Beach Near Festival Grounds: Open

[Ember Robinwood]

Sunlight was slanting through the trees by the time Ridge and pathfinder made it to the beach. In the daylight, he was wary to venture beyond the cover of the trees. He could smell the cook-fires still from the night before as well as many elves.

Ridge slid from Pathfinder's back and crouched just within the shelter of the trees. Through gaps in the tangled leaves and foliage, Ridge could see the expanse of back clearly. He sat perfectly still, waiting. He knew not how long he would keep a silent vigil, watching the beach, but he would wait until something moved in the water.

The sunlight was harsh on his forest-born eyes and he found himself squinting at the water reflecting bright sunlight. Pathfinder sat beside him, equally silent and watchful. Like the trained hunters they were, Ridge and Pathfinder's senses were straining in every direction for sound, movement, or anything else that may betray the presence of another during their vigil of waiting.

Ridge knew that Pathfinder didn't have to be here, but he was grateful for the wolf's company. The frantic-ness and disorientation of waking to daylight burned off as Ridge sat waiting... waiting...

[Shinebright]

**Ridge? I hope you don't mind me taking the cubs into the woods. We will be close to the holt ofcourse. I need to make a new bow and spear. I am going to look for some silver birch and I was thinking of letting Leaf and Twig start making a cubsbow too. If you agree!** Oakroot hoped he didn't disturbed him, but he didn't want to proceed without his consent.

[Ember Robinwood]

Ridge's muscles were tense and aching, but still he refused to move, hardly daring to breath. He'd sworn he would wait, but the as the sun rose higher and the heat more intense, he wished he hadn't.

When Oakroot's sending touched his mind, it was a relief. He lock-sent in return, **Go ahead, uncle, just make sure they don't get into trouble.**

Ridge eased himself into a different position, taking up his vigil once more. He could see out onto the beach through the tangle of leaves and branches. If only she would come. If only...

[Ember Robinwood]

Something like a concussive blast hit Ridge's mind. He doubled over, hold his head. The pain it caused made him feel sick to his stomach. Fighting the urge to wretch, he staggered to his feet, still holding his head. The sending was distant, but not too far off. Somewhere up the beach.

"Pathfinder," Ridge gasped his wolf-friend's name, feeling too sick to send. Something terrible must have happened to cause such sending!

The wolf the at Ridge's side in a heartbeat, pressing his soft muzzle again Ridge's face.

"We... We have to find out what's happened," Ridge mumbled, still fighting the ringing pain in his head. Such anger... Such hatred... It was unnatural.

Ridge climbed gingerly onto Pathfinder's back and leaned his forehead into the wolf's shoulders, trying to assuage the pain in his head. Pathfinder broke into a run, dodging through the trees at the edge of the forest.

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