Stay Alive

A steady, urgent cawing had instantly gotten Bowen's attention as she moved along the edge of the plain. The girl's verdant gaze shot upwards and she saw Corbin flying towards her as though his tail was on fire. Bishop, Bowen's raven, intercepted Corbin and accompanied him to the ground. The raven hopped at her, thoroughly out of breath and explained between gasps that Artorias needed help. Attack. Hurt. Bowen's blood ran cold and her stomach clenched tightly as she felt instantly nauseous. It took her a moment to regain her composure before she was able to act. "Go get Ulric and Eska. Tell them to follow my scent." She ordered Bishop and Corbin. An instant later, the slender fae was rocketing away.

Bowen's paws flew over the earth and yet she willed her limbs to move faster. She didn't know what had happened to Art, but she would be there as soon as she could and would deliver whatever help he needed. Run. Run. Run.

Corbin had pointed Bowen in a general direction, but it took her a while to finally catch scent of her brother. It was the scent of blood that drew her to him in the end. It was ripe on the wind and the girl's heart hammered in her chest. The scent was so strong that it was hard to tell where he was. She ended up on a long stretch of black sanded beach and only the screaming of ocean birds as they milled around a body let her know where she was.

Bowen snapped and snarled at the birds as she rushed to her brother's side. "Artorias!" Bo called out his name on a sob and she collapsed onto the sand beside him. Her paws gently touched his side just to see if he was breathing. To her relief, he was. His body was freezing and there were rips and tears in his neck and shoulders. Fear sent Bowen to shivering and she carefully wrapped herself around Artorias as much as she could, trying to will her warmth into his broken, battered body. "Help is on the way, okay? Ulric and Eska will be here soon. Everything will be okay." Tears fell from the girl's wide green eyes, landing on her already damp sibling. Delicate kisses were peppered across the top of Art's crown and she spoke in a wavering whisper. "Please don't die, Art. If you die, I'll surely follow." The young woman held onto him, giving as much warmth as her body could produce. She willed help to come quickly.

"Speech"