Dry Grass

Season One, Episode Four of the series Reign of the Gods by Lynx!

"I have seen the fire for myself." Me'tele announces, surveying the pack. "And what I saw convinced me. We must move our camp."

I hear clamors and loud growls from the coyotes.

"Calm down." He barks. Everyone is silent again. "We will go at dawn. Bring nothing but your pelt. Dismissed."

The clamoring starts up again. I groan. How will we make the journey without any water?

My paws are heavy, and I never drank any water. My throat feels like the rough ground beneath me on which I stand.

"Come here, Ska'laar." The voice is so different from his usual low murmur that I obey. I pad over to Si'nne, teeth bared, but too tired and thirsty to do anything else.

"Drink up." And he's smirking again as he pushes a wet bundle of tumbleweeds over to me. I lap at it thirstily, avoiding his gaze.

"Thanks," I mumble, straightening up. I lick my jaws, savoring the rest of the moisture on my jaws.

He chuckles and strides away. I watch him go, perplexed. What does he want from me? Why is he so interested? And how does he know everything about me?

I shiver, that thought doesn't bode well. Wu'ol barks, getting my attention. I trot over, intrigued.

"What was that all about?" She asks, nudging me.

I laugh. "Wish I knew."

"Well, c'mon, then. We need a good night's rest if we leave at dawn."

"It's barely dusk," I sigh, looking up at the rapidly darkening sky.

"We'll be walking all day tomorrow," She retorts.

"Good point." We walk into the Te'Maer den together.

I sleep in the back, alone. Wu'ol has other friends, and I told her it was okay for her to sleep with them. She doesn't sleep, though. They stay up talking.

Sometimes about me.

I don't mind, but it hurts to see that Wu'ol takes part in the gossip-talk.

I bury my face under my tail, willing for sleep to come.

Sleep is a funny thing.

Teasing.

Out of reach.

Dancing so close I can brush it with my nose, then so far away I have to squint.

But finally it takes me.

Harsh, sickly yellow light floods the den. I blink open my eyes, looking around in confusion.

It's only me and Wu'ol.

We were forgotten.

Or were we left?

That's too cruel. They wouldn't.

Would they, though?

I prod Wu'ol awake. There's confusion in her gaze as she looks around, then it dawns on her.

"Did they -" She begins. I nod gravely.

Her eyes fall outside of the den.

"He's here too."

Blood roars in my ears. "Who?"

It can't be.

No.

No.

I won't let it be true.

My heart sinks as I know who it is without seeing.

"Si'nne's waiting for us."