Fall of the Packs: Void

Chapter Twenty-Two

"Tinder, wake up."

Minerva nudged him and he let out a soft groan as he stirred. She frowned. "Come on, get up. What's it been with you lately? You're always acting like you want to sleep in."

Tinder slowly sat up, blinking. "Sorry. It's just been harder to put in the effort, I guess."

"That's strange. What happened to always being so energetic?"

Tinder gave her a look. "I wouldn't say I'm energetic. I'm not like Symphony, or anything. Just... ready and willing, that's all."

Minerva snorted. "Well then, Sir Ready-And-Willing, you should get to it. My mother told me last night we'd be patrolling early."

Tinder mumbled a response and followed after her to where Desert was standing just beneath the overhang. It had been two months since Gannon had been elected leader and chosen Desert as his beta, and overall Minerva would have said that life was better. Gannon's youth only appeared to be an asset, and he was both passionate and driven. The passion did appear to be mainly manifesting against Wind Pack, but nobody had been killed or seriously injured yet.

Desert also appeared to be taking to the position of beta quite well. She nodded to Minerva and Tinder as they came up. "Glad to see you're awake," she said. "Are you ready to go?"

"I think so." Minerva glanced at Tinder, who appeared to be more awake now, looking at Desert attentively.

The beta nodded. "Very good. I want the two of you to go to the north-western border, where both our territory and Storm Pack's ends. Spring's on its way and other animals might start moving in our territory. We especially need to keep watch for bears this time of year. Let me know what you find as soon as you get back."

Minerva agreed and she and Tinder set out, circling the overhang and heading past the pond. She noticed that he was shivering. "Are you cold?" she asked.

"Yes, actually," he answered. "Aren't you?"

She shrugged. "I thought it was warmer today. Although I suppose the wind is still chilly."

He shook himself. "My fur is shorter than I thought, then. I'll be glad when spring gets here."

"Me too," Minerva agreed. "I hate winter."

Tinder gave a sad chuckle. "I think the whole pack does."

They grew silent and eventually he picked up his pace. "But we both agree that it's not good to dwell on the past, right? Spring is on its way, and that means new life. The leaves will be back, and maybe there will be more pups too."

He gave her a meaningful look and she smiled slightly. "I don't think that's happening yet," she said. "But we can keep trying."

Tinder wagged his tail and they continued on their way. Minerva realized that she really did feel hopeful, and she liked it. "You were right," she said to him after a few more moments of silence. "Things are getting better."

"See?" he replied cheerfully. "You should trust me more often."

They eventually reached the north-western border, where the most pine trees overlapped into Night Pack's territory. The scent markers were usually more nebulous in this area--it wasn't often visited by either pack. That did, however, leave it vulnerable to potential invasions from animals like wildcats or bears. Both defenders began sniffing around the roots and ferns, checking for signs of potential trespassers.

"Find anything out of order?" Tinder called.

"No," Minerva answered. She smelled a few weasels and squirrels, and she saw the tracks of a deer, but there were no signs of potential predators. "You?"

"Maybe." Tinder began to head towards her. "I think I smelled a--"

He cut off as he suddenly stumbled. Minerva felt a flash of concern and quickly ran to his side. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Tinder responded quickly, followed by a chuckle. "My paws just... didn't do what I told them to do. Strange, huh?"

He tried to stand up and faltered again. "What is it?" Minerva asked. "What's wrong?"

"My paw..." Tinder raised his left front paw, looking confused. He slowly attempted to put weight on it again and it gave out from beneath him. "I... I think it's lame."

Minerva frowned. "Does it hurt?"

"...No."

"Did you do something to it?"

"I don't think so." He slowly shook his head, looking bewildered. "I don't know what it is."

"You should let the healers look at you," Minerva said. "Maybe you injured it without realizing."

"I'm sure it's fine--" Tinder protested, but Minerva cut him off. "It's not fine if you can't walk. Come on, we did what we came here to do. You can lean on me."

Tinder finally agreed and they set back on the way to the overhang, with Tinder half-limping and half-leaning against her. He looked up at her with a grin. "At least we get to be close."

Minerva rolled her eyes and growled affectionately. She was still concerned about Tinder's condition, but she doubted it was anything too serious.

~

"So what's wrong with him?"

Minerva looked at Sundae, who had just finished examining Tinder, looking him over and asking a few questions. The brown and white Bulldog didn't answer her question yet, instead asking Tinder, "How long have you been feeling poorly?"

"...I wouldn't say I've been feeling poorly," Tinder replied slowly. "I guess I've just been... tired, lately. A lot more tired than I usually am. And cold."

Sundae shook her head. Minerva felt a knot of unease in her stomach. "What's wrong with him?" she repeated.

"It's... difficult to say, yet," Sundae began haltingly, "but... judging from the symptoms that he has... he--he might have the same illness that Colt had."

Her words were met with shocked silence. Minerva felt her blood turn cold. No. That can't be true. "Are you saying he's going to die?" she demanded.

"No," Sundae said quickly. "As I said before, we can't be sure yet. But his paw is lame, so regardless he'll have to stay in here for now. Geo and I will discuss some treatments."

Tinder's face was blank. Minerva felt her previous hope slowly draining. This was exactly what she had been terrified of. Sundae fidgeted her paws for a few moments before mumbling, "I'm sorry," to Tinder and leaving the cave.

"...Did you know you were sick?" Minerva asked, her voice quiet.

Tinder lowered his head. "I... was beginning to wonder. But I wasn't sure, and until today it wasn't interfering with my duties in any way."

"Were you trying to hide it?"

"No!" Tinder looked up again. "I... I would never want you to worry about me. But I promise I wouldn't have hid something like this. I just... didn't realize until now."

Minerva turned away, shaking her head. "I... I need to make our report."

She all but ran out of the cave, leaving Tinder staring after her desperately.