From the Dark
From the Dark
My first memories are of destruction and cubs screaming. A dark and horrible night, mud everywhere so you could hardly walk, and I was so young that I could hardly walk anyway. All I remember of my parents were shouting at me to run, to run as far as I could and never look back, I still dream of that night. So dark. The only thing illuminating my parents haunted faces where the fires blazing all around me.
So I ran, for what seemed like an eternity I ran, and kept hoping my parents would come over the horizon running after me. But all I knew was I had to run, I didn't even know what from, I had no idea what was happening and I was just a cub. I eventually collapsed and fell into an exhausted sleep on some soft ground.
When I woke it was dark, and I had to wonder, still dark or dark again? But then that was all I had really known, all my life seemed to be now, dark nights and not knowing what was going on and what I was going to do.
Then I started thinking about that night again, had something attacked? If it had then what? So many questions rolling around in my head to resolved not think about it, and instead to press on and try and find just someone, anyone who could help me. After an hours walk I came a across an well worn dirt road stretching into the distance, and well roads had to lead somewhere, and I might find someone on the way, so I started walking down it.
After another couple of hours more walking, I was getting tired, the night air was cool and refreshing but my feet were aching. I looked down at the line of markings on my arms and legs, then something flashed in my head, like a memory, but it wasn't mine...
"there is something special about this cub" whispered Dhaga
"why do you say that, high priest?" replied Sunim in the same hushed tones
"look at these markings! Ancient magic, runes, and they have great power, we must protect him, lest it fall into the wrong hands!"
"you really think a cub could just be born with such markings? What if they are just markings?"
"you dare doubt me Sunim!? I sense the ancient arcane and nature magic within this one"
"he possesses both?! How can that be, they are conflicting forces?"
"it is said that a strong soul can control the conflicting forces within them and combine them, to what end I do not know. He can use this power for great good, or great evil, let us hope he chooses the right path and that we can keep him from those would would corrupt him"
With that I came out of...whatever I was in, I looked around and it was still dark and quiet but my feet felt good enough so that I could start walking again, so I trudged on. Before I knew it it was morning and I was still trudging on, weary to my bones and so hungry, I knew I must find somebody soon. I had never hunted for myself so I had no idea how to catch my own food. I walked for what again seemed like an eternity before I collapsed.
I awoke on a bed, slowly coming out of grogginess I looked around, I was alone, all I wanted to do was get out of this bed and run. But surely if they wanted to hurt me they would have done it already, not nursed me back to health just to then kill me. Just as I had finished that thought I saw the door swing open and my heart lurched into my mouth.
"oh so your finally awake then"
It was a female panther like me that had come in. She was tall, and pure white, a stunning white that almost blinded you even though there was no light reflecting of it. Her eyes had a welcoming and sympathetic look about them, and they were as blue as the ocean. So she just stood there, holding a platter of food obviously waiting for some kind of response. I didn't trust myself to speak so I nodded my head. She smiled warmly and walked over to my bed and sat on the end of it.
She just looked at me for a time, as if taking me in, almost like she could see what I was thinking.
"its must be a shock for you, waking up here. A traveller was coming along the road and saw you laying in the middle of it, tried waking you and when he saw you were unconscious brought you here. You were a long way from anywhere and he was coming this way anyway"
"wh-where am I?"
"oh so you can talk then. Your in the north my boy, the snow lands of Zeldara, our people have an ancient alliance with the people of Lathorna"
not finished yet but would love to know what you think so far