Mists of Gold (meeting)

Paladin had been past Gwen’s den earlier that day, and by the time he heard her howl for the pack in a rather unexpected meeting – both in placement and being called – he’d already been digging through his supply of herbs for what he felt would be needed to cure that cold he’d caught whiff of earlier in the week on another foray. Like Aurielle, he’d smelled that it wasn’t extremely serious and was still in the likelihood that the pup who suffered it would kick it easily. Now, though, it smelled like the boy could use some help.

He wasn’t in any great danger of more than having to take some unpleasant herbs, but the bitter tastes would be smoothed over with some hard-won honey Paladin had managed to wrest from a hive he’d found in a rotten tree stump. With the number-handed help of his large monkey companion, it’d been much easier than going in muzzle first.

Now he carried each plant the boy would need and a few Paladin felt would be needed if he didn’t improve wrapped carefully in one of his many rabbit skins dangling from his jaws. Of all the times for a pup to come down with a stubborn cold… Paladin was past due to meet with his Aunt and the chapter of Nomads to complete more of his training and gain his next Nomad mark and had planned to set out to Sweetgrass Basin that evening. It wasn’t far, and he was certain if there was no improvement even with the stronger herbs, then Aurielle and Gwenevere could send someone to get him—and a few highly skilled and trained healers, to boot.

Knowing Rielle, she’d probably take the message herself. He smiled around his mouthful of rabbit skin. He arrived to find that he was the last to arrive. He padded through the crowd to Gwenevere and lowered his package to the ground, smiling easily at the mother as he said, “I caught sniff that he’s still got a cold, so I brought you some herbs and honey for him. I can show you how much to give him and when after the meeting, if you like. I will warn both of you that I’m heading to Sweetgrass Basin this evening to further my advanced training with the Nomads. I’ll be gone for a week or two, but it won’t be too far if you need me here. I can ask them to keep a scout near the border to listen for a call for my name…”

His warning was given to both Aurielle and Gwen, though his shimmering young cousin was already aware. Never hurt to remind a wolf, though. He glanced over the four pups and grinned easily, tail wagging readily as he studied each face with interest. “My name’s Paladin. It’s lovely to see you all out and about.”

And he wondered, hopefully, if he’d be teaching one of them soon enough. He’d just have to observe and see over time. He slipped back to the pack and let his hips drop to seat himself next to Amos, giving the grey toned male a grin before he nodded to Justice, adding, “If you want, you’re more than welcome to come with me to learn something from the Nomads.”