Challenge #67

[shivver]

Write a scene that involves animals or other non-sentient living things (insects, plankton, alien versions, etc.). If you have sentient creatures in your scene, they should interact with the animals in some way.

Fill: Challenge #66 (Orig)

[shivver]

With a snarl, the keror leapt from the rock, teeth bared, claws sprung, and yellow eyes locked on Kit.

"NOW!" she screamed.

The mages shouted their spell words and the iron manacles lying on the cavern floor flew up and clamped around Alex's legs. His growl became a confused yelp as the spells pulled him down and he crashed into the dirt. He sprung up and yanked at the restraint on his foreleg, then roared his frustration. Out of the corner of her eye, Kit saw Lara clench her fists, strengthening her resolve against Alex's pull.

"Steady," she murmured. "You all got this."

The keror's head whipped up at the sound of her voice and he snarled again, anger blazing in his eyes. "Oh, my god," Kit breathed as she saw what he was about to do. "Outwards!" she yelled as he turned his teeth toward his own leg. "Pull them outwards!"

Alex fell flat on the ground, legs outspread, pulled toward each of the mages by their spells. Immobilized, he roared at Kit, biting at the air and wriggling against the restraints. She could see his thoughts plain on his face. You can't hold me here forever. He was right, but she didn't need forever. She hopped down from the ledge, strode to him, and knelt just out of his reach. Gray followed, sheathing his sword as he walked.

"It's okay, Alex," she crooned at him, though he frothed and snapped at her just a metre away. "It'll all be over soon."

"Kill it," commanded Draia. "End it now."

"No," she replied. "Nothing ends if I kill him. It'll all start right back over again. And I take neither advice nor orders from you."

"You are weak and sentimental," Draia spat, waving a dismissive hand at her. "This animal is no longer the friend you once had."

"And you're ignorant," Gray snapped, his hand on his sword again. "Alex is just the symptom. Kit's going after the disease."

"Yes. I am." Kit jumped up and, eyeing Gray with a nod, crossed her arms as she demanded, "Call her, Alex. Call your master. Tell her that I don't like her stealing my property, and that she's going to pay for it."