ioche

viii

Dolis spotted the first signs of carnage near the riverbed, drops of blood slowly inching their way into the river. The land was scorched from what must've been a campfire gone wrong, and scraps of makeshift tents lay in the tree's shade. He followed the trail into the river, despite the stench of blood raising the hair on his neck, the sensation that death was near growing.

Not far from the other side of the river was a broken carriage and a body propped up against a tree beside it. The carriage wheels had been broken, presumably from the river itself or the large stones that nestled in the riverbed. A horse was still attached to the carriage, the only living thing remained from the wreck, but it too hadn't gone unscathed. A gash was along the mare's side, the wound leaving the earth beneath her stained red.

Given the broken carriage and reigns, she hadn't been able to run off, only aggravated her wound with the ropes around her torso. On the other side of the carriage rested another body, crushed under the weight of the cabin.

She would unlikely survive much longer, even with Thova's assistance.

He unsheathed his blade, feeling the thrum of Dulo's blood as it felt the powerful blade in his hands. In moments like this, Dolis could contain enough energy, especially when there were no angry humans like before. A wounded animal was more forgiving and receptive to a god-like Dolis.

He made his way in front of the creature, letting the mare see his figure. It thrashed once in its ropes, a soft sound of pain before going still. Her eyes settled on the blade in Dolis' hands, snorting as if expecting what was to come.

Dolis extended his free hand out, touching the gentle creature's cheeks. It was soft and warm, velvety in the way he imagined those precious flowers atop the council felt like. His hands stroked her chestnut coat before working along the side of her neck. Satisfied grunts escaped her, probably the only gentle hands she's felt since the carriage riders, and her owner had perished in the river crossing. Judging by her matted mane and protruding hip bones, Dolis might have been the first set of gentle hands in her entire life.

The irony of a god of destruction being the only source of gentleness a mare has known tugged on Dolis' heart. She had not deserved to be treated so poorly nor deserved a fate as tragic as this.

The mare wrapped her head around, leaning against Dolis' shoulder before stretching her neck out as if accepting the fate of Dolis' blade. He thought of sparing her, searching for his sister to heal the animal, possibly with Dauna's aid. But the wound was too grave for the creature, and the mare was aware of it too. Putting her out of her misery was the best chance at peace.

"I am sorry," Dolis said, running his hand against the mare's neck again before placing it on her cheek. "You deserved more."

She grunted one last time before Dolis raised his blade. He shut his eyes, not bearing the sight of watching her soul leave her physical form. Her body crumpled with a sickening crunch.

Dolis gave her a proper burial, first stripped her of the cart's restraints, wincing at the hidden wounds the ropes had inflicted. He didn't have the strength to move her as far as he wanted from the cart, but he kicked away any of the mortal's belongings nearest to her. He found a few offerings nearby and gave her a proper send-off to Xiros' realm.

He hoped she'd find a peaceful afterlife to roam around.

☙❦❧

It wasn't long before Dolis found more traces of carnage. The horse and carriage were mild in comparison to the things he discovered. The earth was stained red, puddles now crimson red. The air was stale and devoid of any life. Even the plants didn't appear to have much life in them either, stripped or trampled bare.