Blind Rage

[Curiosity]

[Warning: Violence]

Characters Involved:
Orion, male horse
Cliantha, female horse
Strawberry, male horse foal
Luscen, male wild pig

(later)
Blackberry, male red fox
Iktomi, juvenile female red fox


=== Grassy Plains ===

Summer is slowly starting to wind downwards, the days are still long and it is still rather hot across the area. Like many other days during the summer Orion is making his way back from the river, heading towards the herd. Ears perked as he moves along a slight yawn even escapes him showing that he is somewhat relaxed at the moment. His wounds are well on the way to being fully healed, the only ones that are still scabby looking rest across his right shoulder that he got from the resident bear. He offers a slight glance around to look for the bear in question and a faint hum escapes him while he walks along.

Cliantha isn't that far from Orion but she is busy with stacking a new set of herbs. She is away from the sick bear and healing cat. Luckily they are both asleep right now or the grumpy bear would not stop its fussin'. Her pile of plants is rather small at the moment, and set upon several leaves; easy for her to drag them later. She has her head down constantly as she pulls plants up by the stems. When she hears Orion's humming, she looks up to nicker at him.

Strawberry is standing next to the water, looking down at his own reflection with admiration. Tilting his head this way and that way, puffing his narrow coltish chest out and smiling, even posing. "Strawberry pretty..." he nickers softly to himself.

Ambling across the flatlands is a hulking figure low to the ground; it's clearly not a horse, but it's hard to discern the beast's true nature from a distance. As it draws nearer, however, it can be made out as a boar -- but it's not your average wild pig. No, this one is far larger, and far meaner, than even its wildest cousins, and it's easily seen in the menacing way in which it approaches the smallest member of the gathered herd standing by the riverside. With a loud snort and a threatening toss of his spear-like tusks to intimidate the young one, he growls in a low, deep, commanding voice: "Come with me, boy." Without even waiting for the foal to respond, he stomps around the smaller hoofbeast in an attempt to start herding him away towards the southwest.

Orion glances towards Cliantha and offers a nicker back to her along with a nod of his head while he turns to move closer towards where she is. "Afternoon Cliantha, how are you?" He questions while glancing over the area and the herd to see where abouts everyone is at the moment. It doesn't take him long to catch sight of Strawberry near the river and he tilts his head while blinking and ponders a sudden moving shadow that he has caught sight of. "Cliantha.. What is that?" Is questioned while the rather large hog is still just a shadow. His ears flick forward and then lower as he watches the shadow get closer and closer, and moving towards the foal. With a lash of his tail the young stallion starts to move forward, quickening his pace once the hog is in full view. "Hey!.." Is suddenly called out towards the hog once it is moving towards the foal, and from what he can tell its no friendly movements..

Cliantha answers Orion, "I'm well..." Then her eyes flick over to Strawberry and the Hogzilla. "That's the beast that killed Sirocco! I'm sure of it. Nothing is as big as what he described." She sniffles in large amounts of air to see if she can make sure by smell but she isn't close enough yet. Instinctively, she begins to charge in Strawberry's direction. "Get away from him!" She screams, then whinnies loudly to alarm any other nearby horses and any other animals in the vicinity. To Orion, she calls, "We must stop it. Stop /it/ from staying near Strawberry."

Strawberry is rather calm about the whole thing as opposed to the adults, whom he directs a curious glance towards. Then he wrinkles his muzzle at the huge porcine and whickers, "Strawberry /not/ go with ugly thing. Ugly thing go somewhere and die. Strawberry not like it." It seemed the colt's only real objection to the intruder was that it offended his eyes to look upon the creature. Perhaps his words might have been better chosen however...

Either Luscen didn't notice the presence of the no-doubt territorial stallion trotting off nearby, or, more likely, didn't care out of sheer confidence in his own physical prowess. Regardless, the oversized boar ignores the stallion's shout and continues his herding of the young foal, using his long, sharp tusks to force the foal towards the intended direction. "Get a move on, boy. Don't matter to me none if you get speared 'cuz you ain't movin' quick enough," he grunts with another sweeping thrash of his head to prove his point (literally), attempting to graze the boy just hard enough to show he means business. Of course, the foal is meant to be kept alive, and perhaps that much is obvious in the fact that Strawberry hasn't already been immediately killed by the much larger hoofbeast. When the colt stubbornly resists, however, he turns to face down the charging mare instead, lowering his head to aim his dangerous tusks directly towards her. "Back off, miss. If he's your boy, he ain't yours anymore. And if he ain't, this ain't your fight anyway."

The sight of a charging horse is something many should fear, an Orion is not about to stop now.. He moves himself about, circling as it were to wind up at the other side of the hog while he turns to deal with Cliantha and once close enough to make a point his large hooves slam into the ground to send a mound of dirt and grass flying towards Strawberry and the hog. "Go to your mother.. NOW!" is sent rather quickly to the foal as he shifts forward to bring himself closer to the hog before striking out at the ground with a front hoof, and snorting out while eyeing the hog. Rage can clearly been seen upon this stallion, to be face to face with the one who killed his friend and now back to threaten the herd, he'll do everything he can to stop it.

Cliantha heard that the foal was going to be taken from his mother and that terrifies her. She doesn't wait stops facing the side of the huge boar just so she can kick up her front hooves into the air high enough as a moment warning before the kick out towards the hogzilla's side. "Get out! This is all our fight! Get out!" She bares her teeth and begins to whinny in rage. "Leave the foal alone!" hoping this allows Orion time to get into a better position to attack. The smell of the boar fills up her nose and she tells him with vehemence, "This /is/ the one that killed Sirocco."

Strawberry jumps at the shout from the adult stallion and the charge from the mare, oh and he's not about to let those tusks touch him either, he prances this way and that backing away and circling round the giant. Strawberry is not as big as he will be someday, and nowhere even approaching how strong he will be. but one thing the colt does have already is nimble hooves, and when shouted at to run he wheels and starts for the safety of his mother's side. But not before letting the big boar know what he /really/ thinks of him. The tiny stallion's hind hooves flash out aiming for the left eye of the boar as it turns to face Cliantha. And small as Strawberry is he does know that he's no match for the boar, but eyes are soft and gooey, and if he is lucky enough to accomplish his aim he just might manage to smash that eye before fleeing, "Ugly! Evil! Bad!" the tiny colt throws his entire complement of insults at his would-be abductor before charging off, not even looking back to see if his parting salvo landed. "Mommmmaaaaaaaaaaa! Ugly thing gonna git Strawberry!"

"Didn'tcha hear me?" Luscen quips in response to the stallion as he angrily stomps about on his other side, and though he's now surrounded the boar still shows no signs of backing down, simply sweeping his massive, tusked head from side to side as he stares down the pair of horses flanking him. "Thissun's mine now. I killed one of your stallions already...dun think you'll be much of a challenge, neither," he taunts cruelly, a crookedly wicked grin on his lips around the protruding tusks. "So unless you want to go the way of... Sirocco, wuzzit? ...I'd suggest you just mosey on along and let me take what I came for. You can just make another 'un." With his final threat delivered, Luscen prepares to make good on his words, a forehoof pawing at the ground as he prepares to retaliate against whoever attacks first...and he clearly doesn't expect it to be the foal. As such, the sudden strike catches him off guard, and he practically roars in bellowed pain as his left eye is immediately rendered sightless by the colt's sharp hoof, the boar beginning to thrash about wildly in his blind rage.

Orion makes no move to flee, even at the hog's words. "I won't be leaving.. You will though.." He states about to rear up as he pulls his head back watching Strawberry attack. The stallion is a bit surprised at this but doesn't pause very long. A deep whinny escapes him and he lashes out with his front hooves towards the hog's side trying to slam his large hoofs downwards to impact great harm and perhaps if his lucky even cause the hog to crumple to the ground.. Nothing like a 'surprise' attack as it were. The wild thrashing of the hog does little to stop him, his prepared to take on a injury to get his point across if he must.

Cliantha makes sure this time she kicks her front hooves at the hog's right side, aiming above his stomach. "You won't be hurting anyone." She says this with gritted teeth but afterwards if the strike on the stomach is evaded, she tries to bite at him just above the ribs at likely a softer spot. "Hit him again in the eyes, Strawberry. Get him while his one eye is hurt. But be careful of the tusks!"

Luscen is easily struck on his blind side by the stallion's kick, his hooves landing a powerful blow against the boar's broad side. His size, while a physical advantage, certainly makes him harder to miss. He stumbles a bit in response, though he's able to keep himself on all fours, and he immediately wheels towards the offending equine with another snarl that sounds more like a scream than a squeal, savagely swinging his head towards the stallion's underside in an attempt to gore his soft belly with his spear-like tusks. The mare's bite is shrugged off as a lesser injury in the boar's wild frenzy, far more focused in his attempts to strike the stallion instead.

Strawberry isn't in a position to follow orders to try and get the other eye of the boar, and even if he was the fear reflex has kicked in and the foal is fleeing for his little life. He tosses his mane and occasionally kicks out at empty air in terror even as he rushes towards the main group of the herd just in case the boar might be chasing him. He continues calling out for help even as he reaches his mothers side and turns to watch the unfolding drama, "Help! Help! Bad thing! It's coming to get us! Don't let it!"

Orion doesn't look to see where the foal has gotten to as the hog is turning towards him after all. He strikes out against with his front hooves trying to slam a strong hoof against the hog's shoulder as the other moves close, this only opens himself up to the attacks from the other though. A tusk catches him about the chest but he is quick to shift on his hooves and moves towards the side to avoid getting impaled. As he does this he kicks out hard with a hind leg to try and hit the hog upon the head if he is still close. Loud whinnies and snorts escaping him in the process.

Cliantha watches the foal leave now, thinking that once a kick to the eye was in that the foal would not be frightened. Oh well. Instead, she turns to rear up and begin kicking towards the boars neck as she stands off to the opposite side of the boar. She doesn't care where on the boar she hits but her head is looking back to make sure it connect with some part of the beast, likely not at one of the tusks.

Luscen's half-blind state puts him at a disadvantage, and this time he's up against two horses instead of just one...but even still, the headstrong boar shows no signs of retreat. Orion's hooves hit hard, and there's a sickening crunch as the already-injured side of the wild boar's head is struck once again, and much more powerfully than before...and again, as Cliantha's kick lands as well on his other side. The boar's rusty coat is now tacky with the thick crimson blood oozing from his wounds...and yet, despite it all, Luscen holds his ground, though he's obviously starting to falter a bit in his enraged thrashings about, stumbling somewhat as he madly swings his tusked head towards both his attackers.

Strawberry is terrified, oh yes. But while standing next to his mother he see's that he did indeed ruin the eye of the boar. And that gives him a small measure of courage, he also sees that the massive juggernaut is not invulnerable and that the adults are indeed hurting it, even getting the upper hoof. And so it may not be too surprising that a moment later the little foal is rushing back into the fray. So much blood, and not all of it the boar's. It makes a very definate impact on the little stallion, he narrows his eyes and while the big ugly swine is occupied with the adults the smallest set of hooves in the wild melee flash out again, this time aiming for the one remaining good eye, trying to fully blind his would-be foal-napper. "Strawberry hate you! Hate, hate, hate, HAAAAAATTTE! Go away!" yes the small stallion had found his courage again, but what psychological damage was being done to the youngster by all this blood and violence so early in his development? The vehemeance with which he screamed his hatred might have been a clue if any were not so occupied that they could hear it.

Orion wastes no time as he shifts closer towards the hog and lashes out again, he half rears up and proceeds to slam his hooves down and out towards the boar's head and neck once again. His chest hurts where he has a new slash from a tusk but it does little to cause him to stop. A few more slashes and cuts happen against his front legs and chest thanks to him being this close to the hog as his head lashes about.

Cliantha watches the foal come back and she nearly double blinks, nearly but doesn't do that because she doesn't want to miss out where to attack next. She turns herself around moving towards the hog's hind area. Then she raises her front hooves up, thrashing her head around as she now notices Orion's new injuries. She is too enraged to speak as she kicks at the huge hog again.

With the equally enraged stallion continuing to slam his heavy hooves repeatedly down against the boar's seriously wounded head and neck, and the mare providing extra backup as well, it doesn't appear that the herd's aggressor will be able to hold out much longer. The young foal coming back in an attempt to finish where he left off just adds insult to injury, and Luscen's vision goes black even before his senses are effectively cut off forever. With a last, loud bellow of anguish, the massive wild hog stumbles as he is overtaken, then collapses lifelessly onto his side, sending up a thick cloud of dust as his huge body hits the ground.

Orion is a bit surprised as Strawberry comes racing back to join in the fight.. He is careful to not hurt the foal as he continues to slam and pound upon the hog any place he can, though mostly around the head and neck area as he knows this will offer up the most damage. Once the hog is down, and 'dead' he continues on this attack. Hooves going to pound down upon the fallen animals chest, making sure the animal will indeed die one way or another..

Strawberry quickly moves back to get out of the way as the boar falls. The little colt taking several steps backwards and letting the adults finish the job, but he put out the ugly things lights! the disgust and revulsion on the foal's face is unmistakable as he looks down at the dead creature, he truly did hate it.

Cliantha moves to shield Strawberry from the sight of the dead boar and the aftermath rage that Orion feels for the beast. "Orion, are you sure it is down for good? I want to be sure it won't wake up." She stares down at the giant boar as she tries to regain control of her own senses. "Are you okay, Strawberry?" She gives a look over at the foal to make sure there are no cuts on him.

Orion takes a few steps back from the downed hog eyeing it thinly, even with the thing down he's still madder then he can ever remember. He turns about and sends a hard swift kick towards the boar's head which causes it to twist at a strange angle. A huff and snort escapes him. "If it wasn't.. Then he is now." He says to Cliantha while eyeing the boar a few moments longer before glancing towards Cliantha and the foal. "Are you two alright?"

Strawberry presses his side against Cliantha's foreleg and nickers softly, "Strawberry okay, ugly bad thing didn't get him." The foal then does something surprising, perhaps alarming. He lowers his head, looks under Cliantha to view his attacker, and then venomously spits on it. "Ugly thing..."

Blackberry had heard the sounds of fighting from a distance. He knows the sounds of conflict when he hears it. He had made his way to the field just in time to see the final moments of the battle. He had been busy elsewhere, but this certainly commands his full attention, given everything that he knows about what is shaping up in the world. He certainly hopes that sick bear was not a part of the conflict, because certainly there is a risk of spreading the infection to others. He makes his way across the field toward where the center of the action seems to be. The sight of the boar doesn't particularly bother him, but he does hope that the others haven't been injured, "You've had a busy day." he says to them.

Cliantha sighs softly as she gazes at Strawberry again, "I'm glad, Strawberry. We won't let anything happen to you." She shakes her head at Orion, "I'm fine, but come over here so I can see to those wounds you have. We need to stop that bleeding and get you patched up." A voice she hasn't heard in sometime so she doesn't quickly recognize it. "Yes we have. This is the beast that killed our Herd Stallion." She snarls at the dead boar. To Orion again, "You were amazing!" Now to Strawberry, "You were so brave to help us, Strawberry, but you shouldn't look too much at the dead animal."

Orion watches the boar a few moments longer to make sure it is indeed dead before he turns and makes his way over to where Cliantha and Strawberry are. "I'm alright.. I don't think any of them are too deep." An he was just getting all healed up. A ear flicks at the voice and he glances towards the fox watching it curiously. "Yes.. You could say it was a busy day indeed." He peers back at Cliantha, a slight smile seen. "Thank you.. But you both were equally great in helping with the animal.." His teeth grind for a moment. "I only hope are friend can rest in peace now that we have found his killer."

Blackberry nods his head as he comes to a stop in front of the horses, "I see..." he says as he glances over the the dead boar, "Justice would seem to have prevailed, how wonderful.." He then turns his head back toward Orion, "You should put some clay on those wounds or they will likely become infected and you will likely be as dead as your friend over there. Boars aren't exactly known for their cleanliness." It would appear that no one else was injured with the exception of the boar, well that is nice. He also notes that the bear didn't seem to be a part of the battle which also pleases him.

Strawberry nods at the mare as she tells him not to look, he turns away but there is something slightly different in his eyes now, a hardness to them, perhaps hiding the fear and discomfort a foal too young to cope with such sights feels. He begins to slowly amble away from the adults, going back to the water's edge and looking down at his reflection. And the eyes that look back at him are not the ones he remembers looking back just before all this happened, there is something dark and twisted deep inside now, something that glimmers and shines painfully in those orbs.

All the commotion, all the noise, and it's finally over. And it's then that from one of the smaller rabbit holes of the meadow a head peeks; bright brown eyes and too-large black ears, followed by the pointy snout as Iktomi wriggles her way out of the hole, shakes the dirt from her fur in a small cloud, and begins canter-pacing towards the horses. Of course, though, the wee fox kit, upon seeing the dead boar, squeaks with surprise, and circles the .. lovely sight of dead pork, ears laying back as she comes close enough to sniff it only briefly, before, YIP! She squeaks! And scuttles, tail-end hung low, scrubby tail curled under, heading right for Cliantha. "Omigoaawwwwwwwsh, dat is the hyooogest piggy I ever done seeeeeeen.."

Cliantha nickers at Blackberry, "We were about to see to his wounds and near the water, he can get some mud on his, the clayish kind." She sighs softly towards Strawberry but that is interrupted by the sounds of the youngling fox. "Yes, it is. Luckily you weren't around when he was alive, Iktomi. But I'm glad to see you because I have some news for you." She looks at Orion softly taking a few steps to him to nuzzle against his neck. "You really are okay, Orion?" knowing how tough this must be for the stallion to be scarred so much.

Orion tilts his head and looks at Blackberry before nodding slightly. "Plan on getting them cleaned up." Last thing he needs is an infection or to get sick after dealing with that boar after all. Another voice is caught and he looks to Iktomi. "Becareful, don't go messing around with him. Even though his dead he could still be carrying who knows what." With sickness all around its not a surprise. His head turns to Cliantha and a soft smile is seen while he nuzzles her back upon the neck. "I'll be alright.. Promise." He offers with a soft tone before turning to move towards the river in order to wash his wounds up. "I couldn't let anything happen to Strawberry, and there scar up like the rest I'm sure." In his mind a few scars is fine if he keeps the herd safe.

Blackberry is pleased to hear they plan on doing that, "The more clay the better...mud is good, but the clay is superior..." He walks over toward the boar, yep definitly dead. Good thing too boars can be awful creatures. Though it wouldn't shock him if there were a few decent ones out there, "You may not even scar up that much you use more clay." He has seen clay do remarkable things, especially certain types. This field definitely seems to be a center of action, "I believe that I owe you an apology." he directs toward Cliantha, "Given what I've heard and learned recently your not as stupid as I took you for at our first meeting."

Ears twitch at this statement from Cliantha, and she yips as she circles one foreleg of the great horseyfriend, and then sits down. "Whats the news, Miss Clianther?" She asks, before one ear swivels slightly in the direction of poor Strawberry, to which she looks momentarily. Aw man, the kid looks hoooorrrible. Like a chicken caught in a headlight or something. She licks her muzzle at the idea of chicken. Mm. Chicken. Then her tail flips in a wag and curls about her feet.

Cliantha smiles at Orion then nudges him towards Strawberry, "I think he's going to need your support in this. You'll have to explain to his mother what happened. Or maybe not..." She gazes at Blackberry, "Oh? What brought upon the apology?" She leans her head close to Iktomi, "Well, you said you know some things about healing and we may need you. I met an old fox named Adao. He spoke of a strong illness that is killing many but that it is way farther south. Thought you could help me find more about the plants and what they do." She takes a deep breath, "Also Orion, we need to discuss what to do with this beast. We can see hope that the crows will come for it." She nearly shudders at that thought.

"More plants? Oh, yeah, sure!" yips the foxling, as she.. well, obeys the laws of younglings and leaps to her feet, capering off in search of plants without warning.

Orion ears twitch as he glances towards Strawberry and nods. "I'll speak with him.. And his mother.." He offers with a soft tone at the thought. A faint nicker escaping him while he shifts into the shallow water so the wounds across his legs and chest can be cleaned up. "As for what to do with the boar.. We will have to figure out a way to drag it off, away from the herd and away from the river." His tail lashes a few times which flicks water about as he thinks on this.

Blackberry doesn't apologize very often, because generally there is very little need for him to do so, well at least he thinks there is very little need to do so, "I took you for just another stupid horse. I met a wolf, a bear and a cat the other night. You appears to have done halfway decent work in helping them. Therefore you deserve an apology. Still we need to talk about the bear..." He listens to what Cliantha says to the other fox. There is illness down south? Well isn't there always an illness somewhere? "...and apparently other things."

[Etenia]

Cliantha chuckles as she watches Iktomi, then she bobs her head several times to Orion, "We will need to do this as soon as you're done talking to Strawberry." Her head tilts as she listens to Blackberry, "Yes, I can talk to you about the bear. She trusts me somewhat and I'm glad of that. Have to take a different tactic in dealing with her." she lets out a sigh, "What else do we need to talk about?" asking the male fox before wandering to the water to get something to drink. The fight took some energy out of her and that means she is thirsty and very hungry.

Orion stays standing in the water for a few moments, a nod is offered to Cliantha while he takes in a long drink of water. He makes his way out of the river and gives himself a good shake sending water flying. Hearing Blackberry he eyes the fox slightly and snorts proving he does not like that fox it would seem. A large hoof slams against the ground and his tail lashes before he turns to move towards Strawberry to see about talking to him. "Strawberry.." Is offerd once he is closer to the water staring foal.

Blackberry glances over to Orion and his display. He isn't overly concerned if he is liked or not. He knows he is rather unliked by many and abhorred by some. In some cases that is probably justified and in others it isn't. Either way he has come to terms with that. "I'm pleased you have a way of dealing with her because I believe that she could heal faster if she would simply listen to me. Still I believe that she will live. I do have concerns about the others that she mentioned to me. She was unwilling to give me their location and I believe it is vital to get there quickly." That is the primary point that needs making. The rest he views can wait, though he does file away the information about the south.

Cliantha furrows her brows slightly, "Well, I can't make her listen to you and making her do anything will just cause her to rebel more." She hrmms, "What others had she mentioned?" She grazes for a moment before she looks at Blackberry again.

After a short talk with Strawberry, Orion is making his way back to where Cliantha and Blackberry are. He will need to speak more with the foal and his mother that is for sure. A faint nicker escapes him as he gets closer to announce that he is back.

Blackberry turns his full attention to Cliantha, "She mentioned to me the other night that there were others in her group that were still alive and ill. She is stubbornly refusing to tell where they are. That was before she stopped talking to me completely."

Cliantha nickers back happily at Orion, then to Blackberry, "I don't know where they are at. She mentioned that they are around but I'm hoping once she is well enough, she can just show me where they are at. She talks more to the cat than to me. And I'm more worried about the cough and fever that is south, trying to find a cure for that. The bear is rather closed off about herself and has taken to the fact that I present myself totally open to her that she even speaks to me at all."

Orion lowers his head to grab a maw full of grass once he pauses next to Cliantha. His ears twitch forward to listen to the conversation between the two. "I feel the bear means well, she just does not wish to trust any of us. Which if she's been through a lot as I feel she has its not a surprize."

Blackberry is concerned about both situations, but the bear seems more relevant because she is here and if she made it here its not unlikely that the others are nearby in which case there is a reserve of disease all the closer than the south, "Well the one to the south could be dealt with rather quickly I imagine. I'm sure it would be a great deal of work but if the right materials were available short work could probably be made of it."

Cliantha looks to Orion first then Blackberry, "The bear may not even know the location of the rest of her Sleuth. She was in a berserking rage when we met her. Her soul is still grieving from the loss of her cubs. Likely best to find a dog that can track the scent better than we can. They may smell as sick as she does or even more sick smelling." She points her nose to the boar, "That is how I knew he was the one that killed Sirocco. I could smell that icky sweat."

Orion ears perk and he glances to Cliantha and to the fox and soon over towards the bear. "I don't know too many dogs that would be willing to help us find bears.." There's a pause before he looks to Cliantha. "Though.. What about that one that came wandering in that night? He may help if we asked him right."

Blackberry thinks that might not be a bad idea. That actually is a bit more straightforward that the way he had been planning on dealing with the situation, "That's actually rather brillant." he says and looks over to Orion, "What dog is that?" he asks. He has had some dealings with dogs and found some of them to be rather agreeable. He wouldn't mind working with a dog to find the bears.

Cliantha rolls her eyes, "You mean the dog that wanted to take my pile of plants? I don't know what he wanted with all the plants. He was a bit too /playful/ for me but I guess that is how dogs are." She giggles softly, "Well both of you can chat with the dog about finding the rest of the bear's Sleuth. I don't want her to be upset with me as I'm trying to heal her. I also need to concentrate on Adao's problem. He was looking for a healer fox." Her eyes focus in on Blackberry, "You met anyone who can heal like so. I only know of Iktomi helping me with herbs. You seem to know some things about healing." She shrugs.

Orion ears perk and he smirks slightly while peering over at Cliantha. "Well.. His the only dog that I know about. You know any other dogs then?" He questions with a slight shake of his head and faint nicker while his tail sways about. "I suppose we could try to talk to him.. He doesn't seem that smart though I have to say.."

"Yeah I've met someone that can do that...me." he says. Well modesty never was one of Blackberry's gifts even when he was much younger. Time has moderated some things but not that, "I definitely think we need to find the dog and get him on board." Dogs have always seemed to be able to be willing to assist if asked. This one probably will be no different.

Cliantha snorts at Orion, "I've not many any other dogs of late but that is a lucky thing I suppose. There were a bunch of them once wanting to squat on our land. I didn't let them." She grins at Blackberry, "Well when I see Adao, I'll pass on the word that you know of someone who is a healer fox. He was adamant about finding this special healer. As for the dog, I'll do what I can to convince him to help. Maybe make it into a game and I'll leave a bunch of flowers out for him to play with, I guess. Or eat or whatever he wants to do with them." Her eyes roll again.

Orion nickers out softly. "Yes I remember that bunch of dogs. I helped move them along.. Including the geese and the coon's." He points out while glancing over to Cliantha, a soft nickering escaping him. "That would be amusing.. You leaving a trail of flowers for the dog to play in.." He can't help but grin at that.

Blackberry listens to Cliantha, well special is certainly a word that describes him, "Well listen its not just that I know him...I am him...literally him. Well at least I think its a good possibility, me being so amazing and all. Never met an Adao before though. At least that I remember..and I'm usually pretty good at remembering things." He also takes note about the dog, "So the dog is dumber than dirt huh? Well we don't need him for his brains we need him for his nose."

Cliantha moves closer to Orion and flicks her tail so it also lightly taps against him, "Making jokes about me now? You have that clay stuff on your wounds?" She tilts her head as she gazes back at Blackberry, "Then you're in luck, when I see Adao, I'll tell him I found the mystery special healer. That way I can ask one of the stallions to give you both a ride back down south to handle the plague there. While up here, yes, the dog will be easily amused by the trail of flowers it can play it." She snickers.

Orion whickers out softly and leans over to nose at Cliantha's neck. "Me? I would never joke at you my dear." This said while he grins slightly. "Anyway.. It is a thought on what to do with him.. An how to find the others that may be with the bear as well."

Blackberry demeanor darkens just a bit, "How far south did he say he lived?" he asks Cliantha. There are several things about being down south that don't appeal to much to Blackberry, and besides that, it has taken him a long time to get up here.

Cliantha smirks at Orion, then nickers at him. Yet Blackberry's question has her attention. "He said further south than where I came from. Past the forest fire. He said all of the foxes he knows are dead and many are likely dying or all dead now. This plague hits quickly. Something about a cough at first then fever. Once that fever hits, the animal will die swiftly from it. He said they tried all sorts of things to stop the fever but it hasn't worked."

Orion ears twitch slightly and he tilts her head while nickering out slightly as he listens to the talk on the sickness that is happening further south. He shifts letting his head rest softly against Cliantha's shoulders for a few moments, his eyes even closing for a few moments.

Blackberry has no burning desire to return to the south, especially if its as far south as all of that, "Well if they are all dead already there would seem to be little point in going down there. I'd be happy to help if there was anything that could reasonably be done, but it doesn't sound like there is anything to do. If it kills as fast as all that the likelihood of it spreading up here is slim, the victims can't move if they are ill and can't spread the disease."

Cliantha gives a look over at Orion, settling in close to him contentedly, "Did you want to nap, Orion? Or are you happy where you are?" Her voice is much more a whisper to him. She nods a few times to Blackberry, "Well, I am not sure if they are all dead or if it has spread up close. It would be good to have a cure on hand in any case. I'm just pulling all my resources together. I'm wanting to help not just the herd but others too. Especially if it can infect us. I keep my plants in a ring of bushes. That way they are not likely found so easily and they are out of the way of others."

Orion ears perk and he nickers out softly. "I'm rather happy here unless you rather I move?" He offers with a soft question back, seems his just relaxing after dealing with the evil boar.. Which he still needs to figure out what to do with. "It would be good to try and find something to help with the sickness.. Especially if we find it and then can help the herd and animals that are here."

Blackberry is fairly certain that indeed the horses could become ill if they came in contact with the illness but he is not sure if the disease could reach them, "I look at it like this. If you go down there whoever you send could become infected with the illness and bring it back here. You may be sending someone on a one way trip. That and the south is not always a very friendly place."

Cliantha gives a slight nod to Orion, "Oh, no, don't have to move." She smiles softly at him, then peers at Blackberry, "We indeed need to find out if the sickness is gone from that area completely. Plus, there is news of finding my mother being southwest of here. I want to make sure she knows that this illness is around and the one that is up here too. I live in the south before the forest fire took that area. I don't know what it is like farther than that but I'm sure things will work out for the best."

Orion ear twitches as he hears Blackberry. "We could send Hollyhock to see your mother and let her know what is going on further south?" He questions softly. "But.. I hate to say it the fox has a point. We could work at helping as much we can but sending anyone there may pose more harm then good.."

Blackberry thinks that perhaps there might be hope yet for Orion, "Still you all are probably right. We should do something about it. Besides I don't necessarily have to go. I could simply tell you all what you need to do and that would solve the problem easy enough."

Cliantha smiles without moving now with Orion leaning against her. "We could send out Hollyhock but I've not seen her of late though. Did she fly off somewhere? I hope she left a message with someone." She sighs softly. "Yes, we do need to do something and right away because I don't want the herd exposed to these sicknesses. I want the herd safe as always."

Orion hums softly. "I just saw Hollyhock the other day.. I don't think she has left yet." He offers while letting his eyes open and glance around slightly. "Of course keeping the herd safe is always first on the list." He offers before closing his eyes once more. "We should send out Hollyhock and see what she can find out first I think."

Blackberry knows where a bird went, he is unsure about what her name was but Niyt had sent her off some some sort of mission, "If your talking about a bird Niyt sent her off some some sort of mission to find a cub. I had encouraged the bird to stay but she insisted on going." Besides even if she had sent the bird there was no guarantee that the bird couldn't bring back the illness with her."

Cliantha ahs, "Well then she did go do something with herself. Well, I'm sure she will be back soon enough. Oh, Hollyhock has already gone southward for me. I sent her again to look for horses, specifically my mother. And she did find her. Now I'm told she heard and seen so many dead in the south. But she didn't look sick to you?" asking that question to both.

Orion ears perk at the talk of Holly going off to look for some cub it seems. "She spoke on how she never got close to any dead animals.. I'm to sure about sick ones." He lifts his head and gives himself a shake. "She seemed tired but I took that to her flying around so much."

Blackberry didn't notice any difficulties or illnesses that the bird may or may not have had, "She seemed fine to me, but that doesn't mean that she didn't bring back the disease with her, though given the fast acting nature of the illness you describe if she had come in contact with it, she would likely be ill or dead by this point in time."

Cliantha thinks a moment, "Yes, with her small body, a disease could go through her and kill her off swiftly. I hope she finds what she is looking for." She grins, "I do enjoy the bird. I know others think less of her. Although, it is good to have a friend that can fly. Great to get out messages or to hear news." She looks at the boar, "Now we should get to moving this thing away from the river and the herd." She snarls.

Orion nods slightly, ears perking while he glances back to the boar. "I was thinking.. Perhaps we could get some vines from the forest and figure out a way to tie it to some part of it and drag is away?" His tail lashing a few times. "As for Hollyhock, I rather like her company."

Blackberry decides that he will leave for now. He hopes that they can get in touch with the dog so that he can find the other bears. Otherwise he will be forced to take matters into his own paws, and he doubts that anyone would like the results of that, "I'll leave you too that. I've got to get going. I'm sure I'll see you around." With that he starts off across the field.

Cliantha watches Blackberry leave then turns her head to look at Orion, "Well, we should get that beast moved now before the crows come." She nods to him, "A good idea. I'll get the vines." Then she slowly moves from him even if she doesn't exactly want to. Off she goes to get some vines, thick ones. She calls to him, "Over here!" There is a patch winding about a fallen tree. She is already tugging on some.

Orion nods and glances after the fox. "Alright." He offers to Cliantha before turning to follow after her to help with the vines. Once there he leans up and grabs hold of the vines to help work on pulling them from the tree.

Cliantha has some in her teeth, tugging on them hard. Just a couple come off. "How many do you think we need?" She sees the two long vine strands, tugging on them once more to free them from the decaying fallen tree. "I have two."

Orion pulls and tugs on the vines and comes up with three rather long pieces. "Lets try with these and see if it will work. Hopefully they won't fall apart or rip having to deal with that things size." This said while he turns heading back towards the boar and drops the vines. One is picked up and he goes about dropping it over a leg and then picking up a end and pulling it up and over the leg and then doing the same with the other side. While he might not be able to actually tie it onto the boar he can wrap it around enough to hopefully keep it in place.

Cliantha watches him and moves back over to the boar with the two she has in her mouth. She drops it then waits for him to use the ones she has. "Okay, when you're ready I'll bring you one. Which one you want me to pull?" Her eyes just stare at what he does with the vines and the boar. "I'm glad this nightmare is over with."

Orion goes about tying the vines as best he can around the legs of the boar, double wrapping the vines to make sure the vines have extra support. "Just get hold of the vines on one side and I'll take the other." A faint nicker escaping him. "I am too.. But we need to drag it away a good distance to make sure the birds and other things stay away." He takes in a soft breath before taking hold of the vines upon the side that he is standing on, and waits for Cliantha to take hold of the other so they can get to dragging the boar off.

Cliantha moves over to the back legs where the vines are and then grabs up the vines. "Okay I'm ready now." She murmurs to him. A few tugs on the vines to test how well they hold and so far they hold completely. "Just tell me when to start pulling."

Orion nods and starts to move forward. "Lets go." He offers as he starts to drag the the boar off away from the herd, and the river. "Hopefully we can get him far enough away.." He mumbles out around the vines he has hold of.

Cliantha nods but then quickly pulls on the vines. She moves the boar with him rather slowly though with her body leaving away from the boar to get better leverage. "You tell me went to stop." She mumbles loudly.

Orion nods slightly while they move along, dragging the boar further and further away from the herd and he river. His careful not to go to fast as he doesn't want to rip the vines or go to fast for Cliantha either. He pauses after a short while, ears perking and he glances towards Cliantha. "Think we should go further?"

Cliantha sighs softly with the vines in her teeth, "Just a little more. Closer to the wolf pack that is south of us or is it east. Whichever, just several feet more will do." She keeps moving slowly with the vines taut to drag the boar along. "You see those round bushes up ahead. That is a good spot to leave him."

Orion nods and continues to pull the boar along to the area that has been picked out as it were. His tail lashes a few times while he tugs and pulls the boar on towards the bushes, half dragging the boar into the bushes before dropping the vines. He gives himself a good shake, a faint snort escaping him in the process. Turning he gives the boar a good kick to send it further back into the bushes. "Good riddens.."

Cliantha lets go of the vines once they get to their destination. "There we go. Yes. I'm glad this is done with." She looks at the boar once more and then takes her leave back towards the herd. "How about we get some rest now, Orion? I think we both need it before we start a new day?"

Orion nods as he turns and follows along at her side and moves back towards the herd. "I agree.. I would rather like a good rest after the day that's for sure." He glances over to Cliantha and leans over to nose at her shoulder. "You did a really good job to today Cliantha.. Really."

Orion nickers out softly while he follows along. "Being a bit over protective is alright.. Especially when it came to what happened today." A nod is seen. "Of course.. Your welcome. I'm glad I could be there to help deal with that thing once and for all."

Cliantha walks over to check on the bear first then the cat. "Did you want to rest here with me or go off to another spot? I'm going to stay between the two of them tonight. I don't know what that fox is up to but at times he unsettles me." The fox she refers to is Blackberry.

Orion ears perk while he looks towards the cat and then the bear. "No.. I'd be fine resting here with you." He tilts his head. "He did seem very interested in the bear.. I'm rather curious about that." He glances to the bear and shifts to settle himself between the middle as it were.

Cliantha lays down in the middle between the bear and cat. "As long as one is polite to the bear, she will speak. Else she would rather die and that's a shame but I can't really push the issue. Each has their own way of living and their own set of beliefs. Who am I to judge on that?! I don't want to be like my cousin."

Orion shifts and settles himself down upon the ground near Cliantha, his ears perk forward and then lower lightly. "I agree with you.." He offers with a soft tone and snuffles out faintly. "As for the fox.. We will just need to keep an eye on him to make sure he didn't cause to much trouble."

Cliantha leans her head near his, "Sleep well." She waits to hear his breathing settle down before she allows herself to fall asleep as well.

Orion smiles softly and nods, a soft nicker escaping him while his eyes close. "You too." He murmurs out, drifting to sleep but his ears twitch now and then so he can listen to what is still going on around them.