The Shards Of Darkness

Shards Of Darkness Chapter 8

Gear POV

My leg was feeling slightly better with each passing moment of chewing those leaves Vixen had set out for me. I wasn't sure why Vixen had been away for over an hour and a half at this point. He never quite specifically told me where he was needed, but I had the feeling it was going to be for Shadowshard. 

The electricity in my paws was still faint, as I felt a tingle in my pads every now and again. I tried to use the buzz as a way to fall asleep but my alertness was quite on edge. I got up to stretch my legs and the guards—well, the one called Cosmos barked, 

"Stay on your bed, Master Gear. We've been under strict orders to see to it you're safe and healing properly. I don't want to be crow bait or Pack bait for that matter and neither does my dear brother. If I were you, I'd take the consideration of your leg and gods forbid our very lives into question and sit back down and rest. Lord Vixen will be back in a few minutes. Right, Occulus?"

 Occulus, the brother, appeared to be snoozing and his body was slightly limp but I could hear him breathing. Cosmos sighed in frustration and kicked her brother sharply. The fox yelped and jerked awake.

"OI! Wazzat for?? I was just having a little doze, sis. I haven't rested in days. Do you know how hard it is to get some bloody good shuteye as a guard? No, you does not. I hopes the Chieftain comes back soon. He ain't exactly 'sponsible for expecting us to take care of this pup and not even taking care of him hisself, and 'pecting a bloody Wardog not to get in the way. You ain't gotta worry Cosmos cuz we gots eyes sharper than the Packmaster's blade, eh sister?" 

Cosmos elbowed her brother again. With a yelp and a "Blimey, sis!" it was quiet again. I couldn't escape on their account.

 So, I decided it was best to not fight my natural instinct of sleep and wait out Vixen's return. As I started slipping into a dreamless sleep, a voice called out, 

"Oi! Shadowshard! Wot're you doin' in these here parts? Lord Vixen wants a word or two with you. You best go report to him, iffen you knows wot's best for ya." 

I heard Occulus gasp as the silhouette against the tent told me that Shadowshard had grasped Occulus by the throat and the brittle cry that was uttered from him as he was thrown from the tent entrance. Cosmos gave a yell of dismay and her voice shook as she growled,

"You aren't to enter! Leave at once!"Shadowshard snarled back, "Or what, fox? Move, afore you join your brother over there. I said, move!"

But Cosmos stood firmly in place, and I could see her legs shaking from here. Her voice continued to tremble as she replied,

"No. I'm under strict orders to not allow anyone in the tent. Master Gear isn't here. You should go to Lord Vixen. He's expecting you."

Shadowshard growled again, harsher.

 "It's MY tent, fox! And you're just a lowly guard. I'm a Wardog. Who are you to withstand against me?"

With tears in her eyes, Cosmos said softly, but firmly again. "I cannot let you through, sir. That is final."

She shrieked as she was pushed roughly aside and he entered the tent. His eyes immediately snapped on me he turned slowly back to Cosmos. 

"Not here, eh?"

Cosmos gave a cry of dismay and said, 

"Take no more steps towards him! You are breaking and entering!"

Shadowshard leered in at the vixen and he spoke softly but menacing in his tone.

"You lied, soldier. Do you know the punishment for lying to an officer is? Especially a Wardog like me?"