For days he had lain in his own bile and blood. Touring through fevered dreams and memories. Occasionally a scream would rachet from his throat. Any wolf or creature would have left those woods for they would have been certain it was the home of an animal possessed. Rain water had fallen upon his face, the snow in the morning had kept his throat from parching. Small bugs, and creatures were his only food.
He awoke finally clear eyed and angry. So fucking angry. There had been so much that Atka had promised and then she had left him anyway. He had always been honest with her. Had told her what it was he could and would do. What he had done. There was no shame in his words and feelings. He had done what he had been taught. But she couldn't see that.
Now he would live on spite. Fur sticking up in all places, his throat a mass of scars and scabs. His large frame was emaciated and his ribs stuck out. The muscles of his frame, hanging from skin too stretched to look well.
But there was a wildness in his gaze. And he began to walk unsteadily towards the edge of the forest floor.
today's hunting took chakliux farther from the sentinels. the five pups grew. it was bittersweet to know that dutch would not be settling in moontide, but he was eager to see what his brother made of the weald.
the seal hunter flushed grouse and killed two, then cached them for a return. awareness drew him suddenly and pricklingly aware; the man straightened slowly, eyes searching.
a great, thin shadow moved among the tall trees. the moontide warrior chuffed. "who is there?" the berrybright eyes were stern, all senses watchful.
At first glance of white. His heart had jumped to his throat, but upon closer inspection. It was not Atka.
A low rumbling growl shook his emaciated frame. As he drew nearer. Red eyes fell on a big white beast with eyes like plant berries. He was disgusted now to see white far.
He stood eyeing the creature with distaste, but he didn't fly off the handle. He knew all to well that he would lose right now.
Dreven
he rasped. Hia throat still hurting. His voice wavered from disuse.
he was a giant man, hugely scarred and recently ripped by wolfs'-teeth. concern brought the seawolf closer to stare at those just-healing tears, at the anger which seemed to glint in every aspect of the gigantic creature.
"dreven. i am chakliux. you are close to village moontide. not too close," he assured, the berrybright eyes studying every mark in the bitten hide. "have you had healing?"
even now, he knew not; there was no sting of medicinal herbs in the air, at least that he could smell, and the other was sharp-boned with hunger.
This one had a strange name. One that didn't fall from the lips of Dreven easily, but it wasn't really a matter of consequence. He'd probably never see him again.
A laugh left his lips a little husky and disturbed. Moontide hey. So he knew where Atka would go.
I am familiar with a wolf there named Heph.
A glint wntered his red eyes at the next question. Oh he had healing. Then she had left him to die in the dirt. Granted yes he had told her to leave, but still.
I have. Its why I'm not dead. Though I'd prefer to be. Which way is moontide? I will be sure not to cast my shadow there.
"your shadow is large, friend," the seal hunter said, still cautious. "the village of moontide is large. even if you cannot stay, or do not wish to stay, there are other places of healing. the mountain of moonspear gave such to me when i was injured."
chakliux gestured toward moontide. "it is not far. will you come?"
Dreven smirked. A lot of things about me are big.
Dreven twitched an ear. He did not want to go to Moontide. He didn't wish to go where Atka may go. He didn't qanr harm her mentally, emotionally anymore. She didn't want him.
I will come to borders and stay for only a day. I will hunt for you in return. I can fell large things alone. Even in this condition. I am much better than I was. The devil decided to keep me alive I guess.