Marlene
As the sun waned slowing in the late afternoon sky so too did the numbers of those that frequented the river, be they fishermen - wives drawing water for their homes or just children playing in the pale waters. Now as the days end drew near all seemed quiet as the crickets began their nightly chorus and birds flittered through the trees on their way to their nightly roosts, the occasional croak of a frog or two being the only sounds that broke the quiet of the golden afternoon.

Peace seemed to be returning to the river, with all sentient life having returned to their homes , their bags filled with fish, herbs and for some children - rocks. 

Well... All but one.

In the shadows of the woods a small creature slowly made their way towards the rivers edge, mostly hidden in the dense thickets as they sniffed the air tentatively. They couldn't hear any talking or shouting, not even the dull splashes of oars in the water. Only the sounds of nature reached their ears as they approached the edge of the woods, the edge of the river some ten or so feet away over open ground. They had been waiting most of the day for the locals to leave, their mouth as dry as the dirt and pebbles they now had to cross.

With a cautious look around they took a step, tilting their head to listen for a moment before taking another, and another. Until with a quick dash they practically threw themselves by the rivers edge, uncaring that the edges of their tattered and stained robes were dampened by water and mud. Instead resting on one hand as they used the other to greedily scoop water into their parched mouth, the pair of stained cream wings fluttering a little as they felt the relief of the cool liquid entering their body.

Sure they were getting their matted white hair wet which would likely only make it worse, but they didn't care - they _needed_ water. They had waited so long to make sure it was safe for them to get it too, they could suffer a few minor indignities for it - they had endured far worse for much less before after all.
Tawana
*Armoth took in the soothing, yet subtle sounds of his surroundings, not much used to being in such atmospheres. It put him in a better sense of alertness, as these calming noises seemed more of a reason to keep a quick eye, despite that feeling of seclusion. It was something that had stuck with the orc. Something that had stuck and played a big role in hunting or anything else of the sort. It was a useful knowledge that always seeped in at the right moments.

As Armoth drew closer towards the river, he figured he could have a drink before continuing. He slowed his Shire horse to a soft trot, before stopping completely near the clearing. The orc got off of his mount, hitching it on a low hanging tree branch, and walking to the edge of the river. He breathed deeply, a dark and low breath, Gazing along the ridgelines that held many towering cedars. 

Armoth knelt at the edge, cupping his hands and taking long, repeated swigs as he felt the cold water run down his chest. He sighed in satisfaction, drinking more, louder than ever. It had been long since Armoth had took in good, cold water as this. It quenched thirst and more it felt.*
Marlene
It seemed neither of the greedy guzzlers had noticed the other, both to absorbed in their desire to quench their thirst to pay any attention to their surroundings. Perhaps that was for the best as one of them certainly would have fled at the sight of the orc sharing the riverbank with them, the small creatures drinking starting to slow somewhat as they quietly splashed some water on their face to clean themselves. 

It was during this quiet splashing that they heard a sigh, one that was not their own. Glancing to the right Sabriel saw only the quiet banks of the river, free of anything that may harm them. Gulping they slowly turned their head to the left, making up for their missing eye by turning more then a person would normally need to.

_Oh Fuck.._

That was the first and foremost thought in their head as they noticed a _behemoth_ of a creature only a stones throw away from them, how had they not heard him? Had they noticed them? Swallowing thickly to hide a barely concealed squeak of surprise, their eyes grew even wider they looked to the forest behind them, if they could get there unnoticed they would be safe. They didn't want Ailbhe to have to defend them, that would only bring more people to the river looking for them.

Cautiously they stayed on all fours, their wings outstretched to help balance them as they began to edge away from the water, wincing at the slight scraping sounds of metal on rock her head whipping around to see what had caused it. _There!_ One of their chains had gotten snagged on a particularly nasty boulder and was caught, end end of it

Attached to one of the manacles around her ankles. 

_Shit, shit shit!_ They thought as they quickly grabbed at the chain, yanking it as hard as they could to dislodge it. Their wings flapping uselessly as they struggled, only causing more noises as they whipped their head around once more - praying the stranger hadn't noticed them as they froze. Mentally begging to whatever gods may listen to not let them be noticed.