“Indeed, without emotion it seems unlikely that we can have morality.”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGx9DGRT6D
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUKxgwyw6v
Calysse stiffened as she aroused from her sleep. She was unable to keep the hairs on the back of her neck from rising as her eyes darted around. Sunlight blinded her as it peered through the trees, it was nearly midday. There was a low growl in the clearing where she had made her kill of the young buck, and had been so foolish as to leave the carcass out in the open. Calysse didn’t dare make a sound as she shifted her position, her hands gripped the trunk of the tree as she examined the predator that was now feasting on her kill.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd1m0XNkhZ
At first, she thought it was some sort of wolf. The creature had milky white fur and powerfully muscled legs, and small crystals sticking out of its fur like quills, it ravenously tore at the remains of the deer like it hadn’t eaten in days. The wolf didn't look like a regular wild animal, as it wasn't green and didn't have a long tail, but what did she know about the wildlife. It didn’t take a genius to know that what was left of the deer wasn’t enough to satisfy the hungry animal, and that it would soon turn to other means of sustaining itself. Calysse’s eyes narrowed into slits as she reached deep inside for her magic, but for some reason unknown to her, it didn’t come to her defense. She scowled under her breath, trying to calm herself down from the dread that had risen in her mind and clouded her reasoning. Men were one thing, animals were another. They had no morals, no restraint, there was nothing to keep this animal from tearing her apart. That was what she feared the most, something she knew that would cut her hopes short. It would be foolish to spar with a wolf, if it did try to attack her, so what would she do?774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEEPmOnge0
And turn to her it did. The creature’s eyes were an intimidating sterling silver as they met hers. Calysse felt her legs go weak as she forced herself to hold the wolf’s gaze. All other thoughts were absent from her mind, as focusing on the threat before her was all she could do to stop her from sinking to her knees. The sound of crunching leaves and the wolf’s low growling was all she allowed herself to hear as she clenched her fists. If her claws wouldn’t come to her aid, then she’d fight her way out one way or another. The lips of the wolf curled back, revealing a set of unnaturally shaped teeth. That was when her heart fell out of her ribcage and landed with a thunk down into her feet. This was no wild wolf, this was a royal wolf hybrid of the palace guard. It had followed her this far, and now it was going to finish its orders. No one but the breeders knew what was in the other half of the ‘hybrid’ wolves, but it certainly wasn’t anything natural.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst28HALdOH
No, she wouldn’t be afraid, she wouldn’t allow herself to be afraid. Calysse felt her jaw tighten as the wolf-hybrid took a few steps forward. Her knees wobbled as she scanned her opponent one last time. She noticed something she hadn’t before, when she was so caught up on how unnervingly strong the wolf seemed. The belly of the beast was swollen ever so slightly in an uneven lump, it was pregnant. Pregnant or it had an unhealthy tumor, which seemed unlikely by how lively the animal was.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pas4ZmbbA
“Go on! Get out of here,” Calysse yelled, her strained with tension as she took a step back. As long as the beast’s eyes were on her, she couldn’t escape. As she expected, she-wolf didn’t comply with her orders. She didn’t have time to react as the wolf’s haunches bunched, it was going to attack. Any other fool dumb enough to leave a carcass out in the open would have run, but she wasn’t going to stand down.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79mRDWWNe2
Her attacker was upon her faster than you could say “Wolf,”774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJloadqXBE9
Calysse was instantaneously overpowered by the brute force of the leaping animal, and fell to the ground on her shoulder. A lightning bolt of pain ignited in her body, reminding her of her injury from the captain’s blade as she landed her fist on the muzzle of the beast. The she-wolf was undeterred by her attack. Without any further struggle, the wolf had its teeth at her throat, ready to strike. But it was waiting, waiting for what? Calysse felt the hot breath of the she-wolf hybrid as it wafted through her tunic. Her arms had been pinned to the ground and her legs were caught under a bush, she was utterly defenseless. And she hated that. Nothing seemed to move as the wolf just huffed air down her shirt, her teeth an inch away from her face. She was waiting for orders.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAeYwAbupP
Without a captain or a trainer to command her, she wouldn’t kill her target, no matter how desperately starving she was. This was both relieving and even more terrifying. Calysse had no idea how long the wolf would hold her down, and that if she tried to slip away, would the she-wolf take her life? She didn’t know how the wolf mind worked, but she had to try.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGSw1pZDaj
“Off.” Calysse wrenched her arm free and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. The hybrid just stared her down with its two silver eyes, like twin jewels and cocked her head. Once again, she tried to reach for her magic, but to no avail. Was she broken? Calysse would have cursed colorfully had she not been under the paws of a palace wolf.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewrtU4XVE4
Without any forewarning, Calysse twisted her other arm free from the she-wolf’s paws, clasping them around her muzzle. As she anticipated, the wolf dove perilously close to her throat, but her hands rendered the hybrid’s mighty jaws immobile. The strength the she-wolf had in her jaw was incredible, but slowly, Calysse forced her to back away, still with her hand gripped on the top and bottom of her jowl. Maybe her magic had been with her that moment, in a more reflexive way, how else could she have stopped such a powerful muscle from opening. She liked to think that magic hadn’t helped her, it just made her more reassured in her own assets.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzVwk9KbNX
The wolf stooped down, her head dipped slightly. They had been taught to show allegiance to the strongest of the guard, the captain. Was that allegiance changing? No. The wolf lunged again, but this time she was more prepared. Calysse bounded to the side and observed as the she-wolf sailed into the trunk of a tree. She didn’t have a clue what to expect as the hybrid lurched back onto her paws, her eyes gleamed as the sun reflected off of them.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgX9JeXIWu
“Go.” She said in the most commanding tone she could muster. The wolf that stood between her and the wilds only served as another reminder of how daunting her task had become, and how much worse it would become. Without compliance, the wolf sat on her hind paws, her beady eyes locked on Calysse. It was better than nothing. With careful steps, Calysse maneuvered around the sitting wolf. It was a massive leap of faith to come this close, and both of them knew that.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITE2hitkmr
Calysse wasted no time, in the moment where she was fully past the she-wolf, she was sprinting. Sure, her legs burned and her feet were becoming bloodied with scrapes, but it was better than having a palace wolf at her throat.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuLpv1KICZ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUSuNyEuem
*****774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFbNbtviZq
In time, she slowed her pace back to a walk when she was assured the wolf was nowhere near. Though she wasn’t so sure she hadn’t been trailed. Calysse could almost feel the gaze of the wolf scorching through her skin. She made sure to keep her attention in front of her and her ears trained on the sounds of the forest for any signs of running water. For some reason, the forest seemed more open here. The trees had become taller and the paths between the undergrowth had widened considerably. The canopy of leaves above her had opened up to display the dazzling blue sky in all its glory, only a few clouds dotted its surface. The total freedom she had hadn’t sunk in yet, the idea that she could go anywhere, do anything, really seemed all too expectant of such a cruel and controlling world. Calysse still half expected a soldier to leap out at her out of nowhere and shove a blade up her gut. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡishLHPd4iQ
The ground became a bit muddy as she trekked onward, the thirst made her vision a bit splotchy. Muddy ground means water. At least she hoped it did. A slight bit of energy returned to her legs as she weaved through the trees, Calysse didn’t even notice as the ground ended and the river began. She barely had time to stop before her feet skidded on the muddy riverbank and sent her toppling into the freezing waters.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CMN8L7uPW
The temperature wasn’t even the worst of it, as the current was very weak where she had fallen. The worst thing about falling in was that when she emerged from the depths of the water, spitting and sputtering, she had a clear view of the riverbank, and the wolf. That wretched creature had trailed her, and so quietly too! It was insulting that she hadn’t even detected the presence of the palace wolf. What did the wolf want with her anyway? Was that mockery she detected? The seemingly smug look plastered on the wolf’s face made her want to rip it apart with her claws, if she knew how to use them properly that is. Most of the blood and dirt that had caked onto her skin was now dispersed into the water, which was one plus to the situation. The murky cloud of liquid turned the water red. Calysse met the hybrid’s silver gaze as she crawled up onto the muddy bank of the river. There was less hostility in how the wolf held herself but there was enough that it warned Calysse not to come near, not that she would. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiqOqRokgG
“If you’re going to follow me around all day, you’re going to need a name, something I can call you by that isn’t ‘Wolf’.” Calysse would have been perfectly fine without naming that thing. But as long as she was out here alone she was going to need something to talk to, something to help her grip onto her sanity. She knew better than to get attached to animals, especially dangerous ones. The wolf didn’t make a move to object to her suggestion, if she even knew what she was implying.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOUKq7duSm
“Aislin.” The corners of her mouth drifted upward at the name, the name of the girl she’d been castle dungeons with, but their relationship stretched much further back. She was probably dead by now for even associating with the escapee. “You are Aislin.” The she-wolf just cocked her head, blinking once, and then twice as if to say, 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtvXifBkja
“I’m not a pet.” 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcOM74hokC
Calysse scoffed and leaned down by a tree, her gaze locked with Aislin’s silver eyes. There was a flicker of darkness in the she-wolf’s eyes. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74t0d2kH8y
“Are you joking?” Calysse clicked her tongue, but flinched back as a growl rumbled deep within Aislin's throat, she’d said the wrong thing.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjbRhOUNz6
“I don’t joke.” 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3GNLHkRq2
Calysse shrugged and lurched to her feet, shuffling back along the riverbank. Her feet were already becoming crusted with mud. She fought back the frustration she had at herself for accepting the company of the wolf, the castle wolf. Though an uneasy alliance had been formed between the two in their own needs to survive the wilds, she wouldn’t put it past Aislin not to tear her apart at moment’s notice. Calysse had convinced herself that whatever conversation she had with Aislin had purely been a figment of her mind talking back to her, but she wasn’t so sure.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXcm4gk8Xy
Her stomach swirled with uneasiness as she dipped down to drink from the lake. The water was cold and refreshing in her throat, it burned her thirst away with every sip she took. Aislin took a few anxious steps towards Calysse, but one glare at the wolf told her to stay away. Not tearing her eyes from the wolf, Calysse dipped her hair into the water. It was already stringy and wet from when she had previously fallen in, but she would take this opportunity to wash it thoroughly, for she didn’t know when she’d find more water.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjxtUUYRTj
Calysse eased her fingers through her thick hair and slowly worked out the grime that had layered over the past weeks. Every scratch, every wound she had sustained up till then burned as the liquid cleaned it out, it was excruciating yet pleasant at the same time. She would have stayed in longer, but her head became engulfed in the water as a force pushed it outward.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkX367Ujzk
“Aislin?” She spit, glaring at the wolf that had leapt into the lake, and in turn, sent a wave of water in her direction. She had been so careless as to let her eyes shift from the animal, and she regretted it. It took every bit of self-control she had to keep her from launching at the wolf.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1XTZ4N198
Instead, she stormed out of the lake, her clothes and hair dripping wet. She was clean, and that was all that mattered. Calysse didn’t bother looking back as she entered the rim of the forest. Aislin could go drown in that lake for all she cared. The forest had changed dramatically in appearance now that she was far from the border. The chirping and humming of insects and birds served as background noise as Calysse squeezed the water from her hair.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSExGzAhIT
She glared over her shoulder in the direction of the lake before continuing to stride away. There would be no more sleeping on the ground, the trees were easy enough to climb here, perhaps she could make good use of them. Without putting any more thought into the situation, Calysse placed her fingers onto the nearest tree she could find.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hblNONjv0
Trees couldn’t be that hard to climb, could they? There weren’t many in Indignor, just walls, lots of walls. There were fewer footholds on the trunk of the tree then there were on a good stone wall, but she’d manage. Her foot nearly scraped off the tree as she hoisted herself up, easing her arms around as if she were climbing a pole. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead as her thighs clung to the wood. Slowly but surely, she swung herself onto a low branch.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntHBV7h4CE
Her toes balanced on the notches as she gradually pulled herself up through the tiers of branches. They got smaller and thinner each time she went up, and she began to worry about them snapping beneath her weight. Calysse’s chest rose and fall in a quick beat as she heaved up to the thickest branch she could find. The canopy of leaves that marked the top of the tree was so close she could touch it. Then again, there was only a few inches of wood separating her from a twenty foot drop onto the ground below.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS0JiOS0sR
Sticks poked dangerously close to her face as she stuck her head through the top of the tree. It stunned her to see how wide the forest stretched, she could just barely see where it began to thin out on the horizon. The sky was filled with an assortment of different colors as the sun set. Calysse realized how much of the day she’d spent without even noticing the time go by. It was sinking in now. She had tasted the freedom she’d never know before. Even when she wasn’t in prison, she still had to suffer through Indignor.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbgObzPQ3i
Calysse felt the gentle wind embrace her as she closed her eyes. She leaned back into the leaves and felt the branches enclose around her battered body. For a moment, she let her fingers touch her face, which was no longer covered in dirt. It astounded her to find how soft her skin was despite the lack of care. Her bones seemed to poke out through her skin creating a sickening feel. There were many ridges around the temple of her head. Her body reeked of sweat, but it was an improvement from what she had smelled of before washing. In the distance, she could hear a wolf, or Aislin, howl to the rising moon. This time, it wasn’t fatigue, it wasn’t the exhaustion that made her body ache all over, it was for the pure enjoyment of rest that she let herself sleep.
Penana
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