Day 7: A Day's Rest? (Yahoo!Group pre-forum)

****

Eveninglight wandered out of the forest and looked down on Shade in dismay, they had been wandering this forest for ages now...in fact too long to really remember. As they both enter a small clearing they both saw a small elfin camp.
"Look Shade, thank Danu we have found our tribemates..."

Quicksand had tried to keep up with Eveninglight, but her smaller legs were just so tired. She bumped into the adults legs for she had not noticed that she had stopped. "What?" she almost started to cry but she bit her lip and kept the sobs down. She had wanted to cry ever since that terrible night, but she couldn't it would have showed the evil green trolls where she was and she couldn't let that happen.

Quicksand looked from around Eveninglight's legs and saw...could it be...yes! Other elves. The small cub now felt like crying all over again, but this time for joy. She couldn't wait to see her mother and brother again, and everyone else. Her friends must have been worried when she hadn't shown up, but she would tell them all about her exciting time outwitting the green bad trolls.

Forgotten in her excitement at being safe was the fact that she had not received a sending from either her mother or brother since the attack.

Stronglegs sniffed the air. He smelled something familiar...

Dawngazer drew her eyes away from watching SilverEyes help ChildWolf when her bond-friend suddenly got up and began walking away from her. Curious what it could be that had him distracted yet not prepared for fighting or hunting Dawngazer took a deep breath through her nose. And nearly gasped when she recognized the scents the winds carried.
**Eveninglight! Quicksand! High Ones be praised! Are you well? Come warm yourselves among the wolves!** Only a sending could express the relief and joy Dawngazer felt at that moment. The attack on the Holt had been terrifying and the losses great, yes. But it had been the second attack the day after they met Riv that had been worst, at least for her. To watch their already too small group be split up and chased in different directions had been nearly unbearable. Now it at least seemed there was hope for a reunion.

Branchwalker felt his heart skip a beat as Dawngazer sent. Eveninglight and Quicksand? Here? **This way!** he couldn't help but add, delight at the knowledge of their return prominent in his thoughts.

Quicksand heard the sending and even though exhausted she ran down to the others. **Dawngazer!** She ran straight and true, like an arrow in flight, straight to Dawngazer and she hugged her legs. Tears began to fall, Quicksand had been brave during the trek but now that she was safe she allowed herself to be a cub. She tilted her tear streaked face up to Dawngazer, "Where is mommy and daddy, and Redstreak?" The moonlight shone on her wet face, the tears had left streaks down her dirty face, but her eyes looked upon Dawngazer with hope. She hadn't sent to her family, because somewhere deep inside she knew the true answer, and now she would have to face the truth.

ChildWolf didn't feel being moved. He was happy to just be asleep.

LizardStalker saw Quicksand. He got off of Sprinter and ran over to her. **Quicksand!!** he sent to her happily. He hugged her, not wanting her to leave or get left behind again.

Quicksand turned and saw the bright green eyes of Lizardstalker! She hugged him and tugged playfully at his silver hair.
**Lizardstalker!** her sending was filled with the joy she felt at seeing one of her friends. Quicksand suddenly felt better, she had always felt best when "leading" her band of cubs in some sort of "adventure" whether made up or real, and with Lizardstalker's appearance part of her life that had been turned upside down was now back in place. She brushed off her wet cheeks with dirty hands, smudging her face, but that didn't matter now, she was back and safe, and hopefully her world would only get better now.
She grabbed Lizardstalker's hand in hers, determined not to lose him again.

LizardStalker held her hand. **(Let's stay together no matter what.)** he lock-sent to her. He wanted things to go back to the way they were, but with Quicksand there, part of things were back.

Quicksand always the "leader" of her "cub pack" nodded at Lizardstalker, "I'm hungry and thirsty." she said to those around them. She had been looking around and didn't see her family, which made her very sad, and she almost started to cry again, but she squeezed Lizardstalker's hand again, determined not to cry in front of him, she could show a brave face now that she had one of her friends back. She was a little surprised to see some elves she didn't know, in the group, normally her curiosity would have compelled her to go and talk to them and charm them if she could, but for now she was too hungry and too tired. Later would be soon enough she decided in her young childish mind. She smiled her most endearing smile at those around her hoping she could get something to eat soon.

Dawngazer sighed as she watched Quicksand and LizardStalker's reunion. She had wanted to tell Quicksand about her family; that Squirrel and Redstreak had been gone just as long as she and that there still had been no sign of Gale having escaped the first attack. The news would have hurt, but now Dawngazer feared Quicksand would be twice wounded by not being informed immediately. And still Dawngazer couldn't make herself speak.
"I think we're all hungry cub," Dawngazer spoke with something akin to her normal cheerful-yet-gruff tone of voice, trying to lighten the mood. She had seen the unshed tears in Quicksand's eyes, but decided not to comment on them. "At the moment we don't have much food. We shall have to go hunting again. Who will join me?" The question was addressed to the whole group. Some would need to stay and watched the cubs or rest, but at least three of them had to go to have a chance to catch food for all of them. Gathering wouldn't do much good during the season of Cold-Rain so they'd have to rely on meat and whatever eatable roots they could find to keep them alive.

Quicksand was very tired and she heard Dawngazer's words that there wasn't enough food with a childish pang, but then she stood as straight as she could and with Lizardstalker's hand in hers spoke to Dawngazer, "Lizardstalker and I can go out and see if we can find some berries. We always found the most berries." her childish pride in this could be heard in her tired voice, but she was ready to do what was needed, now that she was safe and had a friend by her side again. She looked at Lizardstalker knowing he would come with her, she had always managed to get the cubs to do what she wanted. She grinned at him and a dimple showed in her cheek, whit usually meant she was up to mischief or was just really pleased.

LizardStalker smiled, "Yeah we can find them." he said with some excitement. He looked over to his older brother. He was still asleep. LizardStalker sighed happily, he was very happy that his brother was getting some sleep.

Branchwalker didn't like the sound of the cubs disappearing all by themselves. Who knew what could be hiding out there in the unknown parts of the forest? No, he would go with them, keep them safe. **Wait for me a moment cubs, I'll come with you. We need many hands to pick berries.** Not that there would be many berries in the forest now during the season of Cold-Rain, but there would surly be some eatable roots out there they could dig up.

Sunsleaf slipped off Whiteears watching the others as two new faces entered the group. She stayed back with her bond friend, not wanting to cause upset of any kind. Her gaze went to Branchwalker with a touch of worry on her mind but she didn't stare, she didn't want him to catch her watching him. She wasn't exactly sure what she would say if he asked about it.

Branchwalker caught Sunsleaf sneaking a glance in his direction but didn't comment on it. He knew he had to appear just shy of panic and could blame her for giving him a concerned look or two - he appreciated it in fact.
~**Do you want me to introduce you?**~ he lock-sent to her, hoping his now somewhat calmer mind voice would reassure her that he was fine, or as fine as he would be for now.

Sunsleaf moved over toward Branchwalker and smiled a little, ~** If you're sure you're up to it? **~ She was still worried about him and reached out slowly to lay a hand on his shoulder. It gave him time to move, or stop her if he wanted, ~** At least the names of the ones I haven't met would be appreciated. **~
Her lock-sends were gentle, concern flaring in the first before she could damp it back. ~** Is there anything you need? Anything at all I can do? **~

Branchwalker returned Sunsleaf's smile, although his heart wasn't truly in it. ~**That,**~ he sent, indicating the youngest of the newcomers, ~**is Quicksand. She's one of our youngest as you can see. I don't think…**~ His thoughts faded away for a moment, unease and worry for the cub in question stifling them.
~**I doubt she knows her family isn't here. Her father was lost during the trolls' first attack – we don't know what became of him after that – but until she too was parted from us in the trolls' second raid she had her mother and brother with her. And now she's all alone… poor cub.**~ He too had lost his parents to the trolls, but he was much older than her and he still had his soul sister.
To distract himself he gestured towards the other newcomer and sent to Sunsleaf: ~**That is Eveninglight. Her mother was killed by the trolls and her father and brother captured. She's young but she knows quite a lot about herbs. Perhaps you two could be friends as you seem to share a common interest.**~ They all could use all the friends they could find at the moment so he intended to encourage all connections there was to be had in their little tribe.
He thought over her offer of assistance. He could only think of one thing at that moment. ~**Help my tribemates. Either follow me and the cubs into the woods and finds eatable plants and perhaps herbs or stay and tend to those who rest. Bloodmane looks like she could use some help, although I doubted she'd actually ask for any.**~

Eveninglight watched the reunion feeling more then a little left out, with a sigh she thought over how she had disappeared and wasn’t surprised not to be bombarded by the others.

SilverEyes looked to where the others had looked. **Eveninglight, over here.** she sent out to the elfess. She waved to her, wanting her to come over. **It is such joy to see you again.** she sent warmly.

One-edge and Longsong too approached Eveninglight, sad smiles on their faces. They couldn't quite muster true joy yet, but they were trying. The return of two of their tribemates had been a good thing, but too much grief was weighing their minds down for them to be able to shape genuine smiles.
**Our eyes see with joy,** they sent in union, honest in their pleasure at seeing Eveninglight alive, but still with a certain amount of sadness.

Eveninglight smiled at the thought and wondered at how selfish she had been. With a shrug she wandered over and settled herself in between Longsong and Silvereyes.

"Where have you been?" Longsong asked her after she had settled down. He didn't mean it to be a question of exact location, more an inquiry as to what she and Quicksand had been doing for the three nights they'd been missing.

“Hiding from trolls and stuff. It’s been hard and we haven’t eaten for three days.”

Longsong reached into a makeshift pouched he'd recently made out of tusk-snout skin and came up with a handful of nuts. He silently offered them to Eveninglight, thinking her wise enough not to remind her to not eat them all in one go. When your stomach had been empty for so long eating too fast could be almost as bad as not eating at all.

Eveninglight nodded in thanks and started to slowly nibble on the nuts. Once finished she looked up at Longsong inquiring. "What has been happening while I have been gone?"

SilverEyes thought to be quiet and let Longsong or One-Edge answer her.

"Sunsleaf has joined us," Longsong said, nodding towards the elf in question. "Sadly, you and Quicksand were not the only ones to disappear when the trolls attacked again. We haven't seen Cloudbird, Eclipse, Squirrel, Greyspear, Redstreak or LizardStalker since," he continued, eyes dull with sorrow. "Not even Brighteyes." The loss of the chief's cub was nearly as bad as the loss of the chief himself.

SilverEyes listened to Longsong talk. **(LizardStalker is with QuickSand and Branchwalker.)** she reminded him softly. She didn't want to do it aloud. She wanted to be nice.

"He is?" Longsong asked, sounding a little startled. He looked over his shoulder and saw the cub in question walk into the forest. "Of course he is! I must be more exhausted than I first thought." The last he muttered to himself. High Ones...

One-edge only stared at her lifemate, eyes empty. She too was exhausted, far too exhausted to add anything to the conversation.

Bluefang yelped with a slight jump as the pebble Riv had kicked hit her flank, and turned to snarl at the youngster, almost shaking the tired Bloodmane off from her back in the process.

::No fighting,:: Bloodmane tried to command the wolf, but wasn't sure if she would obey, ::He's just a stupid cub.::

::Cub behave,:: Bluefang snapped back. ::Stone hurt.::

Riv tightened his grip on his spear at the sight of the angry wolf. Bond-friends or not, he wasn't going to just stay still and be bitten.

As the rest of the group suddenly stopped for rest and the wolves were called to form a circle around the elves, Bluefang bared her teeth at Riv one more time and then trotted to Stronglegs, carrying her rider along.

Then, just as suddenly, Bloodmane's mind was filled with sendings bouncing back and forth and soon after their two previously lost tribemates joined them. **Are you two alright?** she sent, throwing her leg over Bluefang's back to get down. But the moment her weight left the support of the wolf's body, the exhausted elfess fell straight to the ground.

Branchwalker, who'd been talking to Sunsleaf, gasped as he saw Bloodmane fall. He had remarked to Sunsleaf that Bloodmane might need a seeing to, but he hadn't expected this. He wasn't used to her being so stubborn about a wound, having known her when she was Sunset, and thus he hadn't actually thought she'd not speak up if she was injured badly enough to faint.
**Sunsleaf, please help her!** he open-sent, rushing to Bloodmane's side. He managed to get her into a somewhat upright position, leaning against his chest. She was burning hot. He put a hand against her forehead. He didn't know much about healing and sicknesses, but he knew what a fever felt like.

Bloodmane blinked. Had she passed out for a moment? She had been falling from wolf-back and now Branchwalker was here. "How stupid...Can't even keep my feet under myself," she remarked with slight bitterness.

Sunsleaf followed quickly after Branchwalker and knelt there next to the pair of them. Digging through what herbs were left she paused at two.., one a bark and one a root. She broke of a fingernail-sized bit of each.

Dawngazer knelt down beside Bloodmane and Branchwalker. Bloodmane looked ill, but not deathly so. Sunsleaf could hopefully tend to her with ease.
~**Branchwalker, take the cubs into the forest. Find things to eat. We'll take care of Bloodmane.**~ They need food. She herself would go off hunting as soon as she knew Bloodmane was safe, but she feared Branchwalker would refuse to leave Bloodmane's side unless he was ordered to. With a gentle nudge she took over supporting Bloodmane, urging her soul brother to his feet.

Sunsleaf watched the interaction as she worked at the two small bits of herb. She would have gone with, if only to hunt for more herbs while gathering what food they could find. But she was needed here.

Branchwalker stood. With a last glance at Bloodmane he turned around and walked over to LizardStalker and Quicksand. The cubs should have to watch another elf suffer. He would take them gathering. **Bloodmane is fine,** he sent to the two elf-cubs, not sounding completely convinced. **She'll need food to get better, as do we all. Let's go looking for something to eat, shall we?** Of the last he was at least sure; they would need food to grow stronger.

**Get going. I'm just...a bit tired,** Bloodmane urged the cubs and their almost-cub caretaker with perhaps a bit of kindness in her sending voice. At least she didn't feel any pain, if she didn't purposefully try to stretch her back-muscles. But her sending was a tad fuzzy.

Watching him rise and move away Sunsleaf offered a half of each of the selected portions of the two herbs to the fevered elf, first the root, ** You'll need to chew it, and it isn't the best flavor. ** Waiting to see how that went before offering the bark, ** A sweeter flavor, but you need to chew and then hold it in your cheek until it grows bitter. ** She looked at Dawngazer, **( It is the best I can offer without hot water for tea. I will start a cold tea, but it will take at least a day before it is ready. Would that I had better supplies. )** She wasn't going to say better conditions. They would all make do until Dawngazer decided it was time to rest again.

Dawngazer nodded thoughtfully. They couldn't light a fire, that would mean smoke and smoke could be both seen and smelled from very far away, even by trolls who lived mostly underground. But perhaps they could do something for Sunsleaf's supplies.
**(If you think anything you need can be found around here, send images and instructions to Branchwalker and he'll look for them.)**

LizardStalker kept a hold of Quicksand's hand and looked to her, **You lead?** he asked her. Sprinter came up to them, waiting for them to go somewhere. She knew that they were about to go find some food.

Branchwalker took LizardStalker's free hand and glanced over at Quicksand. She seemed skinner than before, but he assumed she'd gotten even less to eat than they had during the last three nights. He decided to let her take the lead, hoping that her getting to play leader would take her mind of her hunger.

LizardStalker watched Branchwalker and Quicksand. He wanted to do something, but would follow Quicksand's lead. Sprinter was at LizardStalker's side nudging both him and Quicksand towards Branchwalker and out to where they would be foraging. She knew somehow that they would be needing to forage.

Sunsleaf nodded and smiled a little at Dawngazer, **( I will think on that. )** She nibbled her lower lip. She finished tending to what she could with the little that was available and then went to start the cold tea so that it would be ready for the next day. Thinking on it she started a second tea that might help their flagging energy mid-day tomorrow. As she worked at this she thought on the roots, herbs, and such that should be in the area. She closed her eyes and just listened to what was going on around her as she thought. After a few long moments of thought her mind reached out for Branchwalker's with the two cubs. **( Dawngazer suggested I have you look for herbs. There are six that I can think of which would be the most helpful. )**
Concentrating she built images of each in her mind trying to set them at the right stage for this season. The first a low growing wilted-leaf appearing plant of a purplish color, the second a small spindly bush bearing tiny yellow berries, the third tall spiky flower stalks dried out emerging from arched blade-leafed mounds. The fourth was a moss and as she pictured that one for him the image drew back to show a location it would likely be found, in the crooked, half-dead branches of older trees. The last two were probably the easiest to spot, one having muted yellowed leaves with pink spots while the other was a clinging vine with velvety heart-shaped leaves.
**( If you find any, I can tell you how to gather what I need. )** She didn't want to give him so much information it confused or bewildered him. She knew he was tired and he had two cubs with him that would most likely have the predominance of his attention.

Branchwalker carefully memorized all the plants Sunsleaf had shown him, determinant to find at least one of them before returning to the others. **(I will try my best. T-take good care of Bloodmane, please.)** He couldn't stand the thought of losing Bloodmane as well. It seemed as if they were getting fewer and fewer each night. Soon they would all be lost alone in the woods and then...
Branchwalker pushed his thoughts off that dark path and turned his attention back to the cubs. He could not allow his own fears to distract him from keeping an eye on the cubs.

Bloodmane did as she was told. She didn't want to be a burden that could hinder their survival. Unfortunately sheer willpower wasn't enough to counter three nights of sleep-deprivation and too little food. Somewhere in the back of her mind some small part of her also wished that the others would just leave her here and go on - to let her just die - but of course they wouldn't agree to that.

Riv watched the events from the sidelines for a moment, then stated "I'll go catch some fish" to no one in particular and, leaving all his other equipment than his spear at their makeshift camping site, headed towards the nearby river they had never quite left.

As Sunsleaf seemed to have everything under control Dawngazer saw no reason to get in her way. Bloodmane was in good hands.
"You do that," Dawngazer called after Riv when he left to fish. She didn't feel like leaving the others, not to go with him at least. They'd only end up arguing, she was sure of it. But she'd listen carefully to the sounds of the forest until everyone got back.

QuickSand put away her sad thoughts, thinking to be strong for LizardStalker. "Come on. We must help the tribe." she said in her best authoritative voice. She held onto his hand and started to walk out into the woods.

LizardStalker went after her, since she was holding onto his hand, and looked around the trees. Sprinter went with him, not wanting to be separated from him. **(What are we getting?)** he lock-sent to QuickSand and Branchwalker.

**(Any and all things eatable,)** Branchwalker replied. He'd fallen in behind the cubs, ready to at any moment defend them. It was not likely that the trolls had followed them this far away from the Holt - or what was left of the Holt. **(I'll tell you where to dig for roots in a moment, we need to get a little further into the woods first.)**

****

Dawngazer gave Bloodmane another glance, unable to keep her eyes off her feverish tribemate for long. She'd always hated people getting ill, and now that there was no magical healer among them she hated it even more. She didn't doubt in Sunsleaf's abilities as a herbal healer. No, Sunsleaf was surely very skilled, but there was only so much one could do with herbs, especially whilst traveling and Bloodmane looked...
Her trail of thoughts was interrupted by Stronglegs getting up, alert. Apparently he'd heard something approaching, but his ears had perked up, not been laid flat against his head, so there was no danger. It had to be Branchwalker and the cubs returning.

Sunsleaf had tried to rest, but it wasn't going well for she kept waking from the light doze to go check on Bloodmane. She didn't seem to be responding the way Sunsleaf had hoped to the few herbs she had left.

Branchwalker walked into the glade a moment later, a small smile on his lips, arms filled with roots and some herbs. **We found someone...** he sent, the sending warm and happy. He'd let it trail off to allow TreeBreeze present himself. The tribe needed a happy surprise to take the edge off all the sorrowful ones they'd experienced, or at least Branchwalker thought they did.

Dawngazer threw her soul brother a confused look. So far he was the only one visible from where she was sitting, but from the way Stronglegs was acting there certainly was someone there that hadn't been with the gatherers when they left. **Who?** she sent.

TreeBreeze heard another familiar sending, **Dawngazer?** he sent out to her. BlueEyes noticed Stronglegs' scent and went half-running over there. TreeBreeze was thankful that he already was on top of him. He was soon in everyone's view. He saw his sister and was excited, his exhaustion was soon put away as he got some energy within him. **Sis!** he sent with much happiness. He jumped off of BlueEyes and ran over to her. He semi-tackled her in a hug. BlueEyes went over to Stronglegs and greeted the other wolf.

SilverEyes looked up quickly when she heard that sending. She was then tackled in a hug and hugged him back. She gave a sigh of relief. **Where have you been?** she sent to him worriedly. She began to look him over for injuries.

QuickSand stayed with LizardStalker, she was excited to see TreeBreeze, but felt that LizardStalker would probably need her.

LizardStalker held onto QuickSand's hand and stood next to her. He felt safe with her, since she was normally the leader of them.

ChildWolf woke up from his sleep and turned to see his little brother with QuickSand. **Hey you two.** he sent to them. He turned to see TreeBreeze, he was excited to see another member of the tribe alive. He got up and went over to QuickSand and LizardStalker, **So what did you two do while I slept?** he asked them. LizardStalker turned to QuickSand to let her answer first.

TreeBreeze let her up and sat next to her, he looked to the other two tribemates and nodded to them. He was then turned to his sister when he was asked a question. **I've been trying to find others. I hid when the fighting started. But now I've found my family again. What of father?** he asked. He stopped SilverEyes' searching, **I'm not hurt. Just tired... very tired.** he sent.

SilverEyes looked to her little brother, **(He hasn't answered my sendings)** she sent to him privately. **Come here, little brother.)** she sent. She moved to where he could lay down, she put his head in her lap as she ran her fingers through his hair. **Rest now.** she sent to him. **I'll never let you go.**

TreeBreeze closed his eyes, he always liked it when she ran her fingers through his hair. It was very relaxing and calming. He was resting lightly. **Never let you go...** he sent out sleepily.

Seeing the herbs Sunsleaf hurried over, the smile to Branchwalker was warm, and she automatically leaned in to nuzzle his cheek not even thinking about what his response might be. It was just natural for her given the warm feelings she felt toward him to offer that thanks for the herbs he had found for her.

Branchwalker returned Sunsleaf's smile, feeling content and calm - or calmer - for the first time in nights. He allowed himself to relax a little, let his guard down for the briefest of moment...and started when he suddenly felt warm skin against his own.
He jumped back a step, staring at Sunsleaf in something akin to wide- eyed shock. It wasn't that the friendly gesture had disturbed him in itself; it was just such a clear reminder of Sparkstone. Nuzzling cheeks had been his favorite show of affection...
"I-I'm sorry," Branchwalker finally stuttered, still appearing slightly shocked. "You...startled me." He didn't sound very convincing.

Dawngazer was momentarily so distracted by the return of TreeBreeze that she failed to notice the interaction between her soul brother and Sunsleaf.

One-Edge slowly got up from where she'd been sitting, resting against Softpaws. She'd thought she'd heard something, something familiar yet very out of place. And it wasn't TreeBreeze, or his bond-friend.

Longsong gave his lifemate a confused glance as she got up and began walking away. ~**Lam, where are you going?**~ he lock-sent to her, he too getting up, to follow.

~**Adem…I think I hear waves,**~ One-Edge replied, before disappearing in between the trees.

SilverEyes watched One-Edge, curious as to what she was doing. **One- Edge, what it is?** she sent to her.

**The forest...** One-Edge replied, the slight weakness of her sending revealing that she's gone quite far from the camp. **I - it ends, the forest ends!**

**What do you mean, "ends"?** Dawngazer sent, confused and once more distracted from her soul brother's predicament. She got up and began to walk towards the edge of the camp, in the direction the two lifemates had disappeared.

QuickSand heard SilverEyes' send and quickly looked to One-Edge. She looked to LizardStalker, "Let's go with her." she said to him. She was getting more of her curiosity and leader-y self back slowly over time.

The wind suddenly changed direction, brining with it the salty scent of the sea. Many of the wolves stirred, surprised by the new scent. They knew the smell, but had not expected it in this new place.

**Flatlands,** Riv stated, **World's not all forests, you know.** Whether people started running to see it or not was none of his concern, so he just kept his eyes closed and continued dozing off. Then the wind changed and even he could smell the difference in the air. He had smelled that scent before, while still traveling in Griel's group. That wasn't flatlands. That was the vastdeep.

Dawngazer cast a half-glare over her shoulder, somewhat annoyed. True, she'd never gone very far from the Holt - never further than the cliffs by the vastdeep or that waterfall near the mountains - but she did know the forest wasn't all there was in the world. The word 'flatlands' made her somewhat curious, though. She'd heard stories of snowy mountains before, but never of land that was completely flat, without trees (that was how she interpreted Riv's sending at least). Perhaps she'd ask him more later, if he could refrain from being too rude. As it was she hurried on her steps, trying to catch up with One-edge and Longsong.

Bloodmane jerked awake at Dawngazer's confused sending. The earlier sendings hadn't been able to get through her exhaustion into the conscious part of her mind, but the last few days had conditioned her into reacting to even a hint of possible danger immediately.
**What's happening?**

**One-edge found something...** Longsong replied, sending-voice growing fainter. He wasn't too far away, but clearly no longer in the camp.

**Nothing, redhead. Just the forest ending,** Riv replied. And vastdeep starting...He didn't like the vastdeep - probably because he couldn't really swim very well. Rivers were one thing. They were really small compared to the vastdeep and you could always find a shallow place to cross - or catch fish from the shore without the risk of the waves washing you away.

**I do have a name, cub. It's Bloodmane," the elfess pointed out, slightly annoyed by Riv's rudeness.

**Whatever. I have a name too. And it's not "cub".** Riv was again starting to develop a headache with all the sendings, which definitely didn't improve his temper.