Ulfric was almost asleep when the bushes nearby began to rustle. He knew it was not Tailung’s scent, as it was not thick with the blood of their battle. He was dizzy and his mind foggy, but he was still unafraid. He looked up to see another leopard walking toward him, a female by her size. She had a beautiful pelt but he could see the strength in her body. If she worked with the other one, or if she was there for some other reason, Ulfric did not know. He lowered his head to the dirt again, closing his eyes and falling into unconsciousness as the darkness welled up to welcome him. He let it envelope him.
Kita watched the lion as he passed out, looking worried. Her instincts told her to go and find Tailung while he was injured, and end this chase once and for all, but seeing the lion so badly wounded stopped her. He had only gotten hurt because he was brave enough to stop Tailung from his villainy. That meant this lion had something noble in him: he was strong in character, as much as he was in body. It would be a shame to lose someone like that, and Kita was determined to help him. She recalled his description from Sitiri, and wondered if there had been a mistake. Sitiri had been fearful of him, but it was clear to Kita that this lion was not entirely what he seemed.
She moved to him, touching her nose to his cheek to make sure he was still alive, his chest rose and fell and his eyes fluttered a bit, indicating he felt her and knew she was there. She was relieved, not wanting him to slip too far into his injuries so she could not draw him back. She knew a little of healing herbs and how to mend herself from her training, and could at least offer him comfort. First, she took a look at his injuries. The worst was on his stomach, where Tailung must have gotten under him using his size and speed to his advantage. He had ripped a good chunk out of the lion’s flesh, but she didn’t see any organs hanging out. A sure death warrant, if it were the case. Still, it was a deep enough wound that she worried for it bleeding too much. She had to find something to pack against it, she knew, and left him alone so she could find what she might need.
It did not take her too long to collect some herbs and large, soft leaves she could use for bandages.
He was awake when she returned, which surprised her. He lifted his eyes, though not his head, to regard her quietly. “Do you know him?” he asked quietly. In his mind, she was only helping him because she felt guilty for what the leopard had done. She was guilty for him, perhaps, or something similar. Ulfric watched her quietly, no threat in his current condition, and he had no desire to hurt her anyway. He was not violent without cause, and at the moment he did not believe there was any reason for him to be defensive with her. She was offering him aid, for no gain that he could see, which was the opposite of what the other leopard was doing. Hurting without cause.
He did not agree to either: he always needed a reason to do things. Or else they ended up this way, he scoffed ruefully. He helped someone he did not know and had no reason to protect, and he was dying for it. He watched as Kita sat nearby to him and began to squish herbs with her paws, a fresh, minty scent escaping the small leaves. He breathed in slowly, closing his eyes and letting her work. He did not pass out again, though, and she could tell as much from his eyes moving under the lids, or the looks of pain that crossed his face.
“He studied under my master before me. And betrayed him. His name is Tailung, and he is a monster. A mistake that needs to be corrected. I am hunting him for the sake of my master, to bring him peace so Tailung does not hurt any one else… I am sorry he injured you. You fought bravely.”
“You were watching? And did not think to assist,” she winced at his words, but she had only been there for a few seconds at the end, to see the most vicious blows. Still, she should have done something and she knew it, shaking her head. Ulfric continued, however, shaking his head very very slowly, “I appreciate it. My pride would not allow me to be saved in the midst of battle. Even this assistance is… difficult for me to accept.”
At least he was honest. She smiled and moved to press some of the salve she was making to his injury. He let out a terrific roar of pain, and she shuddered with the sound.
“Your roar!”
He took a breath and looked at her, the salve stinging but making the pain feel numb and strange as it got to work. She knew something about her herbs, it seemed, and he sighed and let her continue working without giving in to the urge to smack her for the pain. She took some of the large leaves, with the paste on it, and pressed them to his side with some pressure, to get them to stay and to keep his blood from flowing. He groaned now, keeping his roar in check.
“I use my voice to stun opponents… I have strong lungs, I suppose. Ah… that feels better, thank you.” He sounded sleepy, and he was beginning to fall to sleep again. She moved near him, night settling, and she did not want him to catch a cold in his condition. She would have to hope the trail after Tailung remained for her to follow in the morning.
It had to, or she would have failed her master once again. Sighing, she closed her eyes and fell to sleep, thinking about the lion beside her, the leopard that was getting away, the young lioness that had run off so scared. She hated these situations, and dreamed of a time when her life, and those around her, could be at peace.
(Word Count: 1,070 in Word)
