Sileas pulled an arrow from her quiver and held it with her bow as she followed Juniper. She was always ready for anything but most importantly, she wanted to find her uncle and head back home.

Quest whirled her weighted sock once, then let it hang at her side. Hopefully they had not come all this way to find a dead body.

Yehudit hobbled next to Sileas. Uncle Nelek had to be alive.

Sileas had no idea how she would face Lek if his father was found dead. Or worse, not found at all. A few strands of unruly red hair worked their way out of the thick braid trailing down her back. She wished she had thought of cutting it off and binding her breasts while still on board. Then she could have passed as a boy.

The thick branches that had fallen over time proved to be of little annoyance to the long legged giant. Juniper hummed to herself as she pushed branches and vines out of her way.

An emaciated, ragged man stumbled and fell nearby.

Sileas froze in place. "Did anyone else hear that?"

Juniper heald her hand up and paused."Shhhhh....."With one hand she slowly drew her sword and stepped closer to the sound

"Over that way. Want ter shoot at it wiv an arrow ter be safe?" Questa pointed towards where the sound came from. "Fough it sounds like some bloke fell dahn ter die."

Stealthy as a drunken cat, Yehuidit hobbled towards the sound. "UNCLE NELEK?" She called hopefully.

"That was what I thought it sounded like too, Questa. I don't want to just shoot with an arrow if it is someone injured." Though she did have her arrow in place, just in case.

"Help me."

The voice was faint, weak and gravelly, but Sileas recognized it. "Uncle Nelek!" Still with her arrow ready in case it was a trap, she rushed forward toward the voice. "Uncle Nelek! Where are you?"

"Here." A shaky hand was raised and fell.

Sileas barely saw the movement. She thrust her bow and arrow at Questa and hurried to him. "Uncle Nelek!" she cried out again as she knelt next to him.

He stared up at her. "You're... the red-haired one."

"He's alive!" Yehudit yelled excitedly.

Questa fumbled with Sileas's bow.

"Looks about free minutes from dead." Questa observed soberly, taking off a canteen and handing it to Sileas.

In reply to Nelek (msg # 41):

Sileas accepted the canteen and brought it to her uncle's lips. "A few small sips, don't gulp. Yes, Uncle Nelek. I'm Sileas." Tears of joy streaked down her cheeks, despite knowing he was still in grave danger. She helped him sit up so he could drink.

He wrapped his fingers around the canteen and sipped at it. After a couple sips he pushed the canteen away. "I need to go home."

"Can you walk?" Sileas said, handing Questa the canteen back. She wanted nothing more than to get him home and under Difyr's care.

"Yes." He was already getting to his feet.

" Lets get him back to the shore. Supplies will be there soon" She extended her hand towards the small man and offered to carry him.

"I want to see my wife." He said, brushing aside the hand and walking towards the shore.

Questa took a swig from her canteen. "Well didn't 'e cop better orful damned fast."