Darker than blood

train post

 

The leader moved ever upward, pausing now and then to breathe laboriously; these things within her took energy, but she had always been physically active and would not stop now. It would be better for them; of course, she did not know this, but she believed it. How could strong cubs grow in a thick, lazy, slovenly wolf? 

So she still climbed, her muscles rippling through thick furs, furs made for the North, not these temperatures; but it was night, and cool. She knew, too, Kotsiktok Pond would be cool from a chilled rainfall the hour before. 

Moving toward the peak, Tonravik paused to experience a strong cramp. She stretched outward and looked scathingly toward her abdomen, as though to curb her unborn into submission with a look. It worked in that moment, and she snorted at her stomach, before going and reaching the top at last. 

She moved into the stagnant, undrinkable water; as predicted, it was cold. From above, her eyes panned over the River, and stared now where she knew the Plains to be.