Brother, Brother

Slight confusion flitted over his face, brows tightening as he tried to comprehend that his brother had changed his name. It wasn't a difficult concept, but he tried to wrap his tired mind around it. "Paladin," he repeated the name his brother had said, hoping he'd remember it. Okay, so his brother had changed his name. No big deal. What Paladin said next put his mind at ease, hearing the conviction in his brother's voice; everything would be alright. He wasn't going to die. Paladin was going to make sure of that. He let his body relax, his head resting on the soft grass that grew here. He grinned a little when he heard his brother speaking in that odd, but strangely familiar-sounding language to the other wolves; his brother was so smart. He wished that he could learn another language, and speak so fluently the way his brother and these wolves switched so easily between different tongues. But perhaps now was not the time to think of such things; surely he would competent enough to learn another language, but not while he was like this. He had to focus on getting fixed up, even if that meant leaving it to those who knew what they were doing.

He barely paid attention to what the young apprentice was doing, more focus on his brother, the one familiar wolf surrounding him, which brought him comfort. When he saw one of the female wolves glancing down at him, seeming to examine him closely, he glanced to his brother who quickly explained that this was their aunt, Kavamaya. And finally, Paladin told him who these wolves were. The Nomads. For moment he had to wonder about it, but he had a feeling he knew... Tha's right! These're mother's relatives! he thought to himself, the information clicking in his head. That made sense. That was why their accent seemed so familiar. He smiled when it all became apparent to him. He looked to his aunt, trying to smile despite feeling so weak. "Hello Aunty... Kavamaya... nice to meet you," he rasped, his throat dry and burning.

The young apprentice, Tavamos, set the water-filled bladder near Exodus, positioning it carefully, and then readjusting it as the brothers spoke. He wanted to make sure things were just right. By the time Exodus lay his head back down, the water was perfectly accessible to him. And just as he had completed the task given to him, Kavamaya requested his attention and assistance once more. His ears perked, listening avidly and nodding at her instructions. "Ar ndóigh, ar an bpointe boise!" the boy said exuberantly, taking off once more to find the hides. Quietly, he had paid great attention to where all of the Nomad's inventory had been stored, and he'd kept it to memory quite well, as was one of his great attributes. His paws carred him swiftly to a small opening beneath a boulder, where he shuffled carefully through the well-organized stores. It was only moments before he found the expertly crafted hides designed to keep pup's paws safe from harsh conditions.

Tavamos carefully picked up a complete set, the largest size he could find, and set off once more toward the gathered wolves where Exodus was being treated. The apprentice set the paw covers close to Exodus, looking to the young male. "These will keep your paws protected," he said, his accent strong, yet still clear enough to follow. He then glanced to the others, waiting again to see if he would be required to retriever anything, but getting the feeling that they were beginning to get everything under control now. He watched with great interest as Paladin began to treat the burnt pads, and glanced aside when a small pup came bounding forward, with such a darling approach that it could make any wolf smile and swoon.

Exodus lay still as his brother sliced open the Aloe leaves and applied the gel. It was surprisingly soothing, providing a blissful cooling sensation to the brunt skin upon contact. He was surprised, expecting it to hurt or sting somewhat before providing relief. He sighed, glad for the treatment, and he tilted his head toward the carefully crafted water-carrier, lapping at the edge of it gently so that he would neither spill nor take in too much all at once, though he felt like he could gulp down the entire portion of water in one go. But, his brother said to go slowly, and he wasn't too stubborn to take sound advice. Surely if he still felt thirsty after this, he could have some more. It was then that a young pup ran up, excited and clearly unknowing of what was going on. She seemed very inquisitive, and Exodus lifted his head and stopped lapping at the water for a moment, his glorious, multi-hued eyes looking to the very young girl, offering a smile.

After Paladin helped make the introductions, the small girl bounded to him, offering a friendly lick over his face as she greeted him. A hoarse laugh escaped him. "Hello, Yalamaya," he croaked in response, his throat still burning. Before he knew it, she was bounding off again, carefree and distracted as any young pup. He chuckled slightly, before it turned into a cough, and he went back to lapping at the water. As he did so, he heard his brother's comment, and paused again, grinning up at Paladin. "Already thinkin' so far ahead?" he teased gruffly, "Maybe Ah'll be in a better frame a mind when Ah'm not so sore and dried out." Coughing once more, Exodus back to lapping at the water, a powerful feeling of gratefulness washing over him. He might have been sore and tired and thirsty and hungry, but could he have asked for a better group of wolves, including his brother, to find him? He felt truly blessed, and he couldn't wait to feel better and hopefully be on his way home.