Among The Wolves

Wos'Theon

I drank as much as my stomach could hold but did not encourage Lins to do the same, kidney problems meant less water for her.

Having recognized the markers indicating that we were nearing the military base I knew we were going to have to change course and head northwest. Reaching this milestone had given me new excitement and resolve but it did not come without its own difficulties. There would be no water sources until after we crossed into Wos’Theon.

I filled my water bottle and turned to my sister, she was sitting on a nearby rock. I reached over and caressed her cheek. The swelling was back and evident. Her eyes looked partially squinted. “What are we going to do next?”

Pained, I smiled. Have answered this question three times now, I knew that the toxins in her blood affected her cognitive functions. I needed Ty'Mee now. “See those trees way far away?”
“Yea.”

We have to get there and then probably a couple hours later we will reach our destination.”

“Our new home?”

I kissed her cheek, “Our new home."

Lins clapped a little and then turned to climb my back. I hoisted her up and looked northwest before getting the resolve to tell my legs to bare it longer. One step in front of another. That was all I had to do in repeat until we made it. Ugh, easier said than done.

At least I did not have to worry about heat, the cloudy sky took the harsh heat away, although the thick humidity seemed to make it difficult to catch my breath. I could not tell if rain was in the near future but if it was I wanted to be in the trees. Out here in the open we had no protection from lightning.
“Can you sing me a song?”

I shook my head. “I can't-” My sentence was cut short when I took my next breath. I had to focus, ignore my sore muscles and keep going. One more step, one more step, one more step.

I could not really think at this point.

Although I kept my determined process the trees took ages to come closer. It really did appear like every two steps I would take, the trees would take one step back. When I finally did approach the treeline my legs gave out. Truly, I could go no more. I needed rest.

Leaning against a nearby tree I decided I would rest a bit then continue the trek. But I would not be able to carry Lins. It was not yet dusk but the darkening clouds made the forest even dimmer. If we dawdle, then we would not make it to the border before all glimpses of daylight were gone. We would be forced to spend the night in a guarded area and risk being upended by the military.

Lins crawled onto my lap and curled up there. She was not doing well although she tried to hide it. “Will you be able to walk the rest of the way?” I asked.

Lins curled up tighter, “I don't want to walk anymore.”

I leaned back against a tree, still breathing deeply. I guess hiding her discomfort was over now. I quickly wiped my tears away before they fell on my sister.

I needed to know how far I had yet to go. Looking down at Lins, I confirmed that her eyes were closed. Craning my neck to the west I concentrated until my blood ran hot and cold. Part of me could not believe that I had decided to do this meld without first thinking it through. Desperate times did lead to desperate actions. I closed my eyes and tuned out the noise. Seeking one scent and one scent only. My nose flared as I searched it out. Detecting the smells that went farther and farther. Pine, oak, mildew, bloomed flowers, skunk, and a whole hoard of others that I had to mentally weed out. Almost discouraged, I paused to inhale some more. At last I picked it up! Immensely relieved, I relaxed a margin. I never thought that the fragrance of wet dog would ever cause me happiness. The scent was still far off. We still had a couple miles of uneven terrain to travel before the metal fence would come into sight.