Northstar Vale gone squatchin'

@Cupid

layer of virgin snow crumbled underfoot as she-wolf wandered through the valley, woods closing in around her, gnarled branches bending under the weight of snow that still floated down in pale sheets, hiemal cataracts -- not the best time to be hunting and still she followed the path that her and her Undómiel had once traced. 

the same wretched stench floated from crevice, memory of bones that lingered there immediately filling her mind and she wavered for a moment, brows furrowed, concentrating as she wonders if this is truly the best idea. from the strength of the smell emanating from the sorry excuse for a cave she can tell the beast is home, sleeping as winter crawls along outside, waiting for spring to finally bloom and she unfurrowed her brow, took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and crept across the snow to the entrance of the cave.

the firebrand disappeared into the shadows, pausing to let seaglass eyes adjust to the darkness, everything verglas and weeping as muted sunlight filters through the entrance to the cave, illuminating piles of bones, some so old they were sun-bleached and others so new that bits of sinew still clung to them.

in the corner, mop of brown fur lingered, sides rising with each heavy breath, slumbering deeply. she hesitated -- the thing was so peaceful, ragged fur chocolate in the sunlight instead of the murky brown that she recalled from when she had seen it, featureless and monstrous. in her hesitation, she shifted, kicking a rock across the ground and as it skidded before her the beast awakened, black, beady eyes slowly opening, blinking away their sleep before focusing on the russet fae in the corner. and there's a roar soon coming from its jowls and andromaque squares herself, joints bent and muscles coiled like snake ready to unfurl and sink fangs into flesh.

she lets the beast rise to it's great paws before springing forward, lunging into the darkness and sinking teeth around it's left ankle, blood welling around her teeth and the taste of iron on her tongue only fuels the fire burning in her chest. she rips flesh from bone, jerking head backwards and skidding backwards a few feet on the rock beneath. the beast yowls, rears backward, clawing the air but missing each strike as it flails through the air. andromaque lurches forward again, this time aiming for it's neck, and misses. the beast comes down hard upon her, teeth scratching against her shoulder, ripping flesh. she hissed under her breath and rears back, latching onto the thing's neck and perhaps because it's tired, woken from its hibernation, but it was not able to dodge and jugular was ripped from neck and blood spilled onto the ground.

andromaque took a step backwards and one last blow from the beast ripped the skin along her neck and she shrieked, watching as blood pooled around the beast. she stumbles, blood spilling from her wounds as she stumbled to the entrance to the cave, falling at the mouth and letting out a weak howl that she hoped would call someone from the court to her aide.

Why he had descended from the mountain, he is not sure. Well, that wasn't true. He was in a way, but there were just too many reasons to settle on one. The days spent pondering over the brute's words was like torture. His head ached from the constant back and forth of denial. There was still this urge to travel the world, to run, but something kept him grounded in Courtfall. Fear maybe. He doesn't want to lose himself to another man. He does not want to risk—

The sounds of roars and screeches cut the thought short. The low hum of battle is not something he was used to hearing; he especially didn't expect to hear it within the boundaries of the court. He was tempted to turn around, but ultimately stayed. He couldn't deal with himself for a moment longer. Besides, the voice beckons him now. A good distraction.

As he draws closer, there is a metallic aroma that strikes his nose, an abundance of it. Cupid picked up his pace and soon he found the source of it all. There was a woman, bleeding from the neck and shoulder and the trail she left led into a dark cave.

What's in there? It wasn't the most appropriate response in a situation like this, but the words are too quick to stop. It's been a common theme for the past few days.

Nevermind. Hold still. He lifted a paw off the ground, intending to place it on her neck. And if she allowed that, he'd place the other on one of the slashes on her shoulder.

lachrymose wounds are all she can think of as blood flows onto pale snow and stains it red, red, red -- she looks and almost faints at the sight of it, her own blood spilling onto the forest floor. her call is answered, she looks to her savior with a weakness in her face and perks her ears up at his words -- what's in there?

she never knew what was in there. maybe some deformed bear, a dangerous beast that she did not want to allow to wander courtfall's claim any longer since her and andraste had first discovered it. "it's dead now." the words stumble from her jaw like an infant learning to walk, strained and painful. she lets him touch her wounds and winces at the pressure, hoping he is someone who can help her.

"it was a beast -- andraste and I found it." she talks to try to numb the pain but as her lips move the skin of her neck stretches, pulling at the scratches. she winces again, feeling tired.

There wasn't much to go by when it came to the creature that scarred her. It was dead;that was reliving. It was a beast; he'd assume so judging by the way her blood flowed like water from her throat. Lastly, this beast has been spotted before. Cupid's ears perked with curiosity. Why not kill it the moment they saw it? This whole mess could've been avoided; no unknown creature would have lurked in the shadows of their claim, waiting to strike. The medic pushed the questions aside for the moment. Talking was clearly a strain on the woman and he did not wish for her condition to get worse.

Shit, I need my webs, he whispered. But those were kept near his den on the mountains, a little ways away from where they were now. Leaving her unattended was a risk he didn't want to take, so he lifted his head to call for anyone who was nearby. Then he looked down upon the Hang tight alright? I'm gonna keep pressure on the wounds until someone else can come.  Hopefully the bleeding would slow down before then.

She felt the energy fading from her body. The wounds continued to weep, and she felt Cupid's paws pressed against her neck. He said something -- she could barely hear what he said. Andromaque kept her eyes open even though they wanted to close. "Is someone else going to come?" she murmured, wondering if anyone else would answer the call she let out before Cupid had arrived.

Time passed, no one bothered to their face. Cupid bristled, growing more nervous and irritated by the minute. Seemed like no one but him was willing to lend a paw.

No, he said as he went over some alternative options. He couldn't just leave her here to bleed out; that left him with only one option.

Follow me. And stay close. He moved away from her body and took a few steps towards his mountain. If you fall, I'll carry you up. Cupid would start moving alongside the warrior if she was able to walk. If not, then he'd have to grab her by the scruff and drag her along.

Blood fell as no one heeded their call and Andromaque looked to Cupid with eyes that were pained and hopeless. She watched as he drew away and then stumbled to her paws, watching as scarlet splattered the snow as she rose, following him on shaking paws. She was determined for the time being -- the same hopeless look had been replaced with determination. She leaned against him, using his shoulder to support her weakened body, and moved towards where his supplies were kept.

They made their way through the bottom of the court, ascended up the familiar mountain. Cupid made sure he was slow enough as to not wear out the woman, but fast enough so she wouldn't bleed to death.

Eventually they arrived at the den. The outcrop seems so small in the sea of snow. Here it is. He approaches the entrance with the woman by his side. He was a bit discomforted by the fact that someone was so close to his own little corner of the court. It was like a secret was being revealed to the world. But there was no time to worry about that now; it was time to get down to business.

Wait here. He layed her down by the mouth of the den and hurried into the darkness. Propped on a wall was a stick that had been bundled in cobwebs. There was an abundance of it. It was the only thing around here after all. Cupid ripped clumps of it from the stick and returned to his packmate. He leaned forward and firmly pressed the webs into her wound.

They finally arrived at his den and Andromaque breathed a sigh of relief as best she could, trail of blood left behind them shining in the midday light that filtered through clouds of grey. She laid down at the mouth of the den and watched as he disappeared into the darkness, returning with a stick laden with cobwebs. Soon, they were being pressed against her wounds to stop the bleeding.

She could speak little, but a small, "Thank you," slipped wearily from her lips. "You saved my life."

Thank you. He opened his mouth to urge her not to speak. You saved my life. He closed it.

It's nothing he'd ever heard before nor expected to hear in his lifetime. And he certainly didn't expect his heart to glow a tiny bit. Cupid couldn't put a name to how he felt about her gratitude. It just felt nice, and god knew he needed that after these past couple of days. He grasps onto this feeling for a few seconds, then let's it go just as fast. Never dwell on good feelings. It'll hurt you in the end.

Don't mention it, he said in that same dismissive tone he always had. When he was certain the bleeding has died down, he retreats into his den and comes out with the web-laced stick.

Keep it. He placed it next to her. In case it starts bleeding again. Call for someone and ask them to press it on the wound like I did. It wasn't as good as herbs, but it was practical, and it's the only thing he had.

Lay there as long as you need. Cupid immediately regretted saying that. So much for some alone time.