<div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/5/5b/Tsitu%2C_Nadaeki_Alpha.png)</div><strong>Character name</strong>: Ts'itu e'e Son<br/><strong>Who:</strong>L'aen, Son' Lahleli, Astir, & Kon<br/><strong>Where:</strong>Forests near Sadghan Lake<br/><strong>When: </strong>Midday, Eighth Day of Hunger Moon<br/><br/><hr/><br/>It was clear that Kon was still uneasy with her, and she felt briefly for his emotional pain. Nonetheless she focused herself upon the real problem of the moment. Her betas had been ambushed well within their own territory by the Ghaltsel pack, Astir was badly wounded and Kon was nearly as bad. As he finished his report, she nodded sharply. "Understood. Get ready, we'll be moving out soon." Knowing that Son' Lahleli and Kon would be ready within minutes, she walked over to where L'aen had begun to tend Astir.<br/><br/>She could tell instantly that though Astir was allowing himself to be tended to, his pride would likely cause issue soon enough. It wouldn't matter that limping the many miles back to camp would undoubtedly make his healing time more extensive if not worse. Unsurprisingly, the moment L'aen declared his work finished, Astir was clambering to his feet and heading unsteadily toward the path that would lead them all back to the village. Ts'itu stepped for him, intending to sling her packmate up onto her shoulders as one might carry a deer, only to have him snarl warning at her. She snarled back, lips pulling back and fangs lengthening. "You will lame yourself for pride," she growled. But even she knew that she could not force him to stay still upon her shoulders, nor hold him there through sheer strength if he were to struggle. Her green eyes flashed with wolven ire as she continued. "Fine then. I will hear no complaints when you are trapped within the village for weeks on end for your stupidity."<br/><br/>Though she was hiding it with anger and stoicism, worry flooded her entire being. So much was going wrong so quickly. She'd brought the pack to more than survival, and now that was crumbling away with each new blow. Ill omens, jealous packs, ambushes on<em>their</em>territory...and an injured third who would put himself out of commission to avoid a humble entrance into the village. She snapped her teeth and then began to jog. "Move out," she said.<br/><br/>Miles passed slowly and quietly. Astir moved with great determination but clearly the hike was wearing upon him. L'aen remained quiet, keeping close to her like a pup might to its mother. Bring up the rear was Son' Lahleli and Kon. The only consolation to this mess was that her remaining beta was alert and obedient, meaning that they would at least have some warning if something bad where about to happen. Ts'itu herself remained utterly silent, knowing that if she were to open her mouth all that would come out would be snarls.<br/><br/>It was as they neared camp that everything went wrong. All she heard was the whistle of an arrow. She spun, features already morphing toward wolf as she saw an arrow embed itself in Son' Lahleli's shoulder. Ever loyal, Son' Lahleli let out a warning growl before beginning to chase after her attacker.<em>The one who escaped,</em>Ts'itu thought. She spun once more to L'aen and Astir, fangs so long in her mouth that her words became heavily lisped. "<em>Go.</em>" Astir was already limping away as fast as he was able, and she was sure L'aen would do the same. At least he would if he wanted to live.<br/><br/>Son' Lahleli and Kon had disappeared by the time she turned back. Snarling out unintelligible curses she took off after them. Her clothing ripped as she transformed back into wolf, tatters of deerskin clinging to her fur only to be lost as she ran faster. It still was not fast enough. As she neared a small ridge she caught sight of Son' Lahleli: mouth bloodied, an arrow in her stomach, and swaying upon her feet. A weak howl left the other woman as she collapsed into the snow. Ts'itu pushed herself faster, muscles burning with effort.<br/><br/>She lost sight of her beta as she raced down the hill, though now she could smell the blood. The smell churned at her stomach, set her body to quivering with horror. And then a yell for help, Kon's voice dragged raw at the edges. By the time she skidded to a halt, she could see only that both Son' Lahleli and Kon were collapsed upon the snow in bloody heaps. All air was knocked cleanly from her lungs. There was another scent on the air, the ranger if she was not mistaken, but she paid it little mind beyond identifying it. Son' Lahleli was the worst injured, but Ts'itu knelt between the two nonetheless so she might assess them both . As she began ripping Kon's shirt in order to create bandages, she lifted her head back and let out a piercing howl. It would be heard for miles, would bring the pack and likely hasten the ranger.