《 NOVIUM 》 『 A Collection Of Short Stories 』

▪︎《 ○ • ○ 》▪︎

Published: GMT(+1),
Tuesday 2nd July, 00:30

Cawing could be heard in the distance.

It was a familiar sound. One that had embedded itself into the furthest heartfold of the pack.

A memory.

A warning.

An omen.

For Ebony, it was also a curt reminder of what she has lost a year ago past.

~

It was not unusual for the corvids to silence at the death of a wolf. The entire forest would often be engulfed in still, torrential quiet as if the last breath took not only the soul of the wolf but also that of the wood surrounding it.

For Ebonys young kin, however, it had been quite the opposite. A horrendous uproar of caw, hoot, coo and screech.

The entirety of the pack had been startled, from the Ahlfa couple stood aside her, right to the bustling maidservants in the Central cabin on the other side of the valley.

It was not until a half moon after the passing that the forest finally returned to its usual lively whisper, and the dark birds had retired back to their twig nests.

As the commotion drew quiet once more, a newer sensation crept up besides her.

Elke, a youthful pup scented of mahogany, hot coals and spring, had waddled over to her side. Ears perked and eyes glinting with dark understanding, it was clear that he, too, had been aware of the forests call.

A hand found it's way into the nook between her elbow and chest, shivering and paled, as the child's fingers squeezed on the limb now in his grasp.

A reassurance.

Along with it came a whiff of berry, sweetness and the slight acrid tang of carbonated wheat.

Ebony gave a slight smile to the boy at her side, understanding showing in her eyes.

He had been sent to bring her to breakfast. Likely by his mamaya's pape'pa.

They'd most likely realised how many meals she'd skipped in recent days, and had Elke scurry away to escort her over to the cookeries to ensure her arrival.

She would likely be shrouded in fruits, toasts and cold meats the moment her thick winter boots crossed the doorway.

With a chuckle and the flash of a grin - almost too quick for the cub to catch - Ebony turned on her heel and let herself be dragged back across the snow to the awaiting wolves, her sorrows being brushed off as her stomach grumbled in anticipation.

~

A caw sounded in the distance, and eyes watched the pair of cubs as they made their way through the snow-trodden clearing.

With a spark not quite slight enough to be hidden, and the heavy flap of wings, the murder took off back into the skies.

The she-wolf had been close.

Possibly the closest to the forests edge since the incident that had stolen kin from her and the packs grasp.

It would not be long before she, herself, finally stepped a paw back into the overgrown groves of the mountain.

And with that, the corvids and their kin would finally be able to fly towards their promised destinies...