Taurian writes stuff.
Oct 1, 2015 15:51:11 GMT -5
Post by Taurian on Oct 1, 2015 15:51:11 GMT -5
Occasionally, I write stuff. I'll post some stories/poems about Taurian, possibly Bear and Bullfang, here. Most will have to do with my extended canon, which if anyone would like to help me develop it would be really awesome.
-----
From Rambrook, Book 1: A Rebel Born
"Come on, ye Bullfanged menace! Those dace ain't gonna catch themselves!" Presa shouted playfully at Taurian, who chuckled and ran after her, shouting,
"Well lead on, o' great Piketailed one! Better hurry, or we'll be late to supper!" Presa laughed heartily as they raced to the river mouth.
The two ottermaids had resorted to pushing and shoving one another to get ahead, and Presa eventually pounced onto Taurian's back, and they began wrestling. Taurian, slightly stockier and stronger, despite being a season younger than Presa, wound up on top, both of the maids panting heavily, and grinning.
"Looks like... I win... again... Piketail!" Taurian managed between gulps of air.
"Aye... sure looks... that... WAY!" Presa rolled them over on the last word, and the match started all over. By the time they broke apart, the sun was low enough to indicate that they had probably missed supper entirely.
"Palia's going to worry about us, not showing up for dinner."
"Let her worry. Come on, let's go to the falls, and watch the sunset. Sol'll be sinking into the sea soon enough, mind as well go and see her off."
"But what if-- what about-- Eral and Belir will worry about you too and--"
"Taurian Bullfang o' Holt Maelstrom. We are going to see the sunset, no if's, and's, or but's about it, young missy," Presa said, her face as serious as she could manage. "I'm older than yer, remember, an' that means you've got to listen to me." Taurian raised her eyebrow, and in another instant both otters broke out in laughter. Presa took this opportunity to take Taurian's paw and lead her towards the falls.
--
"Fare thee well, Sol our daylight mother,
Come ye again when Lune's soft glow recedes,
Return to us to grace us with thy light,
When night's deep blue is scorched by the dawn."
"Where'd you learn that, Taur?" Presa asked softly, leaning her head against Taurian's shoulder. The two maids sat together near the edge of a waterfall, watching the sun slowly slip below the horizon.
"Malra taught it to me, before she and Eotrin left for that abbey place." There was a sting of sadness, of bitterness, in Taurian's words.
"You know that they had to go, right? Malra was very ill, Taurian. If she hadn't gone to the abbey, she would be dead. Do you want Malra to have stayed and been dead?" Presa's voice started off soft, but grew sharper and more accusing.
"Of course not. I--I just miss her, that's all. She taught me how to wrestle."
"I know you miss her. I miss her too, Taur. But you can't change any of what happened. You have to move on, Taurian. But you won't be alone, Taurian. You'll have me." Presa smiled cheekily at her. The corners of Taurian's mouth curled up slightly, as close to a smile as the ottermaid could manage.
--
Being extremely late when they got back to the holt, Kepala, the unofficial leader of the holt, and Kuia, the matriarch of the Maelstrom, Taurian's Grandmother, both gave them lectures. Normally, Taurian was scared half to the Dark Forest of getting in trouble, but Presa squeezed her paw, and held on as the older otters ranted, and Taurian felt further from the Dark Forest than she had ever been.
----------------------------
"Presa Piketail! Where in the tempest's name d'ye think yer goin'?" Belir Rosebrook asked her daughter.
"I'm just goin' tae the waterfall, ma. I've got plans to meet Taurian."
"Oh no ye don't. Yer grounded, missy. I think young Taurian'll understand that ye must obey yer parents."
"Fine," Presa said sharply. "Have it yer way. I'll be in my room if'n anybeast wants tae disturb me." She stalked to her chamber, and slammed the door.
A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. "Go away," Presa growled.
"It's me, Presa." Taurian rested her forehead against the door. "I'm sorry for getting you in trouble."
Presa yanked open the door, catching Taurian as she fell forward. She pulled Taurian into the room, and closed the door behind them. Presa hugged Taurian tightly. "It wasne yer fault, Taur. The fault's all mine, fer keepin' us both out so late."
"I went along with it, Presa. I'm still sorry that ye got in trouble."
"Yer sorry for everythin', Bullfang. It don't do ye any good, feelin' bad for things beyond yer control, things that ain't yer fault."
"I know and I'm sorr--"
"Taurian Bullfang, don't ye dare apologize to me. Don't ye dare. Ye never 'ave to apologize to me, Taurian. 'alf the messes we get into are my fault anyway." Presa smiled gently at Taurian, her bad mood passing in the presence of the other ottermaid.
Taurian smiled back, hugging Presa once more. The friends stood there for a few minutes, allowing each other's presence to calm them. It felt like nothing could break this moment, like nothing could tear them apart.
------------------------
It's in the early spring when Presa first talks about running away.
They're sitting by the waterfall, gently leaning against one another for support.
"Do ye ever wantae run away, Taur? Go see the rest o' the world, b'yond the Maelstrom?" She sighed, and sank further into Taurian's shoulder. Taurian considered the question for a few moments, until Presa broke her concentration by poking the other maid's face and staring intently at her.
"Occasionally, I guess. I suppose when we're older they'll let us go more places, perhaps tae that Hullabaloo Malgra the Nomad mentioned. I'd like tae go tae on o' those."
"I mean just run, right now. Just drop everything and leave, without any real intention of returning."
"I've never thought about that. We have responsibilities to the holt, Piketail. We cannae just drop those an' go larkin' off on an adventure."
Presa nodded at Taurian's answer, but frowned in dissatisfaction. But she let the matter drop, and the maids chatted about more mundane topics until they fell asleep, right by the falls.
----
"She's a bad influence on ye, Taurian Bullfang," Kuia said sharply. "She's keepin' ye out all sorts of hours!"
"But Gran, I finish my chores and duties afore I go up tae the waterfall with Presa. She's the only friend I have, Gran. Please dinnae forbid me from seein' her."
"A'ight, but ye try tae get back tae the holt at a reasonable time, d'ye hear?"
"I'll try my best, Gran."
"Darn right ye will, ye scalawag. Now get some sleep. Tomorrer's the day o' the runnin' salmon, and ye an' Presa get tae participate this year."
----
"Presa, what're ye doin'? We'll be late tae the hunt!" Presa looked back at Taurian, an innocent smile on her face.
"Oh dear, we'll miss the hunt," she mocked. "I'm goin' tae the north rocks. Yer welcome tae come with me."
"Presa, we've got tae go tae the hunt. They're waitin' on us. An it'll be our first salmon run, ye dinnae wannae miss that!"
"I could care less about the salmon, Taur. I'm doin' what I want, not what those old furbags tell me. Ye dinnae 'ave tae listen tae them, Taurian. Yer in charge o' yer own life."
"I have tae to tae the hunt, Presa. I'll-- I'll see ye later, I guess." Taurian hurried off towards the waterfall.
"Aye. See ye later, Bullfang." Presa waved, and then moved on.
----
It was cold up on the rocks. Presa had been here a few times with Taurian, and occasionally by herself. The wind sent chill through her, and she wished for the warmth of Taurian beside her. She's too stubborn, too set intae their way o' life. She...she wouldnae go with me if I left. Presa sighed, and stared out at the sea.
--
"Presa! Yer back! I was gettin' worried about ye." Taurian accosted her as she entered the holt. It was after dark when she had left the northern rocks, and dinner was concluding at the holt. It seemed like the salmon hunt was a great success. Taurian passed her a plate of salmon as she sat down. "We missed ye at the hunt," she said, which meant that Kepala was annoyed that Presa hadn't been there. Presa could care less about what Kepala thought. "Kuia an' yer folks wantae speak with ye after ye eat. I'd offer tae go with ye, but they requested that I not be a part o' it."
Presa sighed. She had figured that her parents would be less than happy that she had skipped the hunt, but involving Grandmother meant that the punishment would be more severe. "Thanks fer lettin' me know, Taur."
"Sorry I cannae be there tae hold yer paw."
"It's fine, Taurian. Ye can 'old my paw tomorrer. And the day after that." Presa smiled at her companion, who grinned back. Taurian would stand with her, and if she were there at the other end of all this, Presa could just about imagine getting through it all.
----
"But pa!" Presa glared at her father. Athair Irisflame glared right back at his only daughter. "Ma, tell 'im tae change 'is mind!" Belir shook her head.
"He's right, Presa. Yer gettin' only what ye deserve," Belir said.
"Come now. Could've been worse, ye know. Kepala wantaed tae banish ye!" Kuia laughed.
"I wish that ye'd gone with 'er idea!" Presa shouted. Kuia's face darkened.
"That's enough out o' ye, Presa Piketail. Go tae yer quarters." The venerable otter pointed for her to leave. The young maid exited, muttering a harrumph as she did so. As soon as she had left, Kuia turned to face Athair and Belir. "I worry about 'er a good deal. I suspect the young Bullfang is the only thing keepin' 'er 'ere. I wouldnae be too surprised if she runs away."
Belir and Athair looked at each other. Belir spoke up. "Oh my. D'ye really think she would run?"
"O' course I think she'd really run! Dinnae worry 'bout 'er. I know she'll leave at some point. I'm worried about what'll 'appen tae young Taurian when she does go. I'm sorry about yer daughter, Belir, but I know the look o' 'er, an' she's not destined fer a life 'ere. Cherish 'er while ye can."
Belir allowed Athair to lead her from the room. Both otters' eyes were damp with tears.
----
"Can ye believe it, Taurian?" Presa and Taurian were sitting on the north rocks, swinging their hindpaws. "They grounded me fer the rest o' the season!"
"Then how're ye 'ere?" Taurian's eyes widened as Presa grinned. "Presa Piketail, ye didn't!"
Presa nodded. "I sure as the sky did, Taurian Bullfang." She threw back her head and cackled. When she finished laughing, she sobered, and took Taurian's paw in hers. "I...I's been thinkin' o' leavin'. I...I cannae live 'ere much longer. I was 'opin' ye'd come with me."
Taurian scrambled away. "If yer leavin', yer leavin' alone, Piketail." Her voice was cold, and she would not look at her friend.
"Okay." Presa looked down, sighed. I didnae think she'd change 'er mind. It'd take a miracle tae change Taurian's mind. She's as bullheaded as she is bullfanged.
-------
The day before Taurian's birthday, Presa Pikewolf ran away.
'Taurian,
I know ye, an' I know ye'll 'ate me fer this, but I cannae
stay 'ere. Yer the best friend I've e'er 'ad, an' I'm sorry that
ye willnae come wi' me, an' I'm sorry tae leave ye. May'aps,
one day, I'll come back tae the Maelstrom. But nae fer a long
while. If ye remember nothin' else o' me, remember that I
loved ye, an' I love ye still.
Yer friend, if'n ye can still call me that,
Presa Pikewolf'
Taurian did not leave her room that day, or the day after. Kuia came in the day after her birthday.
"I'm sorry, Taurian."
"Sorry doesnae bring 'er back."
"I know."
"Pardon me, but if'n ye dinnae 'ave anythin' useful tae say, would ye please leave me in peace?"
The old otter nodded, and left the room.
Meals were sent up to Taurian's room regularly. She ate at least once a day, and no one mentioned her absence from holt activities.
It was a month later when Taurian ventured back into holt life. No one mentioned Presa. Taurian spoke little, and spent most of her time outside her room at the waterfall. Kepala sometimes sat with her, and sometimes she would talk. Taurian would mostly nod, but some days, she would make small contributions to the conversation.
"It was pretty awful that she left right afore yer birthday." Taurian looked up as Kepala said this. It was the first time anyone had mentioned what had occurred. Kepala seemed to doubt herself for a moment at Taurian's stare. "If'n ye dinnae want me tae talk about it, just tell me. But it's important tae talk about it, Taur. Otherwise it'll eat ye up inside."
"It's okay. Ye can talk about it."
"My brother, Relior, drowned himself. I'm from further south than Maelstrom, an' we was living at Holt Urheim. I left home right after. My parents 'ad died right after I was born, so Rel was all I 'ad. E'en Kuia doesnae know why I left, or where I came from."
"I'm sorry about yer brother."
"I've put it behind me, but thankee. I know it doesnae seem like it, but one day, ye'll move past this."
"I dinnae think I can ferget 'er."
"I dinnae say that ye'd ferget. I remember Rel, but it doesnae 'urt anymore. I wouldnae want ye tae ferget Presa Pikewolf. But I tell ye, ye will learn tae let 'er go."
"Thank ye, Kepala."
----------------------------------------------------------------
"THEY'RE COMING FROM THE EAST BANK!" An otter shouted. A day or so ago, strange ships had been sighted on the sea. Scouts had been sent, and their carcasses floated back on the waves. A ship had landed, and a strange beast had disembarked.
"Your terrytory ys beyng claymed for the kyngdom of the Great Ferox. Your kynd wyll leave wythyn a fortnyght, or you shall be elymynated," a messenger proclaimed.
Kepala, still in command despite her age, yelled back, "We'll nae leave the Maelstrom tae vermin! We will stand 'an fight! For the MAELSTROOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"
The next morning, the creatures began to advance. Kepala organized the otters, and made plans for war. They had the advantage of knowing the territory, but the vermin had the power of sheer numbers. It would be a hard fight.
After a season and a half of fighting, all but a small band of otters had been captured or killed. The holt was burned, and the creatures, fossa, they were called, had began to build a vast palace. The rebel otters harangued the fossa soldiers, but it made little impact on the progress of the castle.
Late at night, the fossa surprised the rebels in their lair. Unprepared, many went down quickly, but a few managed to stand, Kepala among them.
"Get away, Taurian!" She shouted over the battlenoise. "If'n ye can live, the Maelstrom will live on. Go, Taurian Bullfang. GO!"
Taurian ran.
-----
From Rambrook, Book 1: A Rebel Born
"Come on, ye Bullfanged menace! Those dace ain't gonna catch themselves!" Presa shouted playfully at Taurian, who chuckled and ran after her, shouting,
"Well lead on, o' great Piketailed one! Better hurry, or we'll be late to supper!" Presa laughed heartily as they raced to the river mouth.
The two ottermaids had resorted to pushing and shoving one another to get ahead, and Presa eventually pounced onto Taurian's back, and they began wrestling. Taurian, slightly stockier and stronger, despite being a season younger than Presa, wound up on top, both of the maids panting heavily, and grinning.
"Looks like... I win... again... Piketail!" Taurian managed between gulps of air.
"Aye... sure looks... that... WAY!" Presa rolled them over on the last word, and the match started all over. By the time they broke apart, the sun was low enough to indicate that they had probably missed supper entirely.
"Palia's going to worry about us, not showing up for dinner."
"Let her worry. Come on, let's go to the falls, and watch the sunset. Sol'll be sinking into the sea soon enough, mind as well go and see her off."
"But what if-- what about-- Eral and Belir will worry about you too and--"
"Taurian Bullfang o' Holt Maelstrom. We are going to see the sunset, no if's, and's, or but's about it, young missy," Presa said, her face as serious as she could manage. "I'm older than yer, remember, an' that means you've got to listen to me." Taurian raised her eyebrow, and in another instant both otters broke out in laughter. Presa took this opportunity to take Taurian's paw and lead her towards the falls.
--
"Fare thee well, Sol our daylight mother,
Come ye again when Lune's soft glow recedes,
Return to us to grace us with thy light,
When night's deep blue is scorched by the dawn."
"Where'd you learn that, Taur?" Presa asked softly, leaning her head against Taurian's shoulder. The two maids sat together near the edge of a waterfall, watching the sun slowly slip below the horizon.
"Malra taught it to me, before she and Eotrin left for that abbey place." There was a sting of sadness, of bitterness, in Taurian's words.
"You know that they had to go, right? Malra was very ill, Taurian. If she hadn't gone to the abbey, she would be dead. Do you want Malra to have stayed and been dead?" Presa's voice started off soft, but grew sharper and more accusing.
"Of course not. I--I just miss her, that's all. She taught me how to wrestle."
"I know you miss her. I miss her too, Taur. But you can't change any of what happened. You have to move on, Taurian. But you won't be alone, Taurian. You'll have me." Presa smiled cheekily at her. The corners of Taurian's mouth curled up slightly, as close to a smile as the ottermaid could manage.
--
Being extremely late when they got back to the holt, Kepala, the unofficial leader of the holt, and Kuia, the matriarch of the Maelstrom, Taurian's Grandmother, both gave them lectures. Normally, Taurian was scared half to the Dark Forest of getting in trouble, but Presa squeezed her paw, and held on as the older otters ranted, and Taurian felt further from the Dark Forest than she had ever been.
----------------------------
"Presa Piketail! Where in the tempest's name d'ye think yer goin'?" Belir Rosebrook asked her daughter.
"I'm just goin' tae the waterfall, ma. I've got plans to meet Taurian."
"Oh no ye don't. Yer grounded, missy. I think young Taurian'll understand that ye must obey yer parents."
"Fine," Presa said sharply. "Have it yer way. I'll be in my room if'n anybeast wants tae disturb me." She stalked to her chamber, and slammed the door.
A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. "Go away," Presa growled.
"It's me, Presa." Taurian rested her forehead against the door. "I'm sorry for getting you in trouble."
Presa yanked open the door, catching Taurian as she fell forward. She pulled Taurian into the room, and closed the door behind them. Presa hugged Taurian tightly. "It wasne yer fault, Taur. The fault's all mine, fer keepin' us both out so late."
"I went along with it, Presa. I'm still sorry that ye got in trouble."
"Yer sorry for everythin', Bullfang. It don't do ye any good, feelin' bad for things beyond yer control, things that ain't yer fault."
"I know and I'm sorr--"
"Taurian Bullfang, don't ye dare apologize to me. Don't ye dare. Ye never 'ave to apologize to me, Taurian. 'alf the messes we get into are my fault anyway." Presa smiled gently at Taurian, her bad mood passing in the presence of the other ottermaid.
Taurian smiled back, hugging Presa once more. The friends stood there for a few minutes, allowing each other's presence to calm them. It felt like nothing could break this moment, like nothing could tear them apart.
------------------------
It's in the early spring when Presa first talks about running away.
They're sitting by the waterfall, gently leaning against one another for support.
"Do ye ever wantae run away, Taur? Go see the rest o' the world, b'yond the Maelstrom?" She sighed, and sank further into Taurian's shoulder. Taurian considered the question for a few moments, until Presa broke her concentration by poking the other maid's face and staring intently at her.
"Occasionally, I guess. I suppose when we're older they'll let us go more places, perhaps tae that Hullabaloo Malgra the Nomad mentioned. I'd like tae go tae on o' those."
"I mean just run, right now. Just drop everything and leave, without any real intention of returning."
"I've never thought about that. We have responsibilities to the holt, Piketail. We cannae just drop those an' go larkin' off on an adventure."
Presa nodded at Taurian's answer, but frowned in dissatisfaction. But she let the matter drop, and the maids chatted about more mundane topics until they fell asleep, right by the falls.
----
"She's a bad influence on ye, Taurian Bullfang," Kuia said sharply. "She's keepin' ye out all sorts of hours!"
"But Gran, I finish my chores and duties afore I go up tae the waterfall with Presa. She's the only friend I have, Gran. Please dinnae forbid me from seein' her."
"A'ight, but ye try tae get back tae the holt at a reasonable time, d'ye hear?"
"I'll try my best, Gran."
"Darn right ye will, ye scalawag. Now get some sleep. Tomorrer's the day o' the runnin' salmon, and ye an' Presa get tae participate this year."
----
"Presa, what're ye doin'? We'll be late tae the hunt!" Presa looked back at Taurian, an innocent smile on her face.
"Oh dear, we'll miss the hunt," she mocked. "I'm goin' tae the north rocks. Yer welcome tae come with me."
"Presa, we've got tae go tae the hunt. They're waitin' on us. An it'll be our first salmon run, ye dinnae wannae miss that!"
"I could care less about the salmon, Taur. I'm doin' what I want, not what those old furbags tell me. Ye dinnae 'ave tae listen tae them, Taurian. Yer in charge o' yer own life."
"I have tae to tae the hunt, Presa. I'll-- I'll see ye later, I guess." Taurian hurried off towards the waterfall.
"Aye. See ye later, Bullfang." Presa waved, and then moved on.
----
It was cold up on the rocks. Presa had been here a few times with Taurian, and occasionally by herself. The wind sent chill through her, and she wished for the warmth of Taurian beside her. She's too stubborn, too set intae their way o' life. She...she wouldnae go with me if I left. Presa sighed, and stared out at the sea.
--
"Presa! Yer back! I was gettin' worried about ye." Taurian accosted her as she entered the holt. It was after dark when she had left the northern rocks, and dinner was concluding at the holt. It seemed like the salmon hunt was a great success. Taurian passed her a plate of salmon as she sat down. "We missed ye at the hunt," she said, which meant that Kepala was annoyed that Presa hadn't been there. Presa could care less about what Kepala thought. "Kuia an' yer folks wantae speak with ye after ye eat. I'd offer tae go with ye, but they requested that I not be a part o' it."
Presa sighed. She had figured that her parents would be less than happy that she had skipped the hunt, but involving Grandmother meant that the punishment would be more severe. "Thanks fer lettin' me know, Taur."
"Sorry I cannae be there tae hold yer paw."
"It's fine, Taurian. Ye can 'old my paw tomorrer. And the day after that." Presa smiled at her companion, who grinned back. Taurian would stand with her, and if she were there at the other end of all this, Presa could just about imagine getting through it all.
----
"But pa!" Presa glared at her father. Athair Irisflame glared right back at his only daughter. "Ma, tell 'im tae change 'is mind!" Belir shook her head.
"He's right, Presa. Yer gettin' only what ye deserve," Belir said.
"Come now. Could've been worse, ye know. Kepala wantaed tae banish ye!" Kuia laughed.
"I wish that ye'd gone with 'er idea!" Presa shouted. Kuia's face darkened.
"That's enough out o' ye, Presa Piketail. Go tae yer quarters." The venerable otter pointed for her to leave. The young maid exited, muttering a harrumph as she did so. As soon as she had left, Kuia turned to face Athair and Belir. "I worry about 'er a good deal. I suspect the young Bullfang is the only thing keepin' 'er 'ere. I wouldnae be too surprised if she runs away."
Belir and Athair looked at each other. Belir spoke up. "Oh my. D'ye really think she would run?"
"O' course I think she'd really run! Dinnae worry 'bout 'er. I know she'll leave at some point. I'm worried about what'll 'appen tae young Taurian when she does go. I'm sorry about yer daughter, Belir, but I know the look o' 'er, an' she's not destined fer a life 'ere. Cherish 'er while ye can."
Belir allowed Athair to lead her from the room. Both otters' eyes were damp with tears.
----
"Can ye believe it, Taurian?" Presa and Taurian were sitting on the north rocks, swinging their hindpaws. "They grounded me fer the rest o' the season!"
"Then how're ye 'ere?" Taurian's eyes widened as Presa grinned. "Presa Piketail, ye didn't!"
Presa nodded. "I sure as the sky did, Taurian Bullfang." She threw back her head and cackled. When she finished laughing, she sobered, and took Taurian's paw in hers. "I...I's been thinkin' o' leavin'. I...I cannae live 'ere much longer. I was 'opin' ye'd come with me."
Taurian scrambled away. "If yer leavin', yer leavin' alone, Piketail." Her voice was cold, and she would not look at her friend.
"Okay." Presa looked down, sighed. I didnae think she'd change 'er mind. It'd take a miracle tae change Taurian's mind. She's as bullheaded as she is bullfanged.
-------
The day before Taurian's birthday, Presa Pikewolf ran away.
'Taurian,
I know ye, an' I know ye'll 'ate me fer this, but I cannae
stay 'ere. Yer the best friend I've e'er 'ad, an' I'm sorry that
ye willnae come wi' me, an' I'm sorry tae leave ye. May'aps,
one day, I'll come back tae the Maelstrom. But nae fer a long
while. If ye remember nothin' else o' me, remember that I
loved ye, an' I love ye still.
Yer friend, if'n ye can still call me that,
Presa Pikewolf'
Taurian did not leave her room that day, or the day after. Kuia came in the day after her birthday.
"I'm sorry, Taurian."
"Sorry doesnae bring 'er back."
"I know."
"Pardon me, but if'n ye dinnae 'ave anythin' useful tae say, would ye please leave me in peace?"
The old otter nodded, and left the room.
Meals were sent up to Taurian's room regularly. She ate at least once a day, and no one mentioned her absence from holt activities.
It was a month later when Taurian ventured back into holt life. No one mentioned Presa. Taurian spoke little, and spent most of her time outside her room at the waterfall. Kepala sometimes sat with her, and sometimes she would talk. Taurian would mostly nod, but some days, she would make small contributions to the conversation.
"It was pretty awful that she left right afore yer birthday." Taurian looked up as Kepala said this. It was the first time anyone had mentioned what had occurred. Kepala seemed to doubt herself for a moment at Taurian's stare. "If'n ye dinnae want me tae talk about it, just tell me. But it's important tae talk about it, Taur. Otherwise it'll eat ye up inside."
"It's okay. Ye can talk about it."
"My brother, Relior, drowned himself. I'm from further south than Maelstrom, an' we was living at Holt Urheim. I left home right after. My parents 'ad died right after I was born, so Rel was all I 'ad. E'en Kuia doesnae know why I left, or where I came from."
"I'm sorry about yer brother."
"I've put it behind me, but thankee. I know it doesnae seem like it, but one day, ye'll move past this."
"I dinnae think I can ferget 'er."
"I dinnae say that ye'd ferget. I remember Rel, but it doesnae 'urt anymore. I wouldnae want ye tae ferget Presa Pikewolf. But I tell ye, ye will learn tae let 'er go."
"Thank ye, Kepala."
----------------------------------------------------------------
"THEY'RE COMING FROM THE EAST BANK!" An otter shouted. A day or so ago, strange ships had been sighted on the sea. Scouts had been sent, and their carcasses floated back on the waves. A ship had landed, and a strange beast had disembarked.
"Your terrytory ys beyng claymed for the kyngdom of the Great Ferox. Your kynd wyll leave wythyn a fortnyght, or you shall be elymynated," a messenger proclaimed.
Kepala, still in command despite her age, yelled back, "We'll nae leave the Maelstrom tae vermin! We will stand 'an fight! For the MAELSTROOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!"
The next morning, the creatures began to advance. Kepala organized the otters, and made plans for war. They had the advantage of knowing the territory, but the vermin had the power of sheer numbers. It would be a hard fight.
After a season and a half of fighting, all but a small band of otters had been captured or killed. The holt was burned, and the creatures, fossa, they were called, had began to build a vast palace. The rebel otters harangued the fossa soldiers, but it made little impact on the progress of the castle.
Late at night, the fossa surprised the rebels in their lair. Unprepared, many went down quickly, but a few managed to stand, Kepala among them.
"Get away, Taurian!" She shouted over the battlenoise. "If'n ye can live, the Maelstrom will live on. Go, Taurian Bullfang. GO!"
Taurian ran.
bye!
