The Beginning

Chapter 26

Jhaufyther was in the most pain he had ever felt before.

After flying out of the Void, he crashed into a tree, causing him to break his tail, dislocate his wing, and quite literally break a leg.

Clauchice found him lying on the ground in a heap, and she started panicking, helping him get up and also bumping into his hurt parts, causing him to scream with pain.

"BE CAREFUL!" he yelled at her when she accidentally nudged his tail. "My tail is broken!"

"I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, scrambling back. "It's just... everything is in the wrong place."

"What do you mean, 'in the wrong place'?" he snapped. With immense difficulty, he twisted to look at his tail, which was dangling at an awkward angle. His wing flopped over, and his back leg was bent backwards.

"Okay. I need some help getting back to camp," he said through gritted teeth.

"I'll get Haphmoun." Clauchice was about to fly away when he stopped her with his remaining wing. "She'll worry too much," Jhaufyther said. "Just get Hazefhur or someone else who WON'T make a panic."

"I will. But Haphmoun loves you, you know. She should worry about you," she pointed out.

"I know," Jhaufyther agreed. "But I don't want her to worry too much right now."

"Okay. I will go get Klickhaze." She flew off, leaving Jhaufyther lying there. He sighed. Guess I'll be here for a while, he thought.

It was really boring to lie there. He couldn't really move because it would be difficult walking on three legs. His tail helped him balance better, and now that his tail was broken, his balance was the worst.

A few moments later, Clauchice came back with Klickhaze, who started panicking when she saw him. "What happened?!" she said, rushing to his side and examining his wing.

"Traveled too fast and slammed into a tree," Jhaufyther said. "It was really stupid of me."

"Hey, DON'T talk like that," Clauchice said sternly. "You could not have known that there was a tree there. Stop beating yourself up and focus on recovering."

Jhaufyther sighed. "Fine, but don't lecture me more until I recover."

Klickhaze gently nudged him. "Come on. Get up. Sitting there, wishing for your wounds to heal, will not work."

Jhaufyther slowly stood up, gasping when his broken paw touched the ground. "I'm going to need some support," he said breathlessly, looking at Clauchice and Klickhaze.

Without a word, Clauchice pressed herself against his side, and Klickhaze went to his other side. They hoisted him up with their wings and helped him to the camp, where he collapsed on his bed, groaning. He turned his head toward them. "Thank you."

"Of course," Klickhaze said softly. "I will stay here if you need anything."

"You sure you don't need to go back?" Clauchice asked, tilting her head.

Klickhaze shook her head. "No, not really. I can stay here for a while before I go back to my camp."

"Is it fine if I stay with you?" Clauchice asked, looking at him. Her eyes rounded with worry.

Jhaufyther sighed. If he said no, his sister-being the stubborn Catwing she is-will insist on staying. "Yes, you can. I do want someone as a companion."

"I'm going to go rest," Klickhaze said. "Let me know if you need anything."

"I will," Jhaufyther said, smiling at her. When she left, he turned to Clauchice. "You didn't have to stay, you know. You could go check on Riley or something."