Surprise Adventure
The phantom rarely left the northern territories anymore. Mama was growing ill as she neared the end of her life, and the youth was terrified. However, as winter approached they knew they needed to collect some herbs before they disappeared. It was already late in the season, and Olya's old stores were well beyond depleted. Without treatments for their mother's ailments, she would surely not make it through the winter. The pallid wolf did not want their mother to die. Couldn't bear the thought. Not with the rest of the family having disappeared entirely. Everyone was gone, and only mama was left. Without her, they would be horribly, terribly alone. What, exactly, had drawn them into the cavernous tunnels of the gorge was a mystery. Not much grew in these underground areas, and they were likely wasting their time. However, the cool and damp eased their nerves. Time stilled in these liminal spaces, and worries fell away. The world didn't exist in places like this. Near the entrance to one particular tunnel, a broad leafed plant was still growing. (Salvia) It hadn't realized that winter was approaching, it seemed. They stooped to sniff tentatively at the herb, wondering if it might be useful. Using their elbow, they shifted their satchel to rest against their flank so they could examine the herb more closely. At least, until someone went tumbling down the ravine. Gods above, this was not the time for accidents. Winter was approaching, damn it, and broken bones would spell and early grave. Sighing heavily, the young shaman watched the smaller wolf collect themself after the fall. The ledge that had caught them was only a few hundred feet to their right, so they could watch the entire scene play out uninterrupted. Nothing appeared broken, based on how the wolf moved afterwards. However, a closer exam might be warranted. "Are you alright?" they called out gruffly, thick accent forming a strange burr that caught the consonants of their speech. Pale brows furrowed, they waited for a response.
"speech" |