what brings us together

Balsam had just enough time to stare up at the giant in horror before the world disappeared behind a veil of tawny fur. His lungs filled with the stink of cat and he clawed wildly at the beast's ribs. It wasn't so much an attack as it was an attempt to claw his way free, but nonetheless damage was done. For what felt like an eternity he was weighed down by a great weight - both the lion and the big wolf, maybe? - and then quite quickly the bulk of it was gone.

The cat's bony rib cage drug across his skull as the cat curled in on itself after Odysseus and there was little Balsam could do besides shove at it. He kicked and he clawed, wiggled and flailed, and at last he popped out from under the mountain lion like a bizarre, confused newborn. Balsam gaped up at the sky and breathed deep the clean sea air.

His relief was short lived, however, as he quickly remembered there was more to worry about than the weight of the mountain lion. Afraid he might find the cat looming over him, Balsam spun around to face him. Unbeknownst to him, Odysseus was right. The mountain lion, having to pick which of the wolves posed the biggest threat, chose Odysseus. He had its attention. It stood, one wounded front paw slightly raised, and stared at him with tail lashing and lips curled back in a snarl. Balsam could tell it didn't want to fight anymore. It looked like it was on the verge of fleeing and all it needed was a push. So he decided to give it a push.

He leaped forward with a snarl and feinted an attack. At the last second he intended to pull back and veer away, but his caution was unnecessary. It was as he'd suspected; the cat just needed a push. It fled the scene as quickly as its wounded paws could carry it.