Unbirth

A dog sat chained in the garden.

His owner was a noble warrior. Guests came for tales of giants slain and to see the heavy armor. When they left, the warrior turned into the beast he claimed to fight.

He threw rocks, dragged the dog by its legs over stones. Sometimes, a whimper. More often, only his yells and the wind in the woods.

One day, the man stuffed the dog into a sack and threw it into the river.

Water closed above. The dog waited for his death, at last. He closed his eyes. But then, the warrior dragged him back, laughing.

"Useless dog. No teeth, no spine. You are nothing that I didn't make. I can't bear your sight."

The nobleman turned to the house, but stopped. The mother deer and her fawn stood there, watching the scene. Pressing close against each other. The warrior reached for his bow and nocked two arrows on it.

The dog jumped at his master. With all his strength, he bit off the hand clutching the arrows. Iron pierced his mouth, his flesh was torn, but he was never wounded again. The warrior screamed as his blood soaked the earth.

The dog howled.
Chains snapped like trees in the storm.
The deer was gone.

The beast left his master.
Other dogs may come for him.