Distraction Island

Citadel perked up when his mother called his attention. Trotting over to her, and astounded all over again that he was taller than her. Not even a year old… it felt wrong somehow. Like his mother should be larger than life, and certainly larger than him. His parents were gods in their own rights in his world. One incredibly wise, and the other incredibly strong. He was reluctant to leave Selene. He’d barely left her side since she had fallen, and had slept in the infirmary with Oleander's permission. Sneaking into her bed when everyone else was asleep. Selene was out to the world, right? She’d never know his weakness, his worry.

His mother didn’t tell him where they were going until they reached the black sand, and she nodded her head towards the island. Citadel swallowed hard, his face pailing a little. He remembered his forbidden night time swim with Iskandor not that long ago. His tired paws, losing his way. The blackness of the ocean… sucking in water instead of air…

He took a few steps closer to the water with more than a little trepidation. He glanced over at his mother. He was not a wolf who could share his weaknesses easily. He took a few steps into the ocean. He glanced at his mother again. They were really going to do it? She wanted him to swim all the way to the island? His gangly body was very leg-heavy. His giant paws had grown first, and the rest of him was still catching up. He was…. The least hydrodynamic of the litter.


"Speech"