Moonspear try the ointment

Swearing loyalty was easy – living up to the promise was hard work, and Disa found hard work to be exceedingly tedious.

The assignment would take her away. It was hard not to take offense. Verapaz was still a stranger to every sense, and she had not walked its open air halls long enough to leave anything tangible behind – an anchor to draw her back when the job was done. Many others had. The stones were steeped in it. Blood, birth, death, and sorrow. Disa breathed it in, and headed north.

The path to Moonspear was green, flat, and dull. Disa made it all the way to Bramblepoint at an easy run, stopped to rest, and went right instead of left when she caught @Leto's sweet and sour scent winding its way up to the caldera.

The morning was fresh and new when Disa reached the outermost markers of Moonspear territory. She cursed herself for giving @Soto a curt nod and a long look at her back side instead of follow-up questions, but it had hurt her to be dismissed. She would have to figure out the diplomatic landscape as it unfolded.

She tried to recall her findings from the quick and rough inspection she had done of @Delos. Pink, weak, a little crispy. Poor kid ought to walk into a cave and stay there. Disa was imagining (mostly kind) ways to end his suffering when a native appeared before her as if summoned by her ugly thoughts.

disa out here looking for a medic or similar

Alaric had a lot on his mind. But he still stuck to the borders. Made sure everyone was taken care of. Keeping those who didn't belong out. He cursed Pala for her abrupt departure and also thanked her for the reminder that it was okay not to help everyone and you could choose to move on with no regrets. Forgive yourself as it were 

And that was the rub wasn't it. He didn't think he had been wrong. She had not told the whole truth and assumptions had been made. So had threats. She brought trouble and Alaric hated trouble. 

Another one was on the doorstep. Amd Alaric wound himself down to them. Can I help you?

He smelled like the sparsely marked border around the mountain. A small family pack,  Disa guessed – not that it mattered. The wolf before her was black as the rock he claimed, with eyes that matched the lush season. His voice was kind, even though he looked troubled.

She introduced herself as "Disa," and even managed a half bow, half nod. Her dull desert colors looked out of place; she had spotted her own reflection in still water and felt proud to be wearing the robes of her new home.  "I'm here on behalf of.. " Would he know Verapaz? Would it be a good thing if he did? "... a mother. A friend. She had a pup why isn't entirely right, and we're worried. I'm looking for someone who knows about these things and can advise. We can pay," she added, casting a look up the mountainside. "I'm a good hunter." And your pack is small. 

She was like the desert nearby. Whispy and colored like the sand. A slight accent he didn't know clung to her. And he was a little wary when she paused before saying why she was here. Did she not want him to know their pack?

Alaric settled to his haunches. Okay luck is in your favor ive been a healer for a long time. What are his symptoms? What makes you think he's not entirely okay?

Not only was he exactly the wolf she was looking for, but he seemed more than willing to help - didn't even negotiate. Disa thought it strange, but wasn't in the habit of looking a gift horse in the mouth. "Oh – thank you" she said, folding back her cinnamon-dusted ears. "The pup is.. how do I put this.. his skin is pink, his eyes – all of it; his gums, his paw-pads.. it's like something leeched the color out of him." It was the stuff of curses. "He positively sizzles in the sun," Disa muttered, eyes falling to Alaric's sooty paws.

Alaric still operated under the way Sialuk had run things. They were healers, it was their job to help others. And if they gave in return great. But a lot of wolves who sought out healing, could not pay. They were desperate and anxious. 

He tilted his head. Oh so the boy was an albino boy. That is sort of what happened. And there is no fixing it. It sounds as if your boy has Albinism. He lacks something in his body that gives him color. He will live a relatively normal life, as long as he has no other ailments.

Alaric nodded. Unfortunately that is often the way of it. He needs to stay in shaded areas when the sun is high, if he is out, a covering such as a fur or even mud would do in a pinch on his skin and fur to keep him from burning. And if he does burn in the sun. Aloe helps to cool and heal. But honestly as awful as it is he just needs to restrict his sunlight. That doesn't mean he can't go out. When there is cloud covering, or later in the evening or early morning. Just avoid the sunlight when it is high in the sky.

Albinism. Even if it wasn't fatal, Disa could not imagine what kind of life the pup could hope to have in a desert. His best bet would be to take up residency under an evergreen roof, far from Verapaz. A weirdo, but safe from what was to come.

He was only a pup; she would allow him this.

"I'll tell them," Disa said, nodding. "Albinism. I thank you - and owe you. Are you many, here?" Her gaze swept up the mountainside.

░

Alaric had seen a few with albinism. Some were ostracized, but some were reveled. It truly depended on the culture, the pack, their parents. This boy sounded as if he would be okay. His family would care for him. And truly it wasn't a terrible existence. One just had to be aware of one's limitations and keep on living. That was all he could do, really. 

A nod at her words. Good that she would tell her handlers. Alaric hoped they heeded at least some of his words. He hoped the boy would be treated well and learn to adapt. 

We aren't so much anymore. But we will persevere somehow. We always do.

Disa nodded. He confirmed what the invisible border had already told her. In fact, what remained of Moonspear would diasolve not long after, and Alaric would journey north.

"Do you want to hunt with me, to feed your kin? Some small game, maybe?" Disa pressed, keen to pay her debt. Her tail made a few slow sweeps, brushing against her hocks. "I have another question. It's rather delicate."

Alaric knew soon enough his world would cease at least the moon spear chapter. It was coming closer each day. He was unsure what to do with it. But he would do his best. He knew he could trade and hunt if he must for what they may need.

Sure we can hunt. We have rabbits and small game, or deer and goats further up the mountain.

He blinked surprised, but smiled. Ask away.

Disa half-turned to face back down the mountain, indicating with a nod at the vast carpet of green that they should walk and talk. The smell of rabbit had been strong a mere five minute walk from where they stood now; the land was pock-marked with warrens.

"Poison," Disa said, flashing him a look. They kept an easy pace. The morning wore on.  "I want to know what you know about poisons. And try to trust me when I say that I will only use the knowledge for the good of us all."