Everything was covered in snow outside.
But the two remained in their den. It was a large dug-out hole in the ground, with the entrance protected from the elements by a green-camo awning. There was just enough space for Matthias to sit, though he had to stay hunched so as not to scrape his horns against the ceiling. Before him lay Roxanne; she rested on her side, her breathing audible as she tried her best to get some sleep. The sounds of breathing was broken only by the occasional sniffle and cough. Matthias' face was contorted in concern. Roxanne wouldn't look like this if it was just a cold. She'd be out playing in the snow anyway. Why hasn't she been getting better? Matthias had tried his best to give her the herbs she needed, but they didn't seem to work, and eventually Roxanne stopped eating them altogether complaining of a stomach ache. Here, in the darkness of the den, as still as she'd ever been, she looked so small and frail. He could see her ribs poking through her soft, pink pelt, and Matthias had known long ago how abnormally small she was compared to how she should be at her age of nine months. Did she have an ounce of lion in her? If so, shouldn't she be bigger than an average leopard her age?
I need to find someone who can help us. This was the final straw. Even if she got better, he couldn't deny anymore that the two living like rogues wasn't good for their health. Even Matthias looked a bit skinnier than he should, muscles taut on his frame and fur not quite as plush. It seriously messed up his vibe. But more than that, it was an indicator that they couldn't keep living like this. He considered his options.
In the time since they've been here, he only knew of Duskorna and Verdantis, but neither seemed particularly aligned with Matthias' own values. Each had their pros and cons, and as Matthias mulled over the benefits and drawbacks of joining both over Roxanne's body, he had decided he'd 'bout had enough, "Fuck this," he whipped out a coin from his satchel. Paws for Duskorna, tails for Verdantis. He tossed the coin. Tails.
The blue lion exited out of the den onto the crisp, white snow. It was a thin layer that wouldn't survive past tomorrow, but the air was still chilly and felt damp from the recent slushy snowfall. Matthias left to go grab the horse-drawn chariot he had originally commissioned to carry any treasure he found. but Roxanne was small enough to fit inside the box... Mostly. The chariot was made of wood, and where one might sit was instead replaced with a wooden box whose lid could be opened and closed, the inside lined with blue cushions. The male went through the process of picking her up and lifting her into the chariot box, where he noted with increasing concern Roxanne's near lack of a response. She only groaned in her sleep, eyebrows creasing from the disturbance but otherwise limp, her head resting on the edge of the carriage. Then, Matthias trudged through the snow, getting towards the closest monolith that would teleport him close to Verdantis territory.
Once they arrived, Matthias began to walk straight into Verdantis' territory, walking along Whitewater for increased visibility. It was difficult to maneuver around the trees, and Matthias made absolutely no effort to hide his presence. He just had to hope the people here were kind enough to ignore his trespassing, or he and Roxanne would be in a lot of trouble.