#shortexcerpt

[howl-of-the-blood]

Last Line Tag

[08.04.2020.]

I bring his arm under the table, between our bodies, and force my way into his tight fist. My hand closes around his fingers forcing his palm to stay open. He lowers his head, violence slowly disappearing from his features. Melting like snow. His jaw is no longer that sharp, his neck tendons less visible. He takes in a deep breath... and returns the touch, almost tentatively.

I often forget he is younger than me and still a teen. A boy.

What is hurting you this much? What feeds your rage?

[howl-of-the-blood]

Last Line Tag

[31.03.2020]

Several Wolks are scattered among the treetops and surveying the area. They are quiet, cautious, visibly on edge; I presume it is because one of them is down here and surrounded by a lot of us. Others are on the ground level. They are mostly men judging by their built. But to my surprise, there are two women as well.

They are both dressed like Wolk-men, without any ornaments to differentiate them from other males other than their slightly gentler faces. One of them is long-haired, her mane tied into a ponytail. She is sleeping but deep dark circles under her eyes indicate she does not rest often.

The other one is younger and petite, sitting on a thick branch, glaring at something, steadily holding a bow, ready to fight. A scar closes her left eye and her upper arms are as thick and muscular as mine. She looks just as formidable as any man, as any fighter. 

Does it really matter what is under her clothes? Why can’t she be a woman, a mother and a warrior.

Or a knez?

[howl-of-the-blood]

Elemir has some... special way of speaking. Not in the selection of words he is using for they are neither refined nor scholarly. He's skillful in melodies, in tones and accents, in breaths and pauses of his sentences. There is far more meaning between than within Elemir's words themselves. That way, his compliments are coated in honey - I can almost feel them on tip of my tongue. 

And I always crave for more.

[howl-of-the-blood]

The Wolk turns around and looks in Trnogoryan and Ubeyan soldiers. Everyone is shaking their heads, including the zhretzes. Even though his expression has hardly changed, a slight slump and a barely visible curving of the eyebrows betray his true emotions: Disappointment. Anger. Suspicion. Hopelessness.

[howl-of-the-blood]

[continued from this]

The staredown between him and Ino is so intense that I fear the friction will ignite the air itself. I have to interfere. Fast. Before Elemir is able to even move a muscle, I step between them. But I make a mistake. I turn my back to Ino as if I'm defending him. As if I'm against-- Elemir's eyes widen in shock and he steps, no... it looks more like he stumbles back.

[howl-of-the-blood]

As I say this, I stand up, put one of the available cups in front of Ino and I personally pour him some water. I can hear a disapproving grunt coming from Elemir.

Ino carefully observes my movements before thanking me in a low, almost growling tone. I believe his expression softened a bit.

I pour water to Elemir as well, but he is not happy about this gesture either. He and I are of the same rank, we are not suppose to serve anyone, not even each other. 

What my dear relative fails to notice is that this Volk holds my sister - as far as I’m concerned, only gods are above him right now.

[howl-of-the-blood]

Ino "Are you sure you don’t know anything?" Tayena "..." There is something stuck in my throat. Almost like a sob. Shit! I’m not supposed to feel sorry for him. He kidnapped Kalina. Pull yourself together, Tayena! I square my shoulders. Tayena "I will ask my father and anyone else elderly in Wolkobran about those children... But not before my sister is safely returned." Ino seems unfazed, but his eyes are prodding deep into my skull, looking for something. Eventually, he bows his head. Ino "Then I will take you to her immediately."

[howl-of-the-blood]

Dear gods! The cold, sheer hate emanating from Elemir is terrifying! The young heir approaches the Wolk. He is significantly larger than Ino, overshadowing him like a bison would tower over a wolf.      Elemir "If you don’t bring Tayena back in four days from now... I will kill every member of your group and then I will find you and slaughter you." Fuck! Elemir! Ino, however, looks straight back into Elemir’s eyes, unfazed.      Ino "You are very eager to shed blood, stonelicker, may it be only in words. I hope you still have some heart left in your human-shaped husk of a body."