Skin and bones. Seele turns to regard me, not nearly as concerned about being submersed in frigid liquid as I'd have her be. Ice swirls around taunt flesh as she steps out of the water. A moment of relief swallows concern. Yar, thank Earth. I'm still frowning but the grim look isn't one of disgust; it is a broken expression. One bordering fear and dying hope. I couldn't understand why she was getting so much weaker instead of stronger. My sister and friend ate, drank, rested. Nar, nothing seemed to be restoring energy effectively enough to win this uphill battle. Again and again she relapsed.

I kept expecting a better day to come, or a better night; her best days seemed like a distant vision. There were no more good days.

Silence is shattered by noise of someone breaking snow in the forest. One ear flicks back as the sounds drew near to our location, crown turns wary eyes to witness a two year old from our clan coming through the trees. The young girl appeared to be handling our seasonal luck rather poorly. Instinctively I shifted closer to Seele, the nearest feathers stretching to cover her freezing frame with what warmth could be offered. Cold moisture slipped onto my dense fur, slicking it back. I stiffened, jaw clinched together to prevent a sudden shiver from chattering my teeth.

"Goodness Seele," I breathed, "ye is half frozen." I shifted closer, and urged Fina from the treeline. She glided over without argument, those simmering orange, red flames licked the frosty air with gentle kisses. Across my back she perched, fanning the fire higher, stronger, until she became a personal heater. "Thank ye," I whispered through our bond. Fina said nothing in reply, her usual spite and fiery spirit was dimmed by the forlorn she'd felt in my mind.

More company arrived, a dear friend I'd not seen in a long while. Her presence I greet with a worn smile, "She isn't getting better," perhaps Reizend could mend this, "Can ye heal her?" Onni comes forefront again, whispering to my heart, "A broken mind isn't so easily mended by magic." Seele spoke to the woman child, I listened passively until she regarded Reizend as a member of her family. A sister, and not in the way we called everyone. Yar, say true? Real family. Attention turned to Reizend, expecting an answer of some form. Had I'd know that she was a blood relation, I'd have sent for her and perhaps this...wouldn't be bleak.