Red Glass

06. Edit Out Dagger

By the campfire three shadows float; Axil cooking rabbit, Miya draped in Faris's coat while Faris secures the makeshift tent, binding the final knot. Crickets chirp loudly, owls hoot and fireflies glow in distant fog. The comforting light and warmth of the fire works magic as Axil cast its delicious spell upon fresh rabbit rubbed in clove, aniseed and garlic-infused oil.

"Food's ready!" Axil announces over a shaken atmosphere with a smile.

Unanimously moving in a little closer to eat, Axil offers Miya first pickings to a stoic decline.

"Don't be shy, I'm an excellent cook."
Axil encourages with a smile.

"He's alright." Jokes Faris, smiling as such to have Miya feel welcome.

"It, it's not that." She stutters, on the verge of tears.

"You're hurt?" Faris concerns, noticing the blood on her long red sleeping dress.

"No." Miya sobs beneath a whisper.

"You hurt one of the wolves?" Asks Axil, still in wonder about why they were after her.

"It's my sister's blood!" She cries.

Axil and Faris look at one another, feeling guilty for not realising any sooner something so tragic was weighed upon their guest.

"I'm... so sorry, what happened?"

"We were at home when she decided to run off. Zeeta does that a lot. I never knew she was gone, I was just cooking for us. Once I realised she was gone I chased after her, ... But she was just, just so fast! I heard her screaming my name so I ran out! I kept running towards her screams but..."
Miya begins to cry uncontrollably.
"...They came from nowhere, I've never seen them in these parts, not like this. Why would they... ? She was too young!"

Axil looks at Faris, unable to answer such a weighted question himself.

"I don't know, I'm sorry. Wolves are usually skittish." Faris says, unable to offer an explanation.

Miya is unable to lift her wet eyes, weighed down in sorrow, glowing in reflection of the fire. Wiping her cheeks Miya sinks further into the large coat she is wrapped up in and puts on the hood, shielding her from more than just the cold.

-

Through thick trees and foliage through the mountains pass, twigs snap and dead leaves crush in this foreign land. The mist of the sea follows under the cloud's cloak of thunder. Warriors on a path caught in the web of Wyrd. Rain runs through war paint and braids of blonde and black, Blue eyes like burning ice of the north through open-face helmets, each pair as vicious as the next. Wind against their backs pushing forward heavy footsteps and large strides, shields painted in dye of forbidden design. A heavy roar echoes from the mountains high above the village of Sadeef. Horses wildly rearing, sheep panic and cats flee.

"What was that?" Questions young Faolan looking up at the mountain trees.

"A dragon?" Conor answers to his slightly older brother.

"A dragon?" Faolan sarcastically laughs. "Dragons are not real."

"What do you mean?"

"Really?" Questions Faolan wiping the rain from his face. "Alright, ... If dragons were real then why has nobody ever seen one?"

"Of Course people have seen dragons, that's how we know they were real obviously!"

"No, people just make them up because chasing dumb sheep and throwing seeds is a lot less exciting." Conner says as he throws a handful of seeds to the chickens.