along the way

Mercury seated himself by the flowing river. Keeping a careful eye on Anthea, who was watching the stream herself. The occasional salmon would leap from the surface, but nothing within his reach yet. It was surprisingly peaceful. He felt an urge to stretch out in the sprinkles of sunlight. Instead, he leaned a little closer to the water. Watching, and waiting, for a chance to snag a salmon for their lunch.

A glance at Anthea showed the surprise his question had brought her. He wasn’t exactly sure why he had asked. But he wanted to know more about Anthea, wanted to understand the slate-blue wolf he had befriended.

She told him of arranged marriages, and one that had been set up for her. She also mentioned her disagreement to it. He wondered if that had brought on some rows with her parents. “What would you have done, if the meeting had gone through?” He asked, curious.


"Mercury"