Unmended

Breaking the bonds

" By the Black Blood!" Rusksen snarled within his own mind. He lay where he had tripped in the mud, angry and silently raging. The wolf Touski had unleashed from within him seemed to appear at random, tripping up his progress. He didn't know how to walk in this Cursed form.  

With a rumbling growl, Rusksen forced the white paws under him to stand, slowly he lifted each foot in turn before carefully placing it back down. The hind legs were hardest, hinged in all the wrong places.  

As he walked, Rusksen thought of Touski's predicament, and how he had shooed him off hours ago. Rusksen stopped and turned back towards the way he came. The Vizear would work out what had happened to Rusksen soon enough, and then Touski would have raging demons at his doorstep. Because he helped him. Rusksen stayed very still for a long time among the silent and dead trees. He took a step towards the shack, but felt a sharp sting on his leg. Rusksen looked down and saw where a thorn from a bush had scratched him. A drop of crimson blood welled up, and he looked at it hard before looking up again towards Touski. 

The Vizear sat upon his black steed, glaring hotly at the small shack that lay in the center of the tiny glen. It sat there lazily, almost mocking him for not seeing the truth for such a long time. Even from here he could see large wolf tracks by the river side. The Vizear had to calm himself before he confronted the Moon Child. He was far to valuable to kill in a fit of rage. And so the Vizear sat, waiting for the blood thundering in what was left of his ears to ease. It was a long time before he allowed himself to dismount.  

With strong even strides, he approached the ramshackle door. Upon reaching it, he saw the Moon Child inside, back facing him, trying to shove bloodied bandages into the small fire pit. The vizear crossed his arms, blocking the only exit as well as the sun, waiting for the Moon Child to turn.  

A small grey-brown dog snarled at at him from beneath the simple frame of a bed. The Moon Child stiffened, but didn't turn. The Vizear watched the dog from the corner of his eye. Oh how he hated all dogs, he could feel his stomach knot in a twist of fear, but he stifled it.  

" Is there something I should know, Moon Child?" The Moon Child turned to face him. He didn't know what he expected to see in the haunting grey eyes. Defiance, anger, fear? Any of those might have been expected. But in the moon child's eyes he saw none of these things, only calm acceptance and acknowledgement. 

" Nothing what so ever Vizear. " He replied as he tossed the last of the soiled bandages onto the tiny flame. The Vizear stepped slowly inside, enjoying how his shadow filled the room. Upon entry he toed a familiar blanket, covered with dried dark grey mud of the Old Wood, as well as Red Mud from Dursan.  

" I find that hard to believe. " He said without showing the slightest bit of concern before lowing himself to sit upon the creaking cot. Underneath the small dog scrabbled to get further away. The Vizear drew his sword and leaned against the hilt by pressing the blade into the earth floor, then stared at the thin Moon Child. He stayed quiet for awhile, looking at the ground thoughtfully before speaking.  

" Believe what you will Vizear, I cannot change your mind. " The Moon Child stood and turned 'round to fully face the Vizear, hands balled into fists. The silence stretched on between them, growing thicker with each passed moment. Finally the Vizear leaned back.  

" Then where does that leave us Child? " Deftly, he leaned over and grasped the small dog beneath the cot. It squealed in pain as he yanked it out by it's tail, and held it aloft in the same manner.  

Now the Child showed fear, what the Vizear had been trying for, though frustratingly, the fear was not for himself but the pathetic beast.  

" Tell me of the Wolf, Moon Child. You know what I speak of. Where did you send him off to?"