Raise the Wreck of Doubt

Once Aresenn had moved, Absinth put her entire focus into what strength she still had — and unsteadily rose to her paws. There were twinges of pain emanating from her neck, but most prominently from her side. “Ugh!” The flayed skin shifted beneath the binding, but in many ways it felt better than the open air. It had to have been cleaned, which was annoying due to the fact that Aurelia had done it.

But now came the biggest challenge. Walking. An easy task normally, but the longer she stared at the ground the more dizzy she felt. Frustration wracked her body, her mind — and she began to seethe. A low rumbling growl escaped her as she trudged forward, seeking the exit to the den or whatever this was. It looked like shit either way.

The exhaustion in her muscles was much the same as when she first came to these lands. The waves had siphoned every ounce of energy she’d had left, but this was worse given her blood loss and the pounding in her skull. She could barely think straight, and the more clarity she gained the more pain she could feel. Like a double edged sword.

Hardheaded as she was, she actively tried to avoid Aresenn’s proximity, both out of fear to lean on someone other than herself and the need to which she just.. couldn’t allow it. She made it as far as the entrance to the den before she stumbled and her side grazed on a wall. Fury spilling from her lips, she faced having to ask for help or embarrass herself further. She hated both options. They made her feel small.

wormwood