[ P ] Cruel Summer

A

ringing noise filled his head as he walked. It was like a tiny insect had invaded his skull, where it chirped incessantly in a high pitched, endless tone. The noise had not ceased since the fight. Cian could still see the big black wolf barrelling towards him at full speed, with all of his Imperial training and bravado… But perhaps the sharp ringing in his ears was for the best, as the annoyance provided a fine distraction from the blow that had taken the giant down – in front of his frightened son, no less!

Each step was arduous, and in his wake, crimson splotches painted the ground, dripping from his throat where the Royalist beast had torn the flesh. His feelings were a tumult of fury, frustration, and shame as he lead the way back to the Fae Forest. The sun was dipped toward the west horizon. Dusk would soon be upon them.

It could have been worse, he supposed, as they neared the family home. It could have been Summit who was injured, a boy who had never had a day of training in his life, unlike his father. But he wished desperately that Summit had just listened when Cian told him to go. Instead, he had watched every hit, had witnessed the brutality… even from his father.

Just behind Cian, following his sire with his head hanging low and shaggy tail tucked between his back legs, was Summit. His shame was hard to miss. The boy had been unusually quiet for the entirety of their somber trek, still in shock from the violence he had witnessed at Maidens Braid. And just like Daisy’s disappearance, it was all Summit’s fault.

If he hadn’t left, his father wouldn’t have needed to follow.

If he hadn’t listened to the mean army man…

If… If…




@Clover @Journey @Fern @Piper @Soraya

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

S

till weary, still grieving the loss of her sweet little Daisy, she found that watching the play of her other pups kept her mind occupied. She didn't have much of an active role in the play as much as she used to, but she tried to be as involved as she could. “A dragon swooped down on the castle...roaring with all its might...smoke pourin' from its mouth...what do ya think Soraya might do?"

As she looked between the girls, awaiting their responses as they scampered about in their pretend play, a scent rolled towards her on a light breeze. It made the hair along her spine prickle and she stood quickly, turning her head in the direction of the source, nose twitching to draw it in again. Blood... Not only was it blood...it was Cian...and it was Summit. “Girls...stay close." She whispered urgently, moving in the direction until she caught sight of her boys from afar.

“Cian...? Cian!!” She cried out as she raced towards the two of them, pink eyes searching them frantically. “What happened?! Oh, Fae help us, why are you-?!" Her voice broke as she burst into tears, the pressure of staying calmer about Daisy always leaving her teetering on the edge of crying. The sight of the two of them pushed her over the edge. “Summit! Are you hurt?!" She pulled the larger frame of her son into her arms, clinging to him tightly. She could not lose another one of her children.

@Cian @Fern @Soraya @Piper @Journey

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Fern Haven Eithne

Another rock was added to the pile, and Fern took a step back to admire the small collection she had gathered for tonight. Green eyes glanced up at the sky before the yearling nodded to herself. "We'll find out soon!" She said, her words aimed at the green tree frog that sat perched atop her head. Sometimes, she hated the way her fur sat because of her companion. His slimy, wet weight in the same space on her skull had flattened her fur out somewhat. She would have to remember to get Momma to groom it back into shape for her.

The dark furred girl was just settling in for a nap beside her pile of 'maybe-stars' when the smell touched her nose. It was strong, bitter, metallic and made her sick with anxiety. Her eyes dropped to her paw where a small patch of fur was missing, remembering that terrifying day and that smell. And then, with the breeze came two more scents. Earthen tones, enriched with the scent of cedar trees and pine needles. They were intertwined with the scent of blood, and realisation dawned on the midnight hued girl as she heard the desperate cry not far from where she lay.

Without hesitation, Fern clambered to her feet and raced in the direction of the smell, all hints of sleep wiped from her mind as she ran as fast as she could to meet the pair. Fern arrived in time to watch tears spring from Clover's eyes and the yearling felt a pang of pain in her chest, hating to see her mother figure so distraught. On the edge of the group, Fern paused. "Summ? Pa?" She asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. Her father's sunny fur was smeared with blood that seemed to come from his neck, Fern found herself unable to meet his eyes; unable to even look at his bulky form.

And no, I won't give you a little twirl

@Cian @Clover @Soraya @Piper @Journey

template © bean, art credit claerie

Little Lionheart

So much had happened, and still was happening. Piper was slowing beginning to notice the changes in Mama, and Papa. The biggest being how close Mama always Piepr and Soraya closer than usual to her. And though they were close, Piper felt as though Mama didnt want to play as much as they used to. All too easily was the pup always distracted from the harsh realities of life, not really knowing much better. But today, today Mama was ever present in the story they all had a part in. She would pause in her romping around, a gasp reeling in her through her maw. A dragon!! Raya! Give the dragon a treat, a treat! Maybe he'll be our friend! she exclaimed, a fascinated chuckle filling the air. That chuckle would slowly fade as she watched her mother rise slowly. A soft sway of the girl's plume would paint her eager and excited to see what Mama was thinking of next. But her tail would come to a stop as she watched Mama. She first said a simple word, one Piper learned when she got a small scrape from trying to run through a prickly bush she thought she could conquer. Then, she instructed the girls to stay close. Instantly, Piper slowly began to sink into a small fit of worry, she at first moved to run to her mother's flank, but she stopped that and moved closer to Soraya, not wanting to leave her behind. She peered from between her mother's legs at Papa and Summit, also catching Fern taking off to see the duo.

"We are all young and naive still."

code by claerie

U

tter dread followed the behemoth’s every step, drawing him closer still to where the rest of the family was waiting. There was no time to stop the scene that unfolded before him – Clover’s frantic approach. Even worse, the rest of the Eithne lasses – nearly all of them, save for Daisy – were not far behind. The wide eyed stares of his daughters were as shattering as the physical wounds. Those injuries would heal, save for perhaps the hint of scarring. But for the children to see their sire like this... bloodied and beaten.

Summit’s horror only increased with the appearance of his mother and sisters. Upon hearing his name, the dual-eyed yearling inhaled sharply, his guilt and his shame written plainly across his features and his stooped posture. Summit’s mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came. The boy simply shook his head, no, he had not been injured… because his father had taken each blow intended for Summit.

Cian’s gaze flickered from Fern to Piper, wishing in vain that they would be spared this scene. But it was too late. Deep ember eyes returned to his wife’s panicked rose-hued sights. ”Adamh’s army…” He began, still taking deep, labored breaths. ”A soldier – trying to recruit Summit – had to stop it–.” The boy’s belly was nearly touching the ground now, too horrified to speak or look at any of his family members.

Beneath his enormous weight, Cian’s legs began to quake. ”We – must leave.” He knew his words would wound Clover, and Piper, as well – both sandy she-wolves had been determined to stay, for Daisy’s sake. ”We must – go further–” The words had barely escaped when finally, his strength gave out. The giant plummeted to the earth with a pained cry, like a great tree felled by the tempest it could not control.




@Clover @Journey @Fern @Piper @Soraya

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

L

istening to the story that surrounded her own name, as though it were her, Soraya was enthralled with what mother was talking about. Her siblings had given ideas as to what Soraya should do, and she felt they were right. She was about to say that she would give the dragon a treat, but then father arrived and he was not looking well. In fact, he looked like he had been mauled by a bear or something of that size and strength. Her heart sank and anger quickly set in, as she moved closer to her father. One of the soldiers was trying to take their sister. It was then that Soraya realized that this place was a danger to them, but Daisy had not been found yet. How could they leave without her. "Father," she said as she pushed through to him. "Do you know the name of the soldier? We should report them to Jacob's army! We cannot leave until Daisy is found..." Her voice trailed off low, as she knew it was not good to speak against her parents. She was worried for her sister, worried that more bad might come to them. But what if the soldier came looking for their father? She would fight to defend him, but she was not an adult, not as strong as he was - and he had returned to them in a horrible shape. This made her only imagine what they would do to her, should she choose to fight against a soldier.

@Cian @Clover @Fern @Piper

code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

I

t was far too late for her to try to cover up her explosion of emotions this time. She pulled away from Summit and peered up at him, seeing the look of shock on his face, but otherwise he was unharmed. Then she heard Cian's voice and when she turned, the realization of the source of the heavy smell of blood left her shaken. “Cian!!" She stumbled over herself to get to her husband as he came crashing down and pulled his body into her arms.

Wide soft pink orbs flickered around at the faces of her children and they ultimately landed on a pair of soothing eyes. “Fern, I need you to-" She nearly choked on her words, looking over Cian's battered form as she swallowed back her sobs. “Find Willow. Your Papa needs her help. Please, little tadpole, be swift! Go!"

Clover blinked back tears, looking to her other daughters. “Girls, help your brother." The mother beckoned them closer, gesturing to Summit in a desperate manner. He had done so well helping to take care of them from the day they were born and right now they all needed to lean on each other to get through this.


@Cian @Fern @Soraya @Piper @Journey

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck