Margen watched Ghent as the boy went over to the slumbering Knight. The cushion of mist Drust had landed on, keeping him afloat a couple inches above the hard ground, flickered with the gentle motion caused by Ghent’s nudge.
	The fox cocked his head at the sound of his name. His tail swished slightly quicker. The tichari’s brows rose and the corners of his long mouth pulled down at the simple, typical praise used for a pet. All the same, he perked up proudly, his large ears standing a bit straighter, at the compliment that followed.
	When Ghent agreed, the fox turned, ready to traverse the forest. The fox paused when Ghent’s words trailed off. He turned around, his ears ever twitching, and gave a curious, confused whine.
	Its gaze flicked to the fallen girl. In understanding, Margen trotted to the side and sat to wait. 
[center]-------[/center]	There was no doubt in Elayra’s mind: she was unconscious. She struggled to force herself to awaken. There was no telling what Drust would do with her down for the count, to her or to Ghent. [i]Especially[/i] to Ghent.
	She stirred slightly as, all too slowly, the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant cries of lost souls returned to her. She swore she heard her name, but she could not be certain. She sensed movement around her, heard the gentle scrabble of hurried footfalls. 
	Something brushed against her face, snapping her fully back into awareness. 
	With a sharp gasp, she startled and her hand shot up and gripped Ghent’s wrist. The other reached to draw her dagger, unsure what new threat she would face, but her fingers came up empty.
	Breaths heavy in anticipation, it took her a moment to fully register her surroundings. Ghent kneeling beside her, half his face illuminated by silvery blue light. Drust laying on a bed of twinkling mist. A tichari watching them from a few feet away, impatiently padding at the forest floor.
	[i]How hard was I hit?[/i] She released Ghent and shook her head, unsure if she believed what she saw.
	Her gaze settled on Margen. “You… actually… found one?” she asked incredulously, deciding to first address the easiest of the oddities before her. Her voice came out a bit weaker than she expected.
	Margen’s ears twitched toward her. He blinked, the white of his eyes winking out for a fraction of a second.
	“And… [i]took out Drust?[/i]” She [i]had[/i] to still be unconscious. But the pounding in her head and ache in her back promised her otherwise. Her eyes narrowed as she remembered Ghent’s ability with magic. Her attention snapped to him. “How?” she demanded curtly, pulling one leg toward her in preparation to stand.