Daily Excerpt Post - november 12th

[alison-sky.livejournal.com]

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[cattich.livejournal.com]

You will have to excuse my lack or proper writing, but you must take into consideration I was never considered a scholar.
The next four years consisted of random abuse, and I was at times set to go sleep in the kennels. I was awarded a new shirt, and when my pants all but burst at the seams, I was awarded another shirt, and a pair of pants, both so large I had to tie them on with a rope.
When I was seven, I was kept in the kennels. At first, the dogs ignored me, but once they came down wind of me, they began to harass me. I smelled like wolf. All but one dog attacked me constantly. The start of this month in the kennels was the last month I could truly be called innocent. After that, I would turn eight.
By this time, I not only knew the language of the Citadel, but I could only speak it. Master woke and told me he would not have a runt chasing his heels, and that I would have to spend some time in the kennels. I ate what the dogs were fed, and I slept beside my dog companion, and I fought with them. I learned to fight in an odd hybrid way. I used my teeth, feet, hands, and nails in ways never thought of before except by dog men. I would bite gums, paws, and backs, and then pull at the wound until they all learnt to respect me.
When I turned eight finally, Master took me to The Sovereign’s garden once again. I had not been there since I first arrived, and though I had seen The Sovereign a few times, I was never given more than a glance. When we entered the gardens, I immediately kowtowed. The Sovereign laughed.
“You have been having fun with him, Leon. You may rise, Salyk,” a dog’s name, “come, look at this. Unhook the leash, Leon.” He commanded my master. My love for The Sovereign grew stronger. Even though I knew Master was my provider and protector, and I loved him as such, I also hated him fiercely. Just as fiercely, I loved The Sovereign, even though I knew Master received his commands from him. As the weight of the clasp for the leash was lifted from my shoulders, I felt immensely free, though I still had the weight of the heavy collar on me.
“Come, boy,” The Sovereign beckoned. I took a hesitant step, and then rushed to him, and he hugged me. As I stood in his embrace I felt… far less scared. I was not stupid; I knew he was the ultimate one who allowed anything that happened to me, but….
“I am sorry. You will have helped me greatly, but is it worth the cost?” He turned to master and released me. “Leave us now.” After Master left, he led me to the edge of the pool. In it were fish the size of my forearm, and a beautiful fountain covered in carvings. Me and The Sovereign merely sat watching the fish. I counted fifteen and idly guessed that The Sovereign would not be pleased with me if I caught one of the fish to eat.
“Salyk, I shall tell you something that you may never repeat, do you understand?” Startled by his breach of the silence, I looked at him intently and nodded. Not looking at me, not even to acknowledge my gesture, he said “soon a boy will come, his hair will be made of fire, and he will wield two twin blades. People have spoken of his coming for… a long time.” I watched as his face and body came alive with the power of his belief in what he was saying. I listened more closely, entranced by a poem he recited.
He sat, his eyes glazed in thought. He returned to me and smiled, “I get carried away,” he laughed. “Speak, Salyk, tell me of something.” He commanded. Of what should I tell him?
“Go on, do not fear. I wish to hear your voice before you go.” He encouraged me, smiling again.
“I sleep with the dogs, and there is but one who has befriended me, and I it.” I told him, and he laughed at me.
“My language comes from your tongue naturally, are you sure we are not of a country?” He said, but I did not truly understand him. He watched the fish a moment, then dismissed me. “Go now, he will be wanting you. Leave.” His voice was stern such as I had never heard it. I went, kowtowing to him before I left, even though he still watched the fish. I found Master’s room to wait outside of on my own, knowing the Citadel well by then.