Author's Note:
Hey all. Haven't posted anything for ages, figured I'd scribble this one out and see where it takes me. Hope you guys enjoy!
Shards of Scarlet Snow
Prologue:
Shades of Shattered Grey
Falling snow masked the ragged paw prints.
Whirling wind captured the ferocious growls.
A stormy night sky left the streaking silhouettes indeterminable from the shadows.
The mewling cries for help were lost behind frozen fangs.
Sabre pack fought sabre pack in the bitter winter storm, every sense blinded by the overthrowing elements. Warm blood splattered across the white snow, staining it black in the dim light. A full moon gleamed behind the clouds, visible only when the shrieking wind ripped a gap in the thick storm overhead. In those moments, the horrific scene became visible – too visible – and those who fought so desperately closed their eyes, preferring to fight without sight rather than see the damage they were inflicting.
They may have been sabres. They still knew the meaning of mercy; they still knew the meaning of murder. What was happening was beyond logical reason. Ruthless fury erased logic and swept everything away in its path, becoming one with the wild elements.
As the snow turned black and the storm fell back, one baby sabre peeped out from behind a circle of rocks. He had run from his tribe and lost their scents in the storm, losing himself amongst a thin mountain path carved from stony shades of grey. A thin tree stretched up against the night, ringed by rocks, and it was there that he hid.
It was there that an elder sabre's paw clamped down upon his snow-lashed and shivering body.
It was there that the rough question was demanded:
"Will you join us?"
The child was too cold and too scared to know the meaning of the words or the infinite commitment behind them. He simply nodded and pawed weakly at his captive's paw, mewling again, trying to look for his family. Where had they gone? Why had they left him?
The elder sabre removed his paw and slung the child up onto all four legs, batting him with a feline's amused mercilessness. The child winced and stumbled away from him. The elder watched him carefully, thoughtfully.
"What's your name, little one?"
Will you take me to my daddy if I tell you?
Ignorant of the slaughter in the snow below, the child blinked and muttered a reply. The word was instantly lost in the cruel wind, but the older sabre laughed.
"Come with us."
Helpless and confused, the child followed the elder.
Caught on the wind, his name echoed in the grey rocks.
"…Diego…"