Enya saw his eyeroll (she had been watching him intensely, after all) and her eyes narrowed. This one was young and full of fire. He had some learning to do if he was going to fit into the ranks of Duskorna. "Really? You're asking for water when we just crossed and followed along a river?" If he was thirsty, why hadn't he drank as they traveled? "Never mind. Hold your thirst a bit longer and you'll be taken to a safe house where you will be fed and hydrated."
Wing beats sounded in the air above and Enya stood, her gaze turning from Shifty up towards the sky. Her fur bristled along her neck and spine as she half-anticipated a Verdantis to show it's face. Her half-snarl settled when she recognized Eon gliding quickly towards her as his figure broke past the tree line. Just as quickly as Eon had arrived, Caedwyn burst from the underbrush nearby. Her head swiveled to see him and relief flooded through her. If Verdantis had pursued them, now they would be met with a proper challenge.
As Caedwyn ran to her side and pressed against her, separating her from Shifty as he placed himself between them, Enya's tail wagged. She glanced back at Eon with a smile and pulled (reluctantly) away from Caedwyn's presence. There was news to be discussed. "Thank you both for heeding my call. He is not the current threat." she began quickly, her tone firm but calm. She made a point, however, to avoid calling him a non-threat. That was still to be determined. Her head swung to point at Shifty, then she circled around behind to lift a paw and point at his hind legs her magic had partially healed to draw their eyes to it. "Verdantis has made an attack against me. I followed the river and found him unconscious at its edge. I revived him and three Verdantis wolves came to the commotion. We both tried to leave peacefully and they attacked, drawing blood after boasting how Duskorna was the Kingdom to promote violence. They meant to take us prisoner." Even as Enya remembered the hyena who had made the very threat herself, she found herself wishing to meet her again. Wishing and wanting.
"Shifty - thats his calling - made a break for it at my command. I engaged with one of them to hold them off of Shifty until a higher ranked called off his dogs. They feigned permitting us to go, but I suspect there are scouts hot on our heels." The calm in her tone shifted as she spoke into a angry growl. Respeaking and reliving the tale rekindled the fury and aggression she felt at their assault on her. "He needs to be cared for and his wounds tended to properly by the healers. My magic can only do so much." she explained as she circled back around so she could look at the other three all at once. "But first, I think you need to answer some questions." Her eyes shifted, then, to Shifty as she spoke directly to him. Now that she had backup, she wasn't worried about him overpowering her in her weakened state or safely fleeing her grasp. "What did you mean when you said you wanted to rise to power in Duskorna? Where are you really from, and who really are you? Don't bother lying. It won't work"
Enya makes an attempt to read any thoughts Shifty may have in his next post
Success: Enya can read Shifty's thoughts
Failure: Enya sucks