Otter Creek Blood Stains on the Collar Means Just Don’t Ask

For @Herod, others in the Godsmouth group may cameo <3

Consciousness stirred, slowly at first, like a distant echo. His mind was submerged in a fog of half-formed sounds—the incessant hum of insects, the murmur of indistinct voices, and something else, softer... rippling water? It took a long, dragging moment before Machiavelli realized he was, in fact, awake. Then, all at once, panic seized him, and he shot upright, heart hammering in his chest as though it sought to tear its way out.

His breath came in shallow, frantic bursts, the thud of his pulse nearly drowning out the world around him. He blinked, dazed, trying to make sense of his surroundings. He was no longer in the lowlands, that much was certain—no familiar dust, no oppressive heat. Instead, he found himself tucked within the cool embrace of a bush, its dense, wiry branches creating a hidden alcove. Beneath him, there was a makeshift nest, rough but soft enough, crafted from dried leaves and bits of grass, a safe haven that had cradled him in his unconscious state. Above, the midday light filtered through the leaves, breaking into a dappled pattern of sun and shadow, gently flickering across his pale fur.

The scent of bitter herbs lingered in the air, sharp and medicinal, rising from the bandages wrapped carefully around his injuries. Someone had tended to him—someone with knowledge and precision. His mind spun with questions. The pair that attacked him and Safiya wouldn’t have gone to such trouble. And yet, he wasn’t in Akashingo either. It didn't add up.

He swallowed hard, pushing past the tight knot of confusion lodged in his throat. Shifting slightly, he winced as the throb of his injuries reminded him of their presence. The world outside the bush was a tangled web of branches and thorns, offering little in the way of answers. He slid forward cautiously, nose twitching as he poked his head out from beneath the protective foliage, eyes scanning for any sign of the little Mazoi.

Where was Safiya?