© 2002-2024 Roleplay by Rochelle, Ruth, and Heidi
Published on stormrise.com on March 3, 2002
Part 1

Snapjaw released his choke-hold on Wildlight's throat to catch the deadweight of his chief in his arms. He quickly guided Wildlight onto his back on the ground.

**Darkrider, my den, move quick,** the woodsman sent as he checked the pulse in Wildlight's neck. The heartbeat was slow, as he expected. **Do not alarm the others. Wildlight has passed out.** He really did not want half the tribe showing up to prance around uselessly and inundate Wildlight with frantic, concerned sending. That would surely wake the chief up, and Snapjaw was sure Wildlight wouldn't hold still for another choke-hold in the middle of banishing the elder to the moons.

**Wren,** Snapjaw sent to the chief's sister, **I put Wildlight to sleep. You are in charge of keeping the rest of the tribe from waking him. Do as Wildlight would do, put 'em to work.**

****

Wren Songshaper snapped out of her concentration over what had recently come to her in a vision by Snapjaw's send. Snapjaw put Wildlight to sleep? How in the High Ones' names had he done that? Out of curiosity, she sent the question to the eldest elder, adding that no matter how he'd accomplished getting Wildlight to rest that she was thankful.

****

After a moment's consideration, Snapjaw decided it best not to tell Wren the events leading up to Wildlight's now peaceful sleep. Knowing the truth made it hard to feign innocence later, and she also had the burden of the tribe on her hands.

****

Darkrider frowned and headed to Snapjaw's den. The grouchy elder wasn't his favorite person in the world, but honestly Darkrider wasn't his own favorite person at this moment. He knew, however, that the elder wasn't given to playful jokes, and if he wanted Darkrider there it was with good reason. **Already on my way- mind if I ask why?**

****

Snapjaw squeezed his fingers along the bridge of his nose. That such a one as Darkrider was given the gift of healing seemed impossibly ironic. **Wildlight ... has ... passed out!** he locksent again. **He's unconscious. He's injured. Were you not present during the beasts' attack?** Maybe Brightblade wasn't the only one hit in the head, he mused to himself. **Come heal your chief, unless you think Tobin can heal two at once.**

****

**That was a low blow elder, and another one like it will warrant a challenge. I kind of got the idea he was HURT, how would be nice- but if you can't see the details while he's in your arms I understand.** Truth be told Darkrider was more fed up with himself than the elder on the matter of Tobin, but the elder was losing more and more points this him anyway. How amusing he could be so upset about Tobin and yet Darkrider got none of the sympathy.

****

How typical, Snapjaw thought to himself. Wildlight was unconscious and injured on the ground at their feet, and Darkrider was ranting about challenges. Snapjaw shook his head, then gently eased his hands under Wildlight's back and hooked his hands under his arms. **Grab his legs,** he sent to Darkrider. **He is exhausted. We need to get him to his own den, where you can heal him.**

****

Darkrider picked up the legs, trying not to look at the elder, he didn't need the anger right now honestly. He helped Snapjaw carry him in, not keen on the idea of the elder telling him to heal things when he hated his powers, but less keen on Tobin doing it.