Author's note:
Hey, guys! Welcome to the sequel to 'Our Land'.
I'm very satisfied about this story so far, and I think
it's going to be one of my best fanfics yet.
Please review! Constructive criticism is welcome,
I would love to learn more about writing,
but do keep in mind that English is not my first
language and that I'm still learning.
Anyway, enjoy!
Snowy Stoat.
...
Our Land – Shadows
Prologue.
…
It was dark outside. The stars were shining. The wolves of the pack were out hunting. Except for a few. And three of them were hiding deep in this dark, deep cave.
The cave was filled with smoke, and it was warm.
Two wolves were sitting close to a fire, pieces of cloth tied before their mouths and noses to protect themself from the smoke. They were looking at a third wolf, who didn't wear any protection against the fumes of the fire.
One of the wolves with the cloth in front of their muzzle was an old light-furred male with a huge headgear on his head made of the skull of a saber toothed tiger and a lot of feathers. From his chin dangled a long braid. His face was painted with red stripes. His eyes were red.
"Hand me the blue powder." He said to his assistant.
The other wolf, a light grey female with a small headgear of feathers, handed the old male a bowl with light blue powder.
The old male threw it in the fire, and blue flames rose high to the cold stone of the cave. The smoke turned thicker, and the third wolf, a grey male with a black feather behind his ear, breathed in the fumes, his eyes distant and vague, not seeing anything.
"Is it done yet?" the female wolf asked.
The old wolf didn't answer directly. He looked at the younger male, and behind his cloth mask he was grinning.
"Hamlin," he said. "Do you hear me? Who am I?"
Hamlin kept staring in front of him, his eyes not seeing anything.
"You… are my master… Witch Wolf…" he said without a sign of emotion in his voice.
The Witch Wolf giggled loudly. "Very good." He laughed. "Now, a little test. Hamlin… bark."
Hamlin barked loudly.
"Lovely, lovely," the Witch Wolf giggled. "Now… growl."
Hamlin growled and bared his teeth.
Laughing loudly, the Witch Wolf turned to his assistant.
"You, say something to him."
The female wolf stepped forward. "Hamlin…" she said softly. "It… it's me. Shani. Do you hear me?"
Hamlin didn't answer. He just kept staring in front of him with empty eyes.
Shani turned around to the Witch Wolf, and under her mask she was grinning.
"It's really working," she laughed. "That herd's last hour has arrived."
The Witch Wolf laughed maniacally. He grabbed Shani by the shoulders and danced around with her. Both laughed.
"It's working, it's working!" the Witch Wolf sang.
And they laughed and they sang, and they teased the poor Hamlin who couldn't do or say anything. While outside, the other wolves had no idea what was going on.