Thread: The Heart of the World -[Haru::Ironic]-

The large white wolf had stayed behind, confident in Zara's abilities. Tending the fire he soon had it lit and he stoked the embers, not wanting it to get too out of hand on this hot day, the dry grasses ripe for a wildfire if he wasn't careful. Time passed, the fire subsiding and not needing watched as much, and he kept an eye on the sky, noting as time moved along. Zara was taking some time, but hunting was often a game of chance or luck. She might sit for hours and not find any game. It would have been nice to know where some of the local waterign holes might be, if there were any, and set up close by as the animals were sure to come and drink on such a hot day. The sun beat down and Amarok had moved into the shade, adjusting the lean-to as need be while the sun moved across the sky, the heat making him pant and he slipped into a light sleep. That was broken by a strange screech in the distance, and he sat up, ears swiveling as he tried to determine what it was he had heard. There was nothing for a moment, then another cry, and he could have sworn it sounded like his name. Standing from where he was seated the wolf's ears twitched and he listened intently. Then the cry came again, and he distinctly heard his name, Zara's panicked cry quite some distance away. Shit! he barked out, and grabbed his blade as he took off at a run toward where he had heard the yell. The long strong legs of the wolf ate up the terrain easily, and the small forested area was easy to spot. Plunging into the treeline he could hear movement and grunting squeals and he angled himself toward the sounds. The crooked oak was what he spotted first and Zara's feline form, though a bit contorted as she was trying to pull herself up into the tree. That was when he saw the boar, the feral swine obviously enraged. Which was not hard to do. They were notoriously short-tempered. The buck could also be seen and the bow that Zara had left behind on the ground. Amarok had to make a snap decision and it was easy enough to think of killing the pig, but it was probably just protecting its territory or something. Amarok didn't kill if he didn't have to, and so once more he called upon his magic. Ignus! he growled, and his gauntleted arm burst into flame. Animals were notoriously afraid of fire and Amarok closed with the pig and as expected it whirled on him, red eyes full of rage... that quickly turned to fear at the much larger creature that seemed to be on fire. With panic in its squeals it turned and bolted and two tiny little striped babies broke from their cover and followed after their mother. That explained why she'd attacked, and Amarok dismissed the arcane flame and looked up at Zara. Are you ok? he asked, obvious concern in his voice. He could see her foot and ankle, and though it bled the swelling was more obvious from where it had been wrenched and bitten, likely sprained. Holding out his arms Amarok beckoned to her. C'mon, let's get you down from there. See if you can walk, though I can carry you if need be. he said, knowing that would hurt her pride, but if she couldn't walk then she'd have to apply some of her healing to herself. Helping her down from the tree Amarok's hands and arms were strong and true and he didn't drop her. He would set her gingerly on the ground and let her try her foot and let her determine whether she could walk or not. All the time his arms supported her, tenderly in fact, and his expression was one of concern.