Toughened Fare

He took from his neck a large string of salted beef that was pearled like a rosary, that he wore concealed beneath his tunic. He motioned to Francis to sit and join him for a breakfast.

The wolf, who had also now risen from her bed, stretched, bristled, and leaned in closer.

She seemed to be glaring a little too intensely for Toby’s liking, disturbing the young Monk’s concentration. With a hurried dedication he broke away some of the chunks, handing two lumps to the fractious animal.

Francis divided his beef, giving also the wolf her lot. The three sat chewing for a short time on their toughened fare.

Tobias found it frightening to sit this close to a wild dog. She was twice the size of any domestic, baring her huge teeth with a snarl of a smile. Foamy globs of drool kept dropping from her open jaw. She held her gaze upon his rations that remained.

These portions were planned to last two days more and Tobias had no mind to appease the animal of her want.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances