Naveen

Wren:

I didn't know what to make of the ropes, it was a unique feeling. Why had I been tied up in the first place? And what had the guy meant?

Rina:

I tugged Maleen along behind me heading back to the big tent. Even if he didn’t know about it, he would soon, and if none of the camp members had taken her, then I could get a patrol out.

The guards I had assigned to Rina followed without comment, two moving ahead, the others trailing behind.

Maleen:

Rina left me to stand outside the tent while she went in to talk. I shuffled my feet and kept my eyes averted so as not to draw attention to myself.

The four guards moved closer, providing a wall between the witch girl, the opening of the tent, and the rest of the camp.

Wren:

I sighed and tried to move to get comfortable, though I only managed tighten the bonds around me.

Maleen:

I closed my eyes. Something sparked my interest that made me turn my head while keeping my eyes closed. In the direction of the tent there were to light shapes. One distinctly green, the other just a shade of tan. I turned my head again, all around where light splotches. Most muddled and indistinct, but one stuck out more than any other, bright white and it seemed to call to me. I opened my eyes and they abruptly vanished. “Rina?” I asked softly, too quiet for her to hear me, but I couldn’t bring myself to call for her.

Talon:

I sank my sword not in the first tree, or the second, but the momentum of my swing got it stuck halfway through the third tree. As the other two crashed to the ground, I switched my stance and yanked the giant sword free, ripping parts of the tree out with the motion. Once that tree had fallen as well did my men move forward to start gathering and chopping them up for firewood. My second in command moved up and rested a hand on my shoulder. "Sir, what is happening? I have never seen you this emotional before."

I gave him a tired smile before plunging my sword into the earth so I could lean against it a little. "I don't know, I suppose she just gets to me." I responded my gaze turning to look at the camp.

"Gets to you? Ha, don't tell me that the Lord of Shadowkeep is being put down by a simple girl." He laughed, a tease to the end he was.

"She is anything but simple, and I am not the Lord. That was my father, and I bear no crest. As for the girl...I don't know what it is, and no you can't take her out. I know your mind thought of that." I gave him a hard look, then let out an explosive breath and a few small chuckles.

Maleen:

I started to get panicky without her. It had been barely over a week since I left the only home I knew, a lonely one, but since that day I had spent every moment in the company of either Rina or Wren. Now I was alone, and the effects of the smoke were wearing off. “Rina?” I asked slightly more loud than before. “Rina?”

Rina:

I heard my name softly from outside the tent. Immediately I went to her. “What’s wrong?” I asked in concern. “Wren, I think I know where she is.” She whispered.

Wren:

I continued to wait, trusting that who ever tied me up, would come back. And then they could let me be free! They would take off the gag and I could ask.

Maleen:

I pulled the tent flap aside and peered in. “Wren!” I exclaimed in a tone higher than I usually used, but by no means a shout. Rina followed me in and promptly cut her ties.

Wren:

I perked up happily when I saw Maleen, throwing my arms around her the second I was free.

Maleen:

I hugged her tightly shaking a little. I hadn’t known until now how frightening it was to be on my own without my friends.

I held onto her, surprised by her shaking. "Whats wrong?" I asked confused by it. And it didn't make me happy to know that she might not be okay.

Maleen:

“I didn’t know if I would see you again.” I said quietly, still clinging to her.

"Oh...well sorry for worrying you..." I whispered, hiding my face a little.

Rina:

I watched them boredly. “We should go. I’d rather not stay here for the night.”

Wren:

I didn't let go of Maleen, though I wasn't entirely sure why Rina had that expression on her face.

Maleen:

I could feel Wren hesitating. I didn’t want to let go either, but I didn’t want to upset Rina. I pulled back slowly but hooked my arm with hers, tugging her gently out of the tent after Rina.

I let her lead me, looking in surprise at the surroundings of the camp. I did notice the four people who moved to our sides, as well as in front and behind us. They were at a discreet distance, but they weren't making it hard to figure out who they were protecting. It was us.

Rina:

“There is a little cabin a few miles away, it’s not much, but it is better than staying at this camp.” I told the girls as I lead them back to the horses that were hopefully where I left them.

Wren:

I smiled happily at Rina, glad that she had helped get Maleen back. What had happened to me utterly forgotten.

Rina:

When we got to the cottage I whent inside to investigate the state it was in. It was two story but rather small. The room upstairs was open and had a very old, grimy looking bed and not much beyond that. The downstairs was sectioned in two, a very little room with a smaller bed, and an L shaped room with a fireplace, a few chairs, and a wood burning stove. Near the stove where a few empty cabinets which Aero and Iris promptly flew up on and perched.

Maleen:

I followed Rina in after dismounting behind Wren. The place was dirty but I could have it fixed up in less than an hour.

Wren:

I looked around in enjoyment, glad to be in such a place. I wandered around the house, exploring it with a smile on my face.

Rina:

“You two stay here, I’ll be back with fire wood.” I told them, heading out the door.

Maleen:

I started cleaning while Rina was gone. Vanishing the dust and cobwebs, refreshing the air, cleaning the beds thoroughly. Cleaning spells were my strong suit, followed by cooking.

Wren:

I decided to just stay out of the way, feeling like that was the best choice right now. I couldn't help Maleen clean, as I didn't know how. And I didn't think Rina would let me help either. And the four people who were at the base of the hill the house was on, I didn't think they would do anything with me either.