Draugr stood in the middle of the meadow with the breeze stirring his mane and tail. His eyes are pale like a cloudless sky, unfocused and hazy as he stares into the distance. A few small scars litter his speckled sides, a story of his early life crafted across his skin. His muscles are coiled as if he was ready to pounce, or flee, at any moment. But there is no fear on his face, no trepidation for the future.
He is lost in his own mind, trapped by his memories. He remembers his mother's expression when she had failed to protect the Harbor from those who had shown up. At first she had simply moved further inland, ushering him deeper and deeper into the jungle. He remembers some of the others doing the same while others fled to the sea. The first stallion had staked his claim, disappearing before anything of note seemed to happen. But the second had arrived and Hillevi was still not strong enough after her difficult birth to defend the entire herd. She'd done what she could for those she could find before throwing herself into the sea.
Her teeth had clamped so tightly to his tail as he'd swam, as if she was afraid he might drift away at any moment. He had seen fear on her face for the first time that day. He knew his mother loved him. She did not show him with soft kisses on his forehead and murmured words. She taught him to fight, she taught him to be more than he would be on his own. Though sometimes he wished she had been around more. It had been several days since he had seen the scarred mare pass through the meadow.
Draugr sighed and dropped his head finally, grazing quietly. The grass didn't taste the same as it did in the Harbor. He doesn't know which he preferred and he doesn't think he'll ever get a chance to find out. |
BJÖRN X HILLEVI | 15.2HH | BLUE ROAN SPLASH | HARBOR | KIWI |
|