I've decided to write a little novel about one of my favorite heroes in Shadow Era (haven't you figured out who is it yet?) allyless Darkclaw.
So let's start and see how it goes.
Chapter one. "Voice of Winter."
It was one cold night. Deafening silence spred across the edge of the forest. Even thin air seemed frozen. Crumbly snow crisped beneath his measured steps. He walked unhurried. Never use more energy than you can regain by hunt. Vague trace of blood dragged behind his path. But he wasn't worried about his wounds, he just waited for the full moon to raise and he knew that all the scratches will heal at no time. Chilling stream of evil winter wind blew from the north. He shrugged his nose, he caught something elusive in the stream of air. He didn't knew yet what that was exactly, but definitely felt strongly about it. It was wind of changes. He didn't knew what will change, but he was positive by that moment that world will never be the same again. This awareness made him to speed up his steps a little bit. He wanted to know what is about to be changed, because the information is the key to survival and victory.
Others called him the Darkclaw, according to some versions this name was given to him because the only thing that he washed his hands with was his enemies blood. But he didn't care about his name. He never asked himself such a question: "What is my name?", it seemed completely pointless to him because he hadn't anyone who will call him. He lived according to the law of the wolf, he soaked it with his mother's milk. Never trust anybody, even yourself, never rely on anyone but yourself, noone can help you better than you can. This world is harsh, there are enemies everywhere, if you want to survive you must defend yourself. And best defense is attack. Approach them unseen, bite them hard and retreat before they understood what happened. Than return and bite again, seed the panic and terror in their hearts. They have no chanced against you as long as you concealed by your most powerful ally - darkness.
He was elder cub in brood, he forestall his brothers for a couple of minutes but still he was first. He fought his brothers for every piece of meat mother managed to bring them. In month he killed two of his brothers and only youngest one managed to survive somehow due to natural skill to dodge his deadly bites and hide in right moment. Darkclawwas the strongest one. As soon as he could hunt alone, he abandoned his family and started to live wild and free life which he loved so much.
He was coming closer to the source of that smell he felt earlier. He sniffed again and it struck him: "Huuuumaaaans...". He knew that his ancestors were humans long time ago, but he had neither sympathy for them nor compassion. They were like tiny puppies shivering in the dark, and fear of the dark he could never understand. Darkness was the greatest boon given to him by wulven gods, and he could operate in shadow better than any human would in the light. People need society to survive, he doesn't. Men need weapons to gain combat advantage, he can deal with his teeth. Humans would start war with each other killing and enslaving one each, deceiving and overriding to live at another's expense. Darkclawwas alien to this.
Now he was really close, at distance of few miles or so and he could distinguish separate smells. And there were a lot of new, unknown scents that aroused his interest. But one stench he knew very well, as soon as he recognized it, his heart clutched.
So it concludes the first chapter. I would like to hear your response, critique, opinions, notes and do you want to see more of this?
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