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 Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:48 pm
Siska stared at the sun between the branches of the grove of pines, watching as its warm light slowly sank beyond the black horizon. Many nights he had watched the sun, here in this forest, even beside another that he had grown to trust and love. But he was alone now, except for his inquisitive son, and he was beginning to notice changes in the land. He had never been one to believe in magic or dark arts, but the whispers were growing so strong now... tales of a herd of rotting beasts, from the bowels of Hell itself. All of them kept alive by some raw power that sought to corrupt the lush land they lived in... it seemed like some fairytale. But in truth, it was a nightmare.
They had been watched for days now, by some strange horse with glowing markings and crazed eyes. He did not seem undead, but the way his gaze lingered on Konue made Siska's gut twist. He had tried confronting him, but the little stallion only melted into the shadows.
It was time to leave.
He bent down to nudge his sleeping son, pulling on his downy hair to wake him. "Konue, up. Now." He looked back to the trees--shadows were falling now. Night was the best time to travel--less souls to watch you and follow.
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Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:54 pm
Konue moaned as the pin-p***k of pain registered in his head. His father's voice, stern and quick, roused him from his slumber. Yet, though his eyelids fluttered open, he still felt drowsy and unwilling to focus. What was his father doing, waking him up like this? He had literally just fallen asleep!
"Father... why did you wake me? I'm tired!" he whined, flicking his ears back in agitation. However, when he saw the concerned look on his father's usually impassive face, his brain sent warning signals down his spine, and he stiffened.
"Father? What's wrong? What's happening?" he asked, looking about him. He struggled up on shaky legs and attempted to look around, but the light was too dim now and all he saw were shadows. The forest was like that--it was darker beneath the trees than in open areas.
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:31 pm
Siska looked down to his son again, stamping his hoof to the ground in impatience. "It's time to leave, Konue. We've been here too long, and now that... well... It's just time to go." He once again gazed at the familiar trees around him, realizing that he'd spent a better part of his life here. He had never been much of a traveler, had only went here and there to quell boredom. But he had never dreamt that he'd have to leave the perfect little clearing. Not because of the reasons that had arose.
"Things are amiss Konue, and if we stay, we'll be caught in the middle of them. There are things we have to do to survive, and this is one of those things."
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Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 1:36 pm
Konue could only stare at his father for a second, truly confused now that Siska was talking of survival and running. His father had never been one to show fear, or hardly any other emotion now that he thought about it. He had always been silent and strong, the steady teacher that reminded Konue to watch his back when in dark places and to keep his eyes peeled for gopher holes that could twist his legs. This father, the one that was literally dancing with anticipation... this was wrong.
"Is... is this because of mother?" Konue asked, slightly afraid yet angry about the answer. He was too young to understand love, to understand why his mother had left with his sister. He was angry at her, of course, but he was angry at his father too. Why couldn't they stay together? Had his father made his mother unhappy? Or was he imperfect, and his mother didn't want to see him anymore? Despite the fact that he had grown used to life with his father, he still felt the void in his life that required motherly comfort to fill.
"Are we leaving because she left? Are you running from her, father? Because it won't help us. It won't help me." He nuzzled the ground longingly where he used to sleep with Aelah and Raisa, still thinking he could scent them. It had been too long.
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