Not only through blood

A wolf's tale of love, trust, and deep loyalty

The night wind whistled in my ears as I sprinted though the darkening shadows. Even in this darkness, I could navigate without much difficulty. My leaps were quick and barely made a sound when they touched the rough ground. On I went through the forest. He was back, I thought.

Rising joy grew in my chest. Master returned— Inn-master of where I stayed told me. I’m going to see him. The dormant devotion that ran through my heart and blood reawakened as I thought of him. I shook my silver-gray hair and dashed through the emptying street. Lights of shops died with small clicks. When I was outside the walls, the village behind me was dark. Sleep made its nightly rounds, passing through each house. My dark eyes gazed back.

Good night, village. I climbed the mountain. As I got higher towards the sky, the winds blew colder and harder. I was thankful for my thick coat that protected me. The trek back up was long, but familiar. I thought of Master.

My family had served Master’s family for centuries. It was tradition that the strongest fighter out of the five or six offspring would serve the eldest of my Master’s line. I was the second of six and was chosen though a contest to serve. I was rebellious and serve didn’t appeal. My father often scolded me. He had served Master’s mother lovingly all his life. I couldn’t imagine the joys of serving another creature. I wanted to be free and live my own life.

After the contest, I was forced to meet Master. My father nudged me into a room. I saw two people sitting in the room. I recognized the Lady, as my father called her, immediately by her sweet scent. Long black hair reached the floor. She wore a dark dress with flower petals. A small sigh escaped from my father. All anger vanished at the sight of her. She smiled and patted the spot beside her. He dutifully went over and sat at her side.

I turned my silver head to the other person. It was a young man with short black hair. He wore loose, comfortable clothes. Cross-legged, he watched me, smiling slightly. My body tensed. I didn’t like the way he looked at me. My father rumbled to behave. Lady whispered to my father. He nodded and they left the room.

It was just the two of us. He made no sudden movements and my body began to relax. After a while, he walked towards me. Get away. He took a seat again, within arm’s reach. He smelled faintly of bamboo. We sat there, watching. Eventually, I wasn’t scared of the man, though I didn’t trust or like him. I rested, trusting my father’s words.

“I never met such a gentle man,” he had said. “He will never hurt you. Serve him well.”

 I felt him move. I snarled a warning. The blood flowing though my veins didn’t allow me to slash at him as I would’ve liked. Injuring a master meant death. I closed my eyes. Falling asleep, I dreamt of other-worldly things.

Months went by. I spent every moment beside him. The family blood forced me to serve Master at all times. Though I wasn’t allowed to harm him physically, I did whatever I could to tell him my feelings. I ignored him, hid and didn’t answer his summons.

After a year, I decided to run away. I knew the mountains well and was confident that I would be alright. As I paddled towards the village, some boys in Master’s family saw me. Once they found out I was escaping, they began to beat me with their sticks and stones. Family loyalty restrained me from hurting these children. But with each blow, I began to feel my strength falter. I staggered. Something hit my head and I felt blood trickle from various wounds.

Suddenly, there was a shout. It was Master. He bellowed and they ran away. He held my head in his large hands, worried eyes shining. He carried me back to the house, ripping his clothes and shoes. I was unconscious by the time we reached home. After I slept and my father roared at me for my insolence when I woke up. Disgrace to the family. I could say nothing in return. It was the truth. Why did Master save me? I should’ve died. I had displeased him, at the very least.

A knock and Master walked in. My father apologized then he left, stone-faced. I couldn’t look into Master’s eye. He wet a towel and began washing my face. I winced slightly as he cleaned my wounds. Finally, my ice-blue eyes met his dark ones. I was about to speak when he stopped me. He told me that he wasn’t angry at all, just pleased that I was fine. I put my head on his lap. No words could express those feelings. After a moment, I swore my full loyalty to this man that I was overjoyed to call “Master”. The bond was no longer survived only though blood. It was deep with devoted trust. That day, I finally understood my father’s faithfulness to the Lady.

I stepped onto the cold stone path, leading to the house. Years passed, taking my father and Lady. This time of year, everyone was gone elsewhere. Master is back. The hall was empty and dark. Usually, Master came to greet me, but he wasn’t there. I searched through the shadowy house. As I went though each empty room, panic ascended.

I remembered the day that Master refused to let me to accompany him. Three lonely months, I watched the golden sun and pale moon rise and disappear through the window. I believed my beloved Master didn’t want me anymore. Did Master really come?

I gave up and whined, hearing the echoes. Then I heard Master’s bell chime. Tinkle… Master was here! I ran towards the sweet sound. Through the garden, I heard the flowing of the river. Master!

He smiled at me. Years showed on his face. Lines slithered and once coal-black hair was streaked with white. But he was still the beloved Master I lived to serve and would until my last breath. I dashed up to him and nuzzled him. He laughed quietly. Groaning slightly, he sat and I curled at his side. His hand caressed my back. Peacefulness overwhelmed me. I closed my eyes, tucking my head over my jet-black paws. Dawn began. Warmth spread through me, from the sun and the loyalty, the love that ran not only through blood. Shadows slid away.

“Sulriku?” he murmured.

Yes?

“Will stay with me forever?”

I chuckled and wagged my silver tail. Of course.

 

 

Author's Note

Any suggestions? Did you understand the end? Was it too obvious?

Reviews

[Leah Elisabeth]

This is a good introduction to a story, but as it stands, it is only an introduction. Although there is a conflict, it isn't enough of one to boild a story, even a short one. I think you need to continue on with this, perhaps bringing in situations where the loyalty to the Master is tested. I think you have made a good beginning, but it definitely needs more. Keep working!