Swiftcurrent Creek wild inside

Your assumptions work perfectly! I’ll describe it more in the following narrative. :D

The sight of Etienne’s face snatched the breath right out of Cambria’s lungs. Immediately, two violently opposing emotions rose up within him. On one hand, he felt such overwhelming fondness, he never wanted to be apart again. On the other, he felt such overwhelming fondness, he knew he should hightail it out of there just as soon as he consulted with his friend about treatment.

Eti, he said, his voice slightly strangled as his feelings clashed and warred. Struggling to maintain a businesslike composure, he cleared his throat and answered, I took a stumble while hunting in some rocky terrain and managed to fall against a particularly sharp one. It’s not deep but I think it might be infected?

He held out his left foreleg, putting the gash on display for Etienne’s assessment. It was perhaps four or five inches long and rather shallow, though it was crusted with drying pus. He had tried cleaning it immediately afterward but there had been a lot of debris in it. Something must’ve gotten left behind.

It’s really painful to the touch, he murmured, eyes flicking up and catching on Etienne’s face. I know you’re busy, with a pack to look after, and you owe me nothing, Eti. But I would appreciate any help you can provide… Cambria trailed off, thickly swallowing the words, “Because I’m afraid.”