Blacktail Deer Plateau How bad is it?

There was a moment of apprehensive thought after Pema's request. Was this a denial of treatment? If the two separated now, who was to say they would ever meet again? Maybe Pema just needed an excuse to escape Sorrel's sickly presence and tend to her own needs, which there wouldn't have been any blame for. After all, Sorrel's case was a hefty one. Still, she nodded her head and made her way back to the den to wait for Pema.