“Mae—“ she began, but the rest of the sentence went unsaid.
“She’s with Arric,” she wanted to say. “She’s safe now—protected and in the care of her favorite (and only) uncle.” But she didn’t—no, she couldn’t.
Wren erupted, and then succumbed to every ounce of anxiety, anger, and fear she carried. It was all too strong; her body trembled and a shaky paw reached out.
“Wren,” she said softly, pressing her face against the other woman’s outstretched arm.“Wren, I’m here,” and she wasn’t going anywhere, “and everything is going to be okay.” There was a confidence to her voice, despite how she felt after the day they had.
Eshe lifted her own arm, hoping to draw Wren into a hug—but only if she allowed it. She looked into her eyes, searching. “Stay with me, Wren,” she said. “I’m here—I’m not going anywhere.”
cameo unless shes seen/stopped >D
there was no feasible way for silvertongue to know what had gone on at the creek. the memory of wren's stricken face during their last discussion had kept her awake, however, and now the woman was hypervigilant as to their — whatever it was they each would call it. that and akavir's visit. laid glum, silvertongue nevertheless drifted closer. the sense of foreboding intensified, and in the coreland of the creek she thought she heard wren's voice. heartstrings clutched, silvertongue crossed into the territory and stepped to find her lover; tangled with eshe's scent; eshe; wren — her paws slowed and it was with slow seeking expression that she peered around the foliage in time to see eshe bow her pretty crown against wren's arm, reach out for an embrace. silvertongue was not certain what she saw thereafter, throat singed and eyes blurring, she turned away in as quiet a step as she was able. so that was the reason for the — vagueness. ah. and her mind keeled into a thousand thoughts, and silvertongue carried toward riverclan the guilt she felt jealousy at all, but it was the internal greening that kept her from seeing all before her eyes; wren's panic, eshe's comfort; silvertongue spun gold to hay and vowed not to return for a time.
She held the woman close, supporting the weight that’d fallen into her. “It’s going to be okay,” she said, shushing every so often and rocking in sync. “You’re home—you’re safe now.” Her heart broke all over again; their wounds were intricate, some invisible. “Arrics with Mae and the baby, and ,” her voice cracked unexpectedly, and tears pricked her eyes, “They’re going to get help—they’re going to be okay.” Did she believe that? Or was she just saying it? She wasn’t sure.
There was a sound and scent that drew both of their attention, and Eshe turned to look over her shoulder as Wren called for Silver. It was a gift from above—the very person who could break through all the noise.
“Silvertongue,” she called, desperation and urgency in her voice. “Please—Wren needs you.” Her voice faltered; she couldn’t leave, but she needed to if they weren’t heard.
There was a shift in the dynamic when Silvertongue returned. Eshe, eager to give them the space they needed, tried to take a step back—only to stop as Wren swayed and put a paw on her. She braced herself and took on her friend’s weight, helping her safety slide onto the ground. She felt a surge of urgency now; Wren was getting worse.
Eshe watched Wren with a frown as she rambled, and then she turned to Silvertongue to fill in the blanks. ” I found Moss dead in the marsh w-with one baby at her breast,” she breathed deeply, attempting to rid herself of both the memory of the scene and the fear in her voice. ” There was a man and an older woman there, and they wanted her baby. I called for help and W-Wren and Mae came. Mae took the baby and ran away, and the woman chased after her. I tackled t-the woman, and Mae and the baby got back. A-Arric is taking them to K-Kvarsheim to a mother whose n-nursing there.” She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but her mouth was too dry. ”Wren s-saved our lives from the m-man,” she shot her packmate an appreciative look, ” He lunged for the baby and M-Mae.” She cleared her throat and wiped her forearm over her wetting eyes.
”I need to get Wren herbs to heal her up—some poppy seeds for the shock and to dull any pain, chervil root to prevent infection, moss with water …” she trailed. ”I-Is there anything else you can think of?” Her head was spinning. ” Can you help clean her wounds?” She needed to busy herself—to prolong the inevitable moment where it’d all hit her like a ton of bricks.
Last post from me! <3 Tag for reference.
They both urged her to get and rest—which was the opposite of what she wanted to do at the moment. But, after a prolonged lapse in silence, she agreed with a nod.
”You’re more than welcome to take any of the herbs in my garden and den—everything should be well stocked on everything I listed off.” Though, with all the injuries, she wasn’t sure how long they’d last.
”If Wren doesn’t react well to the poppy seeds,” she didn’t know why she wouldn’t, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
”I have some chamomile and dandelion leaves towards the back of my herb piles.”
Knowing she was pushing her luck, she took a step back and dipped her head.
”T-Thanks,” she said, her gaze bouncing between the women. Then, without another word, Eshe turned on her heel and headed deeper into the territory. As she walked, she remembered she needed to find
@Akavir and fill him in on everything that’d happened, and she picked up the pace, keeping herself busy for now.