<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.45em;"><strong>Ashley </strong>at The Camp [Richard Dupont &amp; Estelle]</span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.35em;">Gathering her tumbled hair in shaking hands, Ashley twisted the fiery thickness into a rope and tied it into a loose bun on top of her head.  </span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.35em;">Her brows bowed into a soft V, Ashley stared at both Richard and Estelle for a moment, her eyes briefly took in Estelle's disheveled state before moving them to the other woman's face. No longer the innocent herself, she gave a delicate shrug, before answering their questions.  </span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.35em;">"Everyone is fine, although we did have some trouble." She struggled to keep her voice even.  She waved her hands lightly, and arching an eyebrow, gave Estelle a satirical smile, "My little friends are safely back at Avonleigh."  </span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.35em;">A small part of Ashley realized that she was not herself.  But the rest of her, the part that was in charge didn't care.  A strange heat had come over her when she had been defending herself; a fire that ignited from the fear and rage she had been feeling.  </span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.35em;">For a moment Ashley was tempted to take Richard up on his offer of aid.  But, then she stiffened her spine, and shook her head.  "Thank you, no."  Lowering her eyes, a shadow of remembered horror crossed her face, as she informed, "That menace has..."stopping for a moment to think, she added, "submerged."  </span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.35em;">Resuming her pacing, she questioned in an anxious voice, "Have either of you seen Alfreic Slate?  I must speak with him."  </span><br/>