Totoka River princess,

"Hold those," her counterpart commanded. Sugar didn't need to be told twice. She didn't verbally acknowledge the instruction, simply heeding it. She didn't budge when Stryx left, nor when she returned a short white later, at least not until she spoke again. Gently, the yearling released the pressure and inched backward.

Stryx assessed what appeared to be a bite wound to the woman's (Praimfaya's!) neck. She declared a prognosis and Sugar nodded, reapplying pressure. She had carried a pup for days on end without complaint, so Sugar could easily sit here and hold the moss to the wound until it stopped bleeding. She wouldn't mind cleaning it once the flow ebbed some, either.

"I'll be fine," she assured, though she did shift her weight and reposition herself in preparation to hold still and wait a while. "What are the chances?" she breathed. "Not just of running into you again and teaming up, I mean. But I've been looking for her, on behalf of a friend."