The Least of Things
By Deby
The ground shuddered and raised a cloud of the dry dust that passed for soil in these hills. I feared to go outside. I feared to leave the safety, such as it was, of my home. Indecision warred within me until I decided that if I were to die, I wanted to see wanted to see the cause first.
I poked my head outdoors and was astounded. On the other side of the valley, the great volcano had awakened and it was furious. Fire and ash spewed from its open mouth like curses to express its outrage. Wounds opened in its sides and bled an angry orange.
And if that was not enough, the Eye atop the stone tower, the fiery gem that caused you to shrink in terror if you crossed its path, exploded in a shower of sparks before my eyes. The black spike, which had held the Eye aloft, fell in on itself. The other, smaller barbs followed quickly until the mighty fortress was reduced to rubble.
Where I stood was already above the mottled lava plain so that I had an excellent view of the catastrophe unfolding but I climbed higher still. Surely whatever caused the destruction of the bad places was not through, not when more still stood.
I scurried up the jagged hill as fast as my feet could take me and was well rewarded for my efforts. The towers and the gates, they reminded me of a wolf's mouth and the jaws were open. The noisesome, black creatures of the Eye had surrounded strange beings of light, the likes I had never seen before. It looked as if they were about to be extinguished, the sun being swallowed by storm clouds.
Yet before the light had dimmed completely, the wolf's jaws crumbled to naught and the ground opened and swallowed the dark ones. A brilliant glow blazed forth, forcing me to close my eyes lest I be blinded. At last, the red faded from my lids and I deemed it safe to chance a narrow slit to view from.
My eyes popped open and I squeaked in panic. Eagles! Large ones! They did not appear to be flying in my direction but I could not take the chance and bolted for my home. My last glimpse was of the stars that sat on the eagle's backs.
Safe again. I had seen enough and would not venture outside until I knew the danger had passed. Maybe, hopefully, with the Eye and the dark ones gone, the bright ones would bring change. Good soil, sunlight, soft rain, plants and trees. What a feast I could make of the seeds! Licking my paws, I ran them over my whiskers and my coat, removing the dust. I could only hope.
finis