For Sue Vincent’s #writephoto challenge.
“Hush,” Halli commanded. “They’re close.”
Jon peered out from the safe place into the mist, at first seeing nothing but the shifting clouds that were not clouds of water vapour. The breeze changed and blew a ragged gap in the obscurity. Silhouetted against the pale mist, a hart raised his head, nervously testing the wind. He sniffed, his ears twisted this way then that, sensing no immediate, definite danger, but Jon knew what was not far behind, creeping with the stealth of hunters. Halli grabbed his arm before he could call out a warning.
They’ll hear, she mouthed silently.
He tried to aim his thoughts at the animal but didn’t know how. The images of the half-men and half-dogs tracking them through the unseen forest flickered in his head, the panting of half-hound tongues and half-men grunting scattered his attempts. It was Hrolf who gave the alarm, a sharp volley of dog words, snapped and chopped, and the hart bounded away. Silence rolled back and Jon strained to hear the excited sound of the hunt that would mean their pursuers also had heard Hrolf’s call.
Gone. Leaper gone. Safe. Men-dogs far being.
He relaxed. The safe place was still safe.
i can feel this as i read it.
That’s encouraging. I’m trying to get a whole novel out of this atmosphere.
I like this Jane a rare win for nature, only because the odds are stacked 💜
Since hunting began deer have been protected just so they can be hunted and killed. We are disgusting really.
Yes indeed we are
😦
The wisdom of animals…if only we could really hear. (K)
I try, but they are too wary. And with good reason.
They give us clues though.
They invite confidence. The way they look and watch, not running away, letting the human make the next move. They must know how to choose who to trust.
Much better than humans do.
Humans rarely take the trouble to find out. Shoot first, ask questions later.
That’s harsh…but true I’m afraid.
Middle aged men with guns and white vans. I hate them.
I often shoot first… but only ever with the camera.
A very tense passage, Jane.
It’s funny how the men who enjoy hunting, just for the atmosphere you understand, to be one with nature, fuse with their dog etc etc if you ask them why don’t they just photograph nature then rather than kill it, they laugh.
Can’t undestand that perspective at all.
I suspect it’s because the real thrill is not from observing a beautiful animal up close in its natural environment, it’s from killing it.
I fear you are right.
The nasty side of human nature.
Goose bumps got nothin on a heart … that you make race.