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https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] Guardian has stuck around The Mothborn Lands, specifically the cave he called home long before she arrived, for quite some time after the birth of hers and Pestilence's children. She knew without a shadow of a doubt she was in no condition to travel so soon, and besides she yearned to see their children grow up. To start learning about them, their quirks and personalities. To learn their names, and everything she could about them. She yearned to watch their little family grow at Stil's side, a warm pride filling her watching them all grow and learn. To see their various interests as they grew.
Some, from their youngest days seemed to have a strong interest in one thing, or another and it had left her wondering if that would change any as they grew and matured. It didn't really seem to be the case, their children seemed to have latched onto their interests at young ages and she encouraged this, helped them to learn and grow as much as she could. If not thanks to herself personally, then someone else within the tribe who could do just that.
Everything was wonderful and perfect, watching their children grow and find themselves. She enjoyed every moment spent with her mate and yet, the urge to travel found her as they grew older, stronger, more capable. Not yet full grown, but not far either she'd known now was the perfect time. Spring had returned to the swamp, and so late one night as their children slept she'd pressed close and told him the wind called to her, and she needed to heed it. That she didn't plan to be gone long, but it
was the season of new life, and she knew that there would be many out there in need of help. Be it with birthing their own young, to collecting food after the winter, someone to help with ailments, and she couldn't ignore these responsibilities anymore.
So she'd settled close, enjoying this last night with her mate and their children, rising with the sun, and bidding them all a soft farewell. Only Stil had woken with her, and come with her to the edge of the tribe lands where they'd held their final conversation before she'd left. She'd asked him to tell their children she would be back soon, just going on a short trip. She knew if she waited to say goodbye, they'd have asked many questions and delayed her departure. It was easier this way, so she could get a lot of land under hoof, before night fell again.
Her final words had been a promise to return to them. To
him. She carried that promise with her as she traveled. Guardian had been wise to leave, at least at first. She'd found a young doe who was sick and in need of help, and Guardian had gathered food that would not only help to heal her, but give her strength to continue to fight the lingering illness she has. Staying a few days she was pleased to see a drastic change in the others health, and before leaving had brought her some small game and herbs, and even a little water so she could spend a few more days resting before foraging and hunting once more.
A few days passed, and she came across an Old One, near the end of his time, and she stayed with him for his final days, talking with him. Shed mentioned the Moth Born, and what they did, and though he'd declined to have a Piecemaker see to his remains, he thanked her for her company at his end, and so her journey went. Sometimes going days without seeing anyone, and sometimes finding those who needed help, or even just a friendly face for a little bit.
She was careful, but not careful enough as she started to make her way home once more. Her trip had been half a moon already and she'd told him she had plans to return before the moon looked the same as it did the day she left. As it was known to do, the weather had shifted from sunny spring days, to suddenly storming. She thought she was traveling quickly enough to outrun the storm and find shelter but she'd found herself caught up in it all too quickly.
Moving quickly she searched for shelter from the pouring rain, the biting wind, the lightning snaking down from the sky. The rain was torrential and the ground already slightly water logged in spots thanks to the thawing ground. It made everything slippery and bogged down, and she lost her footing more than once sliding to the ground in her haste. More than once she slid into rocks, or in one case an old tree that was already leaning precariously. It proceeded to topple and land on her, driving the breath from her and causing a pain inside of her. She was sure it wasn't too serious, or it seemed that way anyhow and carefully she worked her way out from under the tree, thankful for the soggy ground that gave way beneath her scrabbling hooves.
That was the least of her problems, the aches and pain from slipping and sliding. The aches from the tree falling on her. No, her bad luck only seemed to grow as the storm carried on. It was too rainy to see clearly, to find decent shelter, but she found a small over hang and huddled under it. Only to have mud and rocks cascade down, trapping her. She spent precious hours digging her way out, twisting and turning through an opening that barely was big enough for her.
Long scrapes covered her body, though most were hidden by the dirt and mud caked on her at this point. One leg was injured and swollen. She was sure it was slightly broken and she didn't know if it was due to the tree, the rock that had glanced off it, both, likely. Still she managed to get free and continued home, traveling slower than she ever had. She stopped for water every chance she had, and more than once she was glad for the easy access of freshly growing berries. They kept her fed since she didn't have the energy or ability to hunt.
The last of her bad luck happened on the far fringes of Mothborn Territory. So close, yet so far. She'd been crossing a river that was between her and solid ground when it happened, a caiman had latched onto her already injured leg, hurting her worse. It'd been a fight, almost to her death to get free but she'd managed just that, though if you asked her how, she wouldn't have been able to tell you. She was moving on instinct, and she had no actual memory of that fight for her life. Getting herself from the water, she was at least cleaned of the mud and dirt covering her, though now the injuries on her body were evident. She had teeth and claw marks from the caiman across her body and her strength was almost gone but she wasn't lingering near the river. Not this close to home.
She had promised to return, and return she would. Even if her last breath was taken at his hooves, she'd make it home. Getting through the Mothborn Lands had been almost too much for her to manage but finally, she was there. She could see the familiar outline of their cave, of the pools, and even as her knees started to buckle there was a softly sighed "I'm home...." sighed into the quiet night.
Yes, Guardian was home, she'd kept her promise to return, but the real question was could she pull through her injuries? She was so tired...so weak, she didn't know if she could and she knew without a doubt there was no where better to be than
here if that was the case. "...I'm home...." her vision dimmed as she lay there, trying to find strength enough to head inside, though instead of standing, she dragged herself closer, body raking over the ground noisier than she'd have liked given the darkness, which had to mean it was late but she couldn't be sure anymore but at least now she was near the mouth of the cave.
@Blinded By Silence 
