Snippets

Chapter 9

           

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            Stench.

It completely surrounded the duo as they made their way through narrow pen-lined streets, the odd, humanistic creatures inside staring at them with lifeless eyes. The stench rose from these very beings, each one unique in body. Most stood on two feet as a man, but they were covered with hair, or scales, or feathers. Like animals. They stood silently, as if regarding the woman and young man with great respect as they passed by on their way toward the shore.

The First stumbled again, barely catching herself on the railing of one of the surrounding pens. The pens ruled the majority of the terrain on Saunderval, dotting the land not already filled with half-abandoned high-rise apartment buildings.

            "M'lady?" Regon's voice echoed behind her, and a firm arm wrapped itself around her waist to steady her, "Are you sure this is truly the best idea?"

            She gritted her teeth, "What other option is there? Either way, I'm dying, I may as well make it easier for my daughter to fulfill my dream." She leaned heavily against the young man and gestured around them, "With every new occupant, I lose more of my will. That is the only hope I have left. Well, that and my daughter."

            Regon nodded gently, "Yes, m'lady... I see what you mean."

            She didn't seem to hear him as she sagged toward earth, and he gently set her down on the cobblestones. Tears pricked her eyes as she stared into the faces regarding them, "Look at them, Regon. Mindless."

            Regon shifted nervously, "Mindless? Oh, err, yes, m'lady. It's a pity..." his right hand twitched, thumb and ring finger rubbing together at a static rate, "Shall we get going now?"

            Again, she didn't seem to hear him, "I... if I had stopped her before, maybe it wouldn't be so bad." Unconsciously, she reached toward the furry face of one of the creatures. Cat-like eyes blinked at the hand as it stroked from the whiskers that had sprouted from a human-shaped cheek, and back, moving up the scalp to softly caress the newly-minted antlers that gracefully arched into the sky. A deep purr emitted from the creature, and The First's hand yanked backwards, tucking into her chest as she stared at the creature. "I... is it too late for them, Regon? Has their animal blood already completely overruled the last of the humanity?"

            "Animal—humanity—err, m'lady?"

            She turned a tear-stained face to him as she slowly climbed back onto her feet, "They're... they're my family, Regon. I suppose you wouldn't truly understand, being human."

            "Human, m'lady?"

            A soft smile warmed her features for a moment as she patted his shoulder, "Yes, human, Regon. You're a darned lucky one, too. Come now, let's be off. We have work to do!"

            Her confidence, returned, The First marched off down the street, singing aloud, "Grey clouds roll over the hills, bringing darkness from above..."

            They reached the shore before long, and immediately set out for the small barge that bobbed a few yards offshore. Suddenly, The First stopped and turned around, gazing back toward the city of pens. She could still feel their eyes upon her as she looked back toward them.

            "Regon," she quipped, "I think we should use them."

            Regon found his face in the sand after having choked on his own breath and stumbling when her words met his ears, "Err, them, m'lady?"