he's not even the most competent healer in the room

Kes woke with a start, unaware that he had drifted off at all. His belly was warm and full, and his throat no longer dryer than the sand. His coat was stiff and uncomfortable, full of dried salt and sand, but he could ignore the discomfort. More importantly, now that he was awake, his front paw burned with pain.

It took him a few moments to realise that someone had spoken, which is what had disturbed him in the first place. He looked with red, blurry eyes at the newcomer. Their coat was a shocking splash of sunset-orange. Was everyone in this pack as bright as Modesty and this wolf?

Speaking of Modesty, he could feel his new liege at his back, still offering him her warmth. He raised his head, and glanced over at her, before the stranger. “The sea won this round” he replied somewhat begrudgingly.

"Speech"