Thorny

Thorny came to the pack at Thistle's request, she said she saw something special in the pup. At first, Thorny's main talents consisted of being grumpy and hiding in the sticker-bushes. However she also learned quickly and truly loved herbalism.

During the lesson: Thistle instructed Thorny to be careful with herbs, as not all the parts could be used for medicines and it was also dependent on their growth cycle. Thorny learned when and where to gather the most necessary herbs.

Thorny loved taking Thistle on foraging trips, the two became fast friends. Over the course of a year, the young wolf managed to learn all the herbal recipes save two - something Thistle said was a new record. As she watched her mentor growing slower and weaker with age, Thorny asked if she might take over some of the responsibilities of healer.

Thistle would just shake her head each time and say "time enough for that. For now you can practice mixing remedies while you the pups. You'll take on my mantle soon enough," then head off on one of her ever-lengthening foraging trips.

One night, Thorny had a dream that disturbed her. She saw her mentor lying still and cold in the moonlight. At first light, she searched out all the places where the best herbs grew. Sure enough, she found Thistle atop a nearby mesa, a faint smile frozen on her gray-flecked muzzle.

Returning to the pack with slow but determined footsteps, she related the sad news gently, reassuring them all that they'd still be in good paws. She still felt Thistle watching over her shoulder every time she mixed a remedy.

After a long career as healer, Thorny offered to temporarily lead the pack while waiting for Mira to return from a long trip. She knew she had only a few months to live so she wanted to make the most of her remaining time.