Herbalists' Cache You always had to love yourself, is this what you wanted

Etienne was feeling comfortable enough and confident enough to find his way to herbalist cache. There were so many plants here. It truly made his day. He slipped into the greenery and took a deep breath the musky sweet scent filling him with delight.

Golden eyes on many plants as he slowly began to gently pull out some. Making sure to leave enough to be harvested in the future and grow.

A soft sea shanty under his breath ashe worked. Bunch of golden shoulders. He had begun to fill out at home. He was no longer as lean amd range. Still feminisque, but qith a bit sturdier build.

Once they had escaped the clacking teeth of the wolves on the mountain, Nicodem had broken free of his partner and scouted south. The terrain shifted from territory to territory. In the distance, the young shadow could see the imposing cut of the mountain range. There were likely packs, nestled into the safe stones and vales that were protected by the rocky natural border.

As Nicodem sought the cache for shade, he did not realize that another worked nearby. When the shifting winds drew the scent of the stranger toward the shadow, he paused and stood stiff among the brush and undergrowth. The dark of his coat was concealed by the shade.

The other wolf gathered herbs. Nico wondered if he would open to sharing. A doleful expression took hold on his young face. The dark figure limped into view of the other wolf. From his lips fell a pitiful whine, as though he begged for assistance from any who might lend their aid.

Etienne could not remember a time a wolf had attacked him, well other than Anselm. And that had been an accident if the wolf's reaction was anything to go by. So he didn't quite know what other wolves could do to other wolves. Not yet.

Etienne was too enthralled in his workings. That he had no idea that another watched him as he worked. Or listened to the sea shanty of home.

Etienne was thrown from his thoughts and grew silent as the youth was suddenly there in front of him. A soft gasp.

Goodness. Look at you. You bein' okay? Etienne wanted ot step forward he could see some wounds, but it wasn't fully clear. He ghosted forward and then stopped and tilted his head. You be needin' assistance?

What wounds does he have if any?

Well… ^^; the thread is still ongoing so I don’t know the extent of his injuries, just that he’s fully trespassed so he’s going to have some. Also the rabies stuff is happening over there HAHA. So… goodness me, I have no clue. Let’s be vague!

Ah, so this man was a healer of sorts. At least the sound of his voice was that of a man who carried the weight of his empathy. Something like guilt had fixed itself inside of the dark young wolf. He wondered if he would regret this half as much as he regretted trying to steal prey from the mountain pack’s caches. Nico still hadn’t seen Deja since they split off, trying to get away from the snapping teeth of the pack’s protectors.

The shadow whined, exposing the torn flesh at his hind leg. It had been dirtied and looked as though it risked infection. The mismatched gaze of Nicodem burned into Etienne. Without a voice, he pleaded for this stranger’s kindness.

No worries i can roll with vague.

Etienne had never fully fathomed that his empathy was heavy. Though he had certainly seen where it could be confused with it. And it often left him breathless in the dead of night. Not something that was wonderful by any means.

A soft whine and the youth moved his leg to been seen. Etienne frowned and moved alittle closer. A soft noise in his throat so he didn't scare the youth.

I will need to be cleanin' dat. And den I be puttin' some Yarrow on it and wrap it up real tite in cobwebs yea?

The man spoke in a curious accent. One that Nicodem had never heard before. There was kindness in the man’s voice and in the softness of his approach. If he intended harm to the young shadow, he would have had ample opportunity to inflict it.

While standing awkwardly before this healer, Nico thought of Deja and hoped that his friend was alright. From what he recalled, there had been only one pursuer from the pack on the mountain. If any others had come down, the shadow had not seen them.

Figuring that this man would need a moment, Nico plopped down on his rear and stretched his wounded leg out for the healer to inspect.

Etienne often forgot that his accent was different. He actually didn't usually think of it. IT was how he talked and he actually liked it about himself. It reminded him of home and his mama and siblings. His granme's. Yes he liked it just fine.

This youth had the scent of another on his fur. But it was stale and Etienne hoped that whomever had been with got away from whatever had been chasing them based on the wound and the way the boys body seemed battered.

Etienne sniffed at it and slowly nodded. I be cleanin' it. You be ready?

He bent to the task of cleaning it thoroughly. Bitter and salty. When that was done, the yellow yarrow was chewed and placed upon it. And Cobwebs tightened around it. IT was the best he could do with such limited time and supplies.

Dat will be needin' changin'

Nicodem nodded to the other man. His features were stalwart, almost hardened. The dark young wolf did not care what needed to be done. He would sit through it and allow this man to heal what he could. There was no telling what the wolves on the mountain would do if they followed his trail, decided to pursue him beyond their borders.

The accented man began his healing, treating the wound with a gentle touch. Nico inhaled, steadying himself for the clinging cobwebs and yarrow that had been gooped against the exposed flesh. When it had been wrapped nice and tight, the shadow rose and tested his weight on the leg.

It would do.

When the stranger said it would need to be changed, Nico’s dark ear swung sideways. He looked warily to the man. How would he do this work for himself? The shadow did not believe that Deja had enough patience to change out the bandaging.

Etienne didn't like to see such strength and hardship on a younglings face. They were meant to be happy and safe and free. And this one seemed as if he had seen the wrong end of something and it bothered the gentle healer.

Etienne smiled. The yarrow will take care of any infection now. You be good if you just keep it clean and wrap more cobwebs around it in a few days. If it gets dirty. Make sure you clean it out. Yea?

Etienne didn't know waht was in store for this boy. And his wound wasn't as terrible as it could have been and he could stay nearby if he wanted Eti to help him, but Eti also wouldn't keep him.

You of course can stay around 'ere for a few days and I can 'elp, but if you 'ave somew'ere you be needin' to be. Dat will do in a pinc'

Nicodem was left wondering how men like this were shaped.

The dark young wolf had spent a majority of his puphood surrounded by watchful eyes and patient guardians. Akavir, Moss, even the lovely lady Eshe had shared their knowledge of the world, of the nearby packs and wolves. It had been valuable to learn. When he had ventured out into the wild world on his own, Nico had discovered things were far more difficult than he had been made to believe.

When the man provided instruction, the shadow nodded his head. A tentative wag of his tail followed. Deja would certainly not have the patience to tend to wounds. If this healer was willing to remain in the area, Nico believed he could come back and make sure the wound did not grow infected.

His mismatched eyes searched the healer’s face, wondering without asking.

Etienne had known such pain at such an early age. And rather than lean into the darkness that was ever present. He had battled to find the light. And in most cases he could.

I will be stayin' around for a few days. You can call me. Just call for dis wolf Eti. I be dere.

Etienne smiled then, golden eyes lighting up with a kindness of spirit that wasn't often present. And he wagged his tail.

Nico offered a small nod of thanks. A brief wave of his dark tail.

The shadow did not anticipate that he would need further assistance. Though the days would come to surprise him. If he could find his way back to this herbal wood, he imagined that this kind stranger - Eti - would aid him again. The plan was to linger in the nearby forest. He would keep his eyes on the wound and keep his ears tuned for signs of Deja.

The dark figure slipped into the brush. Just as silently as he had arrived.