Skylar and Tudor get into a fight while watching over Veje before rescue reaches them. That is not the only problem, since twilight kicks in. Will everyone make it back home in time?

Skylar says to Tudor slowly: "He seems to be getting worse."

Tudor starts with a soft yet audible voice but raises it as he speaks: "What to do…? Skylar, you must know something we can do. You are the son of king Verago!"

Skylar hesitantly replies while shaking his head: "I do not know…"

After a brief yet awkward silence, Tudor switches his gaze between Veje and Skylar. He turns to Skylar and, with seemingly made a decision about something, he asks: "Hehe, you do not know if you are the son of the king?"

"No time for jokes, Tudor!' Skylar yells mad, 'This should not be at the forefront of your mind!"

This reply from Skylar is the kick-starter of a pointless argument. Partially instilled by their juvenile tendencies, it builds up as they use sneering statements that go back and forth, affecting them both in a negative manner. The argument between them doesn't require much more fuelling for both boys to truly get fired up and start infuriatingly yelling at one another. As they do, both Skylar and Tudor forget all about Veje, who remains idle and still on the ground.

At some point, Skylar and Tudor get so frustrated with each other that they seize their altercation completely. They both sit down and peevishly face away from each other with their tails twitching irritably. Irate from the fight Skylar looks at the ground and ponders: *What a fool! Why did he go with us? Why is he even here? We do not need him! He is useless! I feel so bad for Veje that Tudor is here. Pff… that Tudor, such an idiot! Why did Migs bring him with us? Migs… Where are you? I need you… Veje needs you! Where are you? Ugh, how would my father have dealt with all this?*

Behind him Tudor's also pondering about the same thing. Looking up at the sky he thinks while fighting back some tears: *Wow, Skylar… Stupid! It was just a joke! Get it alright… Starting an argument – over a joke! Always jumping to conclusions. Stupid, stupid! Hmpf, Migs would prevent all this from happening, would prevent him from yelling at me! Migs would keep the peace, no dou… Wait, the sky… is getting darker? Will it be nightfall soon?*

"Uh…' Tudor starts off whispering out of hesitation and eventually finds the courage to cautiously address Skylar, 'Ehm… It is – getting dark…"

"Ow…" Skylar says tutted with a clearly sour tone to his voice.

Skylar turns his head to look at Tudor, who slowly turns his head also. He notices Skylar looking at him and quickly redirects his gaze at the ground instead. Skylar sighs audibly. "Sorry…" he says slowly.

Tudor looks at Skylar again. This time he doesn't look away and nods. "Sorry…" he replies without anything popping up in his mind that he can say additionally.

Both he and Skylar simultaneously look at Veje. "I – I hope…' Skylar stammers uneasily, 'I hope he did not hear us argue too much."

"If at all…' Tudor adds uneasily as well, 'Shall we – look…?"

"Yeah… We should like we promised Migs." Skylar says knowing what Tudor wants to ask.

Tudor nods in acceptance. Both go and sit next to Veje, one at each side of him. They lie down and fold their wing closest to Veje around him. There, they wait for Migs' return.

After some while Migs arrives at the scene. He brought Sienté with him. Both breathe heavily from their trip back to the hunting site. "Well – this is not what I – was expecting to witness." Sienté says panting heavily.

While catching her breath she goes to stand beside Veje. Skylar and Tudor move away from him so Sienté can have a clear look at him. He lies still on the ground, unmoved since that unfaithful moment. Sienté looks at him in detail. He lies on his right-paw side, his hind legs retracted, front legs stretched, wings folded but not positioned neatly alongside the body that makes for a cramped impression. His breathing is irregular and his eyes are shut. This sight disturbs her. It's a feeling she cannot explain even to herself… Hastily a thought crosses her mind: *I truly never witnessed a Jaquin in such dire need before…*

Sienté displaces this thought with the only thing that should be on her mind. "He needs help fast." she says with a trembling but determined voice.

Migs nods at her and says curtly but at a worried tone of voice: "Whatever you need."

Sienté looks back at Migs. Her face betrays anxiety, even though she tries her best to suppress it. She nods back at him and slowly says: "I – need some herbs and seeds. Eh… amaranth, a caroba flower, some cherimoya… Yes, that should do it. The plants holding those items should grow among the evergreen here. At least, I hope they do…"

"I know which you speak of. I shall collect those. Have no worries, Sienté, Veje is safe with you… I will return shortly." Migs says confident and immediately takes to the skies.

Sienté turns her attention at Skylar and Tudor. Without hesitation, she says: "I need some petals. They must be at least the size of my tail tip."

Skylar and Tudor look at one another, then look at all the different plants around them, only to revert their gaze on Sienté again questioningly. She notices and curtly adds: "Well, one of you is going to get me some…"

Skylar realises this is the time to act and takes on a confident stance. "I will… send Tudor to get some.' he starts doubtful but changes to a boastful tone of voice, 'After all, I am prince of the Jaquins!"

Tudor shakes his head out of disappointment. He gives Skylar a sour look. Yet even he knows time is of the essence now and quarrelling now no longer will do any good. Figuratively speaking he's biting his lips as he slowly says back: "This is low…"

He sighs audibly to reinforce his resentment, yet goes to walk about in a rummaging manner, approaching the evergreen surrounding them as he does, to start searching for the petals Sienté described to him. "So, plants are going to help him?" Skylar carefully asks.

Sienté nods and replies: "My mother taught me a lot of the plants within and around the Palace Perimeter. Both for practical uses as in which to consume, but also which have healing properties and in what combinations."

Meanwhile, she's gone around Veje and sits in between him and Skylar, who eagerly tries to see what she's doing thinking: *Apparently inspecting his fur on his – abdomen I guess, and flanks, probably in search of bruises… I never saw a Jaquin got hit so hard before! I truly hope she can help him.*

While Skylar looks over Sienté's shoulder to see what she's doing exactly, Sienté on her turn identifies and examines the bashed spots on Veje's lower body. Touching some spots makes him moan little while doing the same with other spots provokes no reaction at all. Skylar doesn't wish to keep thinking of what might become of Veje now that he's badly hurt, or so Skylar assumes. A shiver goes down his spine making him eager to want to make conversation about another topic. He slowly says to Sienté: "You… remind me of Luna. You were quite grumpy – err, or bossy just now."

Sienté doesn't look up. Instead, she retains her focus on Veje and gives only a curtly reply: "I am when I need to be."

"Which of the two?" Skylar carefully asks.

Sienté replies unmoved and without looking at him: "Whatever tickles your fancy, Skylar."

At that moment Migs returns with some plant material in his mouth. Sienté immediately identifies it as everything she requested. Migs puts the flowers, berries, and seeds on the ground next to Sienté. In the meantime, Tudor returns with four large leaves and puts them next to her as well. Sienté nods at both of them once. She takes two of the leaves and lays them out next to each other, their sides slightly overlapping one another. She then takes both the berries and seeds, smushes them onto the leaves, and smears them across both leaves until they've become a paste of sorts. She takes the petals off of the flowers and grinds them through the paste to produce a concoction. She smears it onto Veje's bruised spots which Skylar obviously is pointing out for her redundantly, though he's trying to help as much as he can. When they are done Sienté nods at Skylar who nods back at her.

Only little time passes when Veje lessens his shallow breathing. All surrounding him seem relieved by this change for the better. Sienté moves close to him and lies down facing him, and says: "Take it easy, Veje. Let the pain fade away first."

Migs nods and adds: "After that, we can take everything home with us."

Veje slowly opens his eyes. He audibly moans a little. He tries to raise himself to his paws. Migs immediately steps in and supports him, quickly followed by Tudor doing the same. They help Veje quickly get back up on all fours. Veje looks at both Migs and Tudor and dilatorily nods in appreciation, in order to be supported a little longer. Yet Migs and Tudor slowly release him so he can stand on his own. However, pain suddenly surges through Veje's abdomen. This startles him, and he starts sagging through his legs a little. With his eyes now wide open he makes a brief grunt. "Ai." Migs mumbles in a reaction but audible to both Veje and Tudor.

Quickly Migs starts supporting Veje again. Tudor says: "Come on, Veje. You are hurt in your body, not in your legs."

"Please stop narking us, Tudor. I know you like to, but not here and especially not now." Migs states at a dismissive tone.

Being misunderstood, Tudor sighs uncomfortably: "Argh. What else am I supposed to do, then?"

"If you will, nothing until we ask for your help." Sienté replies calmly.

Skylar looks at both Migs and Sienté before asking: "So… what are we going to do now?"

"I say it is best to go home.' Migs says casually and waits for Sienté to nod in confirmation before continuing, 'We need to be careful with Veje. Under normal circumstances, I would carry our prey back home. Clearly these are no regular circumstances. Therefore, Skylar and Tudor, this task now befalls upon the two of you. I will take Veje on my back with me. Sienté can stay close to me to keep an eye on Veje during our journey back to the Palace. Hmm, I wonder how to explain all this to king Verago…"

"Let me handle that!' Skylar steps in starting off confidently but grows hesitantly as he speaks, 'I will talk… with dad. After all, he… is my father. I am sure he will understand… that this – was just an accident."

"How else will you explain this?" Tudor asks irritably as he ponders how Verago might deal with them.

"No one knows for sure. All we should care for now is to get home safely. Not only due to the condition Veje is currently in, but also because of the twilight.' Sienté says calm and looks up at the dusky sky, 'The way I see it, we will arrive during the evening. If we return soon enough then no royal guards will be dispatched to look for us. Surely that will bring us more trouble than need be."

Migs nods, and so does Skylar, for both know how bitter Verago may become if a Jaquin returns home late without prior notice. *Call it strict, but king Verago wants to make sure to see all of his subjects safe, no matter what.* Migs thinks to what Sienté just said.

Migs eyes everyone once before saying: "Alright. Time to go home! We do as I instructed. I will carry Veje…"

After some time of gentle flying to prevent either Veje or the fresh catch from tumbling down during flight, Migs, his hunting party, and Sienté eventually arrive at the Palace perimeter. It's almost dark by now. Luckily for them, they start spotting the first of many nests. Built in trees all around the Palace, Jaquins in Vallestrella have nests they utilise for nursing, feeding, and sleeping. They're made of materials from the resident tree they're located in, as well as from adjacent trees if necessary. Materials include bark, branches, leaves, and llianas, of which the latter is mainly used to bind together the bark and branches to create a strong foundation. Llianas also, together with leaves, are used as bedding material. Nests provide space for up to three adult Jaquins or two adults and up to three cubs. To provide adequate shelter against weather conditions nests are preferably built in the middle layer of a tree's canopy. Sometimes a nest is built at the bottom layer, though it faces destruction by other species, accidentally or on purpose. Jaquins also seldom build nests in the top layer of the canopy as this mitigates shelter purposes.

One of the few nests they spot belongs to Veje and Dióntan, including the latter Jaquin who's sitting in it and clearly waiting for something. *Finally, Veje gets to lie in his nest again. Dióntan is there already.* Sienté thinks motherly.

Dióntan indeed awaits them, being worried about his brother's absence for such a long time, especially it being close to nighttime. Happy to see the hunting party finally return he waits for all of them to have landed in his nest. Dióntan quickly approaches Migs. That same moment he notices Veje lying on Migs' back, looking weak and acting lethargically. Dióntan becomes anxious about his brother's wellbeing, his face shows fright. Migs gently lowers Veje into the nest. Veje reacts by moving his head around and slowly starts inspecting a sore spot on his body. *Pain must still linger there. It annoys him, I can tell.* Sienté notices from the look on his face.

She walks up to him. "Good to see you moving again. It is best to get some sleep now. The painful feeling will lessen over time.' she says aloof but slow and winks at Dióntan, 'It is a good thing Dióntan is here, too. He can look after you."

Veje looks at her. His eyes radiate a gripped look as always, showing interest in her. His motivation is quite deep, or so she can tell by merely gazing at him. There's something he wants from her, telling her so through the look in his eyes. She gets closer to Veje and sits down right next to him. "Be careful getting close to him. Sometimes my brother brings bad luck." Dióntan suddenly says with a faint smile.

Seemingly flat to Dióntan's remark Veje adds: "Yes. Migs brings bad luck as well, so I thought going with him would bring good luck instead."

Migs gives it a thought and releases a murmuring 'Hmm-hmm'. "Haha, I got that one." Dióntan replies.

Sienté seems to think about it also, and then giggles. "Me too…' she says hastily but shakes her head once with a frown, 'Eh… No, I – did not get it. What does he mean?"

After receiving no reply from either Veje or Dióntan she returns to inspecting Veje's spots. Having identified them she starts nursing him. "Well, this day turned out different than I hoped for. Luckily, we all are home now. Skylar… Tudor. Needless to say, Veje needs rest after what he has been through. Tomorrow is a new day, and hopefully, he will feel much better then.' Migs says bold and looks at both boys hoping they'll listen immediately without protesting, 'Regarding ourselves, we should head toward the Palace with our freshly caught prey and store it there. Then we head home ourselves. I bet our nest companions must be worried for us three as well… Tudor."

Tudor gives Migs a sour look, knowing he might be right. Shaniqua must be worried, usually resulting in her wanting a word with him…

"I agree…' Skylar says softly and looks at Veje and says at an audible tone, 'I hope you make a complete recovery, Veje. Get well soon, amigo!"

Having said this Skylar spreads his wings and swiftly takes to the sky, heading toward the Palace. Migs and Tudor follow suit.

Migs breaks formation first and heads for his nest. He finds Dulce there waiting for him, bearing a loving smile upon finally seeing him at this late hour, yet safe now and unharmed. They fall asleep cuddling.

Really tired Tudor finds his way home as well. Approaching his nest he notices he's flying below nest level and on top of that too low to easily reach his nest. He uses the last bits of his energy to get to the canopy's uppermost layer of the tree his nest is located. *Almost… there! Just a little more! Almost in reach…* he thinks when he finally spots his nest.

Swiftly Tudor moves over the edge of his nest and immediately plumps on his fixed spot. He closes his eyes and sighs of utter comfort.

"Really?!"

Tudor startles and looks up. That voice is familiar, one he hears a couple of times per day. Though it sounds frustrated. As it dawns on him whose voice it is he spots its owner very close to his location. Shaniqua agitatedly looks at him from the other side of the nest. "Ow, hey. I did… not see you… there." Tudor says confused as to how he could've missed another Jaquin in his nest.

"Again, really?' Shaniqua hisses at him and continues snarling, 'You did not see me? I was happy to finally see you again, now that it is almost nighttime! But you just lay down and go sleeping."

"Ugh, I… You are still happy to see me. I know you are." Tudor says in an attempt to change her mind.

"Yeah, yeah.' Shaniqua says indignantly and knows quarrelling right before bedtime is utterly useless, 'This time I will drop the issue. Tomorrow we will be having a talk…"

Tudor gives her a condemning look she experiences as being lashed out on. However, Tudor receives a smirk from her as she demandingly says: "Ow, you! Now, come over here and cuddle with me. Kamil is in Avalor so we have some of the limited alone time that I really want to spend the best we can…"

Tudor positions himself against her belly and mumbles triumphantly: "I knew you would yield that easily, hehe."

Shaniqua slaps him on his head once, to which he whispers with a tired voice: "Not the head…"

Being the last one to enter his nest is Skylar. He heads into the Palace and arrives at his father's cave home. There he immediately sees the king vastly asleep, lying near the edge of the grand nest with his head resting on the raised outline of it. *Usually he does not lie sleeping like this, so he probably fell asleep while waiting for me. Good… I really do not wish to debate with him right now.* Skylar thinks while observing his father.

Slowly and unobtrusively, in particular, Skylar steps into the nest. He immediately finds a free spot next to Nico, who's also asleep. Carefully he lies down with his wings neatly positioned along his body. Before he realises Skylar, too, has fallen asleep from the exhaustingly final hours of this day…