The 20th Mar 2010 WriteOnSite Winning Entry
They came at night, men with pinched, miserable faces. It seemed like hundreds of them, in cars and pick-ups and I could hear the voices of cattle dogs and some of my own kind, too: anxious voices, excited voices, fearful voices.
There was so much noise and light, everything was a blur. A big circle of men formed--some women too--blood lust was in their eyes. They watched as two small dogs fought each savagely inside the circle, it made no sense to me, why would they fight this way? If not brothers they were of the same blood. I knew their type to be proud warriors but not against each other. Never against each other. Oh, this was beyond my comprehension and I grew terribly anxious. I called out to the other dogs but they did not answer me.
Eventually they came for me and I was led into that circle; death was there. I could smell its stink, its putrid breath. In a fleeting moment of clarity and foreboding, I understood what must happen: as it had been for the small dogs, so too this would be a fight to the death for me.
I heard a deep voice as he entered the circle. He bore many scars and although there was silvering in the hair of his head, I knew it would be a mistake to see this as a sign of weakness.
“Greetings cousin. I am Greoufon.” There was no warmth or trace of fear in his voice.
“Greetings Venerable Elder, Rhameu stands before you.” I bowed my head as is our custom, he nodded his acknowledgment. “I have no quarrel with you sire.”
“I know.” He looked at me with sorrow and for an instant, it was as if he had made a decision. I will remember the sadness in his eyes until I draw my very last breath.
It was indeed a fight to the death and I, its victor, to my everlasting shame and sorrow. Greoufon's skill was superior to mine, he could easily have overcome me yet he sacrificed himself. Whether from compassion or because he just wanted it to be over forever, I’ll never know. He rests with our fathers now but my heart is still heavy with remorse.
I had suffered many wounds but a man-child came and tended them. He brought me extra food, his own food I realise now, it helped me grow strong again. Late one night he crept out to me, releasing me from my chain.
“I am so sorry this happened to you. Please go now, run away, don’t stop until you are far from here..”
I ran and ran, relishing the sun on my back, free from the burden of the heavy chain around my neck. I came to the outskirts of a town. I'd never seen a real town before, of course, nothing like that one at least, so many cars and trucks, and oh, the noise. I'd no idea what to do but tried keeping away from the busiest streets, even so, I still managed to get myself in trouble.
A car came out of nowhere. I just didn’t see it until it was too late. There was a screeching sound and before I knew it, I was flying through the air with pain searing through my body. I landed hard on the road and heard a woman screaming, I tried to move but my legs were too heavy and I couldn’t get up.
They took me to a man in a white room, he had such kind eyes and gentle hands. I must have fallen asleep because I can’t remember much about it but when I awoke I was here...wait, wait, I hear voices.
There are voices coming, it makes me nervous of the return of the men with miserable faces and chains. I'll sit over here in the corner, maybe they'll pass by.
“Here he is. I don’t know what you’ll make of him, he’s quite friendly really, just wary. We don’t know much about him but, he appears to have had a hard life so far. He’s not very old but a bit of a mess to look at with those scars.”
“What’s his name?” There was warmth in the soft voice.
“We call him Jake.” No, no that is not my name, when will you understand I am Rhameu? Her soft hands are on my head and I have a strange feeling in my belly, a feeling of no fear.
“Pleased to meet you Jake, come on, Iet's take you home.” I can feel gentle hands on my head
Copyright © 2008 Rob Richardson. All Rights Reserved.