Tainted

Tainted walked through the grim alleys, carrying an emerald in her mouth. It was the one Windsong gave to Tahti long ago. She missed her mother more every day. She breathed shakily, as if she was about to cry. Kalaber's pack had taken so much from her, and only now did he change his intentions. She dropped the precious gemstone on her paws and howled up to the stars as dear Tahti did every night.

.sequioa.

A howl pierced the large females ear drums, making a low growl rumble deep within her chest. The dark female moved through the alleys, the ones that had become her home through the years and silently came from behind Tainted. Must you make so much noise? Even on a good day, Sequioa was hard to be around with her foul attitude and nasty demeanor. She was just as likely to talk to you as rip your throat out then laugh about it later. She hadn't been home in a long time, much, much to long, but she was home now and there was a pain in her skull that made it hard for her to think, let alone move. She watched Tainted, unknowing of the female, her past, or why she carried such a gemstone with her. Not that she would care anyways. Kalion and Sasha were the only two that she cared about in this world, and they weren't around....

Tainted

Tainted looked at Sequioa, slightly annoyed. She looked down at the emerald, then once again met the Lurker female's gaze. "I am sorry, I am mourning. But if I am bothering you, I will save it for another time." She replied coolly and politely, not wanting to offend any of her new allies.

.sequioa.

Hackles raised a bit before she growled low in her throat. Must you talk so loud? Her voice was a quiet snap, and it would have been beautiful had it not been for the venom that was laced with the words. She had been about to head towards the den when a shaft of sunlight came down and struck her straight in the eyes causing her to stand immobile. Her eyes were clenched shut and she took deep breath after deep breath trying to make the pain in her skull fade at least a little bit so that she could move.

Go get Kalion. Her voice was a mere whisper, but in it was something so rare that few had ever seen it so far. Sequioa was begging. Something that she did for no one.

Kalion

Kalaber was surrounded by the Lurker army, and his death was guaranteed. It would only be a few moments before his demise came in the form of Lyckos, and the thirst for Kalaber's blood would be satisfied. With all of the Lurkers in one place, Kalion had taken it upon himself to do a border patrol, ensuring that no-one would trespass without him or one of the falcons finding out.

It was on this border patrol that he picked up the smell of Tainted. Although her and the Lurkers were on the same side, it did not excuse the wrongs she had done to them, and he knew that Lyckos would more than likely engage her if he knew she was here. Winding through the alleys, Kalion was working through a way of politely telling Tainted to leave, when another scent hit him.

His heart stopped beating.

It couldn't be...could it? She'd been gone for so long, without a trace or a word. The last time he had seen her she had told him about the death of Aaka, and what she knew, and he had admitted his affection for her, as she did to him. Then she disappeared, and his heart was broken, and he had finally begun to think that she wasn't coming back...but she was here.

Time seemed to freeze as he turned the next corner and laid eyes on the only one he had ever loved. “Sequioa…” he breathed in disbelief, a hint of hesitation in his voice. Was it really her, or was his mind playing tricks with him, toying with him after all these months of longing for her to come back to him. He had said it so quietly, it would not have been audible to the two females that stood down the alley from him. That voice…that was Sequioa’s voice. The gradual realisation that this was not a mirage made his heart beat faster and adrenaline course through his veins. A smile would have spread over his face, had he not seen what happened next. The sunlight made her freeze, and she became the Sequioa he had only seen once before, when she had told him of the events of Aaka’s death…and she asked for him. No, she begged Tainted to find him.

In a flash, Kalion was by her side, and he ever so gently put his head in the curve of her neck, overcome with emotion. “Sequioa…I thought I’d never see you again…I’ve missed you so much,” then he gently nuzzled her face, planting a tender lick on her muzzle, “What’s wrong? Tell me…I promise I’ll make it better.”

.sequioa.

At the sound and touch of her one true love, Sequioa relaxed a fraction. My head.... It hurts, Kalion. Make it stop.... Please make it stop. She tried not to let a whimper escape, but he was the only one to hear it. She barely breathed, for with each breath another wave of pain wracked her system and she wanted to cry for the first time in a long time. She leaned against him heavily, her black and tan bodice pressed against his as she sought comfort that she knew he couldn't give. The poison that she had injested was not fatal, but it would take days for it to leave her system. She would require the help of Kalion, and anyone else who could aid her.