Hushed Willows No I never really panicked

When Ariel called out to him, Ephraim was still looking for a source of water. Even a paltry puddle would have sufficed, but little did he know he was in the wrong part of the territory for water. He straightened up, turning slowly until he was facing the slender wolf that approached. Having only fleetingly heard the greeting, Ephraim assumed it was a woman.

She was slight like some of the Dragedan women had been, with a smattering of pale hairs around her mouth and her eyes that seemed to accentuate her raven lips and her silver eyes both. Beyond that he was dark; for some reason Ephraim was reminded of Kiwi and felt his muscles tense involuntarily. It couldn't be her. She wasn't real.

But then Ariel spoke again and his voice was light and airy, dispelling the notion that he was either Kiwi or a woman, though the latter was less absolute. He blinked, hoping he didn't look too dumb in the process, and dryly replied, just water. Know where I can find some? But almost as soon as he asked he spotted a small puddle and slaked his thirst, then walked with Ariel a short ways before heading off on his own as he always did these days.

I'm wrapping up Ephraim and putting him aside for now, sorry for the abrupt ending tacked on here!