Ice Wolf

Senara (2)

Snow crunches under Triumph's hooves as he trots through the dark forest.

I know we shouldn't be out this late, but food is getting low and I need to bring back an animal. With this thought in mind, I once again focus on scanning the forest for any movement.

Wait... there! I spot a brown shadow moving through the trees, it's dark sillouhette outlined in the moonlight.

Pull, release.

My arrow shoots from the bow, darting towards the shadow. I hear a loud THUNK and see the brown body scurrying away.

"Come on, Triumph!" I kick my white horse and we canter through the woods after the shadow.

We finally reach the form of a lump lying in the snow. I slide off of Triumph and jog over to the large mule deer doe.

"Yes! Finally, we'll have a decent meal."

After cleaning the animal and tying it to Triumph's saddle, I mount up and we start home.

About halfway home, Triumph starts to act uneasy. I pat him and the loyal mount calms down.

I scan the forest for anything unusual, and don't see anything amiss. We start trotting again, but it seems the more we move forward the more Triumph becomes uneasy.

"Whoa, boy. What's the matter?" I look ahead and see nothing- wait! I think I just saw something go behind that tree!

I cautiously urge Triumph forward, over to the tree. There it is.

On the crest of a hill, a lone white wolf walks through the snow. Triumph doesn't seem to notice it, for which I am greatful. I just sit there stone still, hoping the wolf doesn't see me.

Too late.

The wolf stops, slowly turning and looking me directly in the eye. It's eyes are a piercing icy blue, but they don't seem to have any coldness in them. I sense curiosity, and sadness.

For all my life, I've been taught that wolves are ruthless killers. That if I see one, run for my life because it will eat me. With this wolf, it's as if I've nothing to fear.

The wolf stares for a moment before walking away, disappearing into the shadows.

Triumph seems to be getting bored, so I nudge him into a slow trot, my sight lingering to where the wolf was.

---------

The next evening, my siblings and I prepare the meal.

Will you set the table, Aspen?" My mother nods to the birch table sitting in the kitchen.

As I start to set it as my mother chops a potato.

"Is David coming over for the evening meal?" I ask, thinking of my 19 year old sister's caller, David Brown.

"Ask Maria," she replies without looking up.

I turn to Maria, my sister, who is taking the venison meat out from over the hearth.

"Yes, I believe he is," she replies, clearly blissful. David is one of the most eligible bachelors in Sheerville. His father owns a large piece of land with some of the best sheep around.

I nod, setting an extra place on the table.

"I'm going to go feed the horses," I open the door to our thatch roofed cottage, stepping into the crisp melting snow. I walk to our small barn and throw out hay to our three horses.

I stop and pet Triumph before going back inside. In the house, David is already there and everyone is seating themselves at the table.

I sit in one of the chairs and we all wait a moment for the two absent diners.
My father and Younger sister, Eve, walk in. Eve takes a seat by me and my father sits at the head of the table.