Unexpected Refuge

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He began to think about how tired he was, and just how long logistically it would take he and Ashtoreth to get to their chosen shelter. It was already growing colder, and the light in the sky was fading quickly. By the time they got there it would be nearly pitch black - he estimated. As she struggled to her paws he mentally cursed himself for making her move, but he knew that it was necessary or they'd freeze tonight. The wind chill would bring the temperature down by twenty or thirty degrees, and since it was likely to fall to the low forties tonight, a chill like that would be unbearable. He wavered on his paws slightly as she took to hers, remarking that it wasn't so bad. Leon stifled a laugh, it was pretty bad for him. He wasn't used to feeling like this. Glad it's not bad for you, heh, I feel like i'm ten years old.

As she prodded him on by asking if he would lead, Leon nodded his head once and then took a tentative step, wincing slightly as his paw touched the earth and shifted his weight forward. He turned his head back slightly toward her. If you need to.. you can lean on me. It was the least he could offer. After all, she must be feeling as bad, if not worse than, he was. He had a feeling that they would end up leaning on each other just to make it there. Funny, how just an hour or so before they'd been strangers who'd happened across one another in a creek, and now they were reunited friends who were depending on one another to survive in this foreign land. Oh how the tides had shifted.

When he could pause no longer he took another step, then another until his paws were moving rhythmically - albeit painfully. He winced every now and then, when his paws fell upon a particularly hard or otherwise uncomfortable bit of earth. The grassy areas weren't as bad, and he was thankful that they were able to stay on it for most of their journey. When they'd crossed the last part of grass and continued to pad on open dirt toward the hill - which was now in view - Leon's steps slowed ever so slightly. He was thrilled to be getting so close, but the labor of the journey was taking its toll on him. His head and tail hung limply, so unlike he would normally carry them. A determined frown crossed his features. You've got to go on.. you're almost there. Just get yourself to the hill and you can rest.