Aedre felt sudden regret at saying Garrett’s name. While she had not even begun to imagine that he had stayed in his true form the entire time he had spent with the group, it seemed that he had done just that. He was such a gentle soul in the body of a wolf that she found it hard to imagine that he could have passed off as anything but a shapechanger. How could a wolf be so well-behaved? Perhaps they had asked themselves that same question, but had not come to the conclusion of werewolf.
It turned out the realization that Garrett was not just a wolf had the other mage frightened. Bethen’s cry for her companions had Aedre on her toes. She hesitated in her first instinct to run, for with the appearance of Garrett, her chances of survival became at least somewhat higher. As the other mage began her icy spell, Aedre’s hand began glowing green. She was ready to counter whatever Bethen was going to send her way. She felt the vines beneath Bethen’s feet tighten at her bidding, ready to strike, entangle, and ensure the shaman a running chance.
Lukaer’s appearance on the scene had Aedre even more nervous. Obviously the other woman’s scream had her on edge, but the presence of another obstacle set her into a defensive stance. While she did not know their skills, Aedre suspected she still had a chance if this was the Alderic person this woman had called. He addressed Bethen with careful words that she did not seem to heed. But as he turned and spoke to her, Aedre shook her head. Once more she repeated her former stance: “These are our Wilds. We do not answer to outsiders.”
It was moments later that the clink of mail sounded through the small clearing. It was in that moment that Aedre prepared to flee. If there was to be two warriors and a mage against her, the odds of survival were not promising. She hadn’t a clue where Garrett stood on the entire matter, so counted him neutral. As Alderic appeared, Aedre immediately recognized him from an incident just over a year before. It involved a Blood Mage, two warriors and quite a lot of pain. This man had the ability to stop a mage in their tracks, abilities that Aedre had been training in the past while to overcome. While she was much stronger than that night, she was still not confident. Especially with the rest of their companions on the way.
It was obvious that Aedre recognized Alderic. It was also obvious that he hadn’t a clue that they had ever crossed paths. She stared at him, noting that he was the greatest threat to her at the moment. It was during that pause that Æolyn entered, another person she recognized. Of all the people in the world to stumble upon, it was these three she had met before. While she was not well acquainted with two of them, not even aware of their names, she knew it was no coincidence that they were here now.
When Æolyn stated that Aedre meant them no harm, she knew the woman was trying to help, but it had her even more on her toes. While she did not want to start a fight, she was not in any mood to look like a helpless bystander. Especially with a Templar present.
She turned her gaze back to the wolf as he transformed. No matter how well she knew that he was no threat to her, it still gave her a jolt to see him change forms. She had spent her entire life hearing stories about Flemeth, and though logically she knew that Garrett was no Flemeth, she still became wary. She took an unconscious step backward, clenched her fists, and then realized his eyes were on her. She knew better and immediately relaxed.