Cerulean Cape harvester

days had passed since the last time the young boys had seen their family. 

it had been an afternoon like any other.  golden light shimmered down where the dense foliage above broke to reveal the sky.  elias was further from home than he should have been.  he was alongside the river's edge, playing with his reflection and the dancing sunlight.

then, he slipped —

and though he had no memory of it, he cried out before his head had submerged.  it was @Panacea who had heard him, though when his brother arrived at the river's edge, there was no one to be found.

— the next thing he knew was a pain so great it was indescribable.  his eyes and lungs burned, his throat was raw, his breath shallow and ragged.

the first thing he saw was panacea, who had run to his aid.  the next was his savior; a woman so pale and benevolent she seemed to glow. he was awashed with the feeling of safety before once again he succumbed to unconsciousness.

the woman carried him, leading panacea up the coast.  she was in no place to care for these children herself and had been unable to find their parents.  unwilling to explain herself, she told the children to wait and disappeared, certain that one of the many nearby packs she scented would take pity on what she assumed to be two poor orphans.