Headed for a New Land

She didn’t think he heard her over the gasping breaths she was taking. Too much. Again. Just like the last time she just couldn’t hold up. Her stamina was just barely enough to get her through the fight. If Roman hadn’t been here with her… Surely she would have figured something out. He was there the whole way with her, from the first plants on the hill to now as he helped steady her frail form. Her fluffy coat couldn’t hide how light she was, nor the pointing bones right beneath. The obvious signs of her weakness, Gwyn saw it and warned her. Her muscle mass just wasn’t what it should be. Romulus showed his obvious concern and helped where he could. She wondered if the ginseng would help anything or not, but it was mostly her breathing now. She could stand… right?

While her offering to tend to Roman was mostly to distract herself and cover for her all too obvious distress. She had long been found out, Rom was doing his best to hide his worrying and Lillith felt herself appreciating the gesture more than he could know. Everyone worried over her, but he was calm and collected, telling her he was worried her plants would spoil if they didn’t hurry. He dismissed any offer to let her tend him, which was probably smart on his part. He left her for only a moment before grabbing her makeshift bag and helping to slip it over her shoulder so they could make the return home.

He asked if she would be able to walk and Lil had to doubt herself for a moment. Lilith wanted to confidently say she could walk alongside him right back to the castle. The one they could see from here. She took in another shaky breath and she knew the truth and yet, ”I want to walk.” The truth, what was a fudge was if she was able to. Lil lifted herself to her paws, more gracefully than she expected. Her expression and soul were determined but her body argued otherwise.

She did make it to her paws, and with a determined glance took a few well placed steps forward. She was still a little shaky on her paws but she was building up a good rhythm. She didn’t even need Rom’s shoulder. Her breaths still came in gasps, but she was doing it. Albeit slowly. Just when she thought she really had it to the Castle her front elbow gave out. Lilith couldn’t even catch herself as her right shoulder and chest fell into the hard packed pathway. She squeaked in pain as she hit the ground, biting her tongue and bruising the muscle all around her shoulder. No, she couldn't make it.

Lillith Adravendi