Chapters

A start to destiny
A Baptism of Blood
A new beginning

A start to destiny
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Fang of Sorrow

A start to destiny

Crows feast on the flesh of the fallen Schweine (pig men) carcasses as I feel my body slowly begin regenerating from the toll of this little skirmish. My Canid brothers began gathering our fallen into a pile as my canine body returned to its human form. I gazed at my lightly sun-kissed skin, the crimson liquid of battle slowly dripping off of my arms beginning to stain the grass below. My tunic lay on the ground mere feet from me in tatters. I run my hand through my unkempt brown hair, lightly rubbing in the blood absentmindedly. As my eyes drifted across this land of death, my reeling mind decided to recount on how I had wound up in the current situation.

The settlement of Transylmania was established not too long after the banishment of Discord by the princess of the night, Luna, herself. Of course, now that the princess is back, she has seen it fit to try and...modernize the small village along with herself. I was born to a human woman and a canid male. Many of the village elders looked upon my parent's union as an abhorrent thing. Though the village was filled with bat ponies, known as thestrals, who were wrongfully persecuted as being avatars of the Nightmare, they still had their own intolerant views too. I wasn't given many chances to prove to them that I was more than just some abomination though, since I was never given a chance to have a lasting job. For the most part, I was shunned and only lived in my family's house.
I made myself useful to my parents, since there was little else I could do, and decided I would work in the fields behind the house, no matter how man taunted or laughed at me. This seemed the life that I was destined for so I never dreamed of anything more, knowing this was my station. My parents were my friends, as were my tools, and that was fine with me.

It was a normal day in what was given the title "Thestral Capital" there wasn't much hoof, paw, or foot traffic near our little house at the end of Transylmania and I was cooling myself off in the evening sunset. I had taken off my tunic, allowing my chest to cool off. As the breeze blew across my damp chest, I closed my eyes and shivered. I was soon brought out of my relaxed state as I heard a sharp intake of air causing my eyes to shoot open and behold a golden-coated, brown maned, golden eyed, blushing beauty looking at me. She wore traditional buffalo attire, the feathers indicating she was a full-fledged member and seen as an adult. Her breasts were held by beautiful, foux leather traditional dress and a brown vest. The dress extended until near her knees and tribal bracelets were a bit above her hooves. My eyes quickly flicked back up to her eyes and face where I , once more, noticed her blush. I looked quizzically at her before I put my tunic back on and set my sickle against the house before walking up to her.
"Good evening." I begain, wiping my hands on my tunic. "Can I help you?"
The buffalo just stood there blushing as my brown and blue eyes gazed in hers. She shuffled her hooves and moved about nervously. I looked in her eyes a bit longer, my mismatched eyes almost searching her golden globes for an answer. My cheeks slowly began to heat up as the silence grew making me look the lovely buffalo over again. This time, however, my eyes were drawn to her hands that were clasped around a bag of bits.
"My father sent me here." she said, pulling her eyes from mine. "He said I should ask for 'white Fang.'"
That almost made me jump back. My father was named White Fang and always said his tribe knew the buffalos, even fought each other at one point, but that was in the past. What could this have to do with that?

"Cody, Little Fang, who are you talking to?" boomed a familiar gruff voice from behind me.
I turned to answer only to see my father, a black furred wolf peppered in the gray of age. His blue eyes had the look of someone that saw a lot in his life yet still had a fire burning behind them. His brown-gray mane was in a ponytail showing the look of an experienced elder. He slowly scanned the two of us with a raised brow before settling on me.

"Little Fang, who is this?"
"My name is Little Strongheart. My father told me to to give you a letter he wrote." the buffalo said bringing out a rolled parchment which my father deftly took before heading back into the house.

I was sitting across from Little Strongheart with my father at the head of the table re-reading the scroll before letting out a sigh and re-reading it again. I've never seen my father so concentrated and serious before and that was saying something. Little Strongheart was fidgeting a bit as my gaze settled on her. I noticed her cheeks slightly flush as her eyes slowly drifted to my chest. Though she was, admittedly attractive, she was weird, at least, if the way she was acting was any indication on her usual self. My father cleared his throat a bit to gather our attention.
"Little Fang, it looks like you are being called upon by the buffalos." he said wit a bit of a huff. "They request you be a part of a cerimony, one that will forever bind our races."
"A cerimony?"
"Yes, Little Fang."
"Why am I needed for it? Surely you would be better..."
My father leveled a glare of light irritation but also...sadness? He breathed a heavy sigh before wrapping the letter back up.
"No, son, not this time." his ears laid against his head as his gaze dropped. "You are the only one that can do this and the only one I can trust."
That last line made a small smile touch my face but a frown immediately took its place as my mind wandered to the implications and serious nature of the request. 'What in the name of the great moon could the problem be? Can I actually do what my father expects of me?' My eyes wandered to the face of Little Strongheart, who looked at me with a look of worry and understanding. I could feel my cheeks heat up a bit as her eyes lingered in me though, causing me to look away.
"Thunderhooves wishes for you to accompany Little Strongheart to the ancestral buffalo grounds after she stays with us for tonight."
"Where is she even gonna sleep?"
"Your bed."
That was enough to cause an inferno behind my cheeks and for a lot of thought to die in my mind. My bed? What exactly was my father thinking? It's like he was trying to get us together or something. I mean, that would be fine with me, she is one beautiful bovine but how would she react to this? I looked over to, said buffalo whose face was now as red as a ripe tomato but she wasn't giving any signs of disagreement causing the fire behind my cheeks to spread.
"Just remember I want my grandchildren within the next couple of years." my mother joked while setting down the meal in front of everyone.
My mother had a little meat on her bones but that added to her charm, much as a certain pink earth mare he had heard about. Her brown hair was a healthy color and sheen and her brown eyes showed where I got my earthen brown orb.
"Well, you know, dear, we could always get more pups of our own." my father pulled his wife to his lap and proceeded to nibble on her earlobe coaxing giggles.
I had to look away. You know, most thought that love and romance degraded through the years but if this was what my parents were like after over twenty-five years together, I call bull shit. My eyes happened to glance to a red-faced and enchanted Little Strongheart watching the display of my parents. I cleared my throat to stop the high school sweetheart-esque playing out in the room. My parents looked at me like I just tossed iced water onto them and I heard a squeak from where Little Strongheart was.
"Um...this doesn't make much sense." I spoke not able to look my parents in their eyes after they practically scarred our dinner guest.
I heard the distinct cough of my father causing my mother to get off of him and sit by Little Strongheart and begin to lead her away from the room. My father's gaze focused on me with a serious aura radiating from them. When I slowly returned his gaze, he let a tired sigh one more escape his muzzle. "Cody, our country is in the cusp of war." he finally said, his gaze now having a slight edge to it. "I know it, Thunderhooves knows it and I'm sure the princesses are sensing it." his gaze softened and a soft, weak, smile touched his features. "Our people will not survive another war for the princesses without a stronger bond with the Buffalo clans."
I felt my eyes widen as realization began to dawn on me. A stronger bond was something that could be achieved a few ways but only one was certain to work.
"Father..."
"You and Little Strongheart are to be that bond. She will be your head mate and you two will make a pack, a clan, all your own."
My father got up from his table and approached a wall where sacred items were kept, an enchanted metal blade that was unlike any most would see, serrated edge, serrated teeth, fat and skinny at the same time. The magic stained the blade black and prevented wear and rust. The blade was from and ancient kingdom apparently called Timber Wolf if the sheath treated leather was anything to go by. There was also a double bladed axe that was with it which was also stained black from preservative magic. Even the handles of both were stained by the magic, darkening them considerably.
There was also preserved hide armor recognized mainly by the canids and the buffalo as warrior armoring. The tanned leather tunic was much different from his own, thicker and having a slight magical presence to them.
"When you leave tomorrw, you will don this armor and take these weapons with you. They will be our gifts congratulating your union. No doubt your mother is giving your mate her gifts as we speak."
"Isn't this a bit sudden?" I barked defensively.
My father just looked me in the eyes, quelling the temporary fire of rebellion with his look of certainty.
"This will happen, Little Fang. Life has demanded it!" he growled back "Your land demands it!"
Any resistance I had was quashed as my father laid a hand on my shoulder. I looked into his face and my heart twinged in pain at his hurt expression.
"You are too good for this damned town, my pup." he said quietly "This place has you only blending in the background. It shames you and calls you a monster because you aren't a sun damned vampire! You are called upon to be better than this and I won't let you you throw it away."
That shut me up and cinched it for me. This was happening. Truth be told, I had no reason to stay here anyway. My father was right in the regard that the thestrals didn't like me and I didn't much care for them either.
Before anything else could be said, however, a scream pierced through the air outside. I leapt to my feet and my father's muscles tensed. A smell soon followed, one I knew I could only smell faintly but knew. The rusty scent was just bare there but my father had to cover his mouth from its intensity for him, it was the scent of fresh blood. My father darted out of the room to check on mother and Little Strongheart. I quickly followed and found my mother holding a shaking, screaming Little Strongheart. There on the floor was a canid with an arrow sticking out of his chest.
"Fenris!" my father howled before he took his spear from the wall and ran out the door.
I was about to follow but something held onto my arm, Little Strongheart. She looked at me with pleading, watery, eyes. My mother looked at me with a worried expression and I had no idea how to react.
Another scream rang through the air as well as some pained squeals. I thought I could hear something making its way toward us and I made up my mind. I patted the worried Strongheart's hand and ran to the "gifts" my family was gonna give me quickly taking the blade in my hand and taking off its leather sheath. I then darted back to see an armored schweine walking slowly to my mother and Strongheart. His hand was about to unbuckle his pants before his vision rested on me. Then he just smirked as he aimed his sword at me. For some reason, just knowing what he was about to do was enough to cause a feral, vocal growl to erupt from between my teeth as I darted to the fat would-be rapist. I rolled away from his rather clumsy swing causing him to only cut my shirt but allowed me to dig my blade into the bit of gut hanging under his armor at an angle and swiftly slice a clean line before ducking out, having to tear a bit of flesh that was snagged on the gutting hook area. It may have only hit fat but, by the squee the pig snorted, you can tell he wasn't expecting that. I just smirked and ducked under his next scared swing. Seeing my next target, I lunged at a small, unprotected area of his armpit and felt the blade sink in before darting back out, checkmate. Fresh heart blood dribbled down his armor as more escaped beneath it and trailed to the floor. The swine dropped his blade and brought his arm to the wound and tried to run, only to slip in the blood. I was only following my instincts as I slowly walked to the downed enemy, who was looking at me pleadingly, and slit the animal's throat.
The gurgle of the dying schweine was enough to make me realize what I just did. I looked at my newly christened knife and dropped it and took a step back. I barely heard someone say my name before I felt a surging in my gullet. I hunched over and emptied my stomach into the pool of blood on the floor. I was used to eating meat and hunting game but what the fuck did I just do? Another wave hit me as more bile leapt from my mouth. Tears were forming in my eyes; tears of remorse and ones of pain as more acidic sick threatened to surge through my mouth.
I was snapped out of this, however, when arms clung to me wrapping around my chest. I looked to the side and saw Little Strongheart crying into my shoulder. When I tried to move, she just squeezes tighter and cried harder. My stomach settled but my tears now flowed freely from my eyes, my innocence was dead but my life was now stronger. I let her hold me as she wept until my mother came and placed a gentle hand on her and she clung to her.

Author's Note

Please enjoy and feel free to critique.

A Baptism of Blood
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Fang of Sorrow

A Baptism of Blood

The first step I took outside revealed a full blown war zone. There were bodies of thestrals and canids either bleeding out or dead all lover the ground. The sight of the blood seemed to awaken something inside me. My rage boiled my blood as I looked to a filthy schweine unbuckling his trousers and walking to a dying mare.
"Gut the bastard!" my rage howled. "Let his soul be raped in the pits of Tartarus!"
A pain spread all through my being, it felt like my bones were expanding and changing. My vision sharpened and, after some strange sensation, my hearing improved. With some cracks and pops a muzzle took the place of my mouth and nose, filling my mind with more scents, though the metallic smell of blood was thickest. My somewhat short 5'7" stature grew to a stunning 6'11" as my body elongated. My arms lengthened and grew long claws. A slight pinching feeling came from my backside, I'm guessing for a tail if the sensation afterwards is anything to go by.
As the pain from the situation subsided I gave an ear-splitting howl that was answered from the forest behind my home. I launched myself at the damned vile beast as he stopped what he was going to do and gazed at me in a state of wide-eyed fear. Before his shaking, tubby legs could carry him anywhere I swiped his thick neck with my claws, allowing his thick red essence to flow freely down him. The terror in his eyes grew as his pillowy hands tried, and failed, to stop his vitle, vile blood from leaving him. He opened his mouth and let out a gargling squee before collapsing into his puddle of blood. I turned around and saw many terrified schweine troops looking as me. With another howl, animals flooded from the forest and joined the battle against the invaders.
"How am I doing this?" I asked myself.
"They are answering our call." answered my rage, "They are here to fight our enemy."
A wail of pain stopped all further questions as I saw my father skewered by a spear held by an important looking pig. My vision went red as I launched once more with a vengeful howl. The schweine didn't even seem phased. On the contrary, he smiled smugly as he lashed out as me with a machete that was hanging by his leg. I wasn't able to move away and the heavy blade slashed into my chest with a burning pain. I jumped back on his return swing and he let go of the spear that impailed my father and focused on me with his smug smirk growing into a wicked grin. He brandished his blade and waited for me. I could see my father begin to move his hand to the spear and gave me a look. I gave a slight nod and swiped at the boar which he easily dodged causing me to snap the shaft of the spear and gave a return luge that I barely side stepped. I snarled at the pig who finally looked a bit frustrated. He glanced at his restrictive armor as I took my chance and gave a lunge of my own cutting the metal open but not the porker inside. I then jumped back, dodging the cut the schweine gave.
The pig huffed and quickly took off his armor, giving him more freedom. He then let loose a myriad of swipes, many of which hit home. My blood was staining the ground below me and my body felt as though fire was coursing through it. My slashes began getting more sluggish as my muscles wailed in protest. The schweine easily dodged my advances and was getting ready for one last assault when a battle cry was heard behind him and the broken shaft of his spear went through his arm, causing him to squeal in pain and drop the machete. He turned around and kicked my father back down and I finally had my chance, I shot out and drove my right claw straight through the arrogant shit and held his heart in front of his eyes as it pumped to no avail. The boar grew into dead weight after a bit of muscle spasms and I withdrew my arm from his carcass and held up the heart with a howl of triumph.
The battlefield was quiet for a bit before the cheers and noises of the various creatures rang out with renewed vigor. I then took a bite out of it and threw the rest to the ground before charging back into battle, my own pain long silenced by my victory. I tore the throats out of two pigs going after a young canid armed with nothing more than a kitchen knife and ripped another's spine out cracking the skull on the head of another. Soon enough, the invaders were retreating, some stragglers being picked off by timber wolves or manticores before the animals left as well.

Now, here I am, still aghast at how fast something that may have been nice escalated to something filled with bloodshed and loss. I turn to look where my father was still laying, my mother holding him with tears streaming down her face and Strongheart looking at them in sympathy, her own tears racing down her cheeks. I tentatively walk to them, my heart drumming a melancholy tune as I stopped before reaching my mother. I couldn't face her like this. My father was dead because I couldn't get to him fast enough. Her love died because her son wasn't good enough.
The mare that I saved from being defiled was being tended to and apparently would make it, apparently the wound she suffered wasn't as bad as I had originally thought. A part of me was satisfied knowing that I had saved a mare yet another part of me was terrified at how savagely I had dealt with her attacker. Even still, my mind was wandering about what else I could have done to make a difference.
"I could fend them off but why couldn't I stop all of this from happening?"
Tears burned a path down my cheeks as I clenched my fists. I can only stare at the chaos in front of me as my sadness drips to the ground below me. As my mind wanders again a soft sensation wraps itself around my waist securely holding me.
"You saved me..." came a quiet voice.
As I try to turn around the soft arms around me tighten. I look at the soft, tan fur of the arms and I gently grab them only for them to tighten more.
"Don't go." said Little Strongheart, "Don't leave me. I don't want to be alone."
I sigh but stand there with her in silent acceptance. The warmth of the fire in the air is only steadily overcome by the sobs and the wet sensation that is slowly soaking my shoulder. Her hands move around to hold me in a more secure way, placing her hand on both my chest and stomach while she buries her head into my shoulder. As I started to move my arm again, she just tightened her grip more, never enough to hurt, just enough to make sure she held on. I scratch my cheek in embarrassment, her rather voluptuous mounds were pressing tightly against my back and the heat was definitely building in my cheeks.
"Um...Little Strongheart?" I manage to finally say.
I am answered by silence but she also reflexively squeezes lightly, and we stand there in silence for a few more seconds before she finally makes a noise.
"You saved me." she sniffled out "You stopped that...that pain from happening."
A bitter smile tries to tug on my cheeks as I give a light chuckle.
"I saved you? It was all because of the knife my father gave me. I couldn't even save him."
She gives me another squeeze as more of my bitter tears pool in my eyes.
"My mother is a widow because I couldn't do anything!"
My remorse finally flowed freely as I gave out a cry that was unlike any of the others I let out today, a hollow cry of sorrow.

Author's Note

Here is your second chapter, tissues are to you left. Next time there will be sex. :pinkiecrazy: I Pinkie Promise! There we go, now with all the pages and not a repeat of the first. Sorry, copy and paste issue from the typewriter app I'm using to Google Docs.

A new beginning
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Fang of Sorrow

A new beginning

Author's Note

Here we are! New chapter. Sorry it took me so long. A lot's been happening and I'm still looking for a job. Also, as promised, there's clop in this chapter but this is a crucial chapter so skipping because of a scene of sex in it would not be wise.

A new beginning

The soft orange glow of the funeral pyres give the night a foreboding air that I can't help but gaze at from my window. I tear my eyes from the haunting sight and strip off what was left of my old clothes. Good thing I usually slept with nothing on, because the sorry excuse for clothing ripped off me at the slightest touch. I absentmindedly trace the large scar across my chest the schweine captain left me with. My transformation back seemed to give quite the regenerative properties as most of the other cuts I suffered didn't even bare scars.

I perk up a bit as I hear my door creak open revealing a bewitching Little Strongheart wearing a white, near see-through, negligee that lays perfectly atop her form, pronouncing her breasts and hips just the right amount. The fabric stops at her hips just showing off the bottom of her most intimate of places. My cheeks heat up and a certain part of me begins to rise, barely giving me time to attempt to cover my shame.

"Y-your mother was kind enough to give me something to sleep in." she shyly states.

I could almost feel the embarrassment from both of us in the small room as I searched my brain for the correct response.
"I see..." I reply before mentally face-palming.
Little Strongheart enters my room and slowly shuts the door before making her way to me. I know what the intent is but having to know that this is what she wants. As she starts to lean in for a kiss I gently stop her.
"You don't have to do this, you know." I whisper, looking into her eyes as my heart thumps from the heat of the moment, searching for any hint of reservations. "I mean, you don't have to do something you're uncomfortable with."
She just returns my gaze softly before a small smile comes to her lips. She gently pulls my arms away and she tenderly brings her lips over mine.
Time seemed to freeze and them melt as I enjoy the embrace of her lips. My hands tentatively wander around her body, tracing her form and confirming that this was not an illusion. As I feel her delicate hands explore my form I become more bold and run my hands across her back and stomach while deepening the kiss hungrily. Our tongues dance for dominance as our hands memorize each others bodies.
My hand brushes across her breasts causing a small moan to echo from her. She lightly pulls away before taking off the one piece of clothing she has.
Even though there was little veiling it from my eyes before, her now fully nude form only fuels my boldness as well as my lust. Little Strongheart's smile was now one of sultry temptation, her eyes half-lidded and her nipples at attention. She guides my hand, once more to her left mound and moans as I fondle it gently, yet firmly. I give her another deep, hungry kiss muffling her moans before trailing my tongue down her jaw and neck.
I nibble her collarbone and tweak her nipple as my left hand squeezes and massages her ass. Little Strongheart gives a slight scream of ecstasy and holds my head there before lightly encouraging me to go further. I complied and went to her lonely breast, giving the nipple a gentle bite before suckling with vigor.
Little Strongheart pushes me away with a gasp and pulls my face into hers as she takes initiative , hungrily kissing me , moving her tongue to trace all over my mouth. She also pushes me as she tries to go even deeper, until be both fall onto my bead.
I relent and let her have her way while my mind still reels at the current situation. I just met Little Strongheart and was meant to take her as my first mare, my wife. I may have saved her life but I highly doubt that alone is making her go after me like this. Before, I can think any more, however, I feel her hand running along my already hard phallus and only one thing came to my mind: fuck it.
I begin fighting back in the kiss for supremacy much to her delight, if her growling into our union and pumping my rod was anything to go by. I give a lust fueled growl of my own as one of my hands goes toward her honeypot. I brush a thumb against her hood and get a moan of pleasure. Her moves become more sloppy as she tried to pay more attention to my head. I begin lightly pinching her head and she pulls away from the kiss with a deep moan of pleasure.
"Please, fuck me." she says looking into my eyes, "Make me yours!"
I smile before guiding my tool to her box and push it in. She sinks herself onto my poll until our pelvises meet and she shivers and coos. She hugs my head and tries to calm her shallow breathing.
"Are you alright?"
She doesn't answer but slowly grinds against my hips. I grit my teeth as I feel every inner groove gripping my penis. I look into her eyes and see tears trying to fall.
"I'm sorry, I didn't wait." she says as the first tears finally fall.
Though confused, I bring my hand to her cheek which she weakly nuzzles. This beautiful woman-er, cow-is dwelling on something, something painful. I pull her forehead to mine and gently try moving. She gasps and holds me tighter as I slowly bounce her up and down and massage her flanks with my palms and my fingers slightly sinking into the fat of her ass.
Little Strongheart brings her mouth to mine and hungrily kisses my lips, pulling and nibbling on my bottom lip. I gladly return her affection and thrust into her with more vigor. Our sadness can wait, for now all we need is to sate our lust.
She places her hands on my chest, pushing me away, and bounces energetically on my pole. She bites her lower lip and digs her fingers into my pecs before a loud scream of lust forces its way out of her. She erratically spasms and her inner walls clamp onto my meat rhythmically, milking me for all I'm worth. I felt a build up in my loins and I shivered.
"Strongheart! I'm--"
Little Strongheart hungrily latches her lips onto mine before I could finish and I couldn't hold myself back. My hips pushed into her, hilting and shooting my essence into her. Her lower cervix hungrily takes my seed and the two of us breathe out satisfied moans she falls onto my chest, exhausted.
"Wow..." I say with a tired chuckle.
Little Strongheart just stays on my chest, running her fingers along my chest and abs. She slowly looks into my eyes with her wet from tears.
"I'm sorry." she says quietly.
I raise an eyebrow and look at her in confusion.
"Why are you sorry?"
"I didn't wait..." she replies burying her face in my chest and weakly holding onto me.
I just give a small smile before kissing the top of her head. I don't care if I'm not her first, why would I? We stay like that for a few minutes; she just holds onto me as I pet her mane soothingly. I listen as her breathing starts getting a bit more relaxed and even.
I continue running my fingers through Little Strongheart's mane as slumber gently welcomes me to its embrace, or it would, until a knock was at my door. I softly roll the slumbering beauty off me, trying not to wake her up, and answer my door.
"The city isn't safe anymore, my son." says my mother as my door opens a crack.
I don't answer her. I know the world has changed from what I knew, or maybe my eyes have just been opened to the true evil that has always been here.
"The survivors are preparing a caravan and your kin are waiting for you and you bride." mother said distantly before giving me my newer clothes as well as a white dress. "Here, Cody, please get you both dressed and come downstairs."
My mother walked away before anything more could be said and I slowly close my door and lean my forehead against the familiar oak entryway. I know I need to leave, there was no way that I could stay here safely on my own, let alone with a new wife. With a sigh, any energy I had seemed to drain away once more. This day has been Tartarus on equis and now, it's forcing me away from my home...I'm so damned tired. Once more, tears began to pool in my eyes before I feel a soft touch on my back. I didn't move away, so the arms of my new lover wraps around me resting her forehead against my back and the dam, once again, brakes.
Little Strongheart holds me securely as a few tears fall to the floor. I place my hand on hers and give her a thankful squeeze before I get away from the wall and hand her the dress my mother included with the clothes. She smiles and puts on the panties I never realized she was wearing before we made love. I let her get dressed as I put on my leggings, sheathing my knife and hatchet in separate slings, and put on my hide tunic only to be surprised when a crystal jewel on a leather, braided necklace. I pick up the gem and it slowly glows as a song starts playing.
[youtube=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HgqOy3OCoio]
I can hear my mother singing along with the song as Strongheart and I came down the stairs. The door leading out of the house was open and through it, the melodious voices of my mother and the woman in the crystal create a sad waltz of mourning. We slowly make our way out the door, almost entranced by the depressing duet. There was my mother singing the song as the as my father's pyre burned. There were Canids also gathered in various stages of respect and mourning. Surprisingly, there was a thestral there as well, the one that you saved. Her eyes glistened from her sorrow. I stand in the glow of the fire, Strongheart holding onto my arm trying to soothe me.
My mother turned to face me and came to me, letting the other woman carry on solo. She takes the crystal from my hand and looks into it before asking for me to kneel down. I stoically drop to my knees and she drapes the necklace over my head with a sorrowful smile on her face.
"This was mine. It marked me as the elder of our clan and was passed from generations back, ever since the fall of the human empire. I give it to you, my son, with my blessing that you will make yourself a strong clan and that your pack will fall all your enemies with the swift fury of the old kings and gods."
The Canids howl in acceptance as I rise looking in my mother's eyes for anything she wasn't telling me. She returns my gaze with her defiant eyes. I finally nod my head and look at the crowd of my kin. They look back at me, many in a stoic respect, many more in the acceptance of a warrior. I summon a small amount of whatever it was that came over me during the battle and let loose a howl, which the others join in on.
Little Strongheart and I join with the group of Canids packing wagons full of treasured belongings that survived the earlier attack. The female thestral approaches me with a sad smile. She is wearing a black dress that hugs her form tightly. Strongheart urges me to go talk to her and resumes packing up the wagon.
"I am sorry...about your father." she says, looking at the ground.
"He will be missed," I reply looking at her with a soft smile, "but he is with the ancestors now."
The thestral tentatively looks at me with a smile of her own and, what looked like, a slight color to her cheeks.
"Thank you for saving he, by the way. If that monster had his way, I'd be dead...or worse."
I nod my head knowing the truth to her words. Evil will do anything to dirty good. My hand clenches into a fist, cracking my knuckles. The mare gently places a hand over my balled fist, gently trying to relax it.
"Those beasts rot in Tartarus now. May the demons perforate them with a gilded codpiece." I said with venom dripping in my words.
The Thestral takes my hand between hers and brings it to her cheek before nuzzling it soothingly. I look to her, a question hanging within my gaze until she gently licks at the top of my fist drawing a slight blush to my cheeks. Before anything else could be said, she slowly walked away to, what I expect was, her cart. I just watched her leave, watching her hips sway without realizing it.
"Enjoying the view?" comes a teasing and very familiar voice.
I turn and see Little Strongheart looking at me with a seductive smirk and her arms crossed. I just clear my throat and go to the caravan. I heft a waiting package into the back of it and she giggles before doing to the same.
"I wasn't looking at anything." I lie before tying the last bundle to the last cart and giving it a few pats.
"Oh, come on," Strongheart groans, "it's normal for a guy to enjoy a cute mare like her."
I just give a huff as I climb onto the back and hold my hand toward her. She sighs a bit and takes it so she can join me.
"I already have someone beautiful." I say as the caravan train makes its way to the edge of the villae.
"That's sweet but one mate does not make a tribe." she replies, watching my face.
The wagons all finally connect themselves and I look back to see my mother approaching the cart. I hold out my hand but she just looks at me sadly.
"My son," she says, "I must stay here. The earth and the fire must claim me."
I can't say anything. I feel the sting of tears in my eyes and the pain of my heart cry out. She gently pushes my hand away and nods to the caravan driver before looking at me, tears freely flowing.
"Walk stron, my boy, and know the wolves will be your fangs. Let the birds be your wings and the beats be your strength." she pauses as the caravan begins leaving. "And when yours sorrows become a river, let the fish be your raft and my love be your shelter.
My mother walks towards the pyre of my father and I can't do anything as she lets herself alight. I howl in pain as Little Strongheart holds me. My tears flow freely as I mourn. I hear my brothers howl in anguish with me and the very animals surrounding our slowly shrinking city wail in despair all their own. The earth knows I lost my mother and weeps for my lost innocence.