Kingdom of Ash

he’d anticipated. He had no need of a snare or
arrows to catch the lean rabbit that cowered
nearby. No need of knives to skin it. Or a spit.
When his thirst and hunger had been sated,
when a glance at the sky told him no enemy
approached, Dorian drew the marks. Just one
more time.
He had to be on his way soon. But for this,
he could delay his flight northward a little
while longer. Damaris, it seemed, also agreed.
It summoned who he wished this time.
Gavin appeared in the circle of bloody
Wyrdmarks, paler and murkier in the morning
light.
“You found it, then,” the ancient king said
by way of greeting. “And left Erawan with one
hell of a mess to clean up.”
“I did.” Dorian put a hand to his jacket
pocket. To the terrible power thrumming
there. It had taken every ounce of his