Qeya River A muffled cry and slipping off

With Delight obviously the choice for second-in-command--for seemingly no reason whatsoever--Lily had let herself relax, wandering outside the territory more and more. Alarian would handle it, whatever "it" that came up. And if not him, then Delight, or Lanawyn. She was free to, well, be free, and explore, and find some fun--perhaps, she thought slyly, like the fun she'd had with Dirge.

It was clear, though, as she came up to the bank of the fast-flowing river that the sort of fun she had in mind was not on the agenda. Not unless she ignored the frightened-looking male on the bank, looking around with a thousand-yard stare. She didn't want to startle him further, so she let out a gentle bark well in advance, trotting slowly towards him, her body language relaxed and neutral.

"Hey--are you okay?" Lily asked, canting her head to one side as she stopped well clear of the young man. He was stiff as a rock; something had happened to him, although she knew not what. She certainly hadn't seen him before, and while they weren't exactly in the middle of nowhere, she saw a lot less strangers up here than she had in the mountains.