Free Swinging

Levent Kartal · 05-31-2012, 10:10 AM

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LEVENT KARTAL

caught here in a fiery blaze, won't lose my will to stay

i tried to drive all through the night
the heat stroke ridden weather, the barren empty sights

no oasis here to see, the sand is singing deathless words to me

Adjustment to pack life had been much harder than the merchant had thought. He had good neighbors, and he was sure he’d be able to befriend all of his pack mates eventually, but living among so many others had become overwhelming in a short amount of time. Although waking up in a new place each night didn’t bother him, the scent of many wolves around him had startled him as he sat upright in his salvaged bed. Even his house wasn’t haimish yet. Lastly, it was awkward running across the others and wondering if he was expected to do something other than act merry and hunt a rabbit or two in the woods within the territory.

Of course, Levent pretended that his feline companion’s discomfort, not his own, was the reason for their present excursion. They walked familiar trails northward, stopping along roads to loot valuables from cars (an old umbrella being the most interesting thing he found), and eventually made their way into trails around the mountains. Up here, he could forget that he belonged somewhere, and Wilson seemed in a better mood than ever, which made Lev happy too.

Only thoughts of a blind she-wolf kept him from wishing he didn’t have to go back.

“Maybe we could run into someone to trade,” the Venditore suggested, shifting the satchel around his shoulder. It was almost empty other than a few of his shinier baubles, such as a couple of rings and necklaces—and the one umbrella. “Bring something back to the pack.”

The cat looked at him doubtfully. “Who are you trying to impress?” he asked, his voice climbing high and hard.

He smiled and bowed his head. “Why, all of them,” he replied amiably. “That’s how packs work. You make a good impression on them, and you get privileges. I could make a good living for us, Wils; we won’t have to go hungry or worry about safety, and I can find what I’m looking for.” His tone shifted only slightly at that last statement, but he looked casual as he faced forward and walked off again, leaving Wilson no choice but to follow.

The going was easy enough, and Levent headed off in a direction he hadn’t before—to find a small building nestled in the trees, overgrown and musty. His ears pricked, and he moved quickly to the house, peering into a broken window. The sight of walls of alcohol made his throat tighten, and Wilson bristled as he hopped up onto his shoulder to have a peek.

“Maybe someone in the pack drinks?” the Turkish wolf said, and the cat growled. However, he did nothing as Lev went around, trying to find a way in. He respected Wilson’s feelings on this matter since the last incident with booze, but a bit of wine was very valuable in this world. There was too much for him to carry back, but keeping this place secret would mean he had a source of as much alcohol as he needed for his trading.

505

yarr most of this is ramble

table by raze; pattern by dinpattern

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