Redtail Rise hyacinth

Something is wrong, the spirit felt. Something is not right.

Moon Runner felt fatigued when she awoke as if she had never slept at all.

Throughout the day she began to feel cold despite a good bask in the warm sun.

By night, nausea set in. Moon Runner’s whole body ached and she began to shiver in distress.

Moon Runner slunk away as the instinct to hide her weakness overcame her. With her body slung low and her tail tucked between her legs, Moon Runner slipped through the forest wanting nothing but to feel well again.

mountain boulder came for moon runner, rumbling concern as if it were thunder into the air around his downed daughter.

her posture said pain. her face reflected his own worry. he nosed at her shoulder, keeping up the steady vibration of his barrel chest in soothing resonance.

how long?

If any other wolf had found Moon Runner, the young girl’s brave act might have persisted… but when she saw Father’s face her guard immediately dropped. She sank into the wet and leafy loam and laid down at his feet.

She tried to stand up but didn’t have the strength and cried as she shivered in distress and confusion.

Just today, the spirit said. She had felt fine yesterday!

At the touch, Moon Runner would have felt feverishly hot, but her teeth chattered as if she were chilled.

I need help, Moon Runner’s large eyes begged of her Father. But what could any wolf do?

mountain boulder crooned for @Redd; they had no healer. he called for @New Snow and @Saturdays Sunrise and @Mulherin and @Gavrel.

rally.

stay here. breathe.

he brought mouthfuls of new soft grass for moon runner to chew, to swallow in hopes it was only her belly.

he did not go far, and brushed her cheek softly, and then once more as he waited for the others.

Moon Runner was afraid but Father’s presence helped calm the sickly woman. Her whining ebbed, though her breathing was labored, and she took the blades of green grass in her mouth though she felt they would not remedy this ailment.

Mechanical, uninspired chewing was the only movement her waning energy could fuel as she curled into a small ball and waited for the support of her pack – for Moon Runner knew nothing of the healing arts. This, the spirit thought, was a battle she would have to face alone.

A call, abrupt and urgent.

Raven step is upon the scene as fast as he can manage. He finds his Ulfhedinn and Treow—the latter, collapsed in the spring grass. She has something in her mouth and ruminates on it like a deer; a weak, newborn fawn, bedded in the undergrowth.

The sight is heartbreaking. The gentle exuberance she beamed with is drained from her ghostly form.

He draws near with a sympathetic whine, ears splayed as he timidly sniffs the girl to investigate what is wrong.

the call might as well have been a shotgun in the middle of the night.

sunrise galloped with purpose, with panic she tried to sequester as she could see the shapes ahead. but all the noise is silenced when she sees her sister, her better half, clearly unwell. she did her best to not just barrel through her father and the berserkr, sunrise offers her sister a tender kiss over her brow, a low pleading whine in her throat.

'you are unwell,' her tone is a hushed one as if just for her sister to hear. pale eyes cast over her father and shadow, as if hoping they knew more than she did. with bloodspot being away, there was no longer a healer. one who knew the ways of ailments.

sunrise did not like this, not one bit. her concern grows as she moves to settle by her sister's smaller frame, tucking her into flame stalker's bigger body as if she was a child. her chin rests against her sister's back, as if hoping she might ease the discomfort alone.

for the first time, sunrise felt weak, useless. and she hated the bitter taste on her tongue.

Moon Runner glimpsed at Tall Shadow’s feet. Her vision began to falter and darken. She shuddered as her spirit willed itself to stay conscious. Then, she felt Sister beside her. Smelled her. Heard her. A pang of guilt shot through Moon Runner. Wasn’t she supposed to be the caretaker? Not the one being taken care of?

This sentiment was short-lived. Moon Runner relaxed when her family formed a protective ring around her… and she laid her head down on Sister’s shoulder.

Then, her feverish body decided on a hard reset to protect itself. Moon Runner began to convulse as a febrile seizure began. Her long limbs stretched out and became stiff as her back arched.

A minute went by, then two.

Finally, Moon Runner was released from the seizure’s hold and became unconscious from her body’s demand to rest.

Last post from MR in this thread.

it was terrifying to watch.

mountain boulder whined in helplessness, trying to lick her face and crowd close in reassurance as her young body jerked and stiffened.

it went on for years. for eons.

he did not think he had ever experienced such a feeling of inability.

her unconsciousness was a relief.

mountain boulder nosed moon runner a last time before he dashed for help.

With her cubs, she heard the call. New Snow called back, her stomach sinking—but she looked to the two cubs, but she could not leave them yet!

She calls back, a question for her mate. A call to any to stand here in her stead so she could join him.