we are here [c]

Despite the intense pain radiating from his wounds, Tux refused to let him slow him down. He pressed on, guiding Gouge - as promised. Each movement sent jolts of agony through his body. His teeth were clenched, and he slowly limped. Each step was more excruciating than the last. The wounds where the quills had pierced were inflamed and swollen, infection undoubtedly setting in. There were no herbs, at least ones Tux recognized, on the path here. He couldn't help but be jealous of Gouge's thick, silky pelt. The quills hadn't been as deep.

They had found their way through the starfall territory, and Tux came to an abrupt stop - his breaths shallow. He looked at his companion, confused. "The scents split here." He mewed.

He was right - the scent group of cats suddenly became five separate ones, heading in opposite directions.

discord: kieer  | timezone: EST (UTC -5) | code (c) kieer

"I can't believe we finally made it," Gouge breathed, looking out across the expanse of territory they emerged into from the mountains. The wind tugged his thick fur, his jaws parted to bring in the clan cats' scents across his tongue. Tux was right; they had split back up. "That isn't surprising, considering they were split into five different groups back home," he commented. The scents were distinct the further they traveled inland. Gouge stopped in his tracks as he hit a strong, recent scent marker. It held a clear warning: stay out. He looked over his shoulder at his traveling companion, his long, fluffy tail flicking with apprehension.

"This is their territory, alright," he growled. "Something tells me we wouldn't be very welcome company if we cross over any of these borders." His deep amber gaze sought the green eyes of his companion. We have traveled so far together. What will happen now? he wondered. "Well, first things first - we need to find a place to set up camp. Then we can decide what to do from there." The large rogue's heart ached for home. The abandonded twoleg nests that bordered the lake, and especially the one he and The Brotherhood had settled in. A deep sigh escaped the tom as he thought of the old home he would never see again, and his old friends who were most likely wolf-food.

His attention snapped back to Tux, the here and now.
"Tux, are you doing okay, my friend?" Gouge asked, sniffing at the inflamed wounds on the slender tom's face where the porcupine's quills had sunk in. Something smelled sour about the wound, and Gouge worried for his friend. "Perhaps we should seek out one of those clans' healers. They know herbs, and could know how to heal you."

---