Northstar Vale Pónos

Returning home thread. @Meadow @Reyson and Arsenio will call for Tamar in the post. <3

The Arche’s back ached as they trudged through the borders of the vale and into the peace that was their home. The man had not felt this tired in a long time. He was not the strapping young fighter he had once been and his time in the paradise of Epoch had made him softer than he cared to be.

Meadow had woken and been insistent that she be allowed to walk. Arsenio would not hear it. The wounds she had suffered were too great. The distance was too far. They had taken many breaks to keep their strength and to make sure that her wounds were not bleeding out. The boy had done well to keep his head level. This surprised Arsenio. He did not think that his son had the makings of a medic. He had been filled with regret when they had found Meadow and Germanicus.

Once inside the vale, he called for @Tamar and helped Reyson to bring Meadow to the healing den.

Getting her gently laid down was harder than it seemed. The Arche looked at her fiercely as he stepped back.

What can the boy get you? Herbs, plants, food. Just speak it. Antigone would fetch it.

Reyson couldn't bear to look at her, but he also couldn't leave her. So with a stiff jaw, and misty eyes he shifted and moved near the mouth of the den, and ear pricked back to listen. He was grappling with his own self-worth and he had thought they had been exclusive, but perhaps he was wrong. Very wrong. He didn't know where to go from here.

Though what he did know was now was not the time to speak on it. She needed to heal. As much as he loved her, and oh he did. Perhaps not with the same all consuming love that had been Renaud's, but it was there all the same. He wanted her well and healthy. Wished her nothing, but the best no matter how hard it hurt. And not matter what part of her life he had.

the children grew beneath her heart.

tamar foraged. she found places of different mosses. she gathered pine-nuts and early berries, both for food and curiosity.

she looked up sharply, having dropped a pawful of acorns into a cache. arsenio was returning, along with reyson and — "meadow!"

her voice was sharp with a surprised cry. she cradled meadow as the woman was laid down, eyes skimming antigone's dressing. 

this was the first test of her skills. she thought back to what aquene had taught her. "poppy," she said softly, first. "pineapple weed. prairie crocus. yarrow." her voice shook for a moment and then held.

The journey home, under any other circumstance would have been made swiftly and easily. She had woken to being carried—switched between the backs of the two men, any insistence she made to walk completely futile. It was agony, not just the seering pain with each jolted footfall, but the mannerism of Reyson. Hurt and indifference—he knew something had transpired. His hurt indicated to her it mattered not quite what it was, simply that it was.

And so when she was met with refusal to walk, she fell to silence, every so often losing consciousness as another wave of nausea or pain would overcome her. 

When they returned, she was nestled to the healing den. A place she knew well—a place she never would have expected herself to be put upon, especially with her pupil doting upon her with worry. 

Arsenio spoke and she had no words. Tamar cried, cradling her, and taking over a job and herself would have done. Reyson would not look to her. 

And so her eyes strayed to the distance, silent and wishing quietly for the darkness to come to her once more, in a reprieve she knew she did not deserve.

Last for me. Arsenio and Antigone will go collect the things Tamar asked for and she can start working on the healing process! <3

Tamar’s appearance was a relief. The Arche looked to his wife with worry upon his features. He did not know how bad the wounds were. He did not know if there would be a chance that Meadow would face death. His body was stiff and worn down by the journey from the lake.

With clarity and action, she moved in and began to ask for items that needed to be fetched. Arsenio looked at his son. Antigone nodded his head in understanding. The boy turned to gather the things his mother had requested. The Arche stood for a moment, watching his wife work on Meadow’s wounds. Their beloved healer did not seem present – her eyes were glassy and fixed on nothingness.

I will help the boy.

Arsenio did not know if he could stand to watch. He touched Tamar’s hip with his snout before he turned from the area and trotted after his son.

Last from me also unless you need me to get your healing trade <3

Reyson stood near the mouth of the den. He would be within easy rich should Tamar need something that Arsenio or Antigone had not grasped for her. Until then he would simply wait. He could do that. he had sat beside a many a bed as they were wasting away, or wounded.

last for me!

under the care of epoch, meadow would heal.

scars might linger upon her flesh. tamar thought they might be secondary to the ones upon the soul of her sister.

once meadow slept, the leader would keep her vigil.