About mid-afternoon the sound of the flute died out. The last few notes that they could hear sounded rather melancholic. It had been behind them for a while and Dawn was happy that their avoidance seemed to work well. They would not deal with that person today.
They were still in the hilly country when night began to fall. The lengthening shadows made her realize that they needed to start finding a place for rest.
She looked around the wooded hill they were on, planning on seeing if Lowks or Tira had any ideas for where a good resting place was. She noticed as she did so that she relied on those two a lot. But, honestly, they were some of the most capable in the group. Or that is their usefulness was most readily useful at this stage.
Later she was sure the trained warriors would prove very useful. And Miria had proven capable though more in the background then showing forth her talents. Especially cooking, it was amazing what the woman could cook up.
As she looked for the two rangers though she noticed that she did not see them anywhere. Which was not too odd as they had been scouting but normally at this time of day they would be returning.
Vixen was not anywhere to be seen either. So none of their scouts had actually returned. This boded ill to the queen.
"Is something the matter, my queen?" Raven"s voice almost startled her and she glanced at the blind man. She was not sure how he had noticed her tenseness.
"They haven"t came back. Our scouts I mean."
"Oh. Well, I am sure they will be fine. Lowks at least seems capable, as does Tira." Dawn was not surprised that Raven totally disregarded Vixen. It was obvious he had acquired an aversion to the woman.
Not that she blamed him. His very first introduction to her was her hitting on him. Which he had handled pretty well at the time. But then the act she flirted with every male, except for Lowks, became clear and her image had totally hit rock bottom.
She figured that while he might have been bewildered at being flirted with, he just felt uncomfortable to have a huge flirt around him. Dawn secretly found it a bit funny that Raven avoided her so much.
"Yeah, I hope so," She finally managed after turning away. She really did hope nothing had happened to the three.
She was relieved when she saw Lowks making his way back, but a bit alarmed to see that he was supporting one of the others. But then she saw the other picking her way behind as well.
She hurried over, wondering what had happened.
Lowks glanced up, his face hidden in his cloak a little, "Well, Your Highness. I think that this is a pretty good place to rest. We were actually heading back here and Tira was going to inform you. We did not realize you would already be here."
Dawn nodded and then looked at the drooping young lady in his arms. Vixen had a rather pale face and she seemed a bit out of it.
"What happened to her?"
Lowks snorted derisively, "Fell down and hit her head. I think she has a concussion." He then tugged on the woman and spoke in a rather annoyed tone, "Come on you accident p.r.o.ne human. Let"s go have Miria take a look at you."
"Hmm…." Vixen shook her head, "Let Askar check me." Her voice was a bit unsure. She must have hit her head rather hard.
"Nope. Miria will do just fine. You"re in no shape to flirt anyway."
"Fiiiiinnnnne." She leaned against him. "Take me to the female priest. I don"t have the energy to argue with you."
Dawn watched as Vixen was led away by Lowks. Then she looked at Tira. Tira had a rather carefully schooled look on her face. It was always hard to tell what this lady was thinking. She seemed most lively when talking with her brother. To Vixen too, it was obvious that she cared about the girl and Dawn had seen her more than once stroke the la.s.s"s hair in a rather motherly fashion.
"I am sure she will be fine." Dawn said calmly, thinking that Tira must be worried.
"Ain"t Vixen I am worried about." Tira calmly replied, "But she might accidentally cause my brother to get hurt. Would not be the first time."
"…" Dawn was not sure how to respond to that. Was there a proper response? "Then why not help him carry her?"
Tira shrugged, "Lowks is doing a fine job of it, and if he did not ask then he does not think he needs it. My brother knows how to ask for help so I will not ruin his pride by forcing unneeded help on him."