Lion Head Mesa Covered in gold, forgetting my skin

The scents of Akashingo were unfamiliar to the sleeping figure, even in the rare moments when he would wake and look around. Nothing about the mesa was familiar, nothing about the wolves who arrived to see him, even the harsh tang of herbs filled his nose with uncertainty and worry. There were few moments when the rough scent of Germanicus would fill his head, make him dizzy, and spiral him back into a lengthy slumber. Those moments were so few and far between that Crowfeather did not know they were real.

When the dark wolf’s eyes opened, he looked at the orange stone in the mesa caverns. Every inch of him ached, throbbed with the pain of his injuries. The seer opened his mouth and tried to speak but he could not usher the words from his tongue. Crowfeather’s head swam, as though his mind had been dipped into a steaming bowl of stew. Dizziness overwhelmed him in the first attempt that he made to lift his torso from the earth.

Crowfeather yelped in surprise and crumpled back to his side, sucking air through his lips like he would never have another chance.

Where was Germanicus?

the cry pierced him.

germanicus had been dozing on the floor alongside crowfeather's bed. these chambers had once belonged to him and now they did not at all.

the shadow woke and the stench of pain pooled horribly into the air. "i am here," the eagle whispered hoarsely, jumping up and moving at once into the line of the ranger's vision.

the paintgold eyes were filled with anguish. germanicus wished he could siphon the agony into his own flesh. "lie still."

The movement he had made sent his mind spiraling, spinning as though he had been strapped to a theme park ride. The urge to vomit rose up in the back of his throat but the dark wolf did not have anything in his stomach – he coughed dryly and rested his head against the floor. Each breath that left his thin figure was a painful one. Crowfeather searched the immediate area, knowing the voice that filled the space.

When his eyes settled on Germanicus, the dark shape eased against the earth.

The weight of his tongue did not allow Crowfeather to speak, though he tried with a dry gasp to speak the older man’s name. The shadow could not comprehend why he hurt, why he could not move his legs, or support his own weight. The seer looked to Germanicus pleadingly, begging the soldier to tell him what had happened and where they were.

Weariness overcame the dark wolf and his breathing slowed.

"you are in akashingo. i found you outside the canyon. the saints had attacked and left you for dead."

a breath from the soldier sounded and for the first time a tremble shook his voice.

"somehow you made it back to the hollow in the sunspire we once explored. you remembered — how to get there. and i remembered i might find you there."

germanicus cleared his throat.

"you are under the care of a skilled healer. and the queen. she has been dedicated."

you will live.

hope thrummed in his heart.

Germanicus spoke to him, relaying the information that had slipped from the dark wolf’s mind. He had been found outside of ‘the canyon,’ though he did not know which canyon the soldier spoke of. The Saints had attacked him, which explained the pain that he felt in his figure, the weakness that had filled his slender shape.

The older man had found him in a hollow, but Crowfeather could only remember a glen and the twinkling of fireflies. Germanicus went on to say that he was under the care of a skilled healer and that the queen had been dedicated. After a short while, his words sounded like nothing but foolishness. The shadow could not understand, could not pull these memories from his mind.

W- Why? he croaked.

Confusion etched itself into his features. Crowfeather looked upon Germanicus pleadingly.

"you went into the mountains."

did the shadow not recall? but germanicus supposed swiftly that crowfeather recalled very little.

he did not speak again. the eagle lifted a soaked piece of moss that had been left upon a skin near the head of this healing bed.

he lay it beside the youthful ranger's mouth. strength first. mending first. the imperator was not yet sure that crowfeather had escaped the threshold of death. he had seen such terrible wounds and he had seen fevers return.

o hi

It was the quiet before the storm, though the rain poured relentlessly outside. Sihaya slunk down the Mesa’s red halls and followed the sound of muffled voices. He hovered in the shadows before turning the corner to peer, with his dark face, into Germanicus’ chambers. He watched the soldier place the soaked moss with care before prying into their tender moment.

“The boy lives,” Sihaya interjected plainly, almost monotone. “My, how you care for him. I don’t believe you’ve left his side,” he observed. Were they brothers? Friends? Lovers? Sihaya was thirsty to know.

Into the mountains?

Without Germanicus?

Why ever Crowfeather would do such a thing, he did not know. It was clear from the confused blink he offered to the older man, clear from the absent expression upon the shadow’s face, he did not remember anything that he had done. He did not even remember where they were. The seer thought to ask, his narrow snout lifting to address Germanicus, but an unfamiliar figure entered the room and spoke.

H- Hello, the dark wolf greeted the unfamiliar shape softly. His voice was hoarse, and his frame shook softly, weak and tired. Crowfeather was confused. This wolf spoke as though he knew Germanicus, knew at least the dutiful nature of the older man, but there was no shred of familiarity in the stranger’s glowing orange eyes – not to Crowfeather. Who? Are you?

Hello! I am very excited to write with Sihaya. Thank you so much for joining. ^^<3

crowfeather questioned.

germanicus in that moment did not have an answer. he thought of the last time that the shadow and he had been within this room. 

guilt welled sharply within him. an apology lifted to his lips. the yellow eyes shone with an inscrutable and naked pain.

in the next, the imperator's face had changed. he did not know the man who entered. but the aura of the other's stare was dangerous. pharaoh had many harlots. this man was not one of them.

crowfeather's voice was inquisitive. germanicus set his impassive look upon the stranger. "such wounding requires a vigilant eye."

"you are a tradesman, are you not?" the eagle inquired neutrally.

<3!

Without a crowd surrounding the infirm, Sihaya could better spy the nature of Crowfeather’s injuries. They were heinous – sparkling with ruby red as the open wounds continued to seep. One leg was worse than the others. It appeared twisted and chewed up like it had been through a meat grinder.

Despite this, the dark spy was able to speak, though he appeared to only be borderline lucid. “Pharaoh be praised he has such attentive subjects,” Sihaya complimented. “If this one died Queen Satsu would be bereft.” Sihaya had seen the horror on her face when Germanicus delivered the wounded. “She cares for him, so,” he assumed.

He paused when both men inquired.

“Yes, I am the newest Mazoi.” Sihaya explained in his usual flat tone. “My name is Sihaya El-sayal. And you are… Crowfeather.” His orange gaze met the other man’s. “I had been looking for you. And you are…?” he turned to Germanicus then.

Slate had left the room with Germanicus and Crowfeather for what felt like just a moment. She had headed out for just a brief moment to soak in some daylight, only to realize it was night. Time flew by so fast that Slate couldn't keep track of it anymore. She was constantly brought supplies and food for herself by Germanicus, but now she wanted fresh air. She was taking a short stroll around the mesa to stretch her legs and soon knew it was time to head back. She hadn't heard the cry of Crowfeather (but luckily Germanicus was there) and she hadn't seen the tradesman enter either.

So when she arrived and came into the den she was surprised to see a sudden crowd had formed in there. She looked at the new arrival with stern eyes and her tail lowered. She didn't like the stares they were giving. “Pharaoh be praised he has such attentive subjects, If this one died Queen Satsu would be bereft. She cares for him, so” With a short bark Slate interrupted and she snapped her fangs together without actually aiming for anyone, but simply to move their attention to her. Slate didn't like this person one bit. She felt too curious somehow.

"He will not die." She walked past the newcomer and up to the stone bed of Crowfeather and saw he was awake. She quickly grabbed some mice she had leftover and then nudged them toward him as well as grabbing the huge chunks of moss she had everywhere, soaked in water. "Eat, drink." She watched him carefully doing these actions, not letting him come around it. Even if it was just a few bites she wanted to see him eat. She didn't pay much attention to the newcomer introducing himself, but she did hear the name. As well as the fact as he been looking for Crowfeather.

"And why have you been looking for Crowfeather?" Her tone was accusing, direct and her eyes stern. What could they possibly want with an injured wolf who needed nothing but rest and healing? She felt protective, she had taken it upon herself to heal Crowfeather back up, and she was intend on doing just that. Being bothered by some nonsense was not in his best interest to get better. Slate kept her eyes upon Crowfeather and noticed some of the wounds had sprung up and was bleeding again. She began searching among her herbs and plants for the things she needed to close them back up.

But there was no mistaking the fact she was keeping her attention on the room while she was working.

In all the confusion, Crowfeather found a moment of relief in Germanicus’ diplomatic voice, reaching out and speaking to the stranger with orange eyes.

The orange-eyed wolf knew Satsu, called her a queen, and even spoke of her fondness for the injured shadow. This confused Crowfeather further, for he had no memory of his friend stepping into royalty. The last he could recall of her; she had showed him how to guide the dead to safe passage. They had constructed small items in the forest. She’d used a specific word – he couldn’t remember it.

Sssihaya, the dark wolf repeated, tongue whistling the wolf’s name through missing teeth. The orange-eyed fellow had said that he had been looking for Crowfeather. The seer blinked several times, shaking his head. The narrow length of his snout pointed toward Germanicus questioningly. Sihaya was not a name from the Starsea, so there must have been a mistake. The orange-eyed wolf could not have been looking for Crowfeather.

Another unfamiliar shape appeared. The woman was sharp with her tongue, defensive, and she provided soaked moss and mice at his paws. Crowfeather looked to her fearfully, his dark ears falling to lay flat on his head. He scooped a single mouse up in his teeth and swallowed it without chewing. The water in the moss caused his throat to ache, a painful dryness.

Th- Th- Thank you, he whispered, hoping that only the woman would hear his pathetic uttering.

in the days to come, germanicus must fight alongside this man. sihaya el-sayal. a man of the desert. 

germanicus had little understanding of who this one's people might be. it seemed akashingo gathered many creatures of the sunlight. and yet this one sharpened immediately in his mind.

he would heed the warning. before the eagle was able to make his response, slate stepped among them. she was brisk and protective. he had become accustomed to her brusque manner of speaking. germanicus appreciated the defense of her words, and as he stepped back to allow her the necessary space, he looked at crowfeather.

the boy did not seem to be present among them.

"i am germanicus. i am the one that your pharaoh has named as royal chief tactician." suddenly he did not want sihaya here. but neither did he wish to leave crowfeather alone. "you have found him. what do you seek?"

Crowfeather was dazed, hissing Sihaya’s name and looking all about. Suddenly, a crone barged in with a bark and the Mazoi recognized her as the Ursus medic who treated his dying comrade. She was skilled as she was boorish – her coarse tone demanded answers promptly. The soldier, on the other hand, seemed more level headed and introduced himself as captain of the guard.

Sihaya looked to the doctor with a slow turn of his head, staccato gaze moving across her face. He was not nettled by her accusatory tone, but stared for longer than a normal wolf would.

He turned back to the soldier just as slowly. “It is a pleasure, Germanicus,” he said with a small curl of his lips, ignoring the woman as if she wasn’t even in the room at all. “We shall be on the battlefield together, then,” he said with a raise of his brow. Out of all the wolves he had seen in the Mesa, this one was most battle-ready. He looked a brawny man with the handsome ruggedness of an outrider.

“I stopped by to see Crowfeather’s condition,” he told the general. “We will make the dogs who did this pay,” A hollow smile – something dark happening behind the eyes.

Crowfeather struggled to eat the mice. Sihaya frowned. “Shouldn’t you have… chewed those for him? He could..." Sihaya paused, looking back to Slate. "Choke."

Gosh I lost my entire post by mistake.... Short post now because I am annoyed by losing my post XD

Slate did not care for the way Sihaya looked at her, for too long. Neither did she care for being ignored, but instead she chose to focus on Crowfeather's care. He was her priority right now. “I stopped by to see Crowfeather’s condition, We will make the dogs who did this pay,” "Pah!" The disapproving sound from Slate was a reaction she hadn't expected herself. She hadn't wanted to say anything, but now she had. She disapproved of violence leading to violence. She kept her gaze upon Crowfeather, and bit her tongue. She had nothing else to say on the matter.

As Crowfeather began to eat way too fast she placed her paw with uttermost care on him. "Slow down. You need to chew it." She ignored the conversation behind her until she heard her frown. She looked at Sihaya with an expression that said "what now?" “Shouldn’t you have… chewed those for him? He could... Choke" Slate's lips pursed upward into a silent snarl and her ears pinned toward her skull. Sihaya had outstayed his welcome by lightyears to Slate. She didn't appreciate his tone, his words or anything else about him.

"You feel like I should feed him like some bird?" She huffed disapprovingly and turned her gaze to her patient again. "Can you chew?" She knew soem of his teeth had been battered by his fight or maybe the fall, but as far as she was aware he should be able to chew himself. He was simply hungry.

There were many things happening in such a small space. Crowfeather’s gaze darted from one wolf to another as they spoke. His ears flattened to his head at the sharp response from the woman who appeared to have been tending to him. The shadow recoiled slightly, shocked at the goings on, confused about where he was, and weary in ways that he did not feel sleep could resolve.

When Crowfeather looked to Germanicus, it was pleadingly. He wanted the others to leave. He wanted to know what had happened. The confusion was clear upon his features. He was desperate for any understanding, but his mind was dark and foggy. The memories that he could recall readily were not clear. Fractions of conversations could be uncovered, but there was no context for them. Crowfeather did not know if his mind was making them up.

The woman asked if he needed help eating.

Crowfeather blinked at her fearfully.

I- I’m ssorry, he whistled as he spoke. I am hungrier than I thought. The dark wolf did not want this poor woman to have to chew his food. When he selected the next small prey animal, it was done delicately. His stomach lurched, but he picked at it with his teeth and swallowed slowly. Crowfeather could feel his stomach, as though it was reaching out in desperation for the food.

last for me!

germanicus too had been given enough of sihaya.

he heard the woman move and spark. he saw crowfeather's eye. germanicus held it but he could not stay.

"come," he told the prying mazoi. "we will leave crowfeather to slate's skill."

it was not a request. he stood ready to escort sihaya away at once.

Like when the hands of a clock met, Sihaya knew when his time was up. His visage curdled into a sneer and then he sighed, as if he was disappointed. “Very well,” he complied. “I will visit you again soon, Crowfeather,” he said as he turned away. “To make you you are…”

A pause, deadpan eyes seemed to lose their focus as his brain calculated, “…well.” Sihaya slipped out the room’s door and went the opposite way of Germanicus.

Germanicus left with the orange-eyed stranger.

Crowfeather was left to the healing of Slate, who was a curt woman but seemed to have his best interest in her mind as she fussed. The dark young figure could not help but to think on Germanicus and the circumstances that had led him there. It filled his mind with worry as Slate performed her work and then left him to the painful silence.