Hurt

He had been on his patrol when he caught the scent of birth. Paladin’s ears perked, and he spun to race back to the cave system. It didn’t take him long to gather what he felt he’d need for a birthing, both smooth and problematic. He’d assisted with two, including Yalamaya’s birth, and had helped a third new mother with only slight guidance.

He was the only healer within range at the moment. Solveiga seemed to be in the moor, perhaps gathering what she could find in the snowy weather, and he wasn’t sure where Kalliope was. He hadn’t seen much of the others that shared his profession in the pack, though the Nomads, who were wintering with Celestial, were ever present.

He valued their presence greatly. Kavamaya had presented a suggestion of how to kick his mother out of her deep depression. He was willing to try anything by now.

He shook his mind as he slid to a stop outside the female’s den, barking softly through the rabbit hide wrapped around the herbs. The whimper gave him pause, however, and it sounded like she was in trouble.  He didn’t wait, slipping his slim frame into the den and squeezing in beside the young male.

He settled his bundle down, taking a good look at his patient in the dim shadows. There were strong contractions, but there was no progression. She already had a few pups at her side. “My name is Paladin. I’m one of the healers in the pack, a Cleric. If I may examine you, we’ll see if we can’t get this little one back on track, mm?”

His brogue-laden baritone was warm and soothing, and he waited for her permission before stepping forward and gently resting a paw over her belly, just under her thigh if she allowed. A contraction rippled under his pads, and he thought he could feel a lump that shouldn’t be there in a normal birthing. So, the whelp was sideways. Barring its own path to the canal.

He smiled softly, despite the problematic situation. “Someone doesn’t want to come out. Your pup is aligned wrong. I’m going to try turning it into line, alright?” Sapphire and amethyst eyes flicked to her face as he bent to nudge the plants he knew she’d need. Something to kill the pain, and something to keep her strong.

”Chew those. They’ll keep you from weakening, and ease the pain. If you’ve already had something to help with either, though, let me know.”