Emberwood seeking empty whispers

Any other time Kukulkan might have found some amusement in the mild tension he sensed between Evien and this female, but his head was drowning in a fog. Instead he simply focused on the obvious, the concrete realities around him.

A twist in his gut left him frowning at Evien’s mention of thirst, and suddenly he became all too conscious of just how parched he had become. The sore strain in his limbs ran hot, his head a clambering, fiery mess. A low groan and the brute grumbled under his breath, as much as an affirmation as he could manage in the moment. Seeking water would be easy enough, surely, as he knew these lands well.

“Aye, th’water... it’s.. err...” His head rolled to the side, trying to realign himself, to get his bearings and figure where he was, so he could find one of the numerous streams, creeks, and rivers that coasted through these woods. But the female chimed in, knowing exactly where to go before leading the way without hesitation. ”Yeah, wha’ she said.” he mused with a hollow resemblance of the humor and charisma that used to be heavy in every encounter he had.

Feeling the resistance in his muscles, their aching protests, Kukulkan persisted and rose, shakily at first, to follow suit north. If Evien kept close, he’d welcome the brace despite trying his best to assume a gait that did not betray his weakness. The promise of water and a small meal was encouragement enough to feign strength long enough to reach their goal.

Soon enough the gurgling or low speed water currents graced his ears, and a small perk in his steps would leave the walking pile of bones and neglected muscle picking up his pace. Heavy paws slapped against the stones that rested on the edges of the water, his limbs wobbling as he eagerly dipped his face down to lap it up, greedily. Wobbles led to shakes and his legs curled underneath his leaning stance, Kukulkan lay atop the brook’s edge.

The cool crispness of the drink filled his mouth, his throat, his belly and left him in a greedy euphoric state. Memories threatened to ruin this moment, of times long past where he and his pack members had rested here. Talked here. Fished and sunbathed and joked. They were bitter and painful memories, but even they could not take over the primal, pressing need for a hydrating drink.

Everything, and everyone, else melted away...