Bramblepoint The view from halfway down

Njord's words danced in his mind like the narration of a dream. The melodic quality of his voice did very little to keep Bronco from drifting off, though the mention of his name caused him to peel his eye open the tiniest bit. His mouth opened slightly when his sister's name was spoken, and he uttered a soft sigh to know that this was the man Meerkat had married. A valiant fighter, a gentle and compassionate companion for the dying, and a handsome one at that. The news of childbirth might have brought him more joy if it had not reminded him that he had three at home who might never see him again. 

Sun Mote Copse; Bronco's first home, where his earliest memories and some of his dearest friends and family still slept. He could picture the way the golden sunlight trickled down through the leaves, making shadows that moved like fish below the surface of a calm brook. He realized he felt a longing for that place, where the air was humid and close, always still. 

He couldn't scent his wife with the swelling in his muzzle and nose, but he knew the sound of her footfalls. His eye widened and he looked up to see her approach with a mix of shame and relief. She mentioned Eljay's name, and moving. Moments ago, he had felt certain he would never move again- but a gentle word from Teya lifted his spirits. He could not give up, if she gave him a request. 

Slowly, he pushed himself up, head still hanging as congealed blood slipped from the deep gouges on his face. He could feel the protest of torn muscles in the back of his neck, strained and sprained from the whiplash, but his back and hips shakily lifted him to the ground once he'd sat up. He wobbled precariously, but like a great mountain placed upon giant rollers, he slowly began to move forward, one step at a time. It pained him to think of the slope of the Caldera, which would surely take more energy than what he had- but every inch he moved forward, he was one inch closer to home. 

His head throbbed, and his mouth was parched. He slowly turned his head as if to speak to Njord, though he hadn't the energy to summon the words. In his heart, he felt incredibly grateful. Every bit of strength now was invested in the perilous journey back to the Caldera.