Faces bathed in a flickering glow, vagrants whimper and whine as they curl into themselves, holding their heads down, wishing to remain unnoticed in the dirt and filth that they call their home. Their bodies quiver at a darkness-piercing sound, collectively twitching in fear. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8DXBSuXt1
They turn their heads to see a lone, small pup, hair weighed down in mud and grime, spine and ribs showing through its pelt, yapping desperately into the gloom of the thicket. They try to hush him out of fear, beckoning him to them, trying to keep his muzzle quiet - but he does not relent. Even through a hindered snout he howls, eyes widening at a distant rustle of foliage. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKZekvG8kr
Finally, out of pure dread and panic, its beloved owner, who had saved it from being swept away in the freezing river, pounds the puppy's chest, knocking the wind out of its lungs, sending it reeling into a nearby shrubbery. Slowly it connects its soft padded paw to the ground, convulsing with the pain and effort at each movement. Feeling confused, betrayed, it takes one final, wistful glance at the man it once trusted, the man who has let all of the love in his eyes turn to fear and self-preservation. Daring not to protect its former keeper any longer, it musters up the last of its strength and sprints into the dark unknown of the forest.
Bruised chest rapidly rising and falling, unkempt nails clawing at the soft dirt, leaving behind it a speckled wake of unearthed mud, it searches amongst the thick growth of the forest floor for a hiding spot suitable to deceive the monsters that pursue it.757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6NxHYYbKC
After scampering through the wilderness for hours on end, there seems to be no salvation in sight. It slows, frantically lapping at the cool air. Its legs refuse to move, threatening to collapse. Warily it steals a glance over its shoulder; there, in the moonlit clearing, silhouettes of a frenzied horde. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhNgMifsJe
Immediately the pup is given new strength, but it can not last long. Already, after three steps, its muscles feel like a thick jelly. Dripping from sweat, starving, fatigued, it contemplates being carried away by the villainous mob. It would not have to run again... it would not feel the stab of betrayal again.757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnzcGbfpJm
As its vision starts to fade, its knees start to buckle and its breath slows, eyes drooping to embrace the exhaustion that grips its whole body... the flapping of wings not a foot from its ear instinctively wakes its full attention. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0G7zu9lCm
Now fully alerted, despite its surrender, the dog tracks the movement of a small partridge. It glides peacefully in the air, wings mottled by moonlight which slips through the trees. Without hesitation or urgency, its petite, clawed feet grip the soft wood of a fallen, moss-covered tree stump.757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzQDKiZjB6
New determination drives the dog's paws as its eyes land on a promise of safety; a small, dark hole under the stump, in-between a mossy stone and haphazardly-placed sticks and twigs. The puppy crawls into the warm, cozy space, finally relieved as it circles its shelter and lies down. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BBGpoimtd
As it falls into slumber, it hears the fierce pattering on the forest floor as Greed swarm deeper, taking no notice of the dog's new shelter.
A gentle patter of rain sounds from the treetops, accompanied by the rhythmic pounding of hooves on dirt, heralded by the sweet chirping of sparrows and mockingbirds, creating a sweet, natural orchestra of harmonious cohabitation. Rays of the rising sun gleam through the small openings in the canopy, lighting the dense forest floor like a patchwork.
The Queen, straddling sideways on her horse, strolls with purpose, aiming for the recruitment of more citizens to her Kingdom. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZYsAsp3RS
As she traverses a small opening in the forest, shaded by the trees' canopy, a small, pleading whine possesses her attentions. Searching for the source of the cry for help, she notices the helpless head of a small pup, trapped under a rotting log, clawing desperately at the dead wood to free itself. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Lz8TDYG62
She approaches it slowly, weary even as it squirms against the moss and bark. Sensing no malicious intent, only the desire for freedom, which she once held herself, out of her chest she drags a wonderfully radiant Gold Coin. Even a small dog, unaware of its true value, finds itself in awe of the majesty possessed both by this coin, and by the Queen whose regal face is now bathed in its pure light. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY2IRmqSgN
With an elegant movement of her arm, she tosses the coin, letting it spin wildly in midair. With the slightest touch, the coin's edge makes contact with the wooden prison, and with a crack the log is split in two, sending the once raised half crashing to the ground. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWepIYfNwn
With all the glee it could muster from its week and aching body, the dog leaps out from its damp confines, tongue lolling gratefully in the air. The Queen saunters over to the coin and with a simple gesture it levitates to her, resting peacefully in midair between her outstretched arms.
The dog's ears prick up at an unseen danger. It spins on its hind legs, bearing its teeth into the depths of the forest. The Queen, understanding the threat, lightly tugs on her horse's mane, turning it around, fleeing to the entrance of the forest. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFgBSwYoxi
The small hound, seeing its savior safe from the danger that it could not protect its old masters from, begins to hobble in order to follow the matriarch, but winces at the pain in its legs and ribs. It tries to endure, grinding its teeth at each step, but after the fifth collapses to the soft, cool ground. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEfhVQSsji
Knowing that its time has come for sure, lets lets out one last, suppressed whine, closing its eyes, embracing an infinite darkness. It hears a rustle from behind it and the pitter patter of small, demonic feet approaching it. It was all over, the life of an unloved and unappreciated dog. The sting of betrayal still burned deep into its little heart, but there was nothing it could do now but accept its fate. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngXPzodp1i
As the scurrying steps became less than a meter away, the dog braces for impact... when the pounding sound of galloping hooves emerging from behind the trees.
The dog, slowly lifts its eyelids to see the Queen racing towards it from within the thicket. She was too far though, reasoned the pup, but it could not control its mangled tail from swaying happily in the mud. It saw her face, steeled with determination, glaring menacingly at the creature behind it. The hurried steps stopped, feared in its tracks. The puppy, confused but elated, mentally urged the monarch both forward, and yet away.
With this pure, unfiltered emotion, born from a small, powerless creature, an untarnished, golden coin rose from within the dog's breast. The dog's Hope spurred her forward. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3cpNy0ffU
With a graceful stroke, the Queen grabs the coin, tossing it over the hound, letting the winds of its rotation tussle its scruffy pelt. The Greed leaps, grasping the coin in its arms, scratching at it with possessive elation.757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5RKbZx813
Its hunger sated, the vile Greed scampers into the woodland with its new wealth.
The pup cannot control its tail as the Queen approaches, spraying mud behind it with unadulterated glee. The Queen bends over, grasping the dog from beneath, bringing the small creature onto her warm and comforting lap as she trots into the forest towards her Kingdom. 757Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQySYJRBxxm
The dog has found a new companion, a strong companion. A friend, a master, a shelter that does not trap it. For the first time in its short life, it feels at ease knowing that it can finally rely on a strength not its own, one that will never betray its trust and love again.
Back in the kingdom, the pup is bathed, fed and cared for, doted on by the inhabitants. As it slowly regains its strength, it eagerly hunts with the archers and gives company to the builders. Every day it sees the deeds of strength and leadership that the queen possesses, giving Hope to all that she cares for. The dog, however, feels powerless. It cannot dream to aid this infinitely powerful pack leader, and so it pledges itself, for as long as it runs by her side, to help her in the only way it can. Every night, when it smells the vile odor of Greed and feels their darkness approaching, it barks, confidently and unafraid, in the direction of the danger. Every night it worries for its master, alerting her to the cruel, greedy monsters that wish to deal its master harm.
