Activity

Ok, I’ve never written anything like this before, so let’s see how this goes…

The river was a wide swath of clear, shallow water rippling gently like silk in a breeze. At least, it had been clear. And it had been shallow. And it had rippled gently. Now it was a torrent of fast currents and liquid muddied from the rockslide. The cliffs all around had shed their stones like snakeskin, and the drinking-place at the river was full of new rapids.

Ash didn’t bother drinking. No doubt the water was poisoned now. What had happened? First the earth had growled like an angry bear, then it had shook so violently Ash could hardly keep his long legs from buckling, and then it had ripped open in several places. Even now the ground occasionally moved, and Ash decided being by the river was not the safest place.

His sister, Cedar, had barely survived the onslaught with her fawn, Ivy. Cedar’s mate, Rye, had abandoned her for “high-spirited adventure in the mountains” in late spring, just after Ivy was born. Ash hated him for it, and hoped to never see him again, or they might get into a big fight.

He dipped his head and caught a glimpse of his reflection. Yes, he had a large set of antlers this year, thanks to the good feeding. The does had definitely been attracted. But Ash had a reputation for the meanest fighter around, and he was determined not to mate unless another buck was after the doe and he could beat him soundly for her. Then again, he might never mate at all. Who wanted to be tied down like that? Then again, he was already tied down.

He looked to his left, where Ivy huddled by her mother. Cedar and his niece were his family now. He’d see them safe through the winter until Cedar got another mate, then maybe he could have the pleasure of tracking Rye down and teaching him a lesson.

Cedar was a pretty doe, sleek and graceful, and she had retained a few of her fawn spots on her rump. She’d been all to eager to accept Rye’s courtship and offer of mating, and it had cost her. Hopefully she’d be more careful next spring.

Ash stiffened, large ears swiveling. Ivy gave a cry of terror and Cedar bounded away with her. No wonder.

Ash turned away from the river, large bracket of antlers lowered. Unlike Rye, he would fight to the death to let his sister and niece get away. A scent filled his nose, and he fought the urge to escape up the steepest slope he could find.

Wolf.

——————————–

So there it is! Hopefully that works with y’all… 🙂 @jasmine @crazywriter @birds-rock @rebekah12