Athren frowned at her, then tried a slight smile as he reached over wit his right hand and ruffled her hair.<br/>"Nonsense, hun. Your mother loves you and don't ever forget that. Something probably happened that is preventing her from coming to find you. I'm sure she is looking right now."<br/>He tried to sound sure of himself, but he'd killed thousands of people, and trying to reassure a child was the last thing he'd seen himself doing.<br/><br/>Jolta had pushed himself carefully closer to the water's edge, drinking eagerly as he tried to keep his eyes open. He was exhausted and his body was trying to pull the remaining strength that he had to heal itself.