Devil's maker (c)
Apr 3, 2015 18:50:18 GMT -5
Post by East on Apr 3, 2015 18:50:18 GMT -5
WAYWARD WINDS, THE VOICE THAT SINGS
OF A FORGOTTEN LAND
OF A FORGOTTEN LAND
A couple of weeks had passed since Benjamin had woken up disorientated in the cave with his life having almost been lost; an event that triggered an unexpected arrangement. Since he and Keres had moved in with the mother and daughter, life had become significantly easier. Not easy; winter was still winter and some nights were too cold to sleep through. But it was endurable, each one bringing him closer to the day he could return home.
The cold weather dragged into the spring, delaying such a reunion, but at least he was in good (if sometimes strange) company. There was another female, Shaw, but she seemed repelled by conversation as he'd learned from the colourful phrases to deter him when Benji tried. Salome was only slightly easier to get along with and that may have been only out of obligation, but her acerbity was soon familiar and rolled easily off him. Morrigan remained an unnerving enigma, impossible to read but whatever her motivation, she had ensured his survival. For that Benjamin would always be grateful, growing to trust the older dog. He was still reluctant to share his history but did as he was asked without question.
Benji tried not to notice that Keres remained the same while he gorged on his meals until the insatiable hunger after prolonged starvation for months was alleviated and he could behave with a little more dignity. His friend seldom wanted to eat even if it was there, under the conviction that she was already dead. The boy countered her dispassion with high spirits and convinced her to join on him on an anticipated venture that had troubled his sleep. He couldn't stop thinking of Osiris and Lazarus. They had stolen freedom from him once and his thoughts would never rest until he was sure it wouldn't happen again. The spotted dog had collapsed in the snow, but he had to make sure that he hadn't gotten back up and that Lazarus was long gone so he could stop looking over his shoulder.
Miraculously, Salome agreed to join them. Maybe his cheery invitation of "corpse hunting" was too odd to pass up, or maybe because her mother would wreak havoc if her wards were lost or killed under her supervision. Whatever the reason, they set out as a party of three.
He would recognize where Osiris had fallen, but maybe not the exact route. He had fled blindly. It was definitely in the general vicinity, but beyond that he was unsure. Benjamin led them across stones still layered with a thin layer of snow, resisting the glare of a cold sun. He cast constant glances towards Keres, the most vulnerable of the trio, while pretending to know exactly where he was going. The partially mottled male jumped atop a rock to give himself a better vantage to see along the mountain, squinting. "Almost there!" He promised, just as he'd promised twenty minutes ago.
And an hour ago.
SEE IT FALL, CHILD OF WOLF
LEND A MENDING HAND
LEND A MENDING HAND
spook Bird is the word