by Kina » August 7th, 2011, 3:40 am
Half complete prelude to the first volume, rough draft:
Volume I: Light in the Dark
Prelude
Herds were thinning out. The grass was getting dry and brittle, the vibrant green fading to a listless yellow. A sigh escaped Sahala’s muzzle as she and her mate waded through the shoulder high sea of deadened turf, before brushing her head under Rabi’s muddy looking mane. A soft purr rumbled from his throat at her affectionate gesture, pausing to lick the top of the pale beige female’s head.
His viridian green eyes strayed towards her swollen stomach during that pause, purr deepening. “Did Nzee say when to expect our cubs yet?” Rabi asked softly, lightly flicking his tail against her own, his clay coloring creating a sharp contrast even in the rich evening light.
A light laugh danced through the air. “Not for another half-moon at least, Rabi. You shouldn’t worry so – we’ll be fine, all of us,” Sahala promised, muzzle twitching into a smile as she padded ahead, glancing ahead at the massive boulder jutting into the sky. It had caught their attention the moment they’d entered these lands, moons ago. Nodding towards the Rock, her ears perked forward as she walked. “Nzee is probably waiting on us,” the lioness added pointedly, knowing the motherly elder wouldn’t be comfortable with them out and about with the coming night. More so because of their cubs than anything.
Rabi inclined his head, trotting to catch up to his mate as the Rock’s shadow fell over them. His head lifted with the damp wind, inhaling deeply as his paws ate the ground. “Rain … This’ll be a nice change,” he murmured, pebbles skittering away under his paws as they approached the incline.
Sahala nodded as she climbed the cool stones, though catching another unfamiliar scent. Another wanderer?