Ouroboros Spine broken skulls and broken bones

Of all wolves in the Spine, he knew how incredibly difficult it was to shake old habits. He'd made a few mistakes himself upon joining. Adjusting from one way of life to another was not always the easiest or straightest path, but it could be done with time, practice, and the willingness to correct any mistakes that were made. If this wolf could learn, he would be useful, but in order to do that, he'd have to fully embrace this newness of life and learn to let the old traditions go.

He worked upon the wolf, taking the necessary steps to ensure this wound would heal properly and swiftly. It was clean. The blood was slowing. If he was careful to take care of himself and keep off that leg for a while he'd be back to a hundred percent in no time. If, that was, he took care of himself in the right way. Reopening wounds would only increase the initial damage. Far better to take it easy than to let stubbornness spoil a future.

He listened as the wolf spoke. All were valid reasons, however that was not the way things happened here. "Her actions did not matter." Howl or not howl, not every trespasser would make themselves so obvious. In this instance, she had, but neither he nor Tonravik had known the female was engaged until they arrived at the scene. "Howl. Always howl. Howl if you see them. Howl before you engage. The Spine is a unit. We fight as one." It was their way.

"These scars?" He tapped a paw to the wolf's flank as he checked on the salve. "They may be marks of bravery and survival, but they are first earned through a slip in defense." Not every wolf was a slippery sparrer, nor was every wolf capable of dodging every blow. But those blows that hit and sunk deep? Those were errors. "When we fight together we guard each other's flanks. Our scars are fewer." More eyes. More bodies. Less openings.

And if that wasn't enough? "Howl so that we can all protect our home together." This place did not belong to one, but to many. They all deserved a chance to fight for what they held dear. "It is our home. Multiple. The task is not for one wolf alone." He'd repeated the issue several times, but he wanted to be clear. If one reason did not sway him, perhaps another would resonate more true.

All the same, he patched the wolf up and was done here. Kerosene rose to his feet and gestured for the other wolf to try the same. "I'm sure you know this, but I have to repeat it anyways. Keep off that leg for a few days. Stay hydrated. Rest. There is plenty of food in the caches scattered around the Spine. Try not to over exert yourself."

He stepped away, taking a few paces before his ears fell as he mentally berated himself. Turning, he glanced over his shoulder and spoke once more. "You still fought well." He offered the wolf a nod before continuing on his way. Arverk would be fine. He knew how to take care of himself.

-Kero exits-