DotW: Lessons from Magnus - Never Turn Your Back

When they were not traveling, hunting, or sleeping, they were training. Magnus spent months working hard to teach her everything he knew; but his most important lessons were not only on how to fight, but how to win. How to stay alive. Shiloh was growing older and stronger. When they first began her training over two seasons ago, she was clumsy and awkward on her feet. Now she maneuvered with ease around him, dodging his attacks and evading his jaws. In his mind he was pleased with her progress, but out loud, he would never admit it. The faster she became and the more she learned, the more arrogant she was becoming.

One sunny day, they sparred together. Magnus intentionally grew more sluggish in his attacks, which made Shiloh drop her guard and gave her a false sense of dominance over the session.

"Getting tired old man?" she said with a cocky grin as Magnus failed yet another lunge at her. Content that she was capable of besting him, Shiloh flicked her tail and began a swift trot away from him. She barely moved but a few tail lengths away when she heard the sound of a charge. Turning her head, eyes wide, she realized he had already launched himself at her. There was no escape. He slammed her to the ground with her throat in his jaws and shook her violently from side to side like a pup playing with an old carcass. His teeth barely broke her skin in the process, though she was certainly dazed from the experience and had a hard time regaining her footing when he finally let her go. With a snarl, he stared down at her, then gave her a warning she would never forget.

"Never turn your back on an enemy, no matter how defeated you think they may be." His chest heaved, but his strong posture revealed that only moments ago, he had indeed feigned exhaustion to trick her. "Always protect yourself."

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My MSE for Shiloh and Magnus this month! No matter the season, Magnus is always working hard to train Shiloh in the ways of the Gold Feathers. It is the most valuable gift he can give her, as the techniques teach her discipline, increases her endurance and stamina, as well as how to do just as he said -- protect herself. And when you're a Loner in the Domain, few things are more important than that!

I had fun with Shiloh's expression in this. D: I really wanted to convey a sense of fear, but not like a "cowering" kind of fear, if that makes sense. More like a "YIKES!" type of reaction, haha.  

Shiloh, Magnus, & Artwork © Quaylak