Redtail Rise LXX

backdated to may 24, @Wren first <3

a long howl announced his return to @New Snow and @Redd and @Mulherin.

he assumed @Moon Runner would have been taken to one of the dens, but he did not know; he paced heavily toward the borders, stoic in his worry.

what had she been dragged into?
wren marched alongside the man with her bundle of plants, a collection of roots and leaves she knew next to nothing about. silvertongue had given her cursory guidance, but no more, and now the songbird was left with a distinct fear that she was going to let these people down.
but there is no harm in trying. she had cared for silvertongue before — this could not possibly be any worse.
she is silent, teeth clenched, her own brow knit with concern. the rise man's head dips back in a call for his kin while wren watches the horizon, waiting.

updating her timeline for all this <3 and just a one post cameo!

Wealda remained behind to guard the lands while the hunt lead sought help.  She had informed him of their agreement, and the skills of Haelend offered, but whether he took the time to bring a gift was up to him.  It was his blood who needed the aid.

No matter which occurred, Wealda would ensure their bargain was honored.  She would deliver meat to their borders later if needed.

Moon Runner was positioned still near the river.  Wealda was not Haelend but knew water as the one true necessity.  Even without food, life could be maintained for a time, but without water all would be lost.  Moon Runner would not last forever without either, however, and the lead was grateful to see another accompanying the father.  Perhaps all would be well.

Without a word, Wealda appeared before them, then turned and led the way to where Moon Runner (and New Snow) likely waited.  

Once near enough, however, she would disappear once more.  Her place was near the new pups, a defender at the mouth of the den, placed to entertain and to guard.

he brought silvershadow to the den where his daughter lay.

he mouthed the opening, whining softly.

his eyes sought now for the others, a step back urging the unknown wolf on with his protection and the watchfulness of wealda.

wren felt almost as helpless as the girl who laid in front of her.
she was young, the poor thing, so bright-eyed and yet frail. another woman appears, wordlessly communicating something to the man, and they both seemed to back away to let her work. but what work was she supposed to do?
she awkwardly shuffles closer to the girl, nosing the bundle of herbs close to her mouth. um, hi, she whispers; i'm here to try and help you, if you can-- um. understand me.
somehow, sawing off her own wife's leg seemed so much easier than this, looking back on it.

Moon Runner lay in the shallow den of her birth with Mother as she knocked on death’s door. She looked like a beached sea animal on the shore: sun-stricken, starving, and gasping for air. Her meager, feverish frame was weak and every breath was labored.

The young wolf slipped in and out of consciousness. At first, she couldn’t tell if Wren’s voice was real or a hallucination. Her sunken amber eyes rolled open and then filled with fear.

Intruder!!!

Moon Runner let out an animal noise. Her frail head lifted, black lips curled, but she did not have the strength to fight off the stranger’s approach. The girl had only ever known the wild way: medicine and diplomacy were both foreign concepts and she would never have dreamed to ask for help outside the pack.

A parcel of plants. A calm voice.

Moon Runner whimpered, crying, as she looked for Father, Mother, and Wealda’s guidance. What was happening?

he chuffed, rumbling a note to moon runner.

no threat.

the woman was not theirs, but she carried what they had not been able to achieve.

he pushed gently beyond the river wolf to nose moon runner and lick her brow.

no threat. help.

Wrapping this for us :D

In the end, Father was able to calm Moon Runner enough to swallow the herbs the stranger had brought. She was afraid of this rugged woman, but trusted her family and pack.

Their taste was bitter, and it almost made the she-wolf become ill again.

However, Moon Runner quickly fatigued and slipped back into slumber… her rest more peaceful than before.