Scareship_Issue8

“It’s a long story. Just do it, me dear. I’m sure the doings will
provide you with sufficient entertainment to justify your efforts.”
Izzie Starr considered her father’s request, as she bathed in the
chilly waters of Lake Thannat, glistening like a highland snowbird
on its still surface. She was most at home here in the water, as in
the lochs of her youth. It was where she was most herself. “Yes,”
she thought. “Yes, let us do entertain the gentlemen.” She laughed,
and her laughter made birds take wing, and insects chitter, and
forest creatures seek higher purchase.
Brothers of Rook
At first, the townsfolk were terrified of their new resident. But
when they saw the effect that Inky had on Gilly, they privately
rejoiced. Gilly and Inky drank together, laughed together, and
worked together overseeing the security of the town. Despite his
bestial appearance, Inky had a surprisingly civilizing effect on
Gilly, who tended now to rational discourse rather than impetuous
outburst.
When the moon waxed full, the two brothers retreated to
Humble’s Wood, and Inky ran free to hunt and feed, clothed only
in the coat of black fur that would thicken and cover him at such
times, while Gilly kept hold of his talisman and sat round the fire,
waiting for the days and nights to pass until the moon waned again
and Inky would return to hisself… although Inky reckoned he was
more hisself at the apex of the moon than at any other moments of
his life.
And so it went in the town of Rook. As work continued on the
fortifications, and the menfolk commenced training under the
leadership of their golden sheriff and his hirsute deputy, the
community came together in a time of grace that it had not known
since Rook was Uruk, a home only to horses and Hums. And Gilly
and Inky found in each other kinship they had never knowed.
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