Read Online The Realms of Animar by Owen Black - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Owen Black
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struggled to remain upright but the wound was too deep and with a painful groan his body tumbled to the ground.
The sound of a bowstring then pierced the air and a sharp pain erupted in Dugan’s back when an arrow found its mark. The horrible feeling that shot through his body was unimaginable and he fought to maintain consciousness. Dugan turned around and saw three men standing nearby, one being Critias who was wielding a crude bow. Around him the hyenas could be heard closing in, their maniacal laughter echoing in his ears.
Dugan was dazed as he stumbled about, clinging to life. Beside him, Azil was bellowing the last of his final breaths. Dugan reached out his hand to his friend, sorrow overcoming the reality of his own flickering life.
He gathered his strength and began running away from the men, heading for the opening leading out of the forest, the village now in sight. Thoughts of his home and friends darted through his mind as pain overwhelmed him and he began to doubt if he could make the run back.
He stumbled up to the large tree stump where Thane and Javan had been hiding. There, peering up at him with teary eyes and half buried by a pile of leaves, sat the boys, quivering with fright.
Dugan abruptly stopped, reeling in pain and whispered to them, “Stay down. Wait….” He took a deep, painful breath as he attempted in vain to pull the arrow from his back. With the sound of the hyenas growing louder, he realized they were doomed.
“Wait until I have them occupied,” he gasped. “Then make a run for it. Do as I say. Tell Trussil…tell her goodbye for me.”
Dugan’s eyes began to water but he regained his composure. Without hesitation he turned and charged toward the ranks of the closing hyenas, barely dodging an arrow aimed for his head.
The boys watched as the dog-like creatures engulfed their friend who was quickly wrestled to the ground. As life escaped him Dugan transformed into his animal form, an involuntary occurrence that took place the moment death occurred. The once impressive giraffe now lie collapsed on the ground, a feast for the carnivores that surrounded him.
Three vultures lingered behind the hyenas, apparently waiting for scraps to be tossed their way.
Realizing it was time Thane looked over at Javan and grabbed his arm. “Let’s go.”
The boys jumped up and ran for the village as the sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches filled the air. Several of the hyenas leapt up from the carcass and began pursuing them, barking and howling as they ran.
When they broke free from the forest, Thane morphed into a horse and slowed for Javan to climb onto his back. The large boy had never ridden a horse before, mainly due to his size not to mention his lack of agility. After a few quick attempts he gave up and transformed into his rhinoceros form. Together they began galloping as fast as they could back to the village.
As they crossed the fields, the hyenas closed in on Javan as the small rhinoceros began to tire and slow. He could not keep up with Thane and his pursuers were much faster.
A loud roar suddenly pierced the air. The boys looked ahead and spotted a charging group of animals, led by Semu, descending from atop the hill. The guard captain was followed close behind by two adult rhinos and the orangutan, Esa.
Like he was as a human, Semu was a massive specimen in his gorilla form. His long muscular arms, broad chest and thick black fur made him an imposing sight.
The hyenas, however, did not slow at the sight of the charging guards. The small rhinoceros was the only thought racing through their hungry minds. They were closing in. Fast.
With just seconds to spare, the guards reached Javan and crashed into his pursuers. Semu encountered the first, slamming his arms down as a hyena leapt for his throat, sending the scrawny dog crashing to the ground with a broken back.
Thane and Javan stopped and together they watched in awe as the gorilla and rhinos tossed and trampled
The sound of a bowstring then pierced the air and a sharp pain erupted in Dugan’s back when an arrow found its mark. The horrible feeling that shot through his body was unimaginable and he fought to maintain consciousness. Dugan turned around and saw three men standing nearby, one being Critias who was wielding a crude bow. Around him the hyenas could be heard closing in, their maniacal laughter echoing in his ears.
Dugan was dazed as he stumbled about, clinging to life. Beside him, Azil was bellowing the last of his final breaths. Dugan reached out his hand to his friend, sorrow overcoming the reality of his own flickering life.
He gathered his strength and began running away from the men, heading for the opening leading out of the forest, the village now in sight. Thoughts of his home and friends darted through his mind as pain overwhelmed him and he began to doubt if he could make the run back.
He stumbled up to the large tree stump where Thane and Javan had been hiding. There, peering up at him with teary eyes and half buried by a pile of leaves, sat the boys, quivering with fright.
Dugan abruptly stopped, reeling in pain and whispered to them, “Stay down. Wait….” He took a deep, painful breath as he attempted in vain to pull the arrow from his back. With the sound of the hyenas growing louder, he realized they were doomed.
“Wait until I have them occupied,” he gasped. “Then make a run for it. Do as I say. Tell Trussil…tell her goodbye for me.”
Dugan’s eyes began to water but he regained his composure. Without hesitation he turned and charged toward the ranks of the closing hyenas, barely dodging an arrow aimed for his head.
The boys watched as the dog-like creatures engulfed their friend who was quickly wrestled to the ground. As life escaped him Dugan transformed into his animal form, an involuntary occurrence that took place the moment death occurred. The once impressive giraffe now lie collapsed on the ground, a feast for the carnivores that surrounded him.
Three vultures lingered behind the hyenas, apparently waiting for scraps to be tossed their way.
Realizing it was time Thane looked over at Javan and grabbed his arm. “Let’s go.”
The boys jumped up and ran for the village as the sound of rustling leaves and snapping branches filled the air. Several of the hyenas leapt up from the carcass and began pursuing them, barking and howling as they ran.
When they broke free from the forest, Thane morphed into a horse and slowed for Javan to climb onto his back. The large boy had never ridden a horse before, mainly due to his size not to mention his lack of agility. After a few quick attempts he gave up and transformed into his rhinoceros form. Together they began galloping as fast as they could back to the village.
As they crossed the fields, the hyenas closed in on Javan as the small rhinoceros began to tire and slow. He could not keep up with Thane and his pursuers were much faster.
A loud roar suddenly pierced the air. The boys looked ahead and spotted a charging group of animals, led by Semu, descending from atop the hill. The guard captain was followed close behind by two adult rhinos and the orangutan, Esa.
Like he was as a human, Semu was a massive specimen in his gorilla form. His long muscular arms, broad chest and thick black fur made him an imposing sight.
The hyenas, however, did not slow at the sight of the charging guards. The small rhinoceros was the only thought racing through their hungry minds. They were closing in. Fast.
With just seconds to spare, the guards reached Javan and crashed into his pursuers. Semu encountered the first, slamming his arms down as a hyena leapt for his throat, sending the scrawny dog crashing to the ground with a broken back.
Thane and Javan stopped and together they watched in awe as the gorilla and rhinos tossed and trampled
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