Hunter's Path

Blood poured from the eagle's right-wing spilling out onto her shirt as she held him tight in order to apply pressure on the wound. The eagle looked at her, his eyes glazed over in pain, he seemed to be questioning if he could trust her. His squirming stopped as he came to a decision. "It's okay," she whispered in his ear, "I won't let him hurt you," the bird rested against her body, being comforted by the words. Why am I doing this, we need the money. Muffled footsteps began behind her as she held the bird closer to her chest. She did not turn to address her father.

"Quinn, let go of the bird," her father's stern voice commanded. She merely shook her head, still staring towards her brother's grave. "If we don't get this money we won't last another month," his voice began to shake, "I'll be forced to sell the land, and move into the city leaving the forest behind. Do you really want that Quinn?" She turned towards her father.

"You won't be needing the money from the bird, I'm joining the volunteers," her tone was uncompromising. "I'm leaving tomorrow, with the eagle," she turned back towards her brothers grave as she finished. I must do this for you, mother, and father. The eagle had begun to squirm at the sight of her father. Quinn caressed the feathers on his forehead trying to comfort him. The bird nuzzled into her chest accepting her act of kindness.

Her father's hand came to rest on her shoulder as he said, "you can keep the bird, but you aren't going to join the volunteers. I'll find another way to make money. I'm not going to lose you as well,". Droplets began to fall from the sky, promising a storm to come. Wind rustled at leaves that rested on the graves of the fallen. "You can't leave me Quinn; I can't do this by myself," he said the droplets covering his tears. His hand began to shake on her shoulder.

"I need a purpose to continue life father, I can't end up like..." her eyes drifted towards her mother's grave as she cleared her throat, " this'll work out for everyone besides the Noxians."

"This'll work for everyone, but me," he mumbled. "War is brewing do you really want to be in the middle of it when the powder keg ignites? Not even Caleb would want you in that," his voice began to regain its confidence as he continued, "you wouldn't even make it a damn day out in real war. The shit you played as kids is nothing compared to real war. Dogs tearing out a boys intestines is r..." he recoiled from the slap.

"You...you don't.." tears rolled down her face, "I'm leaving tonight," she held onto the eagle even tighter as if it gave her confidence, because of this blood soaked her shirt. "Goodbye father," the words came out hoarse. She walked away, not allowing herself to look back. I won't be able to make it if I look back at what I'm leaving behind.

"Go, go die like the man you are. Ain't no one gonna miss you back here. Not even your damn brother. Go die for the great Demacia," he spat. His voice was soon drowned out by the rain. It had picked up and now began to clean her blood soaked shirt.

She walked towards the nearby town while her mind was racing with thoughts. She couldn't remember the last time she defied her father like that. Far too long for my own sake the man showed his true nature tonight. The eagle had shortened its breaths, and let out weak cries of pain. The injury had really take it out of him, if she didn't hurry she was afraid it could be fatal. "It's okay little guy, we're almost there, just a few more minutes,". She wiped her hair to the side as it began to obstruct her vision. "It'll be me and you against the world, you can't give up on me already."

The lights of town broke through the dense forest. "Look, you can see the doctor's house from here you're going to make it,". She approached the door and knocked three times, indicating an emergency. The doctor rushed to the door, and let her inside. He looked to see if she was injured before he noticed the animal she was carrying.

"Quinn I can't save every animal you decide to bring to my doorstep," the doctor said as he sutured up the wing, "I don't even know if this one will be able to fly after this,".

"This'll be the last time I need this, I'm joining the volunteers," the doctor looked at her as if she was half mad. "My dad thinks the same, but I have to do this for both me and him," she said pointing at the bird. "He's special I just know it,".

"This bird sure has a lot of courage, not even twitching as I do my craft, never seen anything so calm in my entire life," he cleared his throat as he continued. "I'm not the one to tell you what to do with your life Quinn, you're old enough to lead your own and the gods know you've been through enough to make your own choices,".

She stared at the eagle, "I know I'm making the right choice, I just don't know if it's the best choice,".