~ where innocences burn in flames.
A mask of stoicism remains in place as he pushes her into the frothy surf, but within he can feel his resolve cracking apart. He hates the fear that creases her brow and the scent of it burns his flaring nostrils. He does not lay his teeth across her hide nor does he push her to go any a faster then she can handle. Soon the shores of the Ridge loom ahead of him and he begins to swim slower, each stroke brings a numbness over his body.
He strides through the surf behind her and is not surprised when she wheels to face him. He readies himself for the borage of venemous words and maybe even her teeth would sink into his smoky hide. But neither comes.
Please don't hurt me.
The words widen the crevice in his chest. He dares to close the distance between them. Beneath his His water-logged forelock his glacial eyes soften. "I am not gonna hurt you gullna," he says aloud. "I apologize if I scared you. The commons is no place for a young woman to hang out," especially with the last colors of Fall fading from the lands. He steps from the surf and moves up the sands where the jungle foliage meets the shore. He pauses within the shadows of the jungle, relaxes with a cock of his hind hoof, and beckons her to come closer.
Björn - Icelandic mutt - 10 years old - Grullo Sabino
Bera Konung of the Ridge