[Maelstrom]

Pilgrim's head shot up when he heard the crunch of gravel and the clink of disturbed pebbles. His mind began to work frantically for some kind of plan, but came up with nothing. He was in no condition to move away, so he stayed still and silent, and hoped that it was his friend and not an enemy.

[Maelstrom]

Seeing the shining brightness of Fornax's coat, Pilgrim heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed back onto the ground. He gave his friend a head to hoof examination to make sure he was alright. Other than looking rather tired but cheerful, Fornax seemed to be in perfect condition. Unlike himself, he chuckled mentally.

[Maelstrom]

Pilgrim gave his friend his best kasuga-grin, though it was a little pained around the edges. The aries returned the almost-grin (since neither of their skulls or muscle structures were built for smiling) and trotted over.

"How are you feeling?"

[Maelstrom]

The kasuga's jaws worked for a moment, but nothing came out. A second attempt to speak was slightly more successful, producing a raspy noise between a groan and a whine. Third time's the charm, thought Pilgrim, and this time managed to form words.

"Water?"

[Maelstrom]

"Of course," murmured the aries. He scooped up a small bowl and loped towards the spring. Going hock-deep into the clear, cool water, he allowed himself to enjoy the coolness soothing his sore hooves. The water seemed to soak away some of his tiredness like magic.

[Maelstrom]

Getting back to work, Fornax bowed his head to scoop some water into the bowl. Then he turned and splashed out of the creek, stirring up silt and pebbles from the bottom. They made the water opaque for a moment before the detritus settled back to the bottom.

[Maelstrom]

Pilgrim lay his head back down and waited patiently for his companion. The Aries walked back to Pilgrim and placed the bowl of water in front of his muzzle, so his injured friend wouldn't have to move much to drink. The kasuga seemed better, but this steback would mean that reaching Nori Volcano would take much more time than they had thought it would.

[Maelstrom]

Originally their timetable had been a few weeks from the border of the badlands surrounding the volcano to reaching its firey peak. With the addition of the chimerantala hunt they had added another week, perhaps, at most. But for Pilgrim to heal might take another month and a half; Fornax was unsure because he had heard of few to survive the beast's bite.

[Maelstrom]

But the kasuga was one of the strongest hearts and minds that Fornax had been privelaged to know in his life. Fornax had no doubt that Pilgrim would recover fully and at a faster pace than many others. They would still make it to the volcano; they would not have to admit failure and turn back.

[Maelstrom]

Pilgrim raised his head slowly to avoid dizziness. The cool water on his muzzle and going down his throat felt heavenly. It reminded him anew of the second chance he had been granted for the second time.

[Maelstrom]

After he finished drinking from the bowl his thrirst still burned in his throat, though not as heavily as before. He tried to indicate to his friend of his desire by pushing the bowl forward with his nose. Fornax was fortunately perceptive and scooped up the bowl to refill it.

[Maelstrom]

The trip to the spring was made twice more before Pilgrim's thirst was fully quenched. Now partially sated, his hunger reared its head. Pilgrim would have blushed under his coat if he was able when his belly rumbled like a roaring Hunter.

[Maelstrom]

Fornax threw back his head and laughed till his sides were sore and his horns shook like tree branches in a breeze. He trailed off, still chuckling in fits and starts, struggling to breathe. Finally he collapsed on his side next to Pilgrim, snorting a little even then.

[Maelstrom]

Head turned to watch the clouds, Fornax basked in the lingering glow of his mirth. By the Purities, he had needed that more than he thought. He sighed; now it was time to get back to work.

[Maelstrom]

Pilgrim was slightly irked that his companion seemed to have gone off for no reason. He huffed; his belly rumbling like a freight train hadn't been quite that funny. The kasuga waited almost-patiently for Fornax to finish laughing at him.