There were too many people in the group. Lowks much preferred being out here, quietly and skillfully picking his way through the forest. It was quiet, and more peaceful when the only thing you could hear was the surrounding wildlife. It was not that Lowks exactly hated people. He just did not like always being surrounded by them, especially when he hardly knew them. No matter how much Tira teased that he was introverted he just felt more at home in the woods. Whether it was from the elven blood flowing in his veins or because it was what he had been trained for he had no real idea. Not that it mattered
though.
All the people were nice enough. And he did not mind spending some time with them, just he needed this time to himself.
He was so focused on making his way through and enjoying the sounds of nature that he only barely noticed the flickering light coming from somewhere to the right. As he realized what it meant he felt his blood go cold as his heart tightened painfully.
He took off in a silent run, relying on the training his mother had put him through, as he strung his bow. If he let anything happen to Tira, their father would kill him. Of course, it could be Vixen in trouble, but as her former babysitter he need to keep her safe as well.
At least there was no smell of blood as he arrived. He peeked around the tree he had ducked behind to get an idea of what it was. It was a bad idea just to run out when he did not know what it was.
The first thing he noticed was the big owlbear that was squawking up a storm. He had never seen one before except in books but their was no mistaking the distinct odd creature. Then his eyes dropped to the girl laying on the ground, a look of sheer terror on her face as she tried to scoot back from the enraged creature. The girl was Vixen.
That silly girl… Lowks tch"ed to himself when he saw her knifes laying scattered on the ground. Had she actually tried to take it on by herself? She was not equipped for such a fight. Neither was he, at least not face to face. She should have climbed a tree, improve her chances of survival. At least there was a few rather tall trees around.
Quickly he raised his hand to his mouth, imitating the call of the owlbear, trying to get its attention. As a territorial creature, it would probably not like an unfamiliar creature encroaching upon its hunting ground.
And then once it swiveled its head and went forward towards where he had been standing he scampered away. He moved as quickly as he dared over to Vixen and grabbed the back of her shirt as he hauled her up and hissed at her to hold on.
He was thankful that the branches of the trees were low enough as he hauled the dead weight with him. At least she had enough presence of mind to make it easier by shifting her weight all to his back and freeing his arms up.
As soon as they were as high as he deemed necessary, he dropped her to onto a branch, dropping to a crouch beside of her. Just as the owlbear realized that its prey had disappeared.
Ignoring the shrieks of anger, Vixen pouted, and complained, "Why did you have to be the one to save me? Couldn"t it have been one of those strong men?"
Lowks chopped her on the head, and looked away with a roll of his eyes, "Tell you what. Next time I won"t save you, and just let you get mauled. Right now, though, please shut up." This ungrateful human girl! Why did he keep saving her skin when she always acted like this?
She whimpered, covering her head, "You are so mean…"
He ignored her as began to prepare his arrows so they would actually do some damage to this thing instead of just annoying it. It had not located them yet, as he was actually pretty good at hiding.
Getting his arrows flameable was fairly easy. All he had to do was coat it in the sap of the tree they were in. To do this he slashed the tree with the hunting knife he always carried.
"Make yourself useful." He handed her the rest of his arrows after he got the first two ready. As he did so he noticed that she was grimacing as if she was in pain, "You alright?"
His voice turned a bit gentler. If she said though that he had hit her too hard he would push her out of the tree. She nodded as she took the arrows. "I think my leg is broken from where it hit me, but I"ll live."
"Your leg is broken, and you still had the energy to want a romantic rescue? Seriously, I"ll never understand woman." Lowks was incredulous. And rather glad that his own sister was not this boy-crazy. Bad enough he had to keep this young female out of trouble, he was not sure how he would handle having to deal with two.
"…" She made no defense of herself but set about her task that he had given. He shook his head and pulled his flint out, running it along the steel of his arrow until it began to flicker. Before it was in full force he was already pulling it back on his bow. He waited till it was fully aflame before he shot it though.
The owlbear did not like the flame and it gave away their position. It hammered into the tree almost knocking him out if Vixen had not grabbed his arm to steady him. As he fired another flaming arrow he hoped the rest of the group would come here soon. He had no idea how long he could actually last against this on his own with only a broken legged rogue.