Dreams that fade in fire

Word had reached her ears that the pack would be going on a raid soon and Andy had quickly set about oiling her armor and leather wrappings. Her father has reached his golden years and, while he has yet to slow down, the lavender young woman wishes that he would. Gray now peppers his muzzle and she knows that his body must hurt from all the fights he has been in and years he been alive. But Andy has not mentioned any of her worries to him and, instead, has focused on getting ready for the raid.

The call finally reaches in her den and Andy pushes out a small sigh before quickly donning her armor and kudu thorn wraps. Every time those special black leather studded horn wraps are fitted into place, the lavender wolf cannot help but feel as if she can see her mother smiling. For a moment, she lingers in those memories with Zee, picturing the dead woman as if she can see her smiling face in this very room.

But there is a raid to be had and she quickly shakes her head, dashing away Zee’s face and sending a few tears to splatter against her den walls. Taking a deep breath, Andy steadies her breathing before she trots out of her den, down into the Col, and to the Obelisk where her father is waiting. Since no one has arrived yet, the young woman moves up to her aging father and steals a tight, warm hug. The memories of her mother still tickle her mind and she knows that Zee would be worried about him right now.

While holding him, Andy softly whispers, “I love you dad.” With one more squeeze, she releases her him, places a loving nuzzle against his cheek and retreats backward to grab a seat. Memories have filled the young wolf with a deep sense of melancholy and this raid also feels like the closing of a chapter. Sitting at attention, she waits for the rest of the fighters to gather.


"Andromeda Fatalis"