<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">The day would have been nice if Blue wasn't so clearly uncomfortable. Eivind couldn't be sure if it was just the absence of the pain killers, or if he'd shifted Blue around funny. He immensely regretted slamming Blue down their first night together out in the wilderness, imagining how everything could compound into a bigger issue. They were pushing too hard, but at least they could rest now.<br/>
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“I hope it eases up in the next few days. We'll take it easy,” Eivind told him, though he didn't mean lazing about entirely. In his experience, it was still better to keep the body moving, even if it was just for uncomplicated walks. Blue thanked him for the tea and dragged his lips over his neck. It wasn't as enticing as it would have been if other things were not bothering Eivind. He still enjoyed hearing his mate speak fondly of the previous night.<br/>
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“I.. don't think I've had a reason to try so hard before,” Eivind admitted. “I've never taken the time to really get to know someone like I have you. That probably made it better in a way that had nothing to do with me.” He smiled. The lead up had been nice, and well worth the wait. It was just fond memories now, and Blue was not in a position to make any more with him, not for a little while at least.<br/>
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“You'll be back up and running in no time, and we can see if it was just a fluke.” His expression clearly indicated that he was confident it <i>wasn't</i>. “For now, let's go for a walk. Clean up, and get you some fresh air.” Eivind was tired of looking at the cot, and Blue had been in the cave for the better part of the day. Both were filthy in a way that was no longer attractive, and Eivind wanted to get more water for Blue's tea anyway. He walked with Blue in his wolf form out to the river, close enough that the young man could thread his fingers in his dense, bristly coat.<br/>
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Problem was Blue wasn't make any progress. It wasn't just the pain any more that was most alarming, but Blue's breathing. Eivind knew what sort of weaknesses to look for in a herd of beasts he was planning to take down. It was predatory instinct to pick up on any sign of labored breathing or lameness, and though with Blue it was subtle, it clearly wasn't the mark of a healthy young man. Getting him to do anything was proving more difficult with each passing day, and even with Eivind hunting and supplying them with adequate meals, Blue appeared mostly disinterested.<br/>
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“We have to do something,” Eivind told him eventually. “I don't know how to fix this. I want us to go back. I need you to see Alaric, and for us to figure out what's wrong.” It was not a good spot to be in, especially several days track from home, but Eivind was going to have to make it work.<br/>
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“I'm going to rework the cot into some sort of cart. I don't want to waste time, nor do I want to make you walk all the way back all over again. That hardly made anything better to begin with. I've done this sort of thing with big game; things far heavier than you.” It wouldn't be an issue so long as they could make a suitable harness and get it to where it could roll over uneven ground. Hell, most likely Blue could use it as a raft across the river, and Eivind could help it along. Eivind could swim it if he picked their spot carefully. He didn't want to risk the bridge again, not with Blue in poor shape.<br/>
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“It'll be fastest that way.” And the way of least resistance for Blue. The only other option was to leave Blue out there to go get Alaric, which Eivind wouldn't do under any circumstances.</span></span>