Set a little while after the Prominence Cave exploration. Injuries may be kept a little vague.

The deerling continued on her travels after escaping the cave. Her body ached in a way she wasn't accustomed to. She had tried to keep a bandage on her back leg where her injury was, but it had become inflamed and the dressings kept sliding off. She itched at it, which only made it worse. It made her nervous- to be a prey animal with fresh blood so near wolf territory... She didn't want to think about it.

Lumi found her way to fresh waters and washed herself off. The water was chilled and repulsive in a way she couldn't quite put a hoof on. Maybe she was just on edge, her skin pricked and she glanced around, suddenly aware of how exposed she was and just how far from home she had wandered. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, she almost wished for the safe walls of the tunnels again, or the company of that Elk from before. Any small comfort would do. Absentmindedly, Lumi pulled some grass and nibbled on the earthy roots while her leg rinsed off in the fresh running water.

Kolt had been exploring the woods, as he often did, when the scent of blood caught his attention. His ears perked up and he followed the trail, alert but curious. As he approached the stream, he spotted the young deer standing in the shallows, her leg extended into the water. Even from a distance, Kolt could see the angry wound marring her hide. Instinctively, Kolt hung back, not wanting to startle the already nervous creature. He watched as she grazed on the vegetation, all the while glancing around skittishly, as if expecting danger to leap out at any moment. Kolt's heart went out to her.

Slowly, so as not to alarm her, Kolt emerged from the tree line. Stopping as soon as he felt he had been seen. Kolt lowered his head submissively to try and convey he didn’t mean her any harm. From his satchel, he carefully pulled out a bundle of herbs he had collected earlier - comfrey, calendula, yarrow. All good for soothing inflammation and promoting healing. “I can help with that leg, if you let me.” He said softly, his voice a gentle rumble.

"Kolt Carpathius"

The sounds of the river and the nearby falls were at least a little calming. She was quite shaken up from everything. She breathed in deeply, the scent of cedar thick in the misty air. Lumi tried to imagine the rich colors as they were, and not in the redcast of the current atmosphere.

A small deer- no, a wolf with deer horn nubs, still developing- stepped out of the clearing. He carried herbs. He was young, but large. It was unlikely he'd be able to take her down alone, even with her injured leg. Still, she looked around for others, scenting the air. It seemed they were alone for now. He offered her help, and Luminosa considered it. She couldn't let her fear control her. She took a deep breath in, held it lightly in her stomach, and then pushed it out before looking at the youngling.

"I suppose I could use the help," she admitted. "Where is your family, young wolf? Are you related to the deer here?"

Kolt shook his head, a small smile playing at his muzzle. "No, I'm not related to the deer here- or at least I don’t think so. My family... I’m a Carpathius- we live in the territory surrounding Hearthstone castle north west of here.” He didn't elaborate further, instead focusing on the task at hand. He approached slowly, keeping his movements deliberate and non-threatening. When he was close enough, Kolt knelt down, setting the herbs on a flat rock nearby. "This might sting a little, but it will help prevent infection and speed up healing," he warned, before carefully beginning to clean the wound with water from the stream. Kolt focused on the task, his vivid blue eyes studying Luminosa's leg closely. The wound pulsed slightly, and as he gently dabbed away the grime with cool water, he thought he could feel the tension radiating from her.

"How did this happen?" He asked conversationally as he began to apply a poultice of mashed herbs to the wound. His paws were gentle but sure in their movements, revealing a familiarity with this kind of treatment. The soft, earthy aroma of the herbs mingled with the clean scent of the flowing water, creating a calming atmosphere that helped ease his own mind as he concentrated.

"Kolt Carpathius"

Luminosa listened carefully to the boy as he spoke. His family called themselves by a name, which was different from the territory name or perhaps even the pack name- if these wolves did give names to their packs. She committed the name to her memory as best she could. The boy nudged closer, warning her before he started the cleaning. "And this pack... teaches its young to heal?" she asked as she looked away from the healing, away from the pain.

He asked her where she got the injury. She thought to tell him, but the idea turned sour- why would he believe her? A strange deer- not even a wolf- telling tales of giant worms and the earth swallowing her and others whole. "I'm herdless prey animal, its inevitable I get hurt a little here and there," she said, the words tasting bitter as they left her. It was true, but she didn't like it. "What's your castle like?"

Kolt paused in his work, considering Luminosa's question. "Yeah- or at least those who want to learn how." He glanced up at her briefly before returning his attention to the poultice. "As for the castle... It’s pretty well a castle. Made of strong stone- the walls rise high above the treetops by a lot. It’s really tall. It’s a pretty busy place, always seems like there’s something going on." As he spoke, he worked carefully, blending the herbs into a smooth paste that would soothe Luminosa's wound and promote faster recovery.

When he was satisfied with his work, he carefully wrapped clean bandages around Luminosa's leg, securing the poultice in place. "There. That should help." He stood up, wiping his paws on the dewy grass. "You should be able to walk on it now, but take it easy for a few days if you can." Kolt looked at Luminosa thoughtfully, wondering if there was a way she could keep herself safe while she recovered.

"Kolt Carpathius"