The Sentinels Sometimes the answer lies in a memory.

Dacio stirred besides her, wincing as he set to nursing a wound on his forelimb. Raleska was asleep in that moment, but her months of fitful rest made her a light sleeper: she was stirred into wakefulness by the light shift of body away from her.

She awoke sharply, raising her head abruptly as her mind caught up from its dream-world into the now. It took her several seconds of mental organization to recall all that had happened yesterday -- shit.

Raleska's ears flipped back and she propped up to her elbows, leaning away from Dacio as if he was about to strike her. Her heart was hammering, but her nerves gradually settled as it all came back to her. After a few steadying breaths, the Eyjolfur spoke. "You're still here." It wasn't meant as a criticism, more of a rhetorical statement of surprise -- pleasant surprise, too.