Dangers of the Mountain

He was gentle and careful as he started from just behind Cairo’s front leg, speaking as he went. “Here’s a rib that hasn’t been broken. It’s smooth under the paw.”

Three ribs back, he found a broken rib, showing her the difference as he went on, “Here is where it’s broken. The broken end pushes against the muscle and skin. It can be very difficult to fix externally, and I don’t have the supplies for suturing him shut if I go in more invasively.” Medical technology had come very far in the past two generations. There was still much to learn, but times were changing. Wolves were getting better at healing injuries that once would have spelled a death sentence for a wolf.

He nodded at her, tipping his head toward Cairo in a mute suggestion that she try feeling out the injuries for herself to get a feel for the movement, what felt right, and what felt wrong. “His awareness of pain if a good thing. It means he’s not out of our reach to help him. It’s when they show no response that you should worry.”

To Sirius, he gave a soft sigh, nodding his thanks. “We’ll be in your debt, Warlord. Cairo will likely want to repay you for your help when he’s well enough to offer his services. I’ll let you and he and Aurielle discuss that when the time comes. I, myself, will resupply your healer with whatever resources she uses, as long as I actually have the same myself to give. Will that be acceptable?”

He, being of the highest rank in the Healer’s Circle, had a certain license to make these sorts of trades. It was the same among Nomads. They would offer their training, healing services, usually without expecting repayment, but if the patient or their family had the resources and home, a deal might be made that the Chapter would be allowed to stay within pack borders for a night or two while they taught, healed members, and basically took a break from the road while still staying busy. He’d enjoyed the lifestyle, but he wouldn’t trade his life in Valhalla.

To Malalia he asked, “How many breaks can you find? Do any of the lumps feel soft?” They wouldn’t, he knew. It would mean bad bleeding, and there was no obvious hematoma. There would have been by this point, with the armor off.

As he waited for her response, he gathered the bandages he would need, as well as the hide.