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felt very neglected indeed, not having her daily exercise was bad for her joints. She also got quite restless, just milling about the farm alone.
Saure and Fred were hunting, four days from when Saure's parents were due to return from their trek to Nora. Fred had taught Saure many tricks to stalking prey; actions that no ordinary man could accomplish in his no-nonsense world. These were secrets to cats and cats alone. And, of course, to those who could learn from them.
So, Saure crept barefoot over forest duff, pausing and continuing only when the prey's guard allowed. At the exact moment she needed to strike, she did, and impaled the forest hen with her small dagger. It died quickly and painlessly.
"Good, Saure! You're improving." He gave her a congratulatory bump in the back with his wide skull. She grinned and stroked the strip of fur between his eyes and ears. "Thank you, I learned from the best." She tied a bit of twine around the bird's feet and added it to her bundle of game slung across Fred's back like saddlebags. She would have much good, fresh meat for when her parents returned. She was excited to hear their proud exclamations over her hunting success. They so rarely showed their pride in her.
"Remember, child, the rule of beasts: take only what you need, and use all of what you take. Respect the forest and it will respect you. Spirits watch over all living things, and the very last thing you want to do is upset the elementals."
She nodded, resting a hand on his shoulder as they walked through the woods.
"Man is looked upon with disdain by these spirits. That is one of the reasons men destroy entire forests to build their cities. Very few now will send a sorcerer to reason with the spirits, or who naturally live in harmony with Nature. One day, I will
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not be surprised to see that man has killed or driven out the elementals wherever they dwell. It will be a dark day when only the elves can save them."
"Yes, but who will save the elves?" Saure inquired. Fred paused and looked at her.
"If the elves cannot save themselves, it is their destiny to fade away. That is the way of the world, Saure. Eat or be eaten, co-exist or be conquered."
These lessons she kept not in her head, but in a special place in her heart. She knew these were things she could not learn in tomes or scrolls. This knowledge was written nowhere and everywhere- on the trees and ground and sky itself. One only had to open their eyes to see it. One only had to open their mind to understand it. But, as you and I know, men go about their lives blind for the most part, and most keep the doors to their minds locked and boarded.
Nag huffed to herself as she saw Saure skipping off toward the meadow in a rough green dress. The girl had a basket on one arm and a book under the other. She was also barefoot. Nag kicked open her stall door and tromped into Saure's path.
"Oh, hello Nag!" the girl piped cheerily.
"Oh, so ye can see me! I was beginnin' to think I'd faded into the woodwork, a ghost to the world!" she shook her mane angrily.
"Oi, Nag… What bee's in yer bonnet?" Saure inquired, tilting her head.
"I'll tell you which bees are in my bonnet, dearie! We'll start with where you go every day, and why you never take me out anymore. I fear the neighbors will think my masters have abandoned me; come and take me for meat, since I have no other good uses." Nag pawed the ground with a nervous hoof, agitated.
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