Ulmer's Eulogy (Part II coming soon...)

Mar 02, 2008 - 17:46 PM PST

Ulmer’s Eulogy


The patter of rain is a deafening roar in Ulmer’s ears. He hobbles along, careful to avoid losing his feet in the open mouths of the sludge below. Above him the trees shiver in the wind as they bend to the will of the storm. Shotgun blasts of thunder add to the fray that assaults his eardrums. The scent of pine offers the sole escape from the bleakness of the day.

Lifting his pale yellow eyes he watches as lightning dances from cloud to cloud in its waltz. Ulmer pauses momentarily to revel in this terrifying display of beauty. Each passing moment the shallow waters grow into a dirty abyss. Around him the river cries in shame of her new found obesity, the torrent of her tears pours onto the riverbank. Furious that Ulmer is trying to escape her clutches, the river chases seizing his heels.

Beside him the trees begin to crowd. He intended to continue along the banks avoiding the trees and the dangers within, but nature is forcing him in. Weighted down by his wet coat, and wounded, he is forced to move at a slower pace in the underbrush. Any obstacles will prove disastrous. No choice left but to venture in the trees for if he dares to stay close to the banks the river will take him.

It has been nearly three days since he left the pack. Without pausing the wounds never got a chance to heal. He had no other options other than leaving because had he stayed, he would have been killed. Briefly, Ulmer dwells on thoughts of the pack and a past free of pain. It was about to be spring, the young ones would be fresh for the hunt. The females would be carrying their young. The best of times to be their leader, but that life was gone forever now. I wasn’t good enough Ulmer thinks. His wounds seem to burn more feverishly causing tears to well up. A loud crash pulls Ulmer from his thoughts. The storm still fights its war, pounding down upon the world with all its might. It seems that at any moment it will win.

Without further hesitation Ulmer silently creeps into the dense underbrush. He appears as a shadow, his deep brown fur acting as camouflage. With this knowledge he begins to feel safer. “I have to find somewhere to rest,” he says aloud as his eyes search for somewhere to hide.

Nothing, he finally thinks after what feels like an eternity. Turning slowly Ulmer surveys his possible paths. He heads East with the hopes of not running into any obstacles. Even the simplest of problems will turn deadly, as there are much wilder things under the trees than a lone wolf.

Hours go by before Ulmer runs into any trouble. A large number of trees have fallen during the storm, blocking his path in many instances. With great disdain he finds himself abusing his tender muscles further. His wounds seem to open further with every step. Almost done old boy, almost done, he tells himself as he nears a clear portion of the path.

Finally, as Ulmer gratefully places his aching paws onto the path he feels a twinge of hope. The storm has begun to wane and the clouds evaporate in the bright sun. It must be past noon as the sun is still high in the sky. Its warmth comforts him and some of his strength returns. Everything seemed better for him until a very familiar scent caught his attention.

“Ulmer, you old fool.” Ferris says nonchalantly. Slowly sliding onto the path behind Ulmer, and he isn’t alone. “Did you honestly think that he would let you get away?”

“We have been tracking you for days,” Bolton adds, “It wasn’t that hard really, with you moving as slow as you are.”

The two edge along side Ulmer, “Your blood reeks of infection. You may want to get that cleaned out.” Ferris snaps at him, his fangs brushing close to Ulmer’s exposed torso.

“Leave me alone. I left because I had to.”

“You left because you have no honor. You could not face him after you lost.” Ferris ignores Ulmer’s plea.

“It’s a shame really. After twenty years of taking orders from you, he simply took everything away.” Bolton taunts Ulmer with his arrogance, “How does it make you feel knowing the pack is no longer yours?”

Ulmer can not answer. The thoughts begin to weigh heavy in his mind. Glaring ahead at Ferris, Ulmer can not help but hate the tenacity of the young pup. Jealousy strokes his mind as he sees the defined muscles and sharpness of his eyes. He remembered the day when he would have torn apart these two just for looking at him wrong.

“Obviously the old timer doesn’t feel so good about it all. What should we have expected anyways? He ran to save his own hide.” Ferris howls.

“I did not run.” Ulmer defends himself, some hidden strength working its way into his voice. “I never run.”

“Then why are you going this way?”

“I have nothing to say to either of you, so why don’t you go and hump each other some place else.” Ulmer knows his words will cause Ferris and Bolton to retaliate but he doesn’t care.

“What did you just say?” Ferris growls rabidly.

“I said to go hump each other and leave me be.”

“Or?” Bolton’s upper lip quivers. They circle Ulmer, their fangs hanging out and hair standing upon their backs. Almost instantly the two tackle Ulmer forcing their teeth deep into his muscles. Ulmer tries as hard as he can to hold in the pain but can’t and unleashes a sharp yelp. Buckling under the weight he falls to the ground wincing as his flesh is torn.

“Why doesn’t he fight?” Bolton asks Ferris.

“He knows he is too weak.” Ferris snickers with a gargle of blood.

Ulmer feels his ribs cracking under the weight of their attacks. Ignore them. They know nothing, they are mere pawns in all of this. Must take it, steal their fun from them. He tries as hard as he can to ignore the pain, but to no avail.

Ferris laughs as he pulls his teeth out. Blood drips off his snout as he pushes his face against Ulmer’s. “We aren’t your pups. Don’t act like you scare us.” Staring back at Ferris Ulmer’s upper lip quivers in anger but that’s all he can do. “It’s a shame, we really thought you would put up a fight.”

“Well I’m glad to disappoint. My fight was never with you.” Ulmer finally lets out. “So finish this now or leave.”

Ferris slams his weight onto Ulmer, his mouth pushing down onto the weak jugular. Bolton grabs onto his back with his claws. “I don’t have to finish you off, you are already dead. Look at you bleeding all over the ground.” Ferris taunts.

Bolton releases Ulmer from his grip and scratches his side, leaving a long deep gash near his stomach. “Come on Ferris lets rip him to pieces. Remind him why he lost.” he says with a laugh.

“No,” Ferris glares at Bolton, “He would never forgive us for it. Let’s go.” Ferris releases Ulmer’s jugular and begins to head off down the path. “Come on Bolton!” he calls back.

“Fine,” Bolton reluctantly moves away from Ulmer. “See you around…” he chuckles.

Lying on the ground Ulmer does not move. His blood paints the ground below him. He no longer has the will to move, nor the strength to do so. Turning his watery eyes to sky he watches as the sun flirts its way through the leaves. In a small pocket of holly bushes Ulmer can hear a squirrel rustling around looking for food. Poking its head out briefly the squirrel stares at Ulmer, not with fear but in sorrow. He bows his head before disappearing back into the bushes.

The world around Ulmer, that always seemed to cower in fear, now comes to look upon his broken body. Shame comes over him as he finally finds the will to get up and hide from everyone and everything. It is a sluggish pace for him as he trudges up a hill nearby. Blood smears on the leaves and trees around him. Atop the hill lies a small cave, abandoned long ago.

He falls to the ground with a loud thud. He lies there unconscious, drifting away from the pain and shame he felt no so long ago. He dreams of the days when he was stronger and his pack respected him. The many successful hunts when they would take down a moose or some deer. He remembered the feeling of triumph when he would return with food for all. Those were the good days, when he was much younger. His fur was not matted and graying. His eyes shined like the sun and his muscles built like stone. He was the king of the forest then.

Thus, Ulmer sleeps and dreams, while the world around him forgets he is there.