Ankyra Sound VIII. Standing in the back door crying, now you're going to need a friend.

surya had grown worried when @Aphrodite had been missing for a few days. it was unlike the woman not to be found near her herb cache or fishing, and after informing @Artyom that he was going to look for her, the yearling departed. he tracked her scent from whitebark stream all the way to the coast; his ears perked when he first picked up the sound of crashing waves.

there was blood at the end of her trail—blood and fear. aphrodite! he cried out, eyes widening to huge emerald orbs. he bristled, wheeling in circles, looking in a panic. aphrodite! aphr—

the name died abruptly in his throat as his nose picked up another scent. . .not aphrodite's, but one of blood, and linked to the masculine smell he had found entwined with his packmate's (he swallowed down the rage he felt at discovering this). it was pungent, more than blood. something foreign to him, and everything foreign terrified him now.

aphrodite, surya gasped out, lurching toward the scent. could it be related? taking shallow, shuddering breaths, he made his way down the cliffs and toward the cave. a dark, still figure appeared in the near distance. aphrodite. . . no. not her. another.

with a muffled exclamation, he trotted in ungainly fashion toward the. . .the. . .young woman? accompanied by— haaye bhagwaan, he whispered, horrified. a young woman, recently given birth. in poor shape. blood and mucous and. . .and. . .

oh, god! what should he do? what could he do?!

stay calm; it's all right, surya told her, trying to keep the quaver from his voice and put on a brave face. still, he was sure he looked as frightened as she felt. i'll get help—i'll help you—

he took a step back and let loose a shrill, desperate howl, searching for aid. it shivered into the sea-air; a small group of gulls fluttered off, squawking, disturbed.

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