Chimera Fields burn

Aureli had been busy, gathering the needed herbs and giving Delos a crash course in the triaging of catastrophic wounds. Part of his education was the understanding that not every wolf could be saved, and that there was a great chance of so-called "failure" in their line of work. He tried to be discreet about it, but Aureli was trying to prepare Delos for the fact that someone might die at this hunt.

He'd seen it happen often enough.

And so he'd meant to be at the boy's side through the whole thing. It was Hokulani's call, however, that drew him away.

"I must attend a mother nearing her whelping time," he told his young apprentice. "You may accompany, or you may stay here with Arrluk. I will soon return. You will not be needed for the birth itself — we must find a woman who can get to know you, and invite you to her whelping herself."

He'd set his paw on his apprentice's shoulder and offered him a pleased smile either way. And then he departed.

It took him some time to find Hokulani. Another call had distracted him at first, and then he's lost the woman's trail. But he heard her voice again today, and followed it to its source. Still a distance off, he called to her:

"I'm a little late, but I am here."

He slunk closer, but not nearly within snapping range. He didn't want to crowd her until she specifically asked for his help. In most cases, he wasn't needed at all, and stood by merely as an insurance policy. He was happy to do so again now, and would situate himself nearer or further as it pleased the laboring woman.