Sunset Valley Not Out of the Woods Yet

He accepted her apologie and contradicted her claim of being burdensome. It seemed the only thing that was his need for patience with her decision. With little hesitation, he was at her side supporting her weight. Rarely injured this was a peculiar situation for Cordelia. Those serving her were often knights or members of the court, not pedestrians. A level of vulnerability was always present, but a strong regal exterior was seen by others. Until now. Though it made her uneasy, perhaps it is for the best, her identity more undetectable.

In the beginning of their jaunt pace was inconsistent. Unaccustomed to a limp she fumbled intermittently. Soon her stride aligned with his, her more able to depend on his strength. Despite the undesirable circumstance, there were worse Cordelia could think of. Her companion may not be sinless but his fondness for her brought her a level of easy in her wellbeing under his watch.

Congruent with her request they arrived at a river bank. She heeded his words but her desire to be clean surpassed that of thermoregulation. Luckily for Cordelia the light snow had passed and the upcoming sun rises would bring cloudy skies and warmer temperatures. "Praise you."  she said sweetly expressing her gratitude before relying on her own accord to settle into the water.

Coldwater sent a shiver through her cord but relieved her swollen ankle. In water, weightlessness caused her injury no additional pain and she was free to wash. Dunking her head and full body under before ruffling her pelt, mud, dirt, and debris was carried away with the lazy current. A ritual she was most accustom to permitted her to stay under longer than an ordinary wolf. Giving her time to discontent her neck and chest and eradicate the stain of blood.

Satisfied she stepped onto the bank, swaying her pelt free of water, careful to not vex her companion with residual water. After the first, she repeated, this time for the purposes of having her fur fall in correct form. Now cleansed her pelt showed authentic white, with slivers of silver shimmer. Free of dirt, freckles on her face were seen as intentional. Her natural scent of sweet sugar maple no longer depressed in blood.

"Shall we progress onward? Or do you wish to indulge in a bath aswell?" she thought to ask. Without prompt, she expended her left leg, discretely gesturing for him to arrive at her side if they were to proceed.