Having a moment to herself, Reina travelled to Ravenshook Cliffs. The waves called to her below, playing tag with the rocky shore that she laid upon. Eyes like the ocean before her watched sea lions travel the deep waters, a chuckle taken by the wind as she watched babies play, their round bodies bobbing and weaving effortlessly in the water.
She wondered what it was like below the surface. Was there air underneath the surface? What dangers lie beneath those waves? It was obvious she would never get those answers, especially since her eyes had strayed from the waters to lock onto two scrawny forms at the bottom of the cliffs. One dark, almost invisible against the cliffs themselves, and the other, reminiscent of the sands beneath the healer.
Squinting, the objects became slightly clearer and Reina gasped. She let out a howl for
@Tybault, but did not wait for an answering call. The way down to them precarious, one wrong move and she could tumble down into the rough waters. Swiftly and carefully, she made her way down. The two objects were verified as two young wolves, much younger than her, neither one stirring at her presence.
Maybe they couldn’t hear her approach above the crashing of the waves? She called to them.
“Are you both alright?”
Tag for reference, though he’s welcome to assist in their retrieval! :)
Eyes of the freshest limes, dimmed by malnutrition, blinked wearily, vision slightly blurred. A gnawing deep in the pit of the stomach caused him to wince.
He had heard something. Words. Water crashing. Blue skies above.
Are you alright?
With the very little strength he could muster, his head lifted to face the fuzzy figure, clad in red.
Voice rusty from dehydration, like he ate the sand where he rested, he croaked a response.
“No.”
And he laid himself down again. Moving hurt.
Carnie? What’s going on? I don’t feel good, Carnie…
Words did not leave the young girl’s mouth. Her eyes did not open at the unfamiliar female’s words. Her body stirred as she heard her brother’s grating response.
But, consciousness wavered.
And she went under once more.
They were alive, evidently by the young boy’s response. Though, both children’s condition were concerning, the young girl was worse. Reina had brought with her the fox pelt gifted by Reverie, the same one that she took from her shoulders and, gently, wrapped the girl, her words soft and soothing.
“Darling girl, my name is Reina, a healer from Hearthwood. I am wrapping you in a pelt. I am sorry if I cause you pain, I do not have assistance. The boy next to you is too weak to help me. I will do my best to make this quick, please hold on for me.” The girl had not given her indication that she heard the instructions, but Reina continued, determined to get the sicker of the two off the coast. She eyed the boy, still having not moved from where he lay, but his eyes were on her. They held unsaid words.
Thank you.
Her own eyes welled, but she did not let the tears fall. The healer needed to remain strong. A nod was given, a soft smile in his direction before she started tugging the girl up.
And up.
And up.
The task was grueling, her strength dwindling with every step back, the incline of her path and the uneven terrain almost making it impossible. Her determination helped her to persevere despite the weakness and exhaustion that hit her. When the two made it to the top, and after she was sure the girl was safe, Reina let go of the pelt, breathing hard and fast.
With a softness she could muster, the girl was unwrapped from the pelt. Blue eyes scanned the area, assessing the safety of their surroundings. Her heart beat quickly with fear—she had to leave the girl to return for the boy below. Anything could happen while she was away and it was terrifying. But, she had to give the boy a chance to live.
“Little one, I will go down for your companion. I will try not to be long.” She nosed the girls cheek, simultaneously checking the girl’s breathing, which was steady and strong. That was a good sign…for now. “Hold on for me.”
She left, following the same path to the boy, pelt in tow. Her words were the same as she had explained to the girl. He was conscious and would nod slightly as she explained her steps, assisting her by moving his limbs when needed.
The path up was the same, though more difficult as the boy was larger than the girl, heavier despite his malnutrition. He stayed still this time, but his eyes remained on her, his gratitude giving life to his gem-like eyes.
Out of breathe, she flopped down after placing him next to the girl. Her eyes remained on them, on their chests, watching the rise and fall. It pleased her to see their breaths remained strong, but it would not be so for long. So, she lifted her head and let out a howl to the male she hoped would help her. She couldn’t, and wouldn’t call for Tybault—he had been the reason that she came to these Cliffs.
Tuft, please come to the Cliffs outside of Moontide, by the sea. I need help.
Her exhaustion pulled her under, eyes tried to stay open, to watch her new wards. But, they could not, and all went dark.
Tuft had been looking for potential spots for dens, when he had heard the call. Immediately, he sprinted toward the call as fast as he could.
He arrived at the scene to see that Reina was passed out with two other pups. Horrified, he rushed over to see if she was still breathing. Relieved to find that she was, he screamed at her "Reina! Reina, are you okay? Please wake up! I don't know what to do."
He paced back and forth between Reina and the two other pups, trying to think of different options to help them. Luckily he was carrying an animal hide of food and tried offering it to the pups.
Carnelian was tired, too tired to greet the male that answered the red woman’s call.
He shifted slightly, hoping that his movements would catch his eye as he called for the female who saved them.
Reina.
They were indebted to her. Reina, healer from Hearthwood.
The male had come over and offered food. His nose sniffed, and he mustered what he could to reach out and grab it with his teeth. He knew he couldn’t chew and swallow fast, he would become sick.
He blinked at the male, a look of thanks passing between them.
Carnie? Carnie, I hurt…why can’t I open my eyes?
Brother?
Peridot laid still, aware of her surroundings, but unable to interact. All she wanted to do was open her eyes, but her body wouldn’t listen. There were unfamiliar scents, one slightly more so, a female. The other, a male, and she heard his voice yelling.
Reina.
It was a name she would never forget. If she lived, that is.
Rousing to her name, Reina sat up quickly.
He had heard her call. Tuft was here! Oh, she could kiss him! Though, Minnow might have her hide.
“Tuft, I found these kids down at the bottom of the cliff off the ocean. The little girl is worse than the boy. I need to get them to Kukutux. I have strength for her with my fox pelt, but I need you to carry the boy. Can you do that for me?” She got to all fours, murmuring to the girl of what she was doing.
Without a moment's hesitation he picked up the boy and placed him on his back. "Of course! I can carry both of them if you need to rest." Tuft replied.
He started to sniff at Reina and the other two wolves to see if any of them were hurt. The pups didn't seem to have any wounds that needed mending, but did look exhausted and starving. He looked over at them and said "My name is Tuft. You guys are safe now, okay? Reina one of the toughest wolves I know, and I know that she will make sure you live. Just help us out by staying awake alright?"
Unsure of where Kukutux was, Tuft asked Reina "Where is Kukutux? I left her to find a good den for our family."
She nodded at his offer, appreciating the weight lifted from her shoulders. Her body was already strained past its limits, exhausted by carrying the children. They were younger than her, just coming into their first year. She did not know their relation, where they came from, why were they down there.
All she knew is she needed to get them to a more experience healer. “Somewhere in Moontide, I think. I’m so sorry to pull you from Minnow. I didn’t know who else to call…” She thought of Tybault, a sour taste in her mouth. Who knows where that male even went after their heated conversation.
“We can call for her. I hope to the Sun and Moon she answers.”
She padded off towards Moontide, sending silent prayers to the skies that the kids will remain stable. She did not know the extent of their condition, but they for sure would need to eat and drink. That was easy enough. Her father once told her to never force food down a starving wolf’s throat, it would make them sicker.
"There's no need to be sorry Reina. Minnow will understand. My priority is to help all wolves first." Tuft said.
He turned his head around to look at the young wolves. He needed to get water for them, but was not accustomed to the surrounding area yet. Sticking his nose in the air, he decided to see if he can use his specially acute sense of smell to locate the nearest source of freshwater. He noticed that a scent seemed to be coming over from the east. He looked toward Reina and said "I think that there is a nearby stream close by. I'll call for Kukutux and start heading over there so we can let them drink."
He tilted his head towards the sky and gave out a long howl for Moontide's leader, then headed towards the scent of fresh water.
“Wait!” She called after him, hearing his words of a stream. It jogged her memory of where they might find Kukutux. “There’s a camp by the golden forest, right off a stream. Let’s get them there.”
She veered off in the direction of the second camp. The red healer hoped that she was right. These kids needed help and fast.