When she woke, there was only darkness. Rain thought back to the events of the day. A bad storm had hit when they were passing through Ravenbloods forest. Rain had attempted to lead them to the caves near Blacktail when a tree limb landed on her hind end and broke her leg. Nishu had helped get her to the area the caves were in. It hadn't taken him long to find shelter and bring her there. After that she only recalls darkness. Remembering that she was in a cave, Rain looked around for the entrance.
Light glowed softly from around a bend, lighting the dust particles in the air. Her charge was no where to be found. "Nishu?" She called out tentatively, wondering if he had left to get food or find help. She hoped that he would be back soon.
A throbbing pain brought her attention to her injured back leg. She inspected it closely, wincing as she spotted a piece of bone protruding from the broken skin. This was bad. She would have to get it treated immediately or infection would set in. Her thoughts drifted back to the healer she had met in Stavanger Bay. Wishing that she were closer. At this point they were near Blacktail Deer Plateau. Rain had once met a friendly wolf from that pack. Maybe she should call for help? But what if someone dangerous answered the call?
Desperately she hoped that Nishu would return. She would give him a chance to return before calling for help. After all she didn't know when he had left her, or what he had gone for. A feeling of loneliness and abandonment tickled the back of her heart, but she pushed it away. She had faith in her charge. He would return to her. Nishu was as loyal as they came. Rain was sure that he had not left her to fend for herself.
It wasn't often that Blue left the sweet spot of her home. But today she was ranging far and wide for what she may need for the coming winter months. Fall was fast upon them, and her caches were low. She had used so much of her store recently both with Luke and Lasher. It was a bit worrisome. She still had a good amount of things, but one never knew what they may need. And Blue, Blue believed in being prepared.
It was on this cold blustery day, that she smelled fresh blood upon the air. The sun was beginning to fly higher into the sky and soon enough it would be warm. Blue stuck her nose to the ground and followed the scent, desperation adding speed to her heels. What if Lasher reopened his wound? Or what if it was one of her children.
She came to a cave entrance and she chuffed gently inside. Hello! is anyone in there? Does someone need help? Then she waited anxiously.
throwing him in here as well :)
It was scent that brought Dante to the border as well, for as he patrolled he had by chance caught a trace of wrongness. He immediately moved to investigate, tracking it to the location where Blue now stood. When he saw her he rumbled a greeting, his curiosity clear.
He hadn't heard her words, but it was clear she was searching for something, and he guesse it to be the same he now sought. "
Is someone there?" He asked her softly, unaware that it was the same thing she had asked moments ago. If so, it seemed they needed medical attention, and he hoped it was not one of their own. A loner this close made him uneasy, but an injured loner was better than an injured packmate.
Thank you for responding so quickly!
Voices called from around the bend causing Rain to jump. Hair standing on end at the base of her neck, she called back, "In here!" There were two of them, that she could hear, and neither one was her charge by the sound of their voices. Rain felt shocked at Nishu's disappearance. Had something happened to him? Why had he left her? Shaking her head, she rid herself of the thoughts so she could focus on her current situation. At this point it did not matter if the wolves were friendly or not. If they were, then all the better. But if not, well she couldn't move. Her bets leaned more towards these wolves being friendly, especially if they were from Blacktail. "Could you help me?" She asked. "I can't move." Biting her tongue on her last comment, Rain internally scolded herself for revealing that she was unable to defend herself. It would have been best to not have said anything. They would find out for themselves soon enough though.
Rain wondered if there were more than two wolves, it made her tense. The back of her head began to pound, indicating the beginning of a headache. If she didn't want any more pain than she already had, Rain decided that she would have to calm herself and not worry about the intentions of the two wolves. She took a deep breath before letting it pass through her open mouth slowly. The tension in her head faded slightly. Again she took another breath, continuing to calm herself until her breathing slowed to a steady pace. There was no use in worrying anyway.
Blue looked towards Dante and frowned in thought. I'm not sure I thought I smelled another, but I haven't heard anything yet. Whoever it is, I smell blood. Then she grew quiet and waited ears perked forward, head held upwards. She hoped it wasn't a severe wound, or that the wolf in question wasn't nasty, she didn't know if she would have the patience to deal with someone being snotty.
The next words caused Blue willow pause. At the girls words of help, she couldn't move, blue murmured. Heavens And without a backward glance she pushed herself in through the cave entrance she tried to keep herself small and non-threatening, but it was hard in such a small space, Blue was not a small girl. Her eyes caught sight of the girl laying in the way back. Hello. I'm Blue Willow. Is there anyway at all that you can get out of here and we can help you back to our home? Blue looked around, she wasn't sure how to help the girl out of such a small space.
Dante's ears tipped back as an unfamiliar voice responded, and while Blue offered to bring her home, he felt a rumble build in his throat. It was not directed at the healer, whose helping nature was known and appreciated by him. But he did not like that this injured stranger, assuming safety, had chosen to shelter so close to their claimed lands.
"You assume much." He said, unfriendly and disapproving in both tone and manner. "To settle so close to us and expect aid." He then turned to Blue Willow, ignoring her a moment. "I would prefer to escort her away. We have our own to look to." He expected argument and therefore did not speak with finality. If she disagreed, it was for her judgement. She was the healer and he would not trod on her morals. But he hoped her judgement in this was sound and she would not overtax herself or their supplies for a stranger.
Before Rain could respond to Blue Willow, the wolf with her spoke. She felt offended at his words of how Rain had expected aid. It wasn't true. She hadn't expected help, but had hoped for it. Here one was willing to provide aid and the other wanted to keep to their pack. If Rain had been in the same position they were, she would have been cautious, but she would not have turned away a helping paw to a wolf in need. Though, she would not have offered to help take the wounded back to her territory, but rather treated them where they were. As long as no one who intended to harm her came into the cave, she would be safe enough. "I don't think I would be able to make it very far," she told them. "But if you could find my pack or help with my leg so I can make it back to them, I would be more than grateful." In her state, she wouldn't be able to do any harm.
Blue turned and stared at him, her eyes lowered to slits.She spoke in a whisper, fighting ot keep her voice down. Dante her leg bone is poking through the skin. Tell me would you be really worried about finding a place to lay low that wasn't near a pack if you were in that much pain?
She shook her head at him and snorted. She understood his concern and worry.
I understand your concern and I can set it and wrap it here with what is around me possibly, but she will need a place that is dryer and more comfortable. She is going to be laid low for some time.
Blue turned back around and spoke softly, Who is your pack? And where are they located? Blue bit her tongue and didn't offer anymore aid. The simple fact was she maybe Beta but Dante was still Alpha his word was still better than hers.
He failed to see how her state was their affair, but knew saying as much would not be wise or kind to the Beta healer. She couldn't have gone far with those injuries, and so could only assume they had happened nearby. What he didn't understand was what she was doing so close in the first place.
But what was done was done, and he wasn't unreasonable or rash. There wasn't much of a chance of her getting far on her own, so if they wanted her gone, they'd need to do something about it. Be that either delivering her away themselves or finding some of her own to do the job for them. The latter was preferred.
At Blue's statements he nodded... she could tend to her here, if she wished. He did not at all like the idea of bringing her into their home, but neither did he want Blue to stretch herself attempting to care for a wolf beyond their borders. "She should be with her own." he said at length, hoping that she would be able to answer Blue Willow's question. When she did, he could go himself to try and find them, for he wanted her here no longer than was absolutely necessary.
Rain laid there listening to the wolves speak until questions were asked of her. "The Sunspire," she told them. "You would find them at the heart of the mountains." Amekaze was friendly enough that she wouldn't decide to run off these two, or not,until they made their intentions known. When the male said that she should be with her own, Rain agreed internally. She didn't want to be here any more than they wanted her to be. But it couldn't be helped. "If I could get to a point where I could walk to my pack, I would be more than happy to leave." Her icy blue gaze landed on the male. "There's nothing I can do now." Would he take the hint that she could do no harm and cave into her staying? Or would he continue to pursue this matter until she left, whether she was able to or not?
To put it mildly Blue was irritated, very very irritated. She wanted to fly into Dante, and she it was neither rash nor kind. She was just worried about someone who was potentially really ill. If the girls bone was set, her skin wasn't wrapped, infection could set in and it could turn her lame, or worse kill her. Blue knew that Dante wouldn't know this, potentially no one would, but her.
The biggest pill to swallow for Blue was that Dante wasn't who she thought he was, or perhaps more so who he had been. There had been a time he would have done what he could to help another. Now he was reserved and angsty and Blue didn't like it very much. She couldn't say anything, it wasn't really her place. However, what she could do was help this girl and she would do so to the best of her abilities.
Who shall we send to the Sunspire? I've been past there many moons ago now Dante. One of the babes may go if you ask. Casmir seems to be the most wildly roaming. As for her I'll care for her. And you needen't worry about my herb stock I have more than enough for her. I've been collecting since I came here. Trust me I will not lose too much of it.
Taking one last look at him she turned away and motioned for the girl. If you can, please won't you crawl towards me. I'm going to have to set that and it is going to hurt like you would not believe. I also can't promise you won't always limp.
Dante simply nodded in quiet affirmation to what she said, not quite satisfied about the situation but not openly against it either. He trusted her to know what she could and could not do and therefore wouldn't push too hard against it. But he would do everything he could to get her gone as soon as possible.
"I will go," he stated after a moment's silent thought. He knew the way sure enough and the trip wasn't all that terribly long. Besides, he was on ok terms with their Alpha. Now that he knew where she came from, the tension eased slightly from his stance. If they had one friend amongst the other packs of the wilds, it was the Sunspire.
"I'll return as soon as I can, hopefully with someone who can help her home." He did not catch her irritation with him though it was warranted. She was right. At one time he wouldn't have hesitated to take in an injured stranger. But that seemed a long time ago. With a final nod to her he set off, knowing she would likely inform the others of where he had gone. Hopefully he would not be away for long.
Blue willow began to make suggestions to the male about who to send for the Sunspire. The other wolf with her took up the task, saying that he would find someone. Rain gave him a grateful glance. "Thank you." She felt more relaxed when she saw the tension leave the other wolf, and the fact that he would be leaving them made her less nervous. Blue Willow was definitely more friendly, and she liked her right off the start. When the male left the healer suggested she move forward so that the bone can be set. Rain crawled forward slowly while being careful to not jostle her injured leg. She did not want to have to endure any more pain than necessary. Although, for the most part her leg felt numb.
"Make it quick," Rain said nervously as she laid out next to Blue Willow. She gritted her teeth together, mentally preparing herself for the pain she was about to endure. Rain had a sneaky suspicion that this would be the most pain she had ever felt. Lids fell over ice-blue eyes, not wishing to witness the setting of her bone. Body tense, she waited for the healer.
Blue winced of her own accord when she saw the leg. She knew this was going ot hurt the girl, and she deeply regretted that she would be the one to put her in pain. However, she also knew if she didn't there would be bigger repercussions than they wanted. Possible infection could set in causing her to either never walk again or kill her. There was no guarantee that she would be able to walk without a limp, there was even the possibility that she wouldn't be able to walk at all on that limb. Blue wanted to tell her all this, but instead she stepped forward.
She nudged the girl and pushed a stick towards her. Bite on that, this is going to hurt. Blue sniffed around at the leg, making sure it wasn't yet infected. Seeing that it had been kept clean. She stepped forward and gently prodded at the bone to try and get it back into place, knowing every single movement was probably terrible horrifying pain. Then with a soft chuff, she reared on her hind legs and stepped down using her front paws on the leg, snapping the bone back together. Then she hurriedly backed up so in case Rain decided to snap as it was instinct she wouldn't get bit.
Rain gratefully accepted the stick she was offered, biting down on it hard in nervousness and a bit of fear. Blue sniffed the wound before starting the process of putting it back in place. Rain cried out at the first push, attempting to keep her leg still so that she wouldn't do any more damage or reverse the progress Blue would be making on putting her leg back together. But the pain was excruciating. Her front legs moved back and forth as if she were running to escape the pain. She hoped the stick in her jaws wouldn't snap from the amount of pressure she was placing on it. She wanted the leg to be left alone at this point, but it would be the end of her if it didn't heal. A soft chuff was the only warning she received before Blue stood up and landed on the injure leg, snapping it back together. At the onslaught of unbearable pain, Rain passed out.
Sorry for the delay. My kids have literally been sick for two weeks. It started with tummy bugs, turned into more, then it turned into sinus infections and lastly ear infections. The weather needs to figure out what it is doing it's making everybody sick. Warm one day freezing the next.
Blue grimaced as the girl cried out proximate. IT was going to get worse before it got better, but Blue didn't say anything. Sometimes when one anticipated the pain it hurt worse, or they stiffened and caused more damage. So Blue continued moving about. Blue winced when the leg fell back into placed, and whined softly when the girl lost her fight with consciousness. She would be in a deal of pain all day and most of the night. Hopefully, it would begin to ease as the girl rested. Blue quickly, but gently put a stick next to the leg and wrapped it tightly with Willow fronds. She tucked one end into another with her muzzle. If she moved to much it would come undone, but if she stayed quiet and restful as Blue hoped, soon enough it would be okay.
Blue settled down next to her. When she woke she would help her move into the cave. Blue didn't think she would be able to move her on her own without jarring her leg.
Starr edit - gonna go ahead and archive this! Hope that's alright <3