Ander - Part 1: Subchapter 3
3
This was not at all what Ander was expecting. Most Wolves would be inside their tents on a hot day like this, or maybe lounging by the river, but this?
It seemed like every Wolf in the tribe was gathered near the centre of the village, talking excitedly, those in the back jumping up to get a better look at whatever they were all crowding around.
Ander didn't like this. Even if someone managed to make a spectacular kill while they were gone, this wasn't the kind of happy excitement he associated with a successful hunt. This crowd was caught in a low kind of thrill, filled with jeers and curses. Many of the Wolves were shaking their fists in the air, screaming things that simply didn't make any sense.
"Banno!" one of them suddenly called out, rushing forward. Ander recognized him as Vekka, one of the guards. He looked absolutely beside himself with excitement. "Banno! Thank the Cora you're back! You'll never believe what -"
Banno grabbed him by the neck, his sharp claws digging into Vekka's throat, cutting off his words.
"Tell me, Vekka," Banno growled, "Why are you and Yanek not at your posts?"
Vekka tried his very best to answer, his eyes widened in shock, but he simply couldn't produce more than a soft croak.
Ander could feel the rage build up inside him once again. He curled his hands into fists, letting his claws dig inside the pads, much like Banno's claws were digging into Vekka right now. He chose to focus on this pain rather than the hatred he felt for his brother at this very moment. He refused to become just another animal like him, one ruled by anger and bloodlust, but this technique wasn't as effective as it once was. He could still see the fear in Vekka's eyes, the knowledge that Banno could end his life at any moment with a simple twist. And how Ander loathed his brother for finding joy in making another Wolf feel that way.
Banno shoved Vekka back, sending the poor guard sprawling across the ground, clutching at his throat.
"Find Yanek and get back in those towers!" Banno shouted, spittle flying from his mouth. "Or so help me I will make sure both your skins decorate my father's tent before nightfall!"
Still unable to talk, Vekka nodded his head and slowly got back to his feet. Keeping his eyes on the ground, he hobbled off to find Yanek, a thin trickle of blood just visible in the corner of his mouth.
"Was that absolutely necessary?" Ander said, finally unclenching his fists. The sting he could feel in his palms told him he managed to open up those old wounds again, those eight triangular scars that never faded away completely, and never would as long as he was stuck in this accursed village.
"No, not at all," Banno said simply, grinning that grin of his, the one that managed to show all of his teeth, still stained with the blood of that stag. "Now let's go see what all the excitement is about. Come on, Hezzi."
"Yeah!" Hezzi practically skipped after his oldest brother, his eyes filled with what could only be described as pure admiration.
This saddened Ander in a way he could barely endure. Hezzi was a good kid, but he was a Wolf through and through. He viewed Banno as a kind of god, almost, incapable of anything less than terrifying perfection. It would only be a matter of time before he was just as cold and heartless as the rest of the village.
And there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Ander followed his brothers into the jeering crowd, pushing these thoughts aside for now, like he had to do every day of his life.
This has been the third subchapter in my serial novel, "Ander". If you enjoyed it, please help keep my face un-mauled by irritable ostriches by dropping me a donation. Thank you! ^_^
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