[Taxx]

Teller of the Mountain Sky

He needed to get out. Who knew what his ancestors were thinking of him- Skyteller was meant to stay in the cave, to be constantly available in case he was needed, but while he was willing to do so, sometimes the small alcove that was his felt too small, the walls feeling more like a trap, and he longed for sunshine on his fur and fresh wind in his nose. He knew, too, that every time he went out he got looks from the older Tribe cats, but he ignored those as much as possible. Maybe the day would come when he would be content to remain within the cave day in and day out, but that was certainly not today. Tail up, Skyteller strode purposefully toward the cave entrance, pausing only as he neared Hail. “I need a walk, and I must collect herbs. Would you be willing to accompany me?” he asked her. If she were busy, he would find another; two cave-guards should be more than enough to deal with any threat that might appear, and Rumble enjoyed Hail’s company- she was his own age and had been a constant of the Tribe throughout their lives. Frost’s death during the Time of Frozen Water also meant that they were both among the oldest members of the Tribe- for all that they were still quite young. “We won’t be too long, and then you can return to your other duties.” williams

made by redox of gs

[williams]

The day had barely begun and already Hail felt an itch in her steps. She had traveled out with an early hunting patrol that came back with heads high and prey secured. Then came guard duty, which Hail usually found the most enjoyable part of her day. Eyes and ears on alert, the guard could monitor her tribe without interferring in any daily routines. She knew they were safe when she was able to watch. It was hard to admit to her brother, but Hail still feared their safety. She worried the cave ceiling would collapse again, or the valley cats would rise up and swarm up the rocks and fight till every last cat she cared for was a pin prick in the sky, or a whisper in the wind. The guard shook herself out of that thought, sharp eyes looking back into the cave to count the cats there. 

As she did, a familiar tom headed her way, prompting a smile on her lips. "Hello Skyteller, I would love to accompany you." Hail replied, getting to her paws. Her steps easily fell in line with his, a comforting pace that she knew came from days of guarding tribe mates together. Meanwhile her eyes kept to the sky, her senses cast upward so her leader could search. "Any specific herbs you're after today?" She asked when the silence prickled at her throat.

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Taxx
no table again, gotta find a better one for Hail 

[Taxx]

Teller of the Mountain Sky

Hail was quick to agree, as Skyteller had hoped, and the two set off from the cave together. Skyteller led the way to the little valley Dusk and Snow had stumbled upon in the early days of the Time of Freed Water, where he had found the herbs grew in plentiful bunches- a great thing to have to rely on when trouble reared its head. Skyteller didn't forget the possibility of danger, even now, his eyes flicked repeatedly upward, the old instinct to never let down his guard returning each time he set paw out of the cave. The skies remained clear, thankfully, and as they neared the passage he fell back just a step to let Hail take the lead. "Rushes and burnet, for young Rock. I want to try one more thing to try to help him gain use of his bad leg. It would not be easy for him to go on three his whole life, but he does not seem to be in pain- that leg simply will not take his weight. The rushes will help keep it straight, hopefully so it can heal from whatever is wrong, and the burnet will give him strength." He had tried everything else he could think of, and while he hated to admit defeat, he wasn't sure what else he could do to help Rock. The young tom didn't seem too bothered by his bad leg, as cheerful as the rest of his litter and looking forward to getting out of the cave when he was of age to begin training. Skyteller would not hold him back, but he still worried, and he hoped this treatment would work, "We only need two rushes; could you get those?" the ginger tom asked, pointing with a large paw over to the straight stems rooted in a pool of water. "I'll pick the burnet."  williams

made by redox of gs

[williams]

As Skyteller led the way, Hail let her eyes scan the horizon, smiling faintly at the blue between the clouds. It wasn't the same mountains of their home, but it was comforting nonetheless. She took even breaths as they climbed, enjoying how the air sat on her tongue. With the passage in sight, Hail nodded her thanks to the tom, scanning diligently. Her eyes caught nothing of interest though, a simple patch of land. Inhaling the scents, the faintness of prey tickled her nose but nothing worth noting. The she-cat flicked her tail to let Skyteller know the way was safe, then fell in step as he began to search.

Ah, Hail hummed her understanding. Rock was a unique tom, and she felt a kinship to him that she could not put to words. It was not easy to be different, especially for one so young. "That is a good solution, and I'm sure his mother appreciates the thought you are putting into her son's care." She replied, smiling at Skyteller's care. Their tribe was growing again, she thought with a bit of glee. Even if Rock suffered from their journey, he would not remember it nor their previous home. The whole litter would be safe from the sadness of losing their home.

Turning to the task at paw, Hail unsteathed her claws, cutting at the dense fibers of the rushes. "Will two be enough?" She asked curiously before leaning down to bite at a particularly stubborn spot.

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Taxx so sorry for the delay friend <3

[Taxx]

Teller of the Mountain Sky

Skyteller dipped his head as Hail praised his idea, glad for the confirmation- he just hoped it truly helped. “Oh, she does. Light might be a bit stubborn at times, but she cares very much for those kits.” No one more than the rest, despite Rock’s condition; she gave each equal love and discipline as it was required. “She certainly has the whole cave willing to give help if she needs it.” A purr of deep affection for the Tribe rose in his throat; those kits were precious to them all, considering what they’d been through... “Two should be enough,” he nodded, pulling his thoughts back to the tasky. “If we need to, we can bite one of the rushes in half, but two should be all we need for what I have in mind.” Bending over the patch of burnet, Skyteller began to nip off the leaves. Just a few would be a suitable dose for a cat Rock’s size, he was sure. Carefully picking them up, Skyteller glanced over at Hail, waiting patiently for her to finish before they started back to the cave. williams

made by redox of gs

[williams]

Hail nodded with Rumble's explanations, a warmth filling her chest at how much the tom cared for their group. They were still so small, and it hurt every day to see the gaps that Hail knew existed. Yet, as she finished biting through the rushes, Hail thought about the cats waiting for them back in the caves. The group was not the same as the one that left the mountains. There were clanborn cats mixed in, and new kits who had never faced what her and the older cats had. A home was being rebuilt, just as Hail hoped would happen when she cast her stone to leave. "Thank you for taking care of us," She said in a moment of sincerity. Her eyes were up at the sky to watch for any danger, but her heart was laid for Rumble to hear. It was hard for Hail to admit her feelings so vocally, but even through her normally gruff voice, the appreciation was clear as the sky on a sunny day. The tribe needed hope again, and Rumble as Skyteller was bringing that. 

She carefully gathered the rushes to carry in one load, teeth gentle. "Ready." She said through the plants, eyes returning to watch the sky for their trek back. 

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Taxx