Is it the end?

Kane wanted so desperately to tell Tamsyn that everything was all right, that Rudyard was going to be fine, but he couldn't bring himself to lie to her like that. He'd seen wolves pull through worse injuries, but he'd also seen minor wounds turn into something more significant. Head injuries in particular were so hard to work with, since they were nearly impossible to determine the extent of any damage inside the skull or to the brain. Rudy could be anywhere from fine to comatose to amnesiac. He could only pray to the Moon and Stars that he was all right, that they hadn't been too late to rescue the boy. Tamsyn wasted no time in helping roll Rudyard onto his back, and Kane hoisted him the rest of the way until the young wolf's limp body was draped across his back. He was heavy, but the dire wolf had more than enough strength to carry him back with ease.

Together they made short work of the trip back home, Kane cantering as fast as he could without jostling Rudy's unconscious form too much or letting him slip from his back. As they neared the castle and Tamsyn howled for Gwynevere, he turned to glance at the worried mother by his side. "We're going to make sure he's okay, Tam," he tried to reassure her. "Gwyn is the most talented young healer I've ever seen. Your son's going to be all right." He didn't delay to rush Rudyard past the castle walls and into the safety of the infirmary, depositing him gently onto the nearest cot before rushing to gather the supplies he needed from the pharmacy.

He returned shortly with some horsetail and a needle to stitch up the wounds on Rudy's leg and a damp cloth to rest over his head before applying new bandages. While he and Gwyn worked, Kane glanced up at Tamsyn. "Tam, can you hold his paw and talk to him?" he instructed her. "See if he responds to anything. A squeeze of his paw, a flicker of eyelids, anything." Was he mostly doing this to give Tamsyn something to focus on and keep her mind occupied, but it would also be a good test to see if Rudy's brain was responsive or if he was entirely comatose.

"Kaneonuskatew"