Swiftcurrent Creek The crow and the butterfly.

Stepping clear of the water's edge, Paarthurnax padded across the shore and promptly shook her feathery two-toned pelt free of stay droplets. She paused in her tracks on the grass, her ears erect and her bright eyes alert as she awaited Bazi's arrival.

She couldn't deny the nervousness that built in the pit of her stomach. Paar was so eager to impress the young Alpha, and already she was expected to take on her second challenge of the evening so son after her acceptance. She was drained, mentally and physically, and longed for the first good night's sleep in what felt like forever.

When the ivory wolfess appeared from between the foliage, Paarthurnax pressed her ears back and lowered her crown in submission as she spring to attention and loped gracefully across the clearing to greet her leader. When close enough, the crimson beauty ducked her head with a low whine and bumped her muzzle to Bazi's chin, before pulling back to offer a warm smile. "He is resting, " the sleek Frostfur said in response to the question regarding her patient. "His wound looks worse than it really is. With the right treatment it will heal, I'm confident that we caught the infection in time."

The arrival of a golden she-wolf with an uneven stride did not surprise the aspiring medic, and she watched quietly as she fought the urge to go to her and spare the ache that movement obviously caused. Paar had learned from experience that it was wrong to baby her patients; if they could walk, it was best to let them walk. On many occasions she caused offence to warriors who'd been injured during fights, and had faced the brunt of their sour moods by thinking she was doing best by them. So this time, she simply stayed put.

What did concern her, however, was the fact that the other Creek wolf did not bother to even acknowledge her with as much as a glance in her direction. Paar swallowed her hurt and waited for instruction from the little Alphess, her copper eyes trained to h the younger wolf's alabaster features.