<span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">Naya could not understand Avi’s laughter. Was he simply relieved that the direwolves were gone or was he mocking her ways? She smiled a little as he thanked her. At least he had gratitude. <br/>
<br/>
“I only did what was right. Are you cold?”<br/>
<br/>
She offered his coat back, the piece of fabric warm from her body heat.<br/>
<br/>
“I know you would’ve used the fire to keep warm and now it’s gone.”<br/>
<br/>
She glanced over where the wolves emerged from and noticed they were still tending to their leader’s wound. Naya took a deep breath, grabbed her shirt, and the clean gauze roll Avi had given her. She trekked to where the direwolves currently resided in the forest.<br/>
<br/>
“I’ll be right back. Stay here. You don’t want to get caught up in another fight.” <br/>
<br/>
The direwolves let out a low growl as Naya approached and she gently maneuvered herself onto all four knees, fur bristling as she bent her head down to the ground and her body morphed into that of a young and small silverish haired direwolf. <br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b3b300"><i>Naya.</i></span><br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff"><i>Khan. </i></span><br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b3b300"><i>What are you doing with that human? Why have you injured me?</i></span><br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff"><i>I’m sorry, but I could not let you or your pack harm him. He is my friend.</i></span><br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b3b300"><i>Your friend?</i></span><br/>
<br/>
Khan’s fur bristled and he growled, but Naya stood her ground, chin held high. The leaves crunched underneath the paws of those surrounding the leader. Ani, the co-leader and female of the pack, growled when Naya stepped forward. Ani aggressively licked around the arrow that was lodged in his hind leg. <br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff"><i>He is searching for a cure, Khan. Someone he loves dearly is sick. You would do the same if someone you loved was afflicted with a strange disease or illness.</i></span><br/>
<br/>
Khan’s fur settled down, his breathing much calmer.<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#b3b300"><i>That is true. You know too much, Naya. Help me get this blasted weapon out. Stand back, Ani.</i></span><br/>
<br/>
Ani eyed Naya with suspicion as the young direwolf stepped forward. Naya approached Khan and bent her her head down, licking the wound.<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4d4dff"><i>It will hurt when I pull it out. Brace yourself and do not be alarmed.</i></span><br/>
<br/>
The elf shifted back into herself and without warning, wrapped her fingers around the edge of the arrow near the open wound, and smoothly pulled it straight out from the angle it’d been delivered. Khan growled in pain and snapped his jaws at the elf, but she did not seem cowered. The wolf panted when relief flooded over him. Naya immediately used her shirt to stuff the wound as best she could, Khan wincing in pain. When she was positive she’d stuffed it as deep as she could, she wrapped the gauze around Khan’s leg and tied it off. <br/>
<br/>
“Understand that this only temporarily stops the blood. Upon arrival, your shaman will need to tend to this immediately. Be careful on your journey home, Khan.”<br/>
<br/>
Naya stood up and the leader slowly got to his paws and limped when he made a first step.<br/>
<br/>
“I trust you will all take care of him. We will honor the fallen ones for your sake. At this time, your leader’s life is more important than burying the ones who have passed on. May their essence be with you all.”<br/>
<br/>
Ani and the two direwolves nodded at Naya and helped their king back to the pack. Naya ran her fingers through her hair and picked up the gauze. She brushed it off and approached Avi back at camp.<br/>
<br/>
“I trust you are alright? Do you have any wounds, cuts, or scratches I may need to attend to?”</span>