Northstar Vale a little girl

Things in the vale were tense; even the youngest members could feel it, though they did not understand it.

In the early morning, dew still undisturbed as it settled, Chandra pulled herself from her mother's den. Walking was still difficult, but her other three legs had grown strong enough now to support her without the assistance of the twisted leg. Some of the worry had faded from the eyes of her maman, Chandra's fears dissipating with it.

Small head swivelling, she looked out upon the world in front of her. There was a path from the willow root den, one she could easily follow. With a moment of hesitation, she began to do just that.

Never far, as his own border patrol was closest to where Viskani’s den was settled, his moonlit eyes followed the young Héritière as she crept from the darkness of comfort. A smile crept on his face, the fact she was walking, albeit a bit jaunty, was a miracle and joy bloomed within him.

There had been worry when she was born into this world that she would not do so. That she would not be able to fulfill the role given to her by her mother, but here she was—overcoming the odds. 

The silver man was a sentimental one, he had come to find, despite his years of anger and hatred for his own circumstances. His eyes had misted over, yet he sniffed them back softly while he watched her from the shadows, allowing her a bit of freedom while still under his watch.

One step, two step, three step, four,

She repeated the words in her head, her paws reaching out to follow along as she limped.

New things always come with their stumbles and falls however, and with the assistance of a particularly mean pebble Chandra tripped and landed on her chest. Not hurt but certainly startled, she glanced back to her mother's den.

She stumbled and a soft, worried, gasp came from him. He moved to step forward from where he was hidden, but she had not cried out, and so his movement ceased.

He was curious what she would do next. Would she continue on her adventure, or return back to safety within the den? He sat on his haunches, silently keeping vigil. 

Go on, little one. He whispered encouragingly.

She thought she heard a rustle in the bushes, turning her head to inspect.

Nothing.

Chandra pushed to her feet once more, continuing her process of one step, two step, three step, four with careful breaths in between. She wanted maman to be proud, for Noctaryn to be impressed, and most importantly; she wanted to walk better than Julienne.

He remained stock still as her eyes surveyed her surroundings, barely breathing as if the slight movement of his chest would give him away. There was zero ounce in him that wanted to ruin this moment for her. She was doing so well, despite her little stumble. 

Where she would go, he would follow. 

Always.