Not a single muscle in her body would relax until every last villager left the field. Once the air was rid of their terrible scent, the wolf lets her fur settle and releases Sorey from her grasp. Glancing him over, it was pretty evident that the poor boy was still stricken with fear.
If the situation didnât escalate as it did she would have simply left to cause no further trouble, but she now knows that those villagers wouldnât let the issue be resolved like that. The shepherd had sacrificed his livelihood here all in exchange for herânow both of their lives. An unnatural heaviness weighs on her chest and as a mother might console her frightened pup she gives Sorey a reassuring nudge of her snout.
Was this guilt? In a way this had been her fault. If she had been more careful, no one would have seen her, but at the same time the wickedness of the villagers was also to blame for imposing such a cruel ultimatum. There was little point in mulling over their situation further. She wouldnât doubt that the villagers would come back by dawn so time was of the essence. The wolf pads over to the shepherdâs hut, remaining by the door as if to say:
I will wait here until you are ready.
He probably doesnât know where they will go. She could survive on her own in the deepest parts of the wilderness on her own no problem but what about him? She couldnât abandon the young shepherd now.
He clings to her, tight and defensive, a shield despite how small she makes him feel. Footsteps fade until they are left alone, the shock settling into his bones kept at by with the gentle nudge. Even now, even with the still escalating fear in his heart, he smiles at her because she is safe. A shepherd's duty is to protect his flock and protect her he will from a world that did not understand.
It takes him a moment to follow after her and Sorey gives her a pat before heading inside. He goes through the motions stiffly, on instinct more than thought. To leave his home was a strange thought. This was all he knew --- this small hut on the outskirts of a village, with only the sheep to keep him company after his 'grandfather' passed away. That had changed with the wolf's arrival. The walls had felt a little less lonely in her company.
Sorey kneels down in front of the hearth, his eyes watering, but he wears that stupid smile of his. Hopeful despite his apprehension. "Well, I'm leaving, Gramps. I don't know where I'm going or what's going to happen, but I'll miss our home. Maybe once things have settled down I can come back and visit. Please," he bends down, his forehead touching the old floor, "watch over us."
He makes sure his eyes are dry by the time he leaves, a small life packed into a bag slung across his shoulder. Seeing the wolf there, steadfast and loyal, is a relief. "You ready?" A pause. "I wanna say goodbye to the sheep before we leave."
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