Pehr felt the call of the water, and with familiar difficulty turned awy fromit. She remembered when she was a pup, before her affinity had manifested. She had been happy then, just beinga pup, with no major responsibilities or hardships. All that ha chnaged on her first birthday, when she had manifetsed. And not as a Fyre.
Afinite were rare, buit Pehr coudn’t help but afmire her mother’s quick thinking in labeling her as such. It was a disgracem but things woud hve been so much worse if herpck knew the truth. While Pehr admored her mother i that regrd, it was never wuite far from her thoguhts that it was her mother’s fault that she was in that situation in the first place. Shortly after her mther had gotten regnant, she had taken Bheryll as her mate. He ad died shortly after, and Pehr knew her mother’s story was strengthened by that. The pups had come early from stress, and Pehr was Afinite for the same reason. It lwft her a small condolence with the other wolves for her lack of abilities.
Pehr turned and walked away fromthe river, avoiding its calling. The air warmed as hse headed back towrds camp, her paws tingling in apprehension. Suddenlym the characteristic heavy thmps of Fian vibrtethe ground under her paws. He emerged right in front of her, alomis running ehr over. She just manage to swerve as he skidded to a stop.
“Pehr!Are you alrght?!” Resisting the rge to roll her eyes, Pehr nodded. Fian wa a large, rust colored wolf. He had glimmering green eyes that contrasted sharply with his red fur. He wsn’t terrible and was never mean to her, but Pehr didn’t hold in very high regard. To her, he was kind of dopey. His happiness irked her, most likely because hedidn;t have to go through what she did every day.
“I’m fine,” she replied, stepping around him and quickeneing her pace. Tpo her annoyance, he copied her, his ong legs loping easily aalongside hers. Suddnly, he froze, but not before darting infornt of her. His hackles raised ever so slightly, and Pehr tried o peer around himto see what was happening. Sounds of yelping hit er ears, and then the deeadedhiss of air. Pehr and Fian locked eyes, and he darted forward, while Pehr reteated back towards where she had come. Fian was a strong fire user; Pehr would just be a burden. The sound of yelps cut her to the core, but she knew it was best for her to keep her distance Se was of no use now. She flet the pull of the water, but rejected it as hard as she could. The Fre affinity was weak against air, but she knew that water had the advantage.
If I just…
Pehr shook her head, but the thought lingred in the back of her mind as she ran. It would be so easy… Pehr hadn’t pracyiced in forveer. Her mother had almost torn off her ear when she found out the first time. Fromthen on, Pehr was very careful, but now whe regreeeted not being as adamant about learning her Affinity. Pehr ran until she felt her paws ould give way, and thn she stopped. The yelps were hardly even auible. Turnin, Pehr sniffed for any wolves from her pack. Her nose ws greeted with the wet, swampy smell of marsh. She relaxed as her paws sunk in the cool mud. She ws near the border of the Earth Affinity. Keeping her ears sharp, Pehr walked catiously back in the direction of camp, smelling for smoke or any sign of another wolf. A harsh breeze sudenly blew down he back, and Pehr foroze. She pricked her ears, listening as hard as she ould. Aside formthe soft breeze and sway of the catatils, she wasalone. Except not. Pehr was smart enough to tellthe difference beween natural Affinities and wolf affinities. The breee that wa playing wth her fur right no was from a wolf. Pehr leapt just as her attacked burst from the rushes. his jaws snapped on empty air, and Pehr ran as fast ass he could. She heard pawsteps behind her and knew her attacker ws inpursuit. Makinga split second decision, Pehr darted for the water. She was water affinity- surely she could swim, even if she had never praciced befroe? The water deepeneed, and Pehr forced her legs to keep goig. The cool emement soaed into her fur, but it wasn;t a bad feeling. Compared to living in a fire pack, it felt...good. A huge gust battered her ears, and Pehr pushed harder. Steelingbeheself, she waded fully into the wter. Her paws liftedoff the ground, and Pehr kicked. She clumsily did her best to swim out inot the open lake. It ws acry, but as she swam Pehr found that it wasn;t as hard as she antiiipated. Afer she was confident she wouldn;t sink, Pehr did something she was never to do- she called on th water. She could feel its mighty pulse unser her, seeming to undulate with each beat of hee herat. Pehr focused,a nd unknowingy closed her eyes. Her strokes became swifter and stronger, unti she was halfway across the lake. A roaring fill3ed her ears, and Pehr opened her eyes. Tirning her headm her heart had just timee to sink befre the biggest wave sh had ever seen crashed over her head. Pehr went under, and panicked. She couldn’t breatee! Sje closed her eyes and tried to focus, but the lack of air ws making ehr light heade. Surely water affinites ad a spwwcial power to ddeak with this, right? Pehr kicked, but the water semeed to be draghing at her mipbs, keeping her down. Black sots apperared in Pehrs vision, and her paws slowed. She gave one last plea to the water, and then went limp.
A piece of straw as stuck inher nose. Pehr sneezed and it flew out, onyto whap her in the nose again. Raising her ead in annoyance, Pehhr saw that she was in a nest in a cave. Se couldn;t ee an exit, but there seemed to be a tunnel leading away fromthe chamber she was in. Per turned her head to ward the sound of gurglinga nd saw a smalk stream of water trickling form a cack inthe wall. She wa thirsty, he throat orched, so she stood to take a drink. She came down on her right paw hard and bit her tongue so hard she tasted blood. Looking down, Pehr saw he paw was shrveled and blcked, the fur burned away. It wa wrapped ith a satrange, greenish pultice, and it felt cool. Pehr sayed n horror at her injured paw. Se recognized the injures from battles- a fire affinity had don this. Pehr felt sick and sat down. Who of her pack woud hrt ehr like this?Her head hrt,a nd her mind felt fuzzy. Still thisty, ehr carefully got uo again, making sure to keep her injured paw off the ground, and limed over to the stream. As she lapped, her mind shaprpened, as did her hunger. Pehr glanced around the cave and accidentally got her injured paw in th water. Pehr jerked it back, buyt thn realizedit felt...good. Catiosuly, she held it under the stream. The cool water cascaded round it, soothing the raw burns. The blackness washed away, revealing red welts. Still, it as better than being black. It was too late when Pehr realized the poultice was falling off. She jerk3d her aw back an stared guoltily at the banda now lying onthe ground. Still, it seemed as if a good wash was what her pa needed. Pehr’s stomach growled, and she tirned toward the tunnel she had seen. Pehr sniffed, and noticed the scen tof anothe wolf. It was earthy, but not familiar. Pehr poked her head out of the room, and saw hat there was a dark, log tunnel in front f her. She was hungry, but she didn;t think it would be a very good idea to go exploring in unknown terrotiry. She reteated back inot the den, just as he hear pawtseps in the tunnel.
“She WHAT???? Where is she!?!?!?” Pehr recognized Fian’s voice, and agianst er will her tail satrted to wag. It sunde like hewas coming her way. “Pehr! I’m here!” Se heard a thump, and then realzied that tyer was another set of pawtseps, too. Foan wasn’t alone. Pehr reteated to the nest and curled up tight, keeping her inured paw outstretched. She closed her eyesand laid he head down just as Fina bursts into the room. She heard him freeze as the other wolf appeared beside him.
“I told you, she’s injured. It’s bad, but we can-” The other wolf brokeoff, an ot was all Pehr could do tyo keep froopening her eyes.
“Pehr?” Fina whispered, stepping hestiatntly forward. Se could just picture him, ears down and tail low, green eyes open wide and brow furrowd- She opend here yes stared right into the smw green eys she was picturing. “Pehr? You’re awake!” Fian darted forward to nuzzle her, pressing his fcae into he chest fur. “How are you? Did you sleep well? Was your nest comfortable? I did my best with what they ggave me and the time, ad Im so glad you’re here and awake!” Pehr notciced that as he rambled, he kept his body blocking ehr view of h paw. Pehr felt a smallsurge of affection for Fian, even thoguh she knew allthe damage. The re was a shuffle, and Pehr locke deyes on a wol her age, with fur so silvery it almost hurt her eyes. is eyes, however, were focusd on her paw. He gingerly lane down to niffit, his eyess wide.
“Your ane is Pehr, right?” His vocie was low and soothing. Pehr ganced at Fian and nodded. “Affinity fire?” Pehr froze. Theere was a different toneto his voic this time, as if daring ehr to deny it.
Feeling cold, Pehr repied, “Afinite.” The silver wolf’s eyes widened in suprise, and thn he glanced once more at her paw and then, quily darted his eyes to the stream of water that was still coming out of thr crack, and the bandage that was lying on the floor. Lucckil, h tirned back to Pehr and Fian.
“Yur paw looks uch better thqn when we brought you here. It’s only been one day, and it looks like it’s healng well. I’m glad fthe pain didn;t stop you from sleeping.” His silver eeys bored into Pehr, and she fekt her fur grow hot. “My name i Cahl, and this is one of our medicine dens. The tinnel ove tere,” he jerked his head toward th tunnel he had coe from, “leads to the main tunnel which eads o all th other dens. For now, you shoukd atay here, but in few days, if you continue making such prigress we can go above ground.” Fina wagged his tail and that,ad Pehr nodded. Her stmach growled sagain, and she looked away, embarassed.
“Fian,” Cahl id, “go get her some food.” Fian noddec eagaerly, takingone at glance at Pehr before bounding aay. Pehr listened t his steps recede.
“Afinite, huh?” Pehrfroze at his voice, but he wsnt looking at ehr. Her was arranging the bandage inot a small square. “You’re lucky there aren’t many of us, or you’d be dead.” At that, he turned his head towrad her, and Pehr realzied with shock that he wa a true Afinite. That was why his fur wa so silver, devoid of any color that associated wth an element. “I’d say you’re a water affinity, am I right?” Maing sure tht Fian waans;t anywer near, Pehr nodded hesitantly. “Big boy’’s afire, right? You from the dame pack?” Pehr npfddd again, but before she or Cahl could say anything more, Fian reappeared, a large grouse in his mouth. He sneezed as a feather poked him in the nose, and Pehr chuckled. She gave him a small lick of thanks as he set it down, and Fin’s tail satrted wagging faster than she had ever seen. He immediately started grooming his chest fur, which as usual was ristine, and Pehr took a big bite of grouse to hide her laugh. Caghl was watching them, his eyes expressionless, and the he stood.
“I have othe duties right nowm so forgive me for leaving. Fian, you know who to find if you need anything.” With a nod that wasn;t directed at ither of them, Cahl left. Fian shook out his coat and settled next to Pehr, faryehr than he normally did, Pehr nnoticed. He was prbnablystil, eeling embarassed. Fia waited unti Pehr had got some food into her belly before breakg the silnec by saying, “So...how mcuh doyou remeber?” Pehr was silent as he thought. To her suprie, her mind was still fuzzy.
“Like nothing,” she replied. Fian’s eyes naroed, and he nodded, asif in thought.
“I fun you at the same time Cahl did. You were drenched and must hacve fallen inthe water. Cahl yelled at that there wan;t any timeand he put you on my back. We were running away when sudebnly Katryn appaered, yelling something about water. And then…” Fina trailed off. Per continueed eating, giving him time to gthe ehis thoughts. “...and then she burned you,” Fina finished ina snamll vice. His tailwaa still as he rested his head on his paws. “Cahl attacked her while I di my best to put out thr fire. I dipped your paw in the watr, and th fire went out, ad then Cahl wa racing away. I followed him with you, and he took me here. I don;t know what happend to Katryn,” Fian whined. “I was too busy wth you…” Pehr felt sick, and the outfu she had fekt lie abhard lump going down her throut. Katryn ad Fina had been friends. She had had a small susicion that Katryn had liked Fian ffor a ogn time, and that shesecretly hated Pehr for stealing all his attention. It wasn;t Pehr’s fault, but sh knw what was. Katryn had been telling Fian that Pehr was a water affinity, and because he hadn;t believed her, se had ended up injured, or worse killed, while Fin was sstcuk with a liar like Pehr. Pehr ushedthe rst of the grouse away and rolled over onto her back, looking up at the ceiling. It was har rck, with sharp pojnts hanging down. Pehr imgined that of ne fell it wuld impale her and possibly kill her. She would at east be getting what she desrved.
“How are YOU, Fian?” shje asaked abruptly, and winced as Fian looked quickly away.
“I’m-I’m holding up. The wolves here are really nice, and while you were asleep they gave me a tou. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Are you volunteering as my errand boy?” Pehr joked, smd to her delight Fian chuckled. Pehr was dyong to know what had happened to her pack, but she already had a pretty good idea, and it wasn;t a wound she wnted to make any worse. Fian got up and lapped at the water trickling form the wall as Pehr bit her tongue gently in thought. The aire pack had attacked them no doubt, but Pehr couldn’t see a motive. Was it really worthn making enemies out of sall the other packs, who were just trying tpo peacefully coexist? Pehr didn’t kow, and she doubted she would for a while. Pehr rolled back on her elly and shook herself, keeping er injured paw off the gorund.
“I’m sorry…Katryn did…that. I don’t why she would, and I’m not trying to make excuses, but I always thought she was a good wolf…” Pehr’s heart squeezed.
“Katryn was a good wolf. But, sometimes, good wolves do bad things. I’m sure Katryn had a- reason- for what she did. I’m not saying it was right, but even good wolves are allowed to kake mistakes sometimes, right?” Fian looked at Pehr, and she flet like maybe she had gone a bit too far with the gushiness. But then Fian grabbed her scruff in his jaws and gently shook her before givingher a large swipe on the nose with his tongue. Pehr watched as his face went from relieved to shocked to utter embarrassment. Not meeting Pehr’s eyes, Fian awkwardly settled on the hard stone floor, a little ways from Pehr. For a moment, Pehr was tempted to invite him int the nest, but then she realized how suggestive that would be. Sighing and suddenly increwdbly tired, Pehr closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.
Pehr couldn’t breathe. There was a dark coldness all around her, and her limbs felt numb. Pehr was drifting, her chest squeezing tighter and tighter as the darkness closed more firmly around her. Then, in the distance, a light appeared, growing bigger each second. Pehr forced her saggy limbs toward the light, but then she saw Katryn and heer heart squeezed with fear as a burst of blinding fire spiraled toward her, Katryn’s eyes burning as if made from twin suns…
Pehr jerked away, jolting up in the nest. She was shaking, and she hardkly niticed the pain in her paw as she limped hurriedly over to the wall fountain. Trying to calm her heart, Pehr lapped some of the water from the pool. Then, she thrust her head under the stream, letting it copol her brain until she felt at leats a little normal again. Turnoing, Pehr realized that, sometime during the night, Fian had crept closer to her nest and was now practically in it. Stifling a chuckle, Pehr padded back to it and sniffed at Fian’s muzzle. He was still asleep. Gingerly, Pehr curled up so that her flank was just touching Fian’s. She froze as he shifted.
“Pehr?” he mumblke,d not opening hs eyes.
“Yes?” Pehr replied hesitantly.
“Go back tosleep. It’s not morming yet.” Smiling gently, pehr gave Fian’s nose an affectionate lick and settled back down. Of course, she was woken up moments ,ater by Cahl’s gruff bark.
“Morning,” he replied blkuntly, eyeing the closeness between Pehr and Fian. “Wake that buffoon up and then maybe we can have breakfast.” Not missing a beat, Cahl stalked over to Fian and nipped his tail. Fian woke with a yelp.
“Sleeper, go get us some beakfast. And make sure you get something frwsh this time. I still have pieces oif thsat rabbit stuck in my teeth from yesterday.” Fian immeditaly jumped up and left, but Pehr figured everything Cahl had just said had probably gone rigt over hi head. Knowing him, Fian’s mind was more occupied on things such as “why was I so close to Pehr” and “how long have we been sleeping like this for”. Feeling Cahl’s cool, even gaze on her, Pehr turned to see is bright eyes narrowed.
“Get up. I want to see your affinity in action.” It wasn;t a suggestion, and Pehr started to bristle. Re,mebering tnat this wolf had basically saved her life, Pehr reluctantly stood and stretched, watching Cahl’s lip curl in staisfacton as she stretched as long as she dared. Cahl watched intently as she padded over to the pool, and for all his gruffness Pehr saw that he was genuinely curious. Making sure she had Cahl’s attention, Pehr dipped her injured paw intothe stream.
Immedately, Pehr relaxed as the water broke over he rpaw like a tiny river, the pain almost disappearing. Cahl let out a breath as her skin started to turn more pink than red, healing fatser than she ever thgouht possible. Total healing of such an injury couldn’t be done in a day, and Pehr pulled her paw out of the water only when she knew it was dine for the day. Cahl was watching, his silkver eyes shining.
“Water affinity,” he whispered, moreto himself than Pehr. Even so, she glanced at the tunnels to make sure Fian wasn;t in earshot.
“Cahl, as far as anyone knows, I’m Afinite, especially Fian. If he knew…he woulod be very upset. So, if you could keep the secret until I find some way to let him know orsomething-“
Cahl shushed her, but he nodded solmely just befire Fina padded back in, carrying another grouse and- Pehr saw with a snicker- a rabbit. Cahl gave an annoyed huff and immediately snatched up the grouse. The rabbit was smaller, almost half the size of the grouse, so Pehr settled down beside Cahl. He didnlt seem to mind as Pehr ripped off a wing, but to her amusement she could feel Fian;s green eyes boring into her. Hoiwever, when she looked up he immediately dropped his eyes down to his rabbit.
“So are you going hunting today, Cahl?” Fian asked as the silence got unonfortabky long. Pehr felt Cahl stiffen slightly beside her.
“Nah. I got you guys to take care of. Though, if you want, we could take Pehr on a short little tour. Her paw is healing beautifully.” Pehr waited tensely forthje next words to come out of Cahl’s mouth, but he just took another mouhtfukl of grouse. To his credit, he semed like a trustworthy wolf.
“Ooh, really?! Pehr, you should totally see the Great Den. And the Moon Ring. Oh, and the nursery! It’s a great place for pups, and they’re so cute! I really want pups someday, a male that’s red like me, and then ,maybe another one, that’s darkish, and then a couple females like me and you…” Ebverybody froze as tey all rewalized what Fian had just said. Pehr’s throat was dry, and her fur was hot with embarrassment. Abruptly, Cahl stood up.
“Hurry up and finish eating, you two. We want to get to the nursery before the pups take their noon nap.”
Afinite were rare, buit Pehr coudn’t help but afmire her mother’s quick thinking in labeling her as such. It was a disgracem but things woud hve been so much worse if herpck knew the truth. While Pehr admored her mother i that regrd, it was never wuite far from her thoguhts that it was her mother’s fault that she was in that situation in the first place. Shortly after her mther had gotten regnant, she had taken Bheryll as her mate. He ad died shortly after, and Pehr knew her mother’s story was strengthened by that. The pups had come early from stress, and Pehr was Afinite for the same reason. It lwft her a small condolence with the other wolves for her lack of abilities.
Pehr turned and walked away fromthe river, avoiding its calling. The air warmed as hse headed back towrds camp, her paws tingling in apprehension. Suddenlym the characteristic heavy thmps of Fian vibrtethe ground under her paws. He emerged right in front of her, alomis running ehr over. She just manage to swerve as he skidded to a stop.
“Pehr!Are you alrght?!” Resisting the rge to roll her eyes, Pehr nodded. Fian wa a large, rust colored wolf. He had glimmering green eyes that contrasted sharply with his red fur. He wsn’t terrible and was never mean to her, but Pehr didn’t hold in very high regard. To her, he was kind of dopey. His happiness irked her, most likely because hedidn;t have to go through what she did every day.
“I’m fine,” she replied, stepping around him and quickeneing her pace. Tpo her annoyance, he copied her, his ong legs loping easily aalongside hers. Suddnly, he froze, but not before darting infornt of her. His hackles raised ever so slightly, and Pehr tried o peer around himto see what was happening. Sounds of yelping hit er ears, and then the deeadedhiss of air. Pehr and Fian locked eyes, and he darted forward, while Pehr reteated back towards where she had come. Fian was a strong fire user; Pehr would just be a burden. The sound of yelps cut her to the core, but she knew it was best for her to keep her distance Se was of no use now. She flet the pull of the water, but rejected it as hard as she could. The Fre affinity was weak against air, but she knew that water had the advantage.
If I just…
Pehr shook her head, but the thought lingred in the back of her mind as she ran. It would be so easy… Pehr hadn’t pracyiced in forveer. Her mother had almost torn off her ear when she found out the first time. Fromthen on, Pehr was very careful, but now whe regreeeted not being as adamant about learning her Affinity. Pehr ran until she felt her paws ould give way, and thn she stopped. The yelps were hardly even auible. Turnin, Pehr sniffed for any wolves from her pack. Her nose ws greeted with the wet, swampy smell of marsh. She relaxed as her paws sunk in the cool mud. She ws near the border of the Earth Affinity. Keeping her ears sharp, Pehr walked catiously back in the direction of camp, smelling for smoke or any sign of another wolf. A harsh breeze sudenly blew down he back, and Pehr foroze. She pricked her ears, listening as hard as she ould. Aside formthe soft breeze and sway of the catatils, she wasalone. Except not. Pehr was smart enough to tellthe difference beween natural Affinities and wolf affinities. The breee that wa playing wth her fur right no was from a wolf. Pehr leapt just as her attacked burst from the rushes. his jaws snapped on empty air, and Pehr ran as fast ass he could. She heard pawsteps behind her and knew her attacker ws inpursuit. Makinga split second decision, Pehr darted for the water. She was water affinity- surely she could swim, even if she had never praciced befroe? The water deepeneed, and Pehr forced her legs to keep goig. The cool emement soaed into her fur, but it wasn;t a bad feeling. Compared to living in a fire pack, it felt...good. A huge gust battered her ears, and Pehr pushed harder. Steelingbeheself, she waded fully into the wter. Her paws liftedoff the ground, and Pehr kicked. She clumsily did her best to swim out inot the open lake. It ws acry, but as she swam Pehr found that it wasn;t as hard as she antiiipated. Afer she was confident she wouldn;t sink, Pehr did something she was never to do- she called on th water. She could feel its mighty pulse unser her, seeming to undulate with each beat of hee herat. Pehr focused,a nd unknowingy closed her eyes. Her strokes became swifter and stronger, unti she was halfway across the lake. A roaring fill3ed her ears, and Pehr opened her eyes. Tirning her headm her heart had just timee to sink befre the biggest wave sh had ever seen crashed over her head. Pehr went under, and panicked. She couldn’t breatee! Sje closed her eyes and tried to focus, but the lack of air ws making ehr light heade. Surely water affinites ad a spwwcial power to ddeak with this, right? Pehr kicked, but the water semeed to be draghing at her mipbs, keeping her down. Black sots apperared in Pehrs vision, and her paws slowed. She gave one last plea to the water, and then went limp.
A piece of straw as stuck inher nose. Pehr sneezed and it flew out, onyto whap her in the nose again. Raising her ead in annoyance, Pehhr saw that she was in a nest in a cave. Se couldn;t ee an exit, but there seemed to be a tunnel leading away fromthe chamber she was in. Per turned her head to ward the sound of gurglinga nd saw a smalk stream of water trickling form a cack inthe wall. She wa thirsty, he throat orched, so she stood to take a drink. She came down on her right paw hard and bit her tongue so hard she tasted blood. Looking down, Pehr saw he paw was shrveled and blcked, the fur burned away. It wa wrapped ith a satrange, greenish pultice, and it felt cool. Pehr sayed n horror at her injured paw. Se recognized the injures from battles- a fire affinity had don this. Pehr felt sick and sat down. Who of her pack woud hrt ehr like this?Her head hrt,a nd her mind felt fuzzy. Still thisty, ehr carefully got uo again, making sure to keep her injured paw off the ground, and limed over to the stream. As she lapped, her mind shaprpened, as did her hunger. Pehr glanced around the cave and accidentally got her injured paw in th water. Pehr jerked it back, buyt thn realizedit felt...good. Catiosuly, she held it under the stream. The cool water cascaded round it, soothing the raw burns. The blackness washed away, revealing red welts. Still, it as better than being black. It was too late when Pehr realized the poultice was falling off. She jerk3d her aw back an stared guoltily at the banda now lying onthe ground. Still, it seemed as if a good wash was what her pa needed. Pehr’s stomach growled, and she tirned toward the tunnel she had seen. Pehr sniffed, and noticed the scen tof anothe wolf. It was earthy, but not familiar. Pehr poked her head out of the room, and saw hat there was a dark, log tunnel in front f her. She was hungry, but she didn;t think it would be a very good idea to go exploring in unknown terrotiry. She reteated back inot the den, just as he hear pawtseps in the tunnel.
“She WHAT???? Where is she!?!?!?” Pehr recognized Fian’s voice, and agianst er will her tail satrted to wag. It sunde like hewas coming her way. “Pehr! I’m here!” Se heard a thump, and then realzied that tyer was another set of pawtseps, too. Foan wasn’t alone. Pehr reteated to the nest and curled up tight, keeping her inured paw outstretched. She closed her eyesand laid he head down just as Fina bursts into the room. She heard him freeze as the other wolf appeared beside him.
“I told you, she’s injured. It’s bad, but we can-” The other wolf brokeoff, an ot was all Pehr could do tyo keep froopening her eyes.
“Pehr?” Fina whispered, stepping hestiatntly forward. Se could just picture him, ears down and tail low, green eyes open wide and brow furrowd- She opend here yes stared right into the smw green eys she was picturing. “Pehr? You’re awake!” Fian darted forward to nuzzle her, pressing his fcae into he chest fur. “How are you? Did you sleep well? Was your nest comfortable? I did my best with what they ggave me and the time, ad Im so glad you’re here and awake!” Pehr notciced that as he rambled, he kept his body blocking ehr view of h paw. Pehr felt a smallsurge of affection for Fian, even thoguh she knew allthe damage. The re was a shuffle, and Pehr locke deyes on a wol her age, with fur so silvery it almost hurt her eyes. is eyes, however, were focusd on her paw. He gingerly lane down to niffit, his eyess wide.
“Your ane is Pehr, right?” His vocie was low and soothing. Pehr ganced at Fian and nodded. “Affinity fire?” Pehr froze. Theere was a different toneto his voic this time, as if daring ehr to deny it.
Feeling cold, Pehr repied, “Afinite.” The silver wolf’s eyes widened in suprise, and thn he glanced once more at her paw and then, quily darted his eyes to the stream of water that was still coming out of thr crack, and the bandage that was lying on the floor. Lucckil, h tirned back to Pehr and Fian.
“Yur paw looks uch better thqn when we brought you here. It’s only been one day, and it looks like it’s healng well. I’m glad fthe pain didn;t stop you from sleeping.” His silver eeys bored into Pehr, and she fekt her fur grow hot. “My name i Cahl, and this is one of our medicine dens. The tinnel ove tere,” he jerked his head toward th tunnel he had coe from, “leads to the main tunnel which eads o all th other dens. For now, you shoukd atay here, but in few days, if you continue making such prigress we can go above ground.” Fina wagged his tail and that,ad Pehr nodded. Her stmach growled sagain, and she looked away, embarassed.
“Fian,” Cahl id, “go get her some food.” Fian noddec eagaerly, takingone at glance at Pehr before bounding aay. Pehr listened t his steps recede.
“Afinite, huh?” Pehrfroze at his voice, but he wsnt looking at ehr. Her was arranging the bandage inot a small square. “You’re lucky there aren’t many of us, or you’d be dead.” At that, he turned his head towrad her, and Pehr realzied with shock that he wa a true Afinite. That was why his fur wa so silver, devoid of any color that associated wth an element. “I’d say you’re a water affinity, am I right?” Maing sure tht Fian waans;t anywer near, Pehr nodded hesitantly. “Big boy’’s afire, right? You from the dame pack?” Pehr npfddd again, but before she or Cahl could say anything more, Fian reappeared, a large grouse in his mouth. He sneezed as a feather poked him in the nose, and Pehr chuckled. She gave him a small lick of thanks as he set it down, and Fin’s tail satrted wagging faster than she had ever seen. He immediately started grooming his chest fur, which as usual was ristine, and Pehr took a big bite of grouse to hide her laugh. Caghl was watching them, his eyes expressionless, and the he stood.
“I have othe duties right nowm so forgive me for leaving. Fian, you know who to find if you need anything.” With a nod that wasn;t directed at ither of them, Cahl left. Fian shook out his coat and settled next to Pehr, faryehr than he normally did, Pehr nnoticed. He was prbnablystil, eeling embarassed. Fia waited unti Pehr had got some food into her belly before breakg the silnec by saying, “So...how mcuh doyou remeber?” Pehr was silent as he thought. To her suprie, her mind was still fuzzy.
“Like nothing,” she replied. Fian’s eyes naroed, and he nodded, asif in thought.
“I fun you at the same time Cahl did. You were drenched and must hacve fallen inthe water. Cahl yelled at that there wan;t any timeand he put you on my back. We were running away when sudebnly Katryn appaered, yelling something about water. And then…” Fina trailed off. Per continueed eating, giving him time to gthe ehis thoughts. “...and then she burned you,” Fina finished ina snamll vice. His tailwaa still as he rested his head on his paws. “Cahl attacked her while I di my best to put out thr fire. I dipped your paw in the watr, and th fire went out, ad then Cahl wa racing away. I followed him with you, and he took me here. I don;t know what happend to Katryn,” Fian whined. “I was too busy wth you…” Pehr felt sick, and the outfu she had fekt lie abhard lump going down her throut. Katryn ad Fina had been friends. She had had a small susicion that Katryn had liked Fian ffor a ogn time, and that shesecretly hated Pehr for stealing all his attention. It wasn;t Pehr’s fault, but sh knw what was. Katryn had been telling Fian that Pehr was a water affinity, and because he hadn;t believed her, se had ended up injured, or worse killed, while Fin was sstcuk with a liar like Pehr. Pehr ushedthe rst of the grouse away and rolled over onto her back, looking up at the ceiling. It was har rck, with sharp pojnts hanging down. Pehr imgined that of ne fell it wuld impale her and possibly kill her. She would at east be getting what she desrved.
“How are YOU, Fian?” shje asaked abruptly, and winced as Fian looked quickly away.
“I’m-I’m holding up. The wolves here are really nice, and while you were asleep they gave me a tou. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Are you volunteering as my errand boy?” Pehr joked, smd to her delight Fian chuckled. Pehr was dyong to know what had happened to her pack, but she already had a pretty good idea, and it wasn;t a wound she wnted to make any worse. Fian got up and lapped at the water trickling form the wall as Pehr bit her tongue gently in thought. The aire pack had attacked them no doubt, but Pehr couldn’t see a motive. Was it really worthn making enemies out of sall the other packs, who were just trying tpo peacefully coexist? Pehr didn’t kow, and she doubted she would for a while. Pehr rolled back on her elly and shook herself, keeping er injured paw off the gorund.
“I’m sorry…Katryn did…that. I don’t why she would, and I’m not trying to make excuses, but I always thought she was a good wolf…” Pehr’s heart squeezed.
“Katryn was a good wolf. But, sometimes, good wolves do bad things. I’m sure Katryn had a- reason- for what she did. I’m not saying it was right, but even good wolves are allowed to kake mistakes sometimes, right?” Fian looked at Pehr, and she flet like maybe she had gone a bit too far with the gushiness. But then Fian grabbed her scruff in his jaws and gently shook her before givingher a large swipe on the nose with his tongue. Pehr watched as his face went from relieved to shocked to utter embarrassment. Not meeting Pehr’s eyes, Fian awkwardly settled on the hard stone floor, a little ways from Pehr. For a moment, Pehr was tempted to invite him int the nest, but then she realized how suggestive that would be. Sighing and suddenly increwdbly tired, Pehr closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.
Pehr couldn’t breathe. There was a dark coldness all around her, and her limbs felt numb. Pehr was drifting, her chest squeezing tighter and tighter as the darkness closed more firmly around her. Then, in the distance, a light appeared, growing bigger each second. Pehr forced her saggy limbs toward the light, but then she saw Katryn and heer heart squeezed with fear as a burst of blinding fire spiraled toward her, Katryn’s eyes burning as if made from twin suns…
Pehr jerked away, jolting up in the nest. She was shaking, and she hardkly niticed the pain in her paw as she limped hurriedly over to the wall fountain. Trying to calm her heart, Pehr lapped some of the water from the pool. Then, she thrust her head under the stream, letting it copol her brain until she felt at leats a little normal again. Turnoing, Pehr realized that, sometime during the night, Fian had crept closer to her nest and was now practically in it. Stifling a chuckle, Pehr padded back to it and sniffed at Fian’s muzzle. He was still asleep. Gingerly, Pehr curled up so that her flank was just touching Fian’s. She froze as he shifted.
“Pehr?” he mumblke,d not opening hs eyes.
“Yes?” Pehr replied hesitantly.
“Go back tosleep. It’s not morming yet.” Smiling gently, pehr gave Fian’s nose an affectionate lick and settled back down. Of course, she was woken up moments ,ater by Cahl’s gruff bark.
“Morning,” he replied blkuntly, eyeing the closeness between Pehr and Fian. “Wake that buffoon up and then maybe we can have breakfast.” Not missing a beat, Cahl stalked over to Fian and nipped his tail. Fian woke with a yelp.
“Sleeper, go get us some beakfast. And make sure you get something frwsh this time. I still have pieces oif thsat rabbit stuck in my teeth from yesterday.” Fian immeditaly jumped up and left, but Pehr figured everything Cahl had just said had probably gone rigt over hi head. Knowing him, Fian’s mind was more occupied on things such as “why was I so close to Pehr” and “how long have we been sleeping like this for”. Feeling Cahl’s cool, even gaze on her, Pehr turned to see is bright eyes narrowed.
“Get up. I want to see your affinity in action.” It wasn;t a suggestion, and Pehr started to bristle. Re,mebering tnat this wolf had basically saved her life, Pehr reluctantly stood and stretched, watching Cahl’s lip curl in staisfacton as she stretched as long as she dared. Cahl watched intently as she padded over to the pool, and for all his gruffness Pehr saw that he was genuinely curious. Making sure she had Cahl’s attention, Pehr dipped her injured paw intothe stream.
Immedately, Pehr relaxed as the water broke over he rpaw like a tiny river, the pain almost disappearing. Cahl let out a breath as her skin started to turn more pink than red, healing fatser than she ever thgouht possible. Total healing of such an injury couldn’t be done in a day, and Pehr pulled her paw out of the water only when she knew it was dine for the day. Cahl was watching, his silkver eyes shining.
“Water affinity,” he whispered, moreto himself than Pehr. Even so, she glanced at the tunnels to make sure Fian wasn;t in earshot.
“Cahl, as far as anyone knows, I’m Afinite, especially Fian. If he knew…he woulod be very upset. So, if you could keep the secret until I find some way to let him know orsomething-“
Cahl shushed her, but he nodded solmely just befire Fina padded back in, carrying another grouse and- Pehr saw with a snicker- a rabbit. Cahl gave an annoyed huff and immediately snatched up the grouse. The rabbit was smaller, almost half the size of the grouse, so Pehr settled down beside Cahl. He didnlt seem to mind as Pehr ripped off a wing, but to her amusement she could feel Fian;s green eyes boring into her. Hoiwever, when she looked up he immediately dropped his eyes down to his rabbit.
“So are you going hunting today, Cahl?” Fian asked as the silence got unonfortabky long. Pehr felt Cahl stiffen slightly beside her.
“Nah. I got you guys to take care of. Though, if you want, we could take Pehr on a short little tour. Her paw is healing beautifully.” Pehr waited tensely forthje next words to come out of Cahl’s mouth, but he just took another mouhtfukl of grouse. To his credit, he semed like a trustworthy wolf.
“Ooh, really?! Pehr, you should totally see the Great Den. And the Moon Ring. Oh, and the nursery! It’s a great place for pups, and they’re so cute! I really want pups someday, a male that’s red like me, and then ,maybe another one, that’s darkish, and then a couple females like me and you…” Ebverybody froze as tey all rewalized what Fian had just said. Pehr’s throat was dry, and her fur was hot with embarrassment. Abruptly, Cahl stood up.
“Hurry up and finish eating, you two. We want to get to the nursery before the pups take their noon nap.”