The weakness in @Tobin's voice was unsettling. It just meant they needed to get him free that much quicker as the masked man looked between him, @Septima, @Clodovea, and his son. They had to work fast, and they had to do something now. With everyone on board for what they needed to do, the mauve man took up a stance next to Tobin on the opposite side as his son. When instructed to do so, Roan would slip into the space created from the digging, trying to take the weight off of Tobin as he and Hero slowly stood up beneath the tree. It was a tremendous weight on his back, but worth it for the advisor.

His legs braced against the sides of the small hole they had dug, claws sinking into the softened earth of the Rainforest. He knew they could not keep this weight aloft for very long. The father could even already feel his son's shakiness through the tree they shared across their backs. Only once Tobin was free and women had pulled him out of the dirt would Roan seek to roll his shoulders in an effort to push the tree over his head. He'd aim to shove it forward and away from them all, not wanting anyone to get trapped beneath it once the weight was released.

+40 Save a character's life through healing
+20 Heal a character’s sickness or injury
+20 Set a broken bone

As the two men began to lift the tree and @Clodovea stood alongside her to help dig, Septima felt a surge of confidence that they would be able to help the man. She certainly wasn't a pushover herself, but her body was still healing from childbirth and she didn't want to push it too far if there were strapping young men to do it for her. Well, one young man and one old man. Together, they made a middle-aged man. It sufficed.

With the tree lifted, Septima grabbed hold of @Tobin's scruff and began to drag him free (with Clodovea's help, likely!). She didn't stop until they were well and clear of the tree. "You're good!" she called to the men, hoping she wouldn't have to get some more herbs to treat their lower back pains. Hopefully they lifted with their legs, not their backs..

"Okay, my first task is going to be this leg. It's going to hurt like a bitch to set it, but there's some pain killers that will help. Clodovea, can you make up a poultice for his smaller wounds?" She glanced over at the young lioness with a soft smile. "And I can teach you how to set a bone, too."

And with that, Septima set to work teaching where she could while trying not to make the poor man feel too much like a medical dummy. She turned to Clodovea, working quickly while she tried to teach her a thing or two. "One, two.." and she set the bone, lathering the leg with as much numbing poultice as she could in order to ward off the pain. "I'm terribly sorry about that, but you should be right as rain now. I'll come check up on you this evening, if that's okay? I need to get home to my cubs and make sure they haven't taken over the Oasis." Septima smiled softly before turning to the others gathered: "thank you all for your help. You two are friends of his? Could you make sure he doesn't try to run a marathon in the next few weeks?" Septima giggled before nodding to them all and bounding off back towards home.

exit

ART BY RIOT, CODE BY DEE

meadowlark fly your way down

i hold a cornucopia and a golden crown for you to wear upon your fleecy down

The moment that the two lioness began to pull @Tobin from the pit, Clodovea experienced the most acute sensation of gratitude not to be alone. Even with their forces combined, it was quite evident to her straining muscles just how heavy an adult lion was. Never mind the fact that they wouldn't have been able to retrieve him at all if it wasn't for the other two lions lifting the fallen trunk and clearing an easier way out. Her mind began to wander down the road of "what ifs"... before it was quickly corrected back toward a bone-deep thankfulness for the reality of how well things had turned out.

Ever the eager beaver, she squeezed next to @Septima, eyes wide and alight, drinking in the sight of how the trained lioness tended to such wounds. The youth was familiar with the odd scrape or digestive issue, but had never before dealt with an injury so severe. When the bulk of the work was done, she gently dabbed the poultice she had made to the smaller cuts and scrapes along his body, her eyes flickering frequently to the older gentleman's face to make sure she wasn't causing him any undue discomfort.

She smiled softly to Septima as she left, then turned back to Tobin to place a small collection of crabwood by his paws. If you feel your body began to grow hot, or any headaches or aches, please eat this. It should help protect your body from overheating. A quiet tenderness in her eyes, she extended a paw toward the older lion's cheek, aiming to stroke it once kindly. I'm so glad we found you. I hope you find your Betsy one day, but for now I'm grateful to have you walking these grasses for a little while longer.

With that she'd turn toward @Hero and @Roan, nodding once politely to them in a farewell before making her own leave.

exit

code by corvus

Between him and his father, the two Hodari men managed to keep the tree elevated high enough and long enough for the girls to get Tobin out of harm's way. When Hero felt the tree trunk begin to move, he glanced over towards his father, seeing how the older male was trying to roll the log off his shoulders and push forward. The masked son would follow suit, doing just the same until the tree fell off their backs with a deafening thud to the ground. Yeah, that would not have been good to get trapped under.

Now the ebony lion just felt sore, though. His legs felt like jelly, even after just a short time spent exerting himself. He didn't realize how heavy the tree was until it was no longer across his shoulders. Now, though, it was up to the women to finish saving @Tobin. Hero could only watch as @Septima and @Clodovea got to work treating the man. He'd do whatever he could to help if instructed, but otherwise the young Hodari just tried to stay out of the way. When the older healer finally said that Tobin would be okay, the masked boy felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Thank you," he breathed in appreciation, finally allowing his own body to relax among them. As for making sure Tobin didn't run any marathons, Hero shared a glance with his father, certain they could manage to keep the old man off his feet if they really needed to, but maybe they should at least move him out of Firnen territory soon.

Once the girls were gone, the younger lion looked between his father and Tobin. "I'll go grab us something to eat. You should probably rest a bit before trying to leave the Rainforest," Hero suggested. Who knew how long it would take for someone to come along and snatch up what was left of the pride. He'd seen it done time and time again, so they probably weren't safe to linger here for very long. Tobin would need a meal to get his strength back anyway, so it was a good start as the young Hodari wandered off, out of the Rainforest.

exit Hero

table | art

The tree fell with a thud upon the earth as Roan rolled his shoulders forward. He'd help as he was able to get Tobin out of the dirt before stepping back to stay out of @Septima and @Clodovea's way as they treated the elder. The mauve lion wished that his sister could have been here as well, if only because he trusted her abilities more than a stranger's, but these women seemed diligent and experienced enough in the end. Septima was impressive to watch as she seemed to know just what to do for every little part of the treatment. Though the other girl was younger, she managed to help as well. Roan was always amazed at a healer's ability to know how to treat such injuries.

When the Miroslav questioned the two Hodaris' relation to Tobin, the masked man nodded. "Family," he corrected lightly, but remained silent otherwise as she went on. "Of course. We'll stay with him," Roan confirmed as he looked between himself and his son before returning his gaze back to the two healers. "Thank you both so much for your help. If there is anyway we can ever repay you for your service, please don't hesitate to ask. My name is Roan Hodari." The mauve man offered his name if only because there was likely not going to be a pride to find him in just yet after the landslide here in Firnen. He didn't imagine they'd be going back any time soon, and usually that meant someone a little less caring about the landscape would snatch up the land before they had a chance to come back. Sooooo, it was better just to know his name than to know where to find him.

No sooner did the girls leave, did his son seek to find them all a bit of sustenance, and frankly, Roan was perfectly fine in letting him do that. The older Hodari wasn't up for the task himself and was content to keep Tobin company and keep a watch over the elder until he was stable enough to move. "Sounds good, son. Thank you." And off he went. Now it was just the two older men left as the mauve man settled down opposite his comrade. "You gave us quite a scare, old man," Roan teased, masking his concern behind the humor as he took a look over @Tobin's injuries.

As he'd expected, it didn't feel great to get hauled out from under the tree. It was a far cry better from being under the tree had been though, so he wasn't going to complain.

He was more than willing to lay quietly while being used for training, though a jolt went through him along with a rumbling growl of pain as his leg was set. Yeah, she was right, that hadn't felt good. It was better once the salve was applied to it, though.

Of course, he agreed with her. I'm sure I won't wander far. Probably out of the rainforest, at least, but beyond that? Hobbling around on three legs didn't make for good time.

He smiled at the young woman as she patted him and spoke of him hoping he would find his Betsy one day. He didn't have the heart to tell her the truth. Besides, perhaps if there was an afterlife he would in fact find her there. Thank you for your time, he said to her.

Thank you, Hero, he said to the Hodari boy, before turning his attention to @Roan fully. Yes I'll admit I scared myself as well, he said.

Roan smirked quietly as even @Tobin admitted to scaring himself. Well, who wouldn't be scared in his situation? Had the small group of lions not come along, the elder lion might not have been found in time. "Well, despite it's best efforts, that tree isn't gonna keep you down today," the mauve lion half-heartedly chuckled, still trying to keep the conversation light. "Why don't you get some rest before we try getting you out of here? When Hero comes back, you can lean on us when you're ready." Though Roan was in no rush to try moving the elder, he knew it would only be a matter of time before someone came along to claim the vacant lands. Even if it was just outside the Rainforest, they'd have to move soon. "I think majority of the pride was heading to Illyria," he offered. It wouldn't be an easy climb, but if Tobin wanted to go, Roan would see to it that he was able to make the journey.

Tobin chuckled as well, though it came with a bit of a wince. Not jostling his ribs was probably the best idea, but eh. His ears perked as Roan mentioned the Summit, and he turned his gaze in the direction of the mountain. It was quite a climb for someone of his age, injured or not, but given the alternative was wandering around the Rainforest or something...

That will be quite the journey, but if you and the boy are willing to make it with me, I will join you, he promised. His joints were going to hate him for it, he knew, but perhaps putting himself on ice would slow the aging process a little bit. Wishful thinking, that. At least I won't be hard to find in all the snow.

@Roan

Roan followed the elder's gaze towards the mountains. Even he knew it wouldn't be the easiest of journeys for the old man to make. And if he did make it all the way up there, what then? Would @Tobin ever make the trip back down someday? Or would he just remain a hermit atop the Summit? What kind of life was that if Tobin joined them? But Roan couldn't just leave the elder down below by himself either, unless there was any other pride the advisor favored instead. So if he was willing to join Illyria, the Hodari would do whatever he could to aid the aging lion.

"Of course. We'll get you up there, Tobin. If that's what you want," the masked man nodded firmly, just as genuine in his words as Tobin was. He wondered what it would be like for the ebony lion, though, not recalling many elders in his birthpride atop the mountains. Maybe there was reason for that. Tobin's jest, though, brought Roan's attention back down to the ground. "Heh, yeah, don't think I can say the same for my wife, though," the Hodari chuckled. It was always basically a game of hide-and-seek trying to find Fae amongst any expanse of snow. She was probably in heaven in the Summit already.

I would like that, Tobin confirmed. He just wasn't planning on ever making it back down, if he was being honest with himself, though no doubt coming down would be easier than making it up. He'd just have to hope that the Summit remained in Morrigan and Talisa's paws. He felt it safe to assume it would.

A chuckle escaped him at Roan's comment. Your daughter as well, perhaps. Not nearly as much as Faelyn would blend in, though. With his vision being what it was, he was liable to trip over her because he didn't realize she was there. Presuming she joined the family there, of course. He wasn't going to make assumptions, as their children were all old enough to make their own decisions about where they went, but he'd seen her lingering within the Hollow and the Rainforest and so felt it safe to guess she was there.

@Roan