The Guardian
an excerpt

This excerpt comes from the first chapter, which was part of last year's writing. This year's writing started with chapter 6. Yes, I'm cheating a little by continuing last year's work instead of a new one. This chapter is kind of a prologue.

Nothingness. The world was filled with nothingness. It saw nothing. It smelled nothing. It tasted nothing. It felt nothing.

What is this place? Is this the world? A world of nothing? No, that can't be right. I'm here aren't I? How can the world be nothing if I am still thinking? How can nothing have something? How can I think words if there is nothing?

As thoughts floated through its mind, it slowly regained a sense of self-awareness.

I am something. I live. I am female. Is this all I am? Thoughts? No, I should have a body...arms, legs, eyes, something. Where is my body?

Then she felt it. Her body. Her mind reconnected with her legs, her head, her ears, her eyes, her mouth. She could feel them all there, attached to her body. Almost as soon as she found her body, she felt another sensation. Pain. Intense pain. Her newly found body felt as though it were broken into million pieces.

I hurt. I hurt so much. Why do I hurt? What is this pain? What has happened to me? Why can't I move? Why won't my eyes open? Oh this pain...I wish I were back in the nothingness! But have I left it. Where is the sky? Where is the grass? I know there should be these things. There should be sounds and smells. Where is the world? I must get up, I must find the world.

As if her thinking wished it, she began to hear the world. The sounds were muffled, fuzzy, indistinguishable, but there. Smells trickled up her noise, too faint to identify.

There....there is the world. It isn't gone. Thank Fantasia. That feeling, what is that feeling? Grass? Yes, I think it is...I'm lying in grass. Why am I here? Why am I so broken? Am I dying? Oh, if only this pain would stop, maybe I could think, maybe I could remember! Wait....it's changed. What is that smell? Is someone there?

She thought she felt a soft touch on her face. It was warm and gentle. Muffled sounds reached her ear. It was speaking to her. She felt something brushing her ears, and slowly the fuzziness left.

"...oh, you poor poor thing. Don't be afraid...not going to hurt you. I need to get you cleaned up before I can start to treat you, so try to bear it just a little longer." The voice was warm and comforting. With the fuzziness gone, she could identify a myriad of sounds. Birds chirping and flittering through trees. Small things moving through soft grass. Squirrels chit-chattering angrily. The soft, hesitant steps of a deer. Her own slow, labored breathing.

Something soft and wet went across her nose and she could smell again. The smells confirmed what she had already suspected. She was lying in a forest somewhere; in a place few humans had tread. Only the barest hint of man drifted into her nostrils. She breathed in the smell of her savior. It was a comforting smell...warm and homey, with a hint of herbs. Cold liquids were now being applied to her body. They smelled strong and bitter, but the pain in her body subsided a little.

Thank you, whoever you are...thank you! She tried to say the words, but only a soft snarl came out. What was that sound? Why can I not speak as she does...I should be able to, shouldn't I? This body feels wrong. Why is my mouth so long, my teeth so sharp? Are those claws I feel in my paws...paws! What am I? She tried again to talk, but the results were the same.

"It's alright dear. You're so large I thought you were grown, but I guess you are too young to talk. I wonder where your mother is? Though perhaps your people separate at an early age? I have never seen a creature like you before, you know. I thought I knew all of Fantasia's species, but you are a new one. Well no matter, these medicines should work just as well on you. Now you just stay right there and I'll fix you up. Don't you worry. By the way, I'm called Hoppity."

The words didn't really process, but they felt comforting and she fell asleep under Hoppity's gentle care.

* * *

When she awoke, the first thing she realized was that she didn't hurt nearly as much. The pain was there, but dulled and in the background. After a moment, she was able to hear Hoppity moving near by.

"Ah, you're awake at last. You've slept for over a week. Hopefully you're feeling much more comfortable. I gave you lots of herbs to dull the pain and to heal you up. So many of your bones were broken, but we were in luck! I still had some mending tonic left. I was on my way out to restock when I found you. Now let's check your bandages."

She likes to ramble, but I don't mind. I'm glad it doesn't hurt as much now. I can hear, I can smell, but I still can't see. Are my eyes not working or are they just not open?

She tried to open her eyes, and after a moment she felt her eye lids lift a bit, letting in a trace of light. Yes...they do work...more more! Hopeful now, she concentrated her scant energies towards her eyes and slowly they blinked open.

Oh...I can see, I can see! The grass is so green. That furry leg wrapped in bandages...yes, that's mine. There is my nose. I wish I could move my head so I could see more. There are some trees over there. Is that a door in that tree? How odd.

She felt a movement at her side, and then a rabbit entered her vision walking on its hind legs. The rabbit had fur the color of apricots, with slim ears and glasses perched on the end of her nose.

"Well, hello indeed. I'm glad you decided to stay in the world with us." Hoppity looked as motherly as her voice sounded. With much effort, She managed to thump her tailed twice, trying to thank the kindly rabbit.

"Oh, don't you worry. I'm just glad I found you in time to help you. You look a bit hungry though. I'm going to make you some broth. The mending potion should have fixed up your insides now so it will be safe to eat. Just wait right here."

Hoppity dropped to all fours and bounded over to the tree with the door and went inside. While She waited, She tried again to move her head, but it refused to budge. The door of the tree opened again, and Hoppity emerged carrying a bowl and followed by a younger bunny.

"This is my son Thumper. He's been a great help to me in fetching herbs for your treatment. You know, I don't know your name and you can't tell me. Is it alright if I call you Kiba?" She thumped her tail again.

"Good. Now Kiba, can you open your mouth at all? No? That's okay. We'll still get you fed." Thumper held Kiba's head up while Hoppity slowly spooned broth into her mouth. After each spoonful, Hoppity would stop and gently stroke Kiba's throat to help it go down. By the time the bowl was empty, Kiba found herself falling asleep again.

As the days passed, Kiba slowly regained the ability to move her body. Soon she was eating on her own. As her wounds healed, Kiba slowly gave up wondering how she'd gotten hurt. Hoppity thought that she must have fallen from a nearby cliff, and it seemed as good an explanation as any.

She was thankful the rabbits had helped her, especially as she realized that she was probably a predator in their eyes. Her fangs were long and sharp, as were her claws. A hedgehog had come to visit Hoppity for some herbs, and was terrified to see Kiba laying there. When Hoppity had calmed her, the hedgehog asked how Hoppity could sleep with a meat eater sleeping outside her door.

Kiba had been mildly amused at the idea. Meat eater? As if she would eat the rabbits that had saved her life and been so good to her. They treated her as though she were part of the family. The first day she was able to shakily stand up, Hoppity and Thumper bounced around clearing in front of their home, sharing in her joy. And Thumper seemed to think she was an excellent playmate, climbing up on her body and having her stand so he could slide down her back to the ground again.

It took a bit of work for her and Hoppity to communicate, since Kiba could only use body language, but Hoppity seemed to intuitively understand much of what she tried to say. With her strength and health returning, she wanted to return the favor as much as she could. She carried baskets on her shoulders when they went out to gather food and herbs. When birds of prey or other meat eaters slunk to close to them, she warned them off with a snarl. It didn't take Kiba long to realize that she was much larger than any of them, and that they would run in fear with only a warning glance.

Kiba was enjoying her life with the rabbits. It was calm and peaceful, yet something was keeping her from resting. At night her dreams were haunted by visions she couldn't remember. Often times she felt a nagging sense that she shouldn't be there, that she needed to go find someone. She had no idea who it was she needed to seek, but the urge kept growing and growing.

One evening as that sat watching the sunset, Hoppity came close to her and hugged her face.

"Kiba. You should go. We will miss you, but you will never know peace if you ignore whatever it is that is calling you. Did you think I hadn't noticed?" she chuckled softly, "I haven't raised two dozen children without learning a trick or two. Don't you worry about us. We'll be okay. You go."

Kiba licked her gently. She didn't want to go, but she knew Hoppity was right. In the morning, she gave Hoppity and Thumper one last loving lick, then turned and headed off into the woods, letting her instincts lead the way.

* * *

Kiba traveled quickly. With her wounds now healed, she found that she travel for miles without tiring. As she traveled, she also discovered that she was very skilled in the arts of moving quietly and without being seen. She slept when tired and drank when she found water. For food, she ate the various berries and plants that Hoppity had served her. The same force that had driven to leave drove her to the north.

Five days after she'd left Hoppity's home, she had her first encounter with humans. She'd been trotting across a meadow when a delicious smell hit her noise, along with a strange smell she didn't know. Cautious, but curious, she tracked it to a small village nearby. She lay low in the dense grass and studied the scene.

Although she could not remember having ever seen one, she immediately identified the things walking on two feet as humans. The village had only a dozen huts. Several men were walking around, while two women worked over a fire in the center. She knew there was meat in the pot over the fire. She crept nearer, well aware that she had not eaten since the morning before.

Kiba started to stand and approach to ask if they would share her meals, then she remembered that she could not speak in the common tongue. Hoppity had tried to teach her, but Kiba had been a failure as a student and hadn't been able to pick up even one word.

If I go in there as I am, they will probably be terrified like the creatures in Hoppity's neighborhoods were. Still, I am very hungry and whatever is in that pot smells quite tasty. I think I'll wait here a bit, and see if they leave it unguarded.

Kiba dozed lightly while she waited. An hour later, three more men arrived at the hut carrying the carcass of a deer. The other men cheered and the whole group came together in a circle around the dead deer to skin and carve it. The women left the fire to collect some of the meat. Kiba immediately moved in as well. Her paws were like velvet, barely touching the ground. Even with her acute hearing, she could barely hear herself moving and she reached the pot without being seen. Fortunately, it was warm, but not burning hot, so she drank in some of the sauce before snagging out bits of meat. The pot was half empty before a shout rang out behind her. Without even thinking about it, Kiba jumped three feet to the side as an arrow landed in the ground where she had stood. She looked at the men and snarled a warning, then trotted back into the grass as though she had no worries in the world. The men didn't follow her.

A few days later she came to a trade fair. Dozens of people filled the area, some manning various booths while others shopped and tried to haggle for better prices on the things they wanted. Horses were grouped in a fenced area with a man calling out their prices and begging for buyers. There were booths filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, but it was the table on the edge of the fair that caught Kiba's attention. The bodies of many large birds were stacked together. Their feathers, head, and feet had already been removed.

Kiba would never have hunted any of the forest creatures, but she saw nothing wrong with stealing the kills of others. She'd frequently stolen the mice and weasels that the foxes had caught while she stayed with Hoppity. Hoppity hadn't minded at all, saying that it was part of the cycle of life and that it was better their bodies helped others than going to waste.

Kiba moved very cautiously. There were more people around this time, so she knew it would be harder to steal one of the birds. She was only marginally hungry, but she was feeling rather mischievous and these humans were so careless about their food. After a moment's thought, she worked her way through to the horse pen, thankful that she was downwind of them. When she was as close as she dared to get, she snarled very softly. The humans couldn't hear her, but the stallion in the pen did. He whirled around to snuff the wind and to peer at the trees where Kiba was lying. She snarled again, and he shifted his feet in agitation. Then she slowly stood up, until she was sure the stallion had spotted her, and she grinned at him. The stallion screamed in terror and turned to flee. The rickety gate that held the pen only stopped him for a moment. Picking up on his terror, the rest of the horses followed and a full stampede was in progress

Kiba laughed to herself as the shoppers frantically tried to get out of the horses way, while several men tried to catch them. She quickly went back to the where the bird stand was, using the forest for cover. With a gleeful snarl, she darted in, jumped on the table, and snatched up the largest bird in her mouth. The shopkeeper screamed in horror. Thoroughly amused, Kiba wagged her tail at him in thanks for the entertainment, then darted back into the shadows of the forest to enjoy her meal.

She'd just finished eating when she heard the sound of humans stomping her way. Her nose told her that they were from the fair, and they were not happy. Leaving the remains of the bird, she slunk away to a near by spot, curious but unafraid. The men arrived moments later, carrying torches and armed with swords and bows.

"Damn, looks like we just missed it. This spot is still warm. Fan out men. Whatever that thing was, it had no fear of men so be careful." The man who spoke seemed to be the leader of the group.

Me, fear men? Why would I? Such silly men. They were the ones screaming in terror. I bet if I growled right now, half of them would run. Still, they do have reason to be annoyed; it would not be fair of me to fight them. Not one of them shows any signs of being a skilled fighter...nope, it would be like killing babies. So happy hunting men, but you won't be finding me tonight.

Kiba left her hiding spot and continued on her way without the men ever knowing she was there. She continued traveling north. Two days later, she raided another human camp, this time moving in at night so that she came and left without raising any alarm. Two weeks after leaving Hoppity, she found herself on the beach of a large lake. It was very quiet there, and there was a pleasant breeze. She had not smelled any humans for a few days, so she lay down in the warm sand to take sleep.