"Ruff" Celidon said. Bryar was right, he was getting skinny and he did need some meat. She was very clever. He'd always thought so. Gratefully he licked her fingers again, his braided tail wrapping itself around her left leg. Now he had found her he wasn't letting go until he'd got her to Tristan. That was his number one job now.

But what was he going to do with her man-friend? Celidon stared reproachfully at Tahl, looking between his face and the arrow head until he finally lowered his weapon. A growl rumbled in the Cu-Sith's throat. Who did the stranger think he was? Who did he think Cel was? He could smell a stinky stranger coming from miles away! They didn't need to get close to his fairy first! What use would that be? No use was the correct answer. No use at all.

Celidon nudged Bryar's hand with his nose and grumbled, tipping his head in Tahl's direction. Where did she find this guy?

The guy held out his hand. Celidon looked down at it thoughtfully before taking a couple of steps forwards to sniff at it. He smelled very strongly of magic. The bad-guy Mordred had smelled an awful lot like that. It wasn't as strong as Grandfather Mallos but it was still pretty potent. Celidon tipped his head and looked back over his shoulder at Bryar for confirmation that her friend could be trusted.

He couldn't just trust anyone with his boy's secrets. Or his safety. Tristan's safety was the most important thing in the world.

"Woof," he said, pinning back his ears and twitching his lips. I've got my eye on you, mister.

Warning successfully issued, Celidon turned back to Bryar and took hold of the sleeve of her jumper. It smelled of the stranger too. How stinky was he exactly? The cu-sith sighed and gave the sleeve a gentle tug, pulling her after him into the trees. When he was sure she'd got the idea he let go and set off at a steady trot through the forest.

He had to remember that faeries were slow and a bit useless, especially when they weren't his boy and could phase through tree branches or turn into a dog. These were both useful skills for moving quickly through woodland. Bryar also smelled of the liquid that made you sway which would not be helpful either.

Celidon stopped every few minutes to give them the chance to catch up. He took them on a rather sprawling route, deliberately trying to get them lost. If the stranger had to be thrown out of the camp it would be best if he couldn't find it again.

It was an hour before tents and campfire appeared in the distance. Celidon led Bryar into the middle of the camp site to the big central fire. Other members of their forest gang were milling around getting hot drinks from a lady sitting cross legged to the fire's right.

Wait here... Celidon told them by fixing them with a lingering look and pressing his nose against Bryar's hand again. I'll go and get him. He paused and looked up at Tahl. No funny business whilst I'm gone, you, he warned him with a growl.

Celidon