Ulric ran down the hallway and out the side door through the loggia to Skydda and Lojala’s connecting house; dropping the blankets, somewhere, along the way.
Skydda disconnected the Bonded-sight and returned to the room. He’s on the way, he told Lojala.
“Am I too late?” Ulric asked as he burst into the room, he skidded as he stopped in the door way. Skydda saw Bergrosen’s eyebrows shoot up at Ulric’s entrance, but then she returned her attention back to Lojala, smiling and shaking her head.
Skydda looked at Ulric. Just in time.
Lojala’s panting gets stronger and her eyes closed. She was uncomfortable and whining, Skydda tried to help, but Lojala sent him away with a short growl. After so much time watching her go through this, Skydda still wasn’t understanding how to comfort her.
Almost a candle-mark later her breathing slowed down. She lifted her back leg just enough to put her head under it. Skydda held his breath and his tail stopped in mid-wag. Her head came back out, she was cleaning a small white pup. He saw its little paw push against her muzzle as she cleaned it. Skydda’s tail-wagging commenced.
Skydda saw Bergrosen and Ulric were smiling at wonder at the new pup; their new pup.
Boy or Girl? he asked her; his heart beat to the eradicate rhythm of thunder in his chest.
We have a son, she said.
Bergrosen smiled.
“What?” asked Ulric, being the only one who couldn’t hear Lojala speak.
I have a son! Skydda said to Ulric. The urge for more circle running was almost too hard for Skydda to resist.
Not being able to contain himself anymore, Skydda stuck his nose between Lojala and the pup to get a better look at his son. She shoved her head back in and he swiped it back away with his nose, without even thinking about what he had just done.
The new mother growled.
He ignored her.
She growled again. A deep throaty, your death is near, kind of growl.
He backed off.
“Maybe we should leave the ladies alone. We’ve got some good news to spread.” Ulric suggested.
Lojala’s attention returned to the pup as she ignored Skydda altogether. Probably a good idea, he said as they walked outside, unnoticed by the women.
They stepped out into the outdoor hallway, long and straight, lined with large stone pillars and roofed with giant wooden beams. Torches lit their way as they made their way through the loggia that connected Skydda’s house to the main house.
Ulric stopped and turned to Skydda with a mischievous smile and roared as if they’d won a great battle. Skydda filled up with pent up energy of his own joined in with howls of great joy. The two lifelong friends began their victory dance, as the Skydda hopped on his back legs and Ulric marched around him in the dance of their ancestors, or so they called it.
“So, is this what you left my bed to do?” rang a voice from the doorway. Lattbris stood there using the discarded blankets for a robe; her dirty blond braids tangled in a makeshift bun, her light brown eyes twinkled, which betrayed her stern voice.
Ulric rushed over to his youngest wife and scooped her up into his arms. He spun her around in circles, until she begged him to stop in between squeals of laughter. “Did we win a war I didn’t know we were having?” asked Lattbris.
“Ah, Latti, we were just celebrating, Lojala just had her pup.” Ulric said as he set her down with a flourish.
Lattbris’ face lit up as she turned around and kissed Skydda on the muzzle and then hurried off towards the attached house to see the new mother and pup. Skydda barked and did a back flip.
Show off, Ulric said to Skydda. “What about my kiss?” Ulric called after her.
She stopped and tossed her braids back as she looked over her shoulder. “Men who leave my bed in the middle of the night, don’t deserve one,” and then she disappeared through the doorway.
“Men?” Ulric questioned as his face contorted.
Skydda snickered. She was his favorite of Ulric’s three wives.
“Well,” Ulric clapped his hands together, “let’s go wake up the village, my friend.”
You know, said Skydda, between the two of us, I pull off naked much better than you do.
Ulric stopped, looked down, turned around and headed back in his house, Clothes, got it. Let’s start there.
As the Chieftain, Ulric’s house was the biggest in Grasdalen. It had a central house and five small houses attached to it along outdoor covered hallways, loggias. Ulric's three wives each had a house, Skydda and Lojala had a house and Bergrosen had a house attached to their house.
Ulric was imposing for a human, extremely tall, very strong and smelled almost like wolf with a touch of bear, though not as hairy. His hair was blond, like all the people on the Isle of Avit, he kept his to right below his shoulders and his face without hair at all. Ulric's excuse was his face was too handsome to be covered in hair.
Ulric dressed in leather pants and shirt and then they rushed out the east loggia towards his first wife, Hatska’s house.
Skydda felt a twinge of hope in his stomach, if Hatska were in labor too, they may have a Bonding. The first since their own, seventy-seven years ago. Still Lojala went into labor early and Hatska was still a month a way, but he couldn’t help wanting it.
A Viska wolf and an Avitian child born on the same day could choose to bond together for life. It was a rare gift, but it was one the inhabitants of the isle always hoped for. Their isle's history was filled with lore of the Bonded, legends going back for hundreds of years. Duos that accomplished so much for their villages and the isle as a whole with their incredible strength, long lives and magical abilities, still over the generations, they have been dwindling in numbers.
Skydda followed Ulric as they tip-toed into her bedroom to peek in. She was sound asleep, Ulric sighed. Not all hope was lost, Skydda cajoled himself, the day was early, but his tail drooped anyway. He had wanted his first pup to be Bonded as he was, and knew Ulric wanted the same for his first child.
Together they headed out, into the cooling night air, to the village square. It was dark and silent. The stores were all closed up. The carts all taken away to the owners’ homes. In the center of town was a large fountain and statue. They leapt from the edge of the fountain to the center platform where the memorial statue for both Ulric’s and Skydda’s fathers, were placed on.
They both made their best howling stances.
Feet spread and planted.
Backs arched.
Tossed their heads back in unison.
Winked at each other.
Took in deep breaths, and -
A desperate howl from the forest sounded an alarm; they froze; victory howls silenced.
The song filled the villages across Avit Isle, comforting the inhabitants like a sweet lullaby. The song of Summer Solstice wafted in on the warm night breeze as it came through the open window and fell on the large straw bed, where Lojala, Skydda’s mate, lay on her side panting. Their bedroom was a standard bedroom, made for the wolves with all the normal furniture found in a human house. The bed was a four-poster bed with a firm mattress, big enough for two giant wolves to sleep on comfortably. The servants stored fresh linens in the chest of drawers, and two large chairs near the window they could sit in and enjoy the view of the family garden. All kinds of comforts filled the house for both wolf and human; chairs, couches, pillows, all covered with expensive light colored cloths. Windows were left open when the weather was clear, for the Viska preferred the cold nights of winter to the heated homes of their human friends.
Skydda watched Lojala from across the room and doing his best not to annoy her. Her tail twitched, and she panted harder than before, but he was certain that if he asked her if it was time yet, she would bite him. Again. Harder.
Sure, he was the bigger wolf, but her teeth were sharper. Scolded, he sat in the corner of their bedroom. He sniffed the air cautiously, but silently.
Well, what he considered silent.
You’re making that noise again! Her voice grated in his mind.
Perplexed, he looked around and back at her, What noise?
You’re sighing, her hackles raised across the snow white fur on her neck.
You mean breathing?
A growl of anger rose from her and he stepped back and leaned into the wall.
Stop doing it! She snapped her teeth at him, from across their bedroom.
I can go outside-
Don’t move!
All right-
Don’t talk!
Whimpering, he laid on the floor with his head on his own white paws, he didn't understand that pregnancy would make her so petulant, and now this. He thought she was in labor, but when he asked, it only got worse. He started out on the bed with her, now three hours later he is by the door, cast to the floor like a common dog.
Skydda closed his eyes, he listened to her ragged breathing, waiting for something to change.
Did you fall asleep?
No, he said.
Is the birth of our pup boring you?
So is that what is going on? I have been try-
I already told you, no talking, she added with another growl, and not her playful growl either.
Even in this state, Lojala was the most beautiful wolf he had ever seen. She was white, like all Viska wolves, but her white had a hint of blue. Her fur was always soft and well groomed. While his fur looked as if he hadn’t bathed in months. Skydda stood and put his head low as he walked over to her. She didn’t protest, although encouraged, he kept his ears down in submission.
When he reached the bed, he put his front paws on the mattress and gently leaned over towards her and nuzzled her between the ears. Eventually, she responded and rubbed back into him.
I love you, he whispered in her mind.
She nuzzled him back, It’s time, let’s tell them.
He tried to contain his excitement, but he felt such a surge of energy as it rippled up his spine, reminding him of when he was a pup. The thoughts must have carried over to his mate because she snorted with laughter. They were the only two Viska wolves alive who were Bonded with humans. They hoped, beyond hope, that this pup might change that.
Bergrosen is on her way, she told him. Bergrosen was her Bonded human.
Skydda, exhaled and tried to wake Ulric, his Bonded human; who was very hard to wake. Ulric… he wagged his tail as he waited. Wake up… he sat on the floor.
Bergrosen walked in with a giant smile on her face. A tall, muscular, woman with cropped off white-blond hair, and the luminous blue eyes a feature that all the Bonded share. She sat on the mattress next to Lojala and encouraged Lojala to rest her head in her lap. “Still no Ulric?” she asked.
Bergrosen began to pet Lojala’s head, “You know twenty-seven years to have your first pup is long even for our standards, but I am so glad it's finally happening,” she spoke out loud so Skydda could hear her too, for Bonded humans can only use telepathy with their Bonded wolf.
You’re just glad it isn’t you here in pain, said Lojala.
“I've been thinking for some time now, that perhaps it would take you two longer, since you are both Bonded, and will live so much longer. It's rare for two Bonded to mate.”
I'm not in the mood for one of your theoretical discussions, at the moment, Berg, Lojala lifted her head and stared at Bergrosen.
Bergrosen smirked and then fell silent. Lojala laid her head back in Bergrosen’s lap, encouraging Bergrosen to continue petting her, by rubbing her face back and forth on Bergrosen's lap.
Skydda huffed. Ulric, it’s time.
Hm? Ulric responded, still sleeping.
WAKE UP! He jumped up and barked.
…
Desperate times, call for desperate measures, he growled softly to himself. Focusing on Ulric and bonding himself to his sight, and he couldn’t see anything. Skydda tried a different tactic. (The sounds of a cough, coughing up and finally wolf vomit), rang through the Ulric’s mind. Learning to project those kinds of sounds telepathically was one of Skydda’s specialties.
Skydda watched as Ulric’s eyes slowly opened and looked around the room for the noise.
Ulric’s room was more decorated than his own. Humans collected more things, for decoration, than wolves did. Skydda liked his comforts, but pictures on the wall and little things scattered on the table tops that could get knocked off with a stray tail wag, held no appeal to him.
“I’m up, hold on,” Ulric said as he jumped out of bed, and looked for the source of the sound, and then looked down at his wife, in bed. Lattbris woke up, lifted her head and fell back to sleep, her multitude of small braids blanketing her face.
Ulric gained focus and continued to look around, but did not find the wolf or any vomit all over his bedroom floor. Skydda? He projected back to his Bonded.
(Snorting) Skydda always found this funny.
This better be important, the Chieftain grumbled as he got back in bed, and pulled the covers back over himself.
It’s time; our pup is almost here. It felt like the blood in Skydda’s veins became rushing rivers. He ran in three circles before catching himself and stopping. Lojala’s glared at him. Skydda reminded himself, quiet and still is what she wants from him now, he sat, head bowed.
Ulric jumped up so fast he forgot he still had the covers in his hand as he ran out of the room. Leaving Lattbris without a word or any blankets, snoring in her pillow.
Ulric ran down the hallway and out the side door through the loggia to Skydda and Lojala’s connecting house; dropping the blankets, somewhere, along the way.
Skydda disconnected the Bonded-sight and returned to the room. He’s on the way, he told Lojala.
“Am I too late?” Ulric asked as he burst into the room, he skidded as he stopped in the door way. Skydda saw Bergrosen’s eyebrows shoot up at Ulric’s entrance, but then she returned her attention back to Lojala, smiling and shaking her head.
Skydda looked at Ulric. Just in time.
Lojala’s panting gets stronger and her eyes closed. She was uncomfortable and whining, Skydda tried to help, but Lojala sent him away with a short growl. After so much time watching her go through this, Skydda still wasn’t understanding how to comfort her.
Almost a candle-mark later her breathing slowed down. She lifted her back leg just enough to put her head under it. Skydda held his breath and his tail stopped in mid-wag. Her head came back out, she was cleaning a small white pup. He saw its little paw push against her muzzle as she cleaned it. Skydda’s tail-wagging commenced.
Skydda saw Bergrosen and Ulric were smiling at wonder at the new pup; their new pup.
Boy or Girl? he asked her; his heart beat to the eradicate rhythm of thunder in his chest.
We have a son, she said.
Bergrosen smiled.
“What?” asked Ulric, being the only one who couldn’t hear Lojala speak.
I have a son! Skydda said to Ulric. The urge for more circle running was almost too hard for Skydda to resist.
Not being able to contain himself anymore, Skydda stuck his nose between Lojala and the pup to get a better look at his son. She shoved her head back in and he swiped it back away with his nose, without even thinking about what he had just done.
The new mother growled.
He ignored her.
She growled again. A deep throaty, your death is near, kind of growl.
He backed off.
“Maybe we should leave the ladies alone. We’ve got some good news to spread.” Ulric suggested.
Lojala’s attention returned to the pup as she ignored Skydda altogether. Probably a good idea, he said as they walked outside, unnoticed by the women.
They stepped out into the outdoor hallway, long and straight, lined with large stone pillars and roofed with giant wooden beams. Torches lit their way as they made their way through the loggia that connected Skydda’s house to the main house.
Ulric stopped and turned to Skydda with a mischievous smile and roared as if they’d won a great battle. Skydda filled up with pent up energy of his own joined in with howls of great joy. The two lifelong friends began their victory dance, as the Skydda hopped on his back legs and Ulric marched around him in the dance of their ancestors, or so they called it.
“So, is this what you left my bed to do?” rang a voice from the doorway. Lattbris stood there using the discarded blankets for a robe; her dirty blond braids tangled in a makeshift bun, her light brown eyes twinkled, which betrayed her stern voice.
Ulric rushed over to his youngest wife and scooped her up into his arms. He spun her around in circles, until she begged him to stop in between squeals of laughter. “Did we win a war I didn’t know we were having?” asked Lattbris.
“Ah, Latti, we were just celebrating, Lojala just had her pup.” Ulric said as he set her down with a flourish.
Lattbris’ face lit up as she turned around and kissed Skydda on the muzzle and then hurried off towards the attached house to see the new mother and pup. Skydda barked and did a back flip.
Show off, Ulric said to Skydda. “What about my kiss?” Ulric called after her.
She stopped and tossed her braids back as she looked over her shoulder. “Men who leave my bed in the middle of the night, don’t deserve one,” and then she disappeared through the doorway.
“Men?” Ulric questioned as his face contorted.
Skydda snickered. She was his favorite of Ulric’s three wives.
“Well,” Ulric clapped his hands together, “let’s go wake up the village, my friend.”
You know, said Skydda, between the two of us, I pull off naked much better than you do.
Ulric stopped, looked down, turned around and headed back in his house, Clothes, got it. Let’s start there.
As the Chieftain, Ulric’s house was the biggest in Grasdalen. It had a central house and five small houses attached to it along outdoor covered hallways, loggias. Ulric's three wives each had a house, Skydda and Lojala had a house and Bergrosen had a house attached to their house.
Ulric was imposing for a human, extremely tall, very strong and smelled almost like wolf with a touch of bear, though not as hairy. His hair was blond, like all the people on the Isle of Avit, he kept his to right below his shoulders and his face without hair at all. Ulric's excuse was his face was too handsome to be covered in hair.
Ulric dressed in leather pants and shirt and then they rushed out the east loggia towards his first wife, Hatska’s house.
Skydda felt a twinge of hope in his stomach, if Hatska were in labor too, they may have a Bonding. The first since their own, seventy-seven years ago. Still Lojala went into labor early and Hatska was still a month a way, but he couldn’t help wanting it.
A Viska wolf and an Avitian child born on the same day could choose to bond together for life. It was a rare gift, but it was one the inhabitants of the isle always hoped for. Their isle's history was filled with lore of the Bonded, legends going back for hundreds of years. Duos that accomplished so much for their villages and the isle as a whole with their incredible strength, long lives and magical abilities, still over the generations, they have been dwindling in numbers.
Skydda followed Ulric as they tip-toed into her bedroom to peek in. She was sound asleep, Ulric sighed. Not all hope was lost, Skydda cajoled himself, the day was early, but his tail drooped anyway. He had wanted his first pup to be Bonded as he was, and knew Ulric wanted the same for his first child.
Together they headed out, into the cooling night air, to the village square. It was dark and silent. The stores were all closed up. The carts all taken away to the owners’ homes. In the center of town was a large fountain and statue. They leapt from the edge of the fountain to the center platform where the memorial statue for both Ulric’s and Skydda’s fathers, were placed on.
They both made their best howling stances.
Feet spread and planted.
Backs arched.
Tossed their heads back in unison.
Winked at each other.
Took in deep breaths, and -
A desperate howl from the forest sounded an alarm; they froze; victory howls silenced.
RSS Feed
