Moonspear blood makes atonement for one's life

He swayed in place, fell, braced himself abruptly against the trunk with his chest and then - as that momentum carried him towards the dirt - landed awkwardly on his paws again. He staggered off-kilter and felt his skin drag against the bark of the tree and grimaced. His eyes were shut. The world spun; he did not see Kukutux arrive in that moment, and when the whirlwind calmed around him he was startled to see her. More-so for the look of concern that plagued her face, perhaps.

I'm fine, he slurred, answering the unspoken question of her eyes with a lie. His breathing was ragged for a few moments but he gathered his bearings and sank to his haunches, head bowed.