Loamhedge
Chapter One
Lashing rain, driven by harsh biting winds from the sea,
scoured the land from the bleak salt marshes to the stunted
scrub forest. Abruc the sea otter bent against the strain of a
loaded rush basket. It was tied to his shoulders and belted
across his brow to stop it from spilling backward.
Holding on to his father's paw, young Stugg trotted
alongside, plying his parent with interminable questions,
which Abruc did his best to answer.
"H'are you veddy veddy strong?"
Scrunching his eyes against the wind, Abruc could not
help smiling at his inquisitive little son. "I have t'be strong.
I've got to feed you, your mamma an' the whole family.
That's my job, I'm a father."
Stugg sucked his free paw, digesting this information
whilst he thought up another question. "Den why can't
Stugg sit atop of your basket no more?"
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