9 July 2012
Joha, Trixy and their wolf-images padded silently through the outskirts of the Princess' regular patrols. The were heading south, to the tribe lands.
"This isn't exactly the sort of 'pack' I had in mind," Trixy looked out over the grass lands from the forest's fringe. A settlement of canvas huts cling to the very edge of the horizon, nestled at the shore of a great river.
"Trust me, if anyone has a grudge against the Princess, it's the tribes," Joha said with confidence. His eyes followed Trixy's gaze across the vast, green ocean. The tall grasses swayed in the breeze that followed the waters of the river.
Their wolf Images ran ahead, getting lost in the waves, only the top of Lunê's grey head and tail were visible. Trixy's wolf-image was perfectly camouflaged in the faded greens and browns as he trotted happily after his grey pack-mate.
Soon they neared the edge of the tribal village, Lunê and Copper joined their voices in a drifting, airy howl. Near-by horses turned to glare at the wolves; a large bay stallion gave them a disgruntled snort.
Out of the golden grasses emerged the woman they had been waiting for, Turi, the tribe chief's daughter. She rode astride her Image, a dainty chestnut mare with a white blaze on her face.
Joha held up a hand in greeting, whilst cautiously examining the frown set deep on Turi's sun-darkened skin.
"What brings you to our lands, Joha?" She said, looking down at them from horse-back.
"I think you have heard what has been happening," He said, quietly.
"I have only heard of how your mentor has journeyed to another realm..." Turi said, "If there is more to know then you had best come inside, out of the sun."
The Image Realm | 7 • Opuss № I