First battle wound!

Walk | "Talk" | think

Rudy did love Artorias.  His brother was surely the best brother ever to exist.  This was all the more true right now as the injured motley grey wolf headed back to the castle with his brother.  Art was bringing the Okapi corpse along for which Rudy was grateful.  To have worked so hard to hunt the thing then risk his life defending it would have made it rather bitter to not be able to bring it home.  

Earlier when journeying back Rudy had felt like prancing in pride and yet the limp in his leg had refused to let him have his way.  On top of that, his body was tired and he had to shake his head at times as the gashes over his eye did actually hurt the longer they walked and the more the fighting adrenaline died down.  The eye below the gash was managing to remain partway open at this point but as they’d moved more blood had slid down to get in his way again, still it was better than it had been.  

“Thanks Art, for bringing it along.” His brother by now would have heard the story of how the hunt had gone on their trip back.  The early-on excitement was gone.  It was true Rudy had been tired from the hunt, then adding on the fighting and the trek back this was one of those rare moments where he was less chatty.  Rudy was actually tired, though there was still a brightness in the fully opened eye as he imagined showing off the kill.  Still, his head was lower than he normally carried it, as it just felt like too much effort to raise it up high.  The desire to show off the kill kept him traveling instead of suggesting they just sleep out in the open.  Which really wouldn’t have been a good idea with a corpse that could still attract more predators and the two of them injured but, he really was tired!

When they got close to the castle he howled for mom, sharing that they were coming back with a prize she should see.  How far Art would have to help him haul the carcass versus when mom would show up would depend on how far back mom was.  After they showed it off he was going to sleep.  Good deep sleep and probably need to see a healer after he slept, maybe before.  Could Gwyn patch him up while he slept?  Rudy was pretty sure he’d be able to sleep through a lot right now.  Though he’d have to tell her about all the excitement.