No reaction was given by the stranger and Alysanne would be forever thankful as the conversation skipped over the topic she dreaded. It was an odd thing, to wish for someone without compassion, but someone who pointed out her blatant fib or fussed over her injury was exactly the opposite of what the painted mare needed right now. Her resolve to keep this injury and to not heal it herself was paper thin already, bombarded as she was by the distress of Hemlock through their bond. He understood her quest and the reasons behind it but understanding and idly accepting this bleeding wound were two very different things.

The sweet and gentle voice of the mare as she wondered out loud whether they would be able to help her find her way out of here brought a stronger, more genuine smile to Alysanne’s face as she tried to shove the pain into the furthest corner of her mind. “Oh yes, Hemlock - that’s my companion - can definitely find out where to go. Then we can see you safely out.” She made the offer graciously, finding it a little easier to smile now. Hemlock scoffed at her through their bond, not exactly thrilled about this suggestion, but Alysanne quietly assured him that they would head home as soon as they helped this mare. In the meantime,  helping out this dawn-coloured mare was a welcome distraction. Surely the pain would get easier from here on out, right? As it started to heal?

The small owl muttered angrily though their bond but consented to taking his circling to new altitudes - discovering that the pair of winged mares weren’t very far from the northwest border of this land at all.

“He’ll lead us, if you want.” Taking a deep breath, Alysanne began to walk - very very slowly at first. She managed to keep her reaction to the tugging and moving of her thigh to a sharp intake of air whenever it came to shift it. The overall result was a rather odd looking gait - where three legs moved slowly and one moved much slower than the rest. But it felt good to move. Well, no, that was a lie. It felt horrible to move but the movement was piling on the distractions.

Maybe if she didn’t think about it, the shine of water in her eyes would not betray her by turning into actual tears.

“Was there somewhere in particular you were heading?” Although there was still strain in her voice, her tone was light and friendly as her green eyes shifted back to her company - eager to pretend this was just another chance accounter.