With Barnabas at her side once again things were looking up for Hazel. She'd seen neither hide nor hair of any pursuers and her companion assured her he'd taken care of them before coming for her. He'd also come bearing instructions. Hazel was to establish herself in these lands. With the temple demolished back home it was up to those who survived to rebuild. They were to be like the many heads of hydra; where one was cut two more were to spring in its place. Hazel was no exception. It was, according to Barnabas, a blessing they had been scattered. Those that survived were now far flung. Like seeds on the breeze they had been sent far and wide to take root and grow.

Presently Hazel was waiting out the winter in the best place she could think of. This Fern Gulley as it was called was home to a wealth of plant life the likes of which Hazel had only experienced in the gardens back home. Even now with the ground barren and the plants dormant this seemed the perfect place to take refuge. Perhaps it was even the place she'd set up shop. It seemed right, but more thought was needed.

She lay in the hollow of a fallen log. The top and sides of it protected her from the gently falling snow and sizzling in front of her was a small fire whose warmth radiated into the log. On her back was Barnabas who kneaded at her tired muscles with practiced hands. Hazel was warm and cozy, troubled only by the heat of her first season. There was nothing on her agenda for the day so she intended to take it easy, let the snow fall and the fire warm her.

"Talk" Walk He had made it further south than he anticipated with the way he'd been feeling. He had wanted to get out and scout lands as soon as possible, put some space between himself and the pack, and let them cool off for a little while before things escalated further than what he wanted. He didn't want to do to them what he'd done to his uncle, and he was trying his best not to go down that path. After his fight with Acere, a strong wave of guilt and remorse had washed over him after he realized what he had truly done, but the damage was done and there was no changing it now. His life had taken a drastic turn, and there was no going back. "Ignis...your tail looks really bad...I don't think what we've been doing has been helping.." Faolan trailed behind him, frowning as he stared at Ignis' rear end. Ignis had done his best to try and ignore the pain and the fact his tail was practically useless now at this point...but he hadn't bothered to ask Yurei to tend to his injuries. She was, after all, practically terrified of him. Likely even more so after he had stolen the pack from his family. And with his sister awol again and Drifa gone, he didn't have enough knowledge of what he needed to do to save his tail. He ignored the wolverine though, as he walked unsteadily through the gulley. This place was usually rich in herbs and other useful flora, but with the snow covering the ground even this far South, he wasn't sure he could identify anything useful at the moment. Even if he could, what was the point? He couldn't move his tail anymore. The smell of infection had sunk into the many puncture wounds he got from his uncle's companion during their fight, and while he half hoped his tail might still be saved, he wondered if that was even still possible since he hadn't sought any medical treatment yet. Not only that but...he had been starting to feel feverish the last couple of days. His vision blurred from time to time and he felt hotter than normal. Yet he pressed on because he didn't want to seem weak...but today, he was forced to stop. His legs became shaky and he was struggling to continue on. After a few short steps, he collapsed in the snow, the male seemingly too weak to continue on as his hind end felt like it was on fire.