Ol' Flint the Crow

Alpha vs. Flint

Samuel's hands shook after he finish reading the pages The Runt hand given him. With a sigh that brought him on the verge of tears, Samuel ran his fingers down the length of his concave cheekbones. He could not believe how tragic the wolf's story was. It put many a great novel to shame, and it was all written by an animal.

"This is beautiful!" gasped the flute player in all sincerity. Clearing his throat, Samuel explained, "I mean... the way you wrote it was wonderful. I-I could feel your pain! I'm s-sorry! I'm sorry about all you had to go through. No one should have to undergo such tragedy in their life."

The wolf bent her head low and gave the man a humble grin; then she wrote on the ground, 'There's no need for you to be.' She then swiveled her ears apprehensively and asked, 'Do you think your kind would read such a book? Will they accept my tale and spread it throughout the lands? I fear that they will reject me because of what I am. Would humans listen to my story?'

"Of course," Samuel assured her as he grabbed tightly to the bars of his cell to bring himself closer to the animal. "I think it was an amazing tale, worthy of being shared among the great houses of literature. I-I loved it!" Tapping the gate with his finger, he nervously said, "In fact, I would be willing spread your tale across the world..."

The wolf's ears disappeared behind her. Thinking deeply, she gazed at her manuscript and then nervously back at the imprisoned human. Samuel held his breath for a moment as he stared hopefully at The Runt. But she exhaled and gestured with her nose for him to give her back the pages so that she might return them to their hiding spot in the upper level of the den.

She swiftly returned, back to the flute player and wrote, 'It's not ready yet. Besides, I cannot yet give up on my fellow wolves. The Alpha... The bird... One of them must die! I won't let this go on another day. My children... Daughter. I must save her from them. I must do SOMETHING!'

"Flint will stop him," Samuel said softly, uncertain that he should bring the bird up. "Y-you may not have liked the part he played in your family's sufferings. However, the bird has a good heart." He frowned doubtfully, and added, "I may not agree with everything he does; but, deep down, Flint does not want anyone to be hurt because of his actions. He really is empathetic to others and blames himself for his faults."

Turning her face away as if she did not want to hear anymore about the bird that killed her son and inadvertently destroyed her life, the wolf did not write to Samuel anymore. She was just about to lift herself up and leave the human in his cell when a howl erupted from the far end of the den. Like a hound of hell, a wolf scout bounded out of the tunnel crying out loud which held every wolf's undivided attention.

A steady flow of fresh blood oozed out of the wolf scout's abdomen where he had been injured by a small yet deep puncture wound from a sword. Squinting his eyes, Samuel examined the stab wound with much intrigue. A pair of tiny dimples popped from the corners of his mouth. From the type of injury, he knew exactly who was coming.

"Flint!" chimed Samuel while he slapped at his thigh happily.

With a nervous whine, The Runt's head turned and stared at the opposite direction of the tunnel at the sound of hurried footsteps. From the throne room, The Alpha strode forward. He marched with arrogance, and he gave his worried subject a scornful glare at he passed them. By his side, The Runt's fatherless daughter trotted along with her nostrils sniffing in the direction of the tunnel.

Barking at the wounded wolf, The Alpha demanded answers. The scout, shivering and squirming as the pain stabbed into him, guestured at the dark tunnel and yapped in his canine language.

After listening to the wolf, The Alpha snapped his head towards the intimidating hole and growled, "Show yourself Child Killer! Face me. I have your ally. I'll not have you getting away this time. Tonight you will suffer a murderer's death. My son will have justice."