Sacrifice
Heading out of the port city on your Donkeys, you decide to stick to the coastal roads. You feel safer with one side of your troop shielded by the sea so you can easily identify would-be attackers. You travel for most of the day only stopping for a brisk lunch of old venison and moldy bread. Soon we won't have to eat filth ever again.
“Papa, Slobbers is getting tired. When are we going to set up camp?” Your little daughter Vel asks you, glaring at you with bright emerald eyes.
You didn't want to make camp with just the three of you. You had hoped to meet another tribe by now to take in for the night. But the plains are vast and you think maybe the tribes have set up on better land further out. The dog does seem a bit sluggish too. Your daughter always has an eye for the well-being of animals.
“Now seems as good a time as any to set up camp my dear. Take Slobbers and find some kindling for the campfire. But don't go wandering too far off now Vel! I want you within eyesight.”
“Yes Papa.” Vel turns to Slobbers “Come on boy! Lets go!” Vel runs off the road toward some tall grass with Slobbers trotting behind her, the twilight sky making the shadows long and encompassing all.
“Baalthar my dear,” Your wife Helena begins in a low whisper. “ We are weak just the three of us? Do you truly think it is safe to camp here?”
You walk toward Helena and put your fingers through her strawberry blonde hair as it gently lifts in the sea breezes. You look deep into her eyes to reassure her.
“We don't have much of a choice sweet wife. We haven't seen a soul yet, and our backs are to the sea. We should be safe.”
“For our families sake, stay watch tonight over us. We may seem safe but this is a strange place, to all of us.” Helena states, always the one to err on the side of caution. You make your way down her neck and place your large hands upon her sturdy shoulders, gripping them with confidence.
“I will keep watch tonight Helena. No more worries from you now.” She worriedly smiles, clasps her hands to yours then kisses you. A faint giggle emerges and from your peripheral vision you see Vel, with tufts of grass in hand looking at her parents embrace.
“Papa, Slobbers is getting tired. When are we going to set up camp?” Your little daughter Vel asks you, glaring at you with bright emerald eyes.
You didn't want to make camp with just the three of you. You had hoped to meet another tribe by now to take in for the night. But the plains are vast and you think maybe the tribes have set up on better land further out. The dog does seem a bit sluggish too. Your daughter always has an eye for the well-being of animals.
“Now seems as good a time as any to set up camp my dear. Take Slobbers and find some kindling for the campfire. But don't go wandering too far off now Vel! I want you within eyesight.”
“Yes Papa.” Vel turns to Slobbers “Come on boy! Lets go!” Vel runs off the road toward some tall grass with Slobbers trotting behind her, the twilight sky making the shadows long and encompassing all.
“Baalthar my dear,” Your wife Helena begins in a low whisper. “ We are weak just the three of us? Do you truly think it is safe to camp here?”
You walk toward Helena and put your fingers through her strawberry blonde hair as it gently lifts in the sea breezes. You look deep into her eyes to reassure her.
“We don't have much of a choice sweet wife. We haven't seen a soul yet, and our backs are to the sea. We should be safe.”
“For our families sake, stay watch tonight over us. We may seem safe but this is a strange place, to all of us.” Helena states, always the one to err on the side of caution. You make your way down her neck and place your large hands upon her sturdy shoulders, gripping them with confidence.
“I will keep watch tonight Helena. No more worries from you now.” She worriedly smiles, clasps her hands to yours then kisses you. A faint giggle emerges and from your peripheral vision you see Vel, with tufts of grass in hand looking at her parents embrace.