Phoenix Maplewood Further we fall

"As soon as you're ready, we'll leave."

They should not have, but the words vexed the woman. She did not nee to be ready, she could leave at any time, ready or not. This male did not need to look after her. Perhaps it was her fierce independence, or the fact that she had travelled alone for so long, taking care of herself, that irritated her so. She did, however, control her irritation well, showing only in a flick of her ears. She did not comment on the subject, instead moving to the little girl, who had fallen asleep. She stopped a short distance away, watching her as she lay still. Remarkable, how easily the little one slipped into sleep.

"We leave when the girl wakes up. She's tired, obviously, the journey was difficult for her." She glanced once more at the girl, then made to stand a slightly further distance away. She turned back to the male, gaze firm. "Rest with her. The journey here was not easy, I suspect, for both of you. I'll keep watch for these territorial wolves you were talking about." Aglaeca turned away, sweeping her gaze across the trees, though her ears were turned back should Zephyr respond.