Chapter 5

Story by Courgus on SoFurry

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#7 of Spinebreak Valley: Tales of the Wasteland

The evening past by and the rays of sunlight climbed the mountains and quenched the hut in a decent light.

Inside the hut the young unknown fox woke up and looked at the wolf. Right now things changed for him.


Elias and Jackal still laid in the bed and looked at each other. It was a new feeling that Jackal felt right now. For him it was untypical to act like this. The young wolf always paid attention to the things he did. To keep a cool head was always necessary to stay alive in the Wastelands. But this fox somehow got the ability to drive him crazy.

Meanwhile Elias slowly got up and walked towards the firepit. The fire that burned yesterday and kept them warm over the night was long since dead. The cold from the outside started to push into the house. Jackal looked after the fox while he stood at the firepit.

While Elias cleaned the firepit Jackal also got up and approached Elias. The fox looked over his shoulder in the eyes of Jackal, who stood right behind him and smiled.

>>I would like to give you a hand. Where do you keep your firewood?<<

Elias nodded and pointed over to a small door near the cupboard of the kitchen.

>>I keep my firewood and stuff there.<<

With a smile on his face Jackal advanced to the storage and Elias started to ask in the meanwhile:

>>You had a restful sleep tonight?<<

Jackal opened the storage and a slight scent of cedarwood came to his muzzle.

The wolf took a deep breath in this moment and he was delighted by this scent.

"I love the scent of cedarwood. Don't know why." he thought to himself.

With this thought and the delightful scent in his nose he answered the question of Elias:

>>Well... yes indeed. I did not notice it till now.<<

Elias nodded as the scent of the cedarwood started to flood the whole house.

>>I love the scent of cedarwood. Don't even know why.<<

Jackal turned around nearly instantly.

Elias looked at Jackal and wondered what just happened.

>>Is something the matter?<< he asked Jackal.

>>It's... just what you said. I thought the same just a moment ago.<<

The wolf returned to the firepit where Elias had everything prepared.

Minutes later the fire in the pit started to burn and the warmth of the fire filled the house again.

The time passed by while they cooked a meal and prepared some tea.

When the meal was finished they took a seat at the dining table and had lunch.

>>Your name is Jackal, right?<< Elias asked.

The wolf nodded and replied:

>>You took a look at my saddle?<<

With a smile on his face the fox nodded.

>>Yes. While I brought your steed into my stable. It is a nice name.<<

Jackal smiled at the fox and nodded once more. After lunch Jackal went out of the house. Once he took his first step outside his vision got blurred for a moment. The sun was strong in the mountains and the snow, which reflected the sunlight, wasn't helpful at all.

Jackal raised his right paw to protect his eyes from the flashy light and took a seat next to the door.

Elias quickly joined him once everything was done in the house.

>>The sunlight is rough here, isn't it?<<

Jackal nodded and started to laugh.

>>Indeed and you seem to deal fine with it, don't ya?<<

A certain smile decorated the face of the fox and so he replied to the question:

>>I live long enough in the mountains. I built this hut with my own hands. Everything you see here is handmade. By my hands. I used to live down in Bendrock City years ago. I left the city when it was about to get ugly.<<

Jackal listened to the words of Elias and remembered his last time he visited Bendrock City.

He was aware that this city was a rathole and often murder, tavern brawl or gun fights happen. This was a normal day in this city and nothing that was suspicious to him or the citizens. His former gang had a hideout in this city for meeting and planning. But Jackal always hated these days when he was forced to visit this city.

>>I know what you are talking about, Elias. I hate this city as much as I can. Well, Elias I should admit that I am on my way to this city, once more. Hopefully for the last time of my life.<<

Elias looked at the ground and nodded.

>>What brings you to Bendrock City?<< he asked straight ahead.

>>I need to find any clue for my old gang I had left for some years ago.<< Jackal said.

>>I see. You want to join them again?<<

Jackal looked up from the ground. His eyes appears to be dull but then he suddenly replied:

>>I need to stop them!<<