Redtail Rise Phoenix

They walked along the ridge line, ignoring the ache in their shoulder as they tried to collect their thoughts. Masque knew they should seek out @Mountain Boulder. Did he still have one foot out the door? Fear hit them like a punch to the stomach. Perhaps Avicus’s death had changed that, along with everything else.

Masque found themself stumbling down the slope in the general direction of the borders, their legs suddenly wobbly beneath them. They nearly lost their footing but managed to stay upright at the expense of their injured leg, which they had to strike out hard to avoid pitching. They gasped as their entire foreleg twinged.

And then they reached the foot of the rise and paused, not entirely certain where they were going or what they were doing. Maybe they should find @Mulherin, their rock, or @Redd. Masquerade felt, deep in their bones, that it was time for one of Avicus’s two eldest to step up in her stead.

They trembled to a stop, mouth watering as nausea rolled through them. But their stomach was empty. They hadn’t eaten in days. Masque breathed harshly, lowering their head toward the snowy ground, waiting for the queasiness to pass.

They began walking again on only slightly steadier legs. Their stomach settled but their chest began to hurt. Masquerade supposed that made sense. They were heartsick, after all.