Painted Flowers

Chapter 12 - A New Life

Layali padded forward, one paw after another, not even thinking twice about placing weight on her left leg. Though the impala's kick had left a nasty scar that would remain for years to come, as warned to her by the healers, her shoulder was more or less back to normal. Feeling more upbeat than she had since being accepted among the Ash dogs about a moon cycle ago, she broke into a trot, strolling the camp and taking in the morning air.

The dusk hunting patrol had returned, with the remains of a carcass as proof of their efforts. At the scent of it, Layali licked her lips, though there was clearly nothing left. A few dogs were gnawing on some of the bones, savoring every last scrap of meat, but that was it. This kill must have already been distributed among the royal family, as well as the pups and the elders, who always had priority over anyone else. The other hunters in the patrol had gotten their share as well, judging by their full bellies and satisfied looks as they rested in the shade.

Layali was considered healed now, so if she wanted breakfast, she would have to go out with the other yearlings. As she continued her walk, deliberately avoiding this area, she heard Kwasi boasting.

"Baba had nothing to worry about," he smirked, his entire face stained crimson from blood. "I could have caught this thing with my eyes closed."

Amare chuckled, deciding to humor their brother. "Sure, bro."

Giving them a wide berth, Layali then decided what she wanted to do that morning. After visiting the healing cave to replace her bandages and practice walking day after day, she had taken a keen interest in medicine. It fascinated her how concoctions of herbs or fruits could save a dog from the brink of death, and she believed such a skill should not go to waste on a dog who didn't fully appreciate it. Feoria had made it abundantly clear that she hated her role as a healer, but Layali envied her.

Xenia was happy to oblige to Layali sitting in, though she might have just been happy to have a student who took her lessons seriously. Of course, Layali wasn't permitted to engage in any way. Only royals could be trusted with such a prestige title as healer, and Layali would never be a royal dog again.

Being familiar with the routines of the royal family, Layali knew that Xenia would be lecturing that morning, and if she was quick enough to arrive, maybe she could join in.

"No impala for you, wanderers." At this word Layali whipped her head around, though Kwasi was not addressing her, but the two other foreigners. "If you want to eat, go get your own."

"Yes, your majesty," Zahra replied calmly, though her expression could frighten a lion. But Kwasi continued to taunt the twins, who were apparently just minding their own business and not making any move towards the fly-ridden bits of bones the prince was so proud of.

"Letting your sister speak for you, Zain? As usual?" Kwasi leapt forward, looming over them with his tail curled over his back. "You just never have anything to say, huh?"

Layali looked closely at the mute dog's guarded expression, which she imagined was either that of sadness, or full-on rage. His lips quivered the slightest bit as if he were about to show his teeth, but instead he just lowered his head to stare at the ground. Layali found that Zain took whatever he was dealt with reticently, though she figured it would be hard for any dog of lower rank to stand up to someone like Kwasi.

The prince smirked. "Come now. If you want to join us next time, all you have to do is say so."

"We'll catch our own." Zahra stood tall to match Kwasi's eye contact and stepped forward to shield her brother. She nudged him into the opposite direction, sending vicious glares backwards at Kwasi but not bothering to argue.