Broken Boulder Crucible of Broken Blouder

She was receptive, that was good. Freezing up would do neither of them well in this situation. They didn’t have the time and the missing pups were counting on them for Redmoon feared that no one else was coming. Way out here too, there was no one to that could arrive within time to help. If the pups survival was to be seen - it was going to be through the tests and trials of both Redmoon and Leila. This was their crucible, this was their defining moment. If they faltered in their resolve then two wolves would die, if they persevered then they had a chance to find something more.  

Though when she went to bury the pup he nearly questioned the act. True, scavengers and carrion birds would feast on the remains but wasn’t that the way of things. The act of burying the dead, it seemed strange to Remoon, he’d not ever seen it done before. The dead’s spirit belonged to the Caller and the body belonged to the earth. Perhaps this still served the same purpose but to be honest he was indifferent to the show of respect. Needless to say he didn’t disturb her as she went about her duties for it was something to get her mind off of the prior events - he admitted even he could use a distraction but instead he thought back and recalled the fight. There he noted his mistakes and shortcomings. He would be sure not to fumble again lest a greater cost strike him and he may fall from the Scorekeeper’s favor. 

He didn’t argue when she agreed to go with him. If he had that much trouble with one coyote then he could only imagine what difficultly he’d have with a den of the thieves and cutthroats. Seeing the results of her actions - she could be extremely handy to have around in a tight situation. He frowned, that was the desperate survivor in him talking again. A look at her gore soaked coat in addition to the frightened scent she wore told him he didn’t want her to push herself into this mess more than she had too. 

But then as the beast subsided within him and his mind felt more rationale he thought better of it all. This wasn’t about either of them - this was about two kidnapped pups. He let out a soft sigh of reluctant resignation. If they were to overcome this then they’d have to do it together or not at all. 

That said, he took stock into her kind words. Healing, he knew little of it. When she spoke of the ‘right herbs’ he cringed a bit. He hated eating vegetation but instinctively he recognized the fiber was good for him and helped defeat worms. Oh but it was disgusting and the worst part was that it didn’t bleed. At first he went to protest but her assessment was sound. They were going into unknown territory and right into the jaws of a hostile den, being in top shape was essential to survival and if anyone knew about a vagabond’s survival it was Redmoon. That was something he could get behind. 

While the captured pups were still in coyote paws, it would do them no good if Redmoon and Leila were weakened by infection. He took a weary glance to her, “There is a creek bed not too far from here. Maybe it’ll have what you need.” 

He was still quite troubled about today’s events and as the day’s sunlight continued to carve itself away, he was ever more concerned. They were already too late once, being late again wasn’t something he was interested in. “We’d better move.”