Hideaway Strath All this music must fade.

Phox looked at Elfie and then, without saying another word, turned on his heel and left him alone. The boy felt too baffled by this lack of response to feel insulted for being ignored and overlooked. True - aside from Towhee - he did not know anyone else in the grove that well, but was this the reason to treat him that way? The more he dwelled on it, the more it seemed unfair to leave him out of all the affairs. It did not occur to him that Phox's attitude had nothing to do with the Blackthorn boy personally, but that he was very concerned about his immediate family.

Since he had nothing better to do, Elfie took a post next to the rock-pile and with his head tilted back and ears cupped attentively forward, he observed and listened for any sound that would indicate Towhee's safe passage.