So much was happening, so very much that he could almost not believe it. His life was a real quiet one, something that didn't have a lot of drama. He spent much of his time cooped up in his own mind, learning things that, untill now, haven't been entirely necessary. Sure he had aided in several births and helped the sick, but the battle wound knowledge he had had never...been used. It never had too. Aside from a few minor spar scraps... He was rather nervous for this seige, and it was his responsibility to set up the location where the sick and injured would come to get the healer's attention. It was strange to be incharge of something that could be so very important, but he was determined to succeed. He had spent his entire life preparing for something like this, spent ever waking moment memorizing what each herb did and knowing exactly how to apply it. So after the meeting was called and finished, Starling decided to sneak away to check out this place where he had to set up camp. He wanted to go alone, so he could think it over. If Lillianna or Shaye, or even Aunt Harmony came with him, he wouldn't have been able to focus as well as he should. No, he had to go there alone, at least so he thought. Trotting along the territories, muzzle delicately holding as much herbs as he could carry, he moved with a strange sense of ease and elegance. Starling was in his element, and he would revel in this opportunity. He would soak it all up, all the pride he had in himself and the pride his father seemed to have in him. A small smile touched his lips as he moved, trotting along. Stella, as often as she hung around, was perched on the nape of his neck, twittering her little song as he trotted. It was an odd thing, having a little music box in his ear, but Stella was good company sometimes. Quiet, gentle, but lazy. When he asked if she could carry something, she promptly turned her head up and jumped into his fur. Oh well, what could you do. The closer he got to this place, the louder the bird sounds became, untill Stella suddenly took flight and bolted. He would blink slightly, worry crossing his features. Birds...they were thieves. They loved plants, and seeds...Oh, this wasn't good. Did he have enough time to build an underground store? "Burn Baby Burn" || "Bruciare Bambino Bruciare"

It was clear to even the youngest whelp that these grounds belonged to the birds. Their songs reached out wide and far, some the soft hum that soothed, and others a gravely tone that unnerved the yearling. It was all too loud, making his dark grey ears hug his skull. He had been told that this was called the Avian Estuary, and he could very easily see why. He felt like he was going crazy with all these birds around, and finally his usually well controlled emotions slipped. With a loud growl he ran to the closest tree and let out a series of loud, sharp barks. "Stop! Enough! Too loud!" he howled, rage making his legs quiver as he stood up against the tree. A loud flapping of wings was heard as several birds took flight, but it didn't last for long. They just settled a few feet away before their song resumed. Cath felt like he was going crazy, their sounds were echoing in his head far too loud. It was all he could hear, all he could feel. The boy felt like he could see the vibration of their songs bouncing from tree to tree, echoing off the stones that jutted out of the earth. Lowering his front half down he stuck his chin in the earth, paws flinging over his ears to block out everything. He felt himself breaking down, trying to cut out the thrilling sounds. He couldn't do this, he couldn't stand it anymore! Letting out another howling whine, sounding like he was in a lot of pain. "Burn Baby Burn" || "Bruciare Bambino Bruciare"

Starling was happily moving along, his paws quick over the marshy land as he searched for a place to hide his stock, to find where he could set up camp for the seige. Why had his father picked this place? It was awful.... He couldn't help but sigh, a sound lost to the screeching of the birds. It certainly was loud here, wasn't it. Suddenly a sound cut through the cacophony, clear as day to Starling's delicate ears. He knew that voice, and that voice was in pain! A shot of sheer ice cut through his chest, and his eyes grew so wide. He dropped his collection without a thought, his paws spinning as he blindly searched for the location of the voice, when he howled again. Nerves caught in his throat, he broke out in a quick bound, slowed only by the marshy ground as he searched through the territory. And then...he saw him, paws over his ears and in pain. Blue eyes were so wide as he stared at him, unable to believe that he was able to see him so soon. But he couldn't pause, couldn't enjoy the hot tingles that spread through his lungs and cheeks. No, something was wrong. "Cathaoir!"  He yelped, wincing as the birds seemed to grow louder. This place was awful! He would shake his head before quickly leaping towards him, eating the distance with impressive speed. Something was wrong, his friend was in trouble. Dropping to his belly before Cath's head, he would reach with delicate paws for his friend's over his ears. "C-cath! What's wrong, t-tell me, c-can I help?" He asked in a rush, staring down at him with wide fearful and concerned eyes. He'd swallow slightly, hoping it anything serious. Was it the noise? It was pretty loud in here....did he had sensitive ears? "L-let me h-help you.." He said as he dropped his muzzle near his friend's ears so he could hear his voice. He wanted to soothe him, to help him, but he couldn't if he wasn't completely sure what was wrong. "Burn Baby Burn" || "Bruciare Bambino Bruciare"

Echo echo echo. It pounded through his head, on repeat, repeat, repeat. Different types of squawks and singing, pain pain. It wouldn't stop, and it tore at his insides. Tugging, ripping, screaming. Cathaoir couldn't stand it, he couldn't keep his emotions under wraps and his inner demons were taking over. It was all his mother warned him about, her words trying to cut through the sound. He tried to push it away to focus on the voice of his mother, but it was too hard. They were screaming in his ear, singing in his skull. His claws dug into the earth, his own howling joining in the macabre opera. Nothing could reach him here, he was too far away, held up high on his pedestal of torture. Alone, alone, all alone. Nothing could save him, could touch him. Nothing. Just the cries, the songs, the screams. Alone. A soft touch brought his head snapping up, lips curling back as his hazy eyes tried to focus on the being in front of him. He knew this voice, knew this voice. But he couldn't, place. Lost. Haze, cloudy. His jaws snapped together as he backed up, his generally strong eyes wild. He was out of his mind, wrapped up in his more basic emotions. Fear, pain. He shook and convulsed in front of his friend, his mind trying hard to register his friend. But he failed, his head shaking back and forth as he faltered back a few more steps. The voice asked to help, speaking a name that was lost to even himself at the moment. "Pain. Noise. Voices. Run!" He screamed, faltering backwards once more. And then he dove forward, his massive form aiming to collide with Starling's chest. He was broken, out of sorts, out of mind. It was all too much, all too hard for his strong body. "Burn Baby Burn" || "Bruciare Bambino Bruciare"

Panic rushed through him, which was so strange and foreign around Cathaoir. Something was wrong. When his minty green eyes lifted Starling nearly gasped. Eyes that were usually so soft and gentle were now wild and….pain. He swallowed slightly, fighting his instinct to flee. No, no, he had to help Cathaoir. Hed try and reach out to him, slowly and cautiously. " Cathaoir, per favore.... lascia che ti aiuti." He said with a pitched voice, his brows furrowed. He needed to help him, dear god! But he didnt know how. Suddenly he'd yell, and Starling flinched slightly. And then suddenly pain. All the air fled from his lungs as Cathaoir's large body collided with his chest. Oddly enough, however, Starling didnt fall back, he managed to stay on his feet. He yelped at the pain that spread through his chest but he couldnt stop. Cathaoir needed his help. But the noise.…he'd growl slightly before looking at the boy. "I know w-where it'll be q-quieter but you h-have to c-come with me!" He said loudly now, demanding. He had to get Cathaoir away from this place, and maybe then he'll be back to normal. Starling was worried, so worried. This wasnt the boy he had met at the mountain, this wasnt the strong warrior that saved him from falling. This was something else, and he didnt know how to handle it. But he would, dear god. If he had to drag Cathaoir by the scruff, he would find the strength to do so. "Burn Baby Burn" || "Bruciare Bambino Bruciare"