Meandering in the Woods *Open to All*

With the thief's return, Aren was only temporary satisfied with the situation. Quick, but not cunning. Peacekeepers wouldn't follow an empty trail for too long. Aren was curious as to how the thief had heard his suggestion in the first place, for he had been whispering to one of the girls. That was of course, unless someone else; perhaps a new companion - was beside him, and that wouldn't surprise him with the indication of the recent past. Yet somehow, his instinct told him that the others were together, while he was in the presence of Cypress. It seemed that Tyler and Alieen were conversing from the tree across from him, while the newcomer had taken cover in the same tree. The thief had also gone in their direction, which meant he was alone in the oak with..

He looked beside him, unsure if this conclusion was right. All too soon, another commotion was made in the brush, and that sent him in high alert once more. Cocking his head, he began to hear another rustle of leaves bellow in the woods below, while everyone; even in their newest company - stood in the trees. The glint of a knife sent a sheen of light into his eye from far down, and he could unmistakable spot a young girl who appeared to be observing the scene in front of her on the ground. Immediately he began to warn the others through a hushed, yet stern voice, while his eyes trailed her movements. If she had ventured out this far armed in this weather, she had already heard them, and so it was useless to stay completely quiet. He only lowered the volume of his voice so as to not give the Peacekeepers a sign to weed them out in their true direction. For all they knew, the girl could be conscious of their pursuers, or oblivious.

The fog was surely covering their appearances from up high, as it has begun to rise from the ground and engulf their location quite quickly. Hurriedly, he willed his emblem to transform into a medium sized blade, his hand holding it firmly in a grasp, while his other hand kept him balanced.

The flow of the air in the fast retreating day had begun to pick up, and the last traces of the sun were all but holding up their light. Aren's deep voice rung out with a chill as he spoke down to the girl, his words reaching only the small radius of the ground in which she stood. "Who has come to pass within the boundary and beyond the border?" He waited, listening as a ghostly effect played the part of his speech sounding cold and unsuspecting. Quite normally, his words provided comfort and warmth, but not in a such a time as this.

The others should be well aware of their new quest by now. To make sure, he used the hand that kept his balance; relying more on his feet now, to ensure that his companion was ready. He felt for their hand until he had gently found it, grasping it slowly as to not surprise whomever it may belong to. He had little doubt in his mind that the limb belonged to Cypress, but he was surprised to find that no weapon was drawn for protection. He could more then protect her; if it was Cypress, and not unexpectedly the lot of them, if it came to that. "Be ready." He mouthed, never adverting his focus.