<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 1.35em;"><strong>Ashley</strong>, ( Imogene, Ivy in the woods)</span><br/><br/>"Of course, Imogene."  Ashley answered Imogene's question in an unsteady voice.  Kicking firefox lightly she started a slow trot and followed the girls out of the glen.  Her back was straight as proper, but there was an added stiffness, and she did not spare a second glance to the place where so much had happened in such a short time.<br/><br/>Wishing now that she had spared a moment to grab a gun, Ashley made it her job to keep watch so that no one could again sneak up on the three, at least until they hooked up with the hunting party or made their way back to Avonleigh.<br/><br/>Breathing slowly to bring some steadiness back to herself, Ashley refused to be cowed by what had happened.  Instead, she began to draw on the anger she had felt when smashing his evil, and the need for calm she felt now.  The anger gave her strength to continue and the calm a sense of focus to never have something like that happen again.  Not to her, nor her friends.<br/><br/>"Are we going back to Avonleigh or... do you know where the hunting party is?"  Ashley asked the two girls ahead of her, this time her voice seemed almost normal, although the womanly countenance she had acquired stayed, the younger version of herself was gone.<br/><br/>Ashley rode closer to the two, she leaned near to Imogene and whispered "I would that we all be safe, I see your injuries and am sorry."  Ashley petted a strand of Genie's hair before continuing,  "I know I am acting oddly, and would not have you or Ivy fret.  Please do not ask me to explain, not if you love me."  Then she pulled back on Firefox's reigns and resumed her place behind the two girls.