A Shaman (by Layn)
The wolf shifted, uneasily. She laid sleepily at the beach, on her side, all fours stretched from her, her head resting firmly on the damp grass. Her wet fur was clinging to her, stained by sand and dirt. Her breathing was slow and heavy, eyes barely open as she listened to the soothing waves crashing against the beach in a slow rythm. She exhaled deeply, stretching her front paws even further, digging lightly into the sand-parted grass. It was so easy to just lay there, listening to the steady sound of the sea, not moving, no one near. No orders to follow, no one to please.
Everything had happened so fast. She wasn’t ungrateful, no. She had her life back. Freed from the grasp of the scourge, the long, never-ending nights of darkness and pain. There was something they had wanted from her. Her visions had grown dim and weak as time progressed, eventually becoming useless to them, only adding to their frustration and anger. Yet they held on to her, draining her until she was nearly gone, faded.
And now she was here, alive, breathing. Saved. Her gift of sight was gone, taken from her, but she didn’t seem to mind. No, nothing on the future now, just, the here and now.
She breathed heavily, rolling onto her back and on her side again, wiggling her paws in the sand, stretching herself fully. The sun warmed her fur, stroking her gently from afar. What tribe did she belong to? Did anyone know her? Search for her? How long had she been with the scourge? How long had she been gone? She tried to remember, tried to think. But nothing seemed to make sense. The harder she focused on her past, the more it evaded her, merging into a gentle, teasing fog, enveloping her and numbing her senses.
She perked her ears suddenly, hearing a familiar sound in the distance. Instinctively, she raised on all fours, tensing as she held her head and ears upright, towards the source. Two blurry figures could be seen in the far distance, the light of the sun now bright, washing mercilessly over the pale beach and the glimmering sea. She paused, keeping her gaze fixed on the taller shape of the two, whom slowly approached her, closing the distance between them barely. His movements smooth and fluid, steady like the sea, then, coming to an abrupt halt. Another call.
The wolf shook her head, as if to free her of her thoughts, trying to focus on the now. She will be a good wolf, she will honor her life-debt, she will be strong, she won’t wither now. Leaping into a sprint she bolted forwards, following the call. She will remember and grow.
