her heaven is only half alive,

Sleep, as it turns out, was truly all Jendayi needed. She was always used to going lengths without eating, and the dull thrum in her paw had turned out to be nothing more than a minor strain, and a torn claw. After fervent licking and wrapping it tightly with some weeds, the pain had slowly begun to settle. She had awoken after a few hours, but by the time she had, Torin was gone. His scent was fresh yet still, and it spurned Jendayi to think simply about leaving. It would be much easier now to no longer be a burden on the man, and it would give her the opportunity to escape without having to further push herself. Don’t be rude, she chided herself, and pushed away the thoughts. It would be too easy to leave now and forget, and return to where she was. She was sure if she did that, however, the next time she fell down a crevice Torin would not come to save her. She was awkward, but she was not heartless. He had saved her. She owed him her life. It was a heavy thought.

There is a stirring at the mouth of the den, and slowly, the small female lifts herself to her paws. Her movements are slow and awkward, deliberate with each step, so that she did not falter. Torin’s form soon followed his smell, and with it came the fresh scent of rust and iron—food. Almost instinctively, the maiden’s mouth began to water, but she was always well-mannered and polite, and waited patiently for Torin’s own approval. “Thank you, Torin,” she said, settling down right before him, “I…I owe you my life.” It was as strange to say as it was to think of it. She thought briefly if this man were a simple do-gooder, or it he reveled in his own deeds. Perhaps he was the sort of man to invoke some kind of repayment. Jendayi could understand all these things—and while she was a strong and independent she-wolf, she was also honorable…somewhat. 

They had long left behind the snowy desert where he found her, and had traveled through much of the forest until Jendayi simply could not stand to walk any longer. By now many hours had passed, and with it came a much deeper part of the day. The sky was clear and the weather was fair, but even she had begun to grow unsettled (except, she desired to go in the opposite direction, but would not make her desires known).