Do Your Part [RoM]
When they heard of the illness that was settling in one particular village, the neighboring villagers just couldn't ignore it. It had claimed many of the sick and elderly already. If medicine was not delivered to this particular village, which was remote and tucked deep within the Tartok Mountains, it would spread...and grow worse. Soon adult lives would be lost too. So, everyone came together and prepared sled teams. Coen was there with several of his tokotas. He recognized some others as well. The tokotas that had been lined up for the run were a strange menagerie. Faena, a beautiful vitiligo dire, would be pulling her sled alongside Kokomo. They'd be watching her closely, as this could possibly turn into her Rite of Merit if she did well. Kokomo’s pug was here, sitting on the sled behind the medicine.
Faena and Kokomo would be leading the expedition, as they wanted to test Faena’s merit. Breithla and her granddaughter, Visigoth were paired together. Calvin and Ruthie, brother and sister, awaited the start. Ruthie pouted, unhappy about the exercise. Butler and Moriel awaited the start as well. Both were too proud to speak to the other. Sedna and Mirabel were here, but they were sporting packages on their backs rather than pulling sleds. Mirabel’s black cat, forever faithful, sat upon one of the bags. They'd even managed to snare a couple other species into helping. Karvas, the kukuri, carried a bag in his teeth. Legacy, an equus ballator, had saddlebags full of needles and supplies. Mira’sol, a stryx, was taking to the air to offer some guidance from there. Then, they were told it was time to go. Faena’s merit had begun and, with it, the fate of the village now rested upon her shoulders.
Faena paid no mind to Kokomo as she charged across the icy tundra, toes spread as she gained traction. The floppy-eared dire kept perfect pace with her. His pug seemed pretty happy, tongue lolling as he sat on the sled. Coen couldn't help but laugh, reaching down to pat the curly-tailed dog gently. Breithla, Visigoth, Calvin, and Ruthie were the slowest of the teams and faded towards the back. Being dires, they were much heavier and slower. Butler was fast for his build, so the agile curly and the speedy Moriel had no issues with keeping up. Mirabel and Sedna stayed off to the sides, taking their time. Karvas and Legacy took up the rear, with Mira’sol scouting in the skies. If she saw anything out of the ordinary, or a problem she would swoop down to Faena’s level and warn her. Although they didn't speak the same language, Faena would definitely understand frantic caws and chirps. The vitiligo dire was completely focused on her task. She and Kokomo were the leaders here. They had to focus. Well, actually, she was the leader. It was obvious Kokomo was following her lead. She called the shots. The sled was under her control.
Daytime eventually led to night. Faena wanted to keep pushing forwards. There was still a long way for them to go! Mira’sol couldn't see so well in the falling snow anymore and was forced to land. She couldn't run, so she couldn't possibly keep up. Visigoth, Butler, Calvin, Breithla, Ruthie, Mirabel, Karvas, and Legacy were all growing tired. Faena, Kokomo, Moriel, and Sedna had the energy To keep going, but the others needed rest. It was time to stop. Mirabel flopped down immediately when Coen announced it was time to stop, pulling the sled to a halt. Her black cat curled her beside her immediately. Kokomo’s pug bounced offer to greet him, ready to play since she'd napped all through the day. Coen and the other handlers were quick to make a fire to help warm everyone up. They all crowded around it, except for Moriel. The starmarked longmane didn't want anything to do with anyone else. Faena didn't know her, but she already despised her. Everyone got a small ration of jerky, then it was time to go to sleep and rest for preparation of tomorrow. The mountains would only get steeper.
Faena was awoken by Coen in the morning. He nudged her awake gently, telling her that it was time for them to head out. Glancing back, she saw that everyone was getting harnessed up to their sleds. Ruthie was more or less being drug by Calvin, whining about how tired and hungry she was. Moriel and Butler were ready to go, both ignoring one another just like they had yesterday. Breithla and Visigoth were chattering with one another lovingly. Visigoth had a lot to learn and was happy to learn it from her mother. Sedna and Mirabel were packed up and ready to go, Mirabel's cat curled into a ball on her back. Mira’sol had already taken to the air. Karvas and Legacy had already started forwards, ready to get started. Stretching tension from her muscles, she prodded Kokomo awake and the two went to their sled, Kokomo’s pug following begrudgingly. As soon as she was harnessed in, along with Kokomo, Faena charged forward. The second day of their journey had begun.
As Faena had suspected, the climate and the steep incline only got worse as they scaled the mountains. Snow whipped their fur about, piercing their skin like shards of ice. Faena was merciless though. She kept pushing forwards, only stopping briefly when Kokomo stumbled. She didn't wait for the other teams. They knew the way and they would only slow her down if she let them. Fortunately, they seemed to keep up. Mirabel and Sedna supported one another. Sedna was old and Mirabel’s stubby legs were failing her. Her cat was a growling mess, unhappy with the weather. Breithla, Visigoth, Calvin, and Ruthie were in the back but still hanging on. Butler and Moriel were doing well, keeping pace directly behind Kokomo and Faena. Legacy took up the very near with Karvas, helping him through the snow. It was pretty rough on him since he only had two legs to walk on. Mira’sol was having issues with seeing in the sky, but was making as much out of it as possible. She knew that she needed to be flying, so that she could keep an eye out for the tokotas and the other creatures below. She was crucial to the success of this run.
The rest of the day was slow-going. Faena tried to keep up a blazing pace, but even she was growing tired. The vitiligo dire seemed to have endless energy, speed, and stamina but it wasn't the case. She was desperate to prove herself, but she couldn't keep this tempo up. Kokomo was struggling beside her, stumbling and staggering as his cold paws scrabbled over some stones. He left behind dots of red. He was bleeding, but he didn't stop. Coen finally decided it was time to stop, even if darkness had not yet fallen. They were no use if they couldn't make it to the village. The medicine would be lost forever if they didn't make it and this whole trip would be pointless. The other handlers seemed to agree, pulling their sleds to a halt for the night. Mirabel and Sedna sat down in unison, breathing heavily. Mirabel's cat dug it's claws into the saddlebags to keep from being dumped into the snow, yowling hatefully. Breithla and Visigoth curled up together as soon as they were released from their sled. Butler, Calvin, and Ruthie were all family so they curled up with one another as well. Moriel lingered out the outskirts, near Karvas and Legacy. Mira’sol had landed and was busy plucking ice clumps out of her fluffy feathers. It didn't take long for Faena to fall asleep, Kokomo by her side.
The final day, surprisingly, was not nearly as hard as the second. It turned out that they had made it past the worst of the mountain’s treacherous incline. Early in the morning, when the sun had barely risen, they set once again. Faena and Kokomo led the way. Kokomo was limping slightly. Faena didn't ask him about it and he didn't offer any intel. They were both focused on making it to the village in time to save the sick elders and children….and to keep the virus from spreading. Butler and Moriel kept pace right behind their flank. Faena wasn't happy about Moriel being so close, but there was nothing she could do about it. Coen would be pissed if she started a fight and this wasn't the time nor place for it anyways. As usual, Calvin, Ruthie, Visigoth, and Breithla lingered towards the back. Mirabel, her cat, and Sedna were slower today too. Mirabel’s legs ached and Karvas felt her pain. Legacy could have gone faster, but chose to say by the kukuri. Mira’sol’s wings ached, but the stryx kept flying until… she spotted it. The village!
Calling loudly, she swooped down to the group. Kokomo's pug began to bark excitedly, leaping off the sled and charging forwards. Faena's heart lifted and her spirits soared as she spotted the gates of the village up ahead. They'd made it! Butler and Moriel ran alongside them now, seeming to be trying to steal her thunder. She wasn't having it! Pushing herself and Kokomo to their maximum capacity, she charged into the town full of expectant people at full speed. Coen laughed, relieved, and pulled her up. The sled came to a halt. The others joined them quickly. Calvin fussed at Ruthie, who was already asking for food. Breithla and Visigoth both sat down, panting heavily but with happiness in their eyes. Karvas, Legacy, and Mira’sol kept their distance. These villagers weren't so used to creatures such as themselves! Mirabel and Sedna stood still, tails wagging as their saddlebags were removed. Everyone made haste of removing the saddlebags, rushing to get the medicine distributed to those who needed it. Faena had done her part… and now she was ready for the next.