Ravensblood Forest been waiting all this time

A voice came first from the waning darkness. Blood formed a crust beneath each nostril, tampering with his sense of smell. Swollen eyelids prevented Tousaint from seeing anything more than the man’s feet as he approached, but he noted that the man moved with caution. It was only when he was thrust forward that he tilted his head to glimpse and recognize him as the one who had come to steal some of Sapphique’s most prized gems. 

His breath rattled and gurgled. He coughed and grimaced from the pain in his ribs, settling his head back against the ground. The earth was hard and cold beneath his chin- but harder and colder still were the words of his sister.