Seaking the Heat

For one who pushed herself to her limits, saw herself as one who always needed to get stronger, and above all always took careful, controlled, and calculated steps, limping was nothing short of a disgrace. Yet, that was what Isabella had found herself doing after hunting a doe, in the process of making sure the doe would not be able to jump over the gorge Isabella drove her to, she had sustained an injury in her right shoulder. At first it wasn't that bad, something that would heal in no time so long as she took care of it and moved slowly. Yet a storm had hit and forced her to run for cover. The combination of the heavy rain and running so fast and stretching her legs as far as she could had irritated the wound.

It wasn't festering or anything serious yet but it would take longer to heal like this, and was staring to hurt enough to cause the limp. Despite her best efforts to hide the limp it could be seen as could a bit of blood along her fiery fur. Every now and then it would open up a little if she moved the wrong way, it was more annoying than anything. Seeking to heal as fast as she could she hoped some hot water would do the wound good, or at least feel soothing enough to lessen her limp. Having been to the waters before she was eager to return to them, the things that must have been a gift from the Spirit of the Ocean.

Icy orbs looking ahead with anticipation she did her best to still hold her proud stance, ears up and tail high behind her. She could feel the heat in the air and a slight dampness in her fur already and smell the hot scent of the water. But another scent was in the air, one that was not there last time, the scent of wolves. Pausing Isabelle lifted her head and took in the scent. At the same time she lifted her right paw as she had seen others do when they lifted their head so high. At least this way she would not look injured. Indeed, the land smelled of wolves that had a common scent, a pack. The last time she was at the water it was not claimed by others.

Her ears twitched as she thought but finally she decided to sit and wait. Someone in the pack was bound to find her eventually, if she received a not so warm welcome she could leave but if the pack seemed willing to share the miracle of the springs she would gladly use them. She did not howl, not while injured, that could draw too many wolves at once and she would be easy prey if they did not take kindly to strangers. No, her odds were much better if she waited for one to catch her scent. There was still a chance others could show, but at least it was not the worst option.