.Troublesome encounter [Pt. 2/2].

Throbbing and burning pain was overtaking the Rukaan’s mind as he rested on the grassy patches under a tree but close to the river he had just gotten out of.
Tokala’s crowned fur was wet and sticking to his body, effectively adding more weight on his legs and body. Blood was leaking from his wounds where the lynx got him, but fortunately he was able to fend off the feline and protect the two little calves from their demise.
Tiredness was weighing down the Rukaan’s eyelids, making it hard to keep them open.
Maybe a longer rest won’t hurt him and serve to bring back enough energy to come back to the herd.

Distant noises made Tokala’s ears perk up. He lifted his head off the ground when he heard familiar voices echoing through the forest. Curiously but yet wary he stared into the direction the voices were coming from… had the calves not found their way back to the herd?
Anxiety stirred in his belly as he was unsure what he was about to encounter. 

As the light thomping of hooves neared and finally a white head showed itself, Tokala sighed with relief. It was Idun who must have followed him. A tired smile graced Tokala’s lips as the fellow herd member made her way down the steep hill to reach him. She stumbled here and there, the thicket and the rocky terrain making it hard to keep steady footing for any creature finding themselves in this area. 

Tokala tried standing up and putting pressure on his hooves once again, he hissed as the pain shot through his leg and quickly set it down again.
Idun hopped the last few meters down the hill before she came to a stop next to her companion. She had scouted out the area and made sure no more threats were lurking in the area that could sneak up on them now.

“Wait, don’t move.” Idun urged as she trotted over to Tokala. The white Rukaan leaned her head down to examine her companion’s leg. The limb was swollen and dirty, an angry red colour painted the front and side of it.
“Don’t worry about it so much Idun, I’m sure it will be fine-“ Tokala started before he was cut off by the female.

“I saw that you tried to stand up but had to lay back down, I don’t think this injury will heal as quickly as you would like. Besides…” she trailed off as she slowly circled around Tokala, taking note of all the scratches, claw marks and bite marks. Idun noticed a particularly nasty looking wound the lynx must have caused. “This lynx really did a number on you. You are covered in scratches and claw marks and this-“ she lifted her hoof and pointed it at the bigger wound on Tokala’s side, “will have to be treated more carefully. You will have a lot of problems if this one gets infected, Toka.” 

He looked at her puzzled before leaning his head back and averting his gaze to where Idun pointed her hoof. Oh.. right against his roan and dappled covered side, there was a deep reddish gash.
Tokala stayed quiet as he thought about his options.
As of now, he couldn’t get up, let alone put all his weight on his leg and walk back to the herd. Shoot, he knew that the herd was planning on moving locations in the early morning.
Doubts and worries flooded his mind when he glanced at their surroundings once more. He couldn’t stay here, he just couldn’t and he wouldn’t let Idun stay behind either. As kind as her brother Tonrar is, he doesn’t want to anger him by endangering his dear sister. 

“Oh stop, don’t make such a grim face. I will help you back to the herd, even if it is going to take a while.” Idun implied when she noticed Tokala’s silence and his grim expressions.
“But Idun, I can’t possibly travel with the herd even if we made it back there in time.” Tokala replied with a hint of frustration. He wasn’t frustrated at her, but more so the situation he found himself in. He cut his own thoughts off when his mind wandered to something more important.
“Idun, I need to know- did you encounter two calves on your way here?” The male asked, he was worried about them ever since they escaped, had they even made it back to their group?
“The two rascals? Yes, I met them and sent them back home. They should be with the herd again soon I hope.” Idun said with a smile.
“You know, if it wasn’t for you, Toka, these two wouldn’t be here now. The herd would have lived through another devastation. And you saved them. Thank you for your courage, Toka.”
The Ruk in question huffed politely, “you know that the herd means a lot to me. I wouldn’t have a place to call home if it wasn’t for them. In return for that privilege I do what I can.” 

The two Rukaans went silent again for a moment until Tokola winced. “Come on big boy, let’s get those wounds cleaned and I will help you back.”
Idun made her way over to Tokala’s side, steadying him as he tried leaning onto his healthy legs.
Tokala struggled but with the help of his companion he managed to hoist himself over to the water close by.
The male Rukaan comfortably laid by the river, gently dipping his leg in the crystal clear water.
Idun stood next to him, taking a closer look at his leg, she washed one of her front hooves in the water and helped Tokala clean up the wound.

“Ugh, this stings!” Tokala complained silently, causing Idun to roll her eyes at him.
“I know it does but if it gets infected it will hurt much more.” She retorted.
It wasn’t long until she was done with his leg and moved on to his side. With the same procedure, the female was able to clean the male’s wound with little effort. After closer inspection Idun noticed that the wound on his side would most likely heal faster than his leg. He will keep on putting strain on his leg which is going to stunt his healing.

With the help from Idun and after many huffs and grunts, Tokala got up and out of the water.
Despite being a little shaky on the legs, he managed to find his balance on three hooves, the injured leg hanging limp. Idun was always right by his side, making sure he was steady and wouldn't fall over as they slowly but surely made their way up the ridge and finally away from the river and back into the thicket.
The two Rukaans were moving slow, much slower than anticipated but it would have to do for now. 

The sun had long set and the sky had turned a dark but yet beautiful shade of blue, the moon being the only source of light, giving them the ability to see in the darkness.
Idun’s ears perked up as they were finally able to reach the herd. Tokala was next to her, leaning against her exhausted and sleepy.
“Come on, we are almost there.” She quietly said.
Tokala hummed in acknowledgement, a yawn escaping immediately afterwards.
“Hey Idun.. I don’t think I will be able to travel with the herd, you will have to leave me behind.” Tokala looked down at the ground, his ears dropping as he felt sadness surge through his body.
“Nonsense, you can’t even take care of yourself in this state! I will wake up Tonrar and speak to him, we won’t just leave you behind.”

A weak smile graced Tokala’s lips as he watched Idun trott over to her brother. A slight shake in his legs reminded him of his tiredness. He carefully made his way over to some fellow herd members and laid down, the exhaustion in his body now working through his muscles. His eyelids suddenly became even heavier than they already were and so the Rukaan started dozing off. 

Tokala jumped a little when a hoof gently hit his uninjured side, his head shot up once more and his eyes landed on Idun and Tonrar.
“Welcome back Toka, Idun told me about what happened out there, thank you for watching out for everyone of us.” Tonrar whispered with a smile.
“But no, Idun and I will stay with you and once you feel better we can catch up with the herd.”
“I hope you guys know what you're doing..” Tokala whispered back.
“Thank you two.”