5 August 2012
Someone screamed.
It was close. The thick stench of smoke filled the dawn air, Joha coughed. The great grey wolf, Lunê, stalked low against the ground at his feet. Growling deep in her chest.
The dawn sky was lit orange, but not by the sun. Everything was burning. Everything. Even the air burned.
"Trixy!" Joha shouted urgently, trying not to choke on the smoke as he hurrying towards the flames.
His skin prickled in the heat, his leathers curling and cracking. But her must find her - he can't leave her in there while that village burned.
Suddenly Copper, the great bronze wolf-image leapt from the fire, hitting the ground awkwardly and tumbling over. Clung around her neck was a charred, unconscious Trixy.
Joha filled with rage and relief as he swung the girl over his shoulder and ran from the charging flames. The wolves ran easily behind him, even with Copper limping on three legs.
Later Trixy whimpered through her pain, "I tried to save them... But those bastards, this was planned, Jo, they knew exactly how to burn it so no-one could escape... They're all dead!" she wailed.
"Not all dead," A broad shouldered man stepped from the trees, smoke clung to his clothes and hair, but he looked youthful and strong. His small green eyes looked familiar, but Joha could not place them. A great, black bird sat on his shoulder, the raven-Image's claws dug into the soft leather there.
"Who are you?" Joha said, as Lunê began to circle the stranger.
"I am a healer - I can help,"
Joha frowned, "Prove it."
The Image Realm | 14 • Opuss № I