Fallen Tree Cove We swam among the northern lights

For a fleeting moment the rounded tips of his ears flicked back to brush against the scruff of his neck with thought that his question had some how stirred up pain that lay dormant deep within the silvery woman. His thought was not far off the mark, though, as she was quick to answer with an 'of course' which brought him back to a seated position beside her. A longer attachment following her shorter one. Nodding his head in agreement to her words the dark masked man lifted his head to gaze once more at the glistening beams of light. "I can understand that. If we let the past block our future and present we never truly move forward." It was funny that he said such words when he himself was dwelling in the past more than he should be. Two whole years had come and gone since his first paw steps as a loner and the banishment that hung over his already dark cranium. Two whole years since his brother, Valfred, had driven him off the territory and then some to insure the vile brethren would never dare to return.

And Vespertio did good on upholding that part of his banishment. Many times he thought about returning and wrecking the homeland with havoc for banishing the rightful heir to the throne. Some how though there was something that kept him from fulfilling that desire and today he was grateful for that mystery something. Of course it also left him fidgeting under the cover of darkness with nightmares that his brother was out to get him. Awakening in the dead of night to the sound of his heart pounding in his chest, blood pumping in his eardrums and lungs gasping for air. The nightmares have all but disappeared now, but the thought still dwelled deep inside the confines of his subconscious. When he least expected it his past would find a way to come knocking for a visit.

A nod of agreement bobbed the great man’s head, shaking the look of brief regret on his face from his expression before he responded. "I can understand that. If we let the past block our future and present we never truly move forward." This, in turn, caused her to give a small nod of affirmation from her own head. His words showed that he understood what she had said, and while that made her happy that he agreed it also saddened her that he understood her feelings. She wondered what was in the past of the King before her to make him understand her so. What pain or betrayal had shaken him so that he had had to teach himself to let go of it, likely not letting it be an easy task to do. Letting go of one’s past was never an easy job, it required plenty of time and effort to remove the thoughts of one’s mind that so frequently plagued it. Often the battle left you battered and bruised in the end, but the bruises would heal quicker that time around and you would find that life had a funny way of giving you a crutch to move on with.

Watching his expression, she noted that he had moved off into his own little world again. She couldn’t blame him, she did it often herself. It was so easy to slip into one’s mind and become entangled in the memories like vines. Returning her mismatched gaze to the sky, she noted the fading colors that were slowly turning the atmosphere back to black. Noting the time, she gently raised herself to her paws and gave herself a stretch and her plush pelt a swift shake. Turning her attention to the man, she bid him farewell, “It seems that the light is fading from the sky. Perhaps that means we should both be turning in for the night for an early morning, yes? Goodnight, Vespertio.” She said gently, offering him a regal dip of her silver crowned cranium before turning and making her way down from the perch then disappearing into the pack den. They each had things they needed to think about, and while she suspected he would still not be heading in to sleep she did her best thinking in slumber.

Curling up in her nest, she let her mind wander for a few moments before allowing her gaze to flutter shut and her breathing to become deep and even. That night, she dreamed of dancing lights, shadows in the corners, and of brave kings.

Exit