Exton

The dragon follows Jean-Marc, harrying him as he lopes through the woods. Stoney loops back, following the stream. He sees a streak of black along the stream and prays it is Raina's Kitty Kat.

Chaton, climb out of the water. Please Alli. You need to get out, get warm. There are shifters on the way. Our people are on their way. Cats, Fox, Bears, so many more. Our wolves will stay back. If a wolf approaches, tell me, it will not be ours. Alli, answer me... Je'taime, you MUST get out of the water. Please Alli...

He can barely feel her. The cold is becoming too much.

Her honeygold hair catches the moonlight, shimmering where nothing in a shadow should. Stoney lands and finds her drifting, barely held out of the water by the tree's roots. The snake has entwined through the roots, twisted into the knots in her hair, in an attempt to keep her face out of the water.

"Thank you little one."

He gently lifts Alise from the stream, letting the snake release its hold on the roots and slither onto her shoulder. Laying her on the soft grass, Stoney begins to check Alise' pulse, talking to her softly. He never hears the stealthy noises behind him, focused as he is on Alise.

The weight that lands on his back nearly bowls him over. He feels claws sink deep and surges upwards throwing the beast from him, feeling flesh rip. It twists in midair as Stoney spins to face his opponent. Blood drips from the wounds on his back.

Stoney advances slowly. He needs to force the creature away from Alise. Flexing his fingers, smiling, he silently thanks Mortuis for the silver claws.