Page 130 of Beyond The Maples
"It's ok... What's the plan?"
For a second, I hesitate. I don't know what makes me pause. I've already told him the important parts, so the details of later today shouldn't come as a shock to him… but there's a tug in my gut, second-guessing how much to share.
I settle on telling him the bare minimum. I tell him what to pack, and where to meet. I decide to have him join me with my task; I'm in charge of weapons, so another set of arms won't be a bad thing. When I'm finished, I can tell something is bothering him.
"What?"
"Leo knew before me? You really know how to wound a guy, Mae," he says, clutching his heart like he's been shot.
"Hey, Leo is important to the plan. He's crafty. It's going to be a long journey so... be prepared for lot of chatting." I smile.
He nods. "I'm kidding. I really like them all, actually. Even Tarius, although he still wigs me out a bit sometimes, and Farra..." he chuckles.
"Scares you," I finish, with a laugh, and he nods.
We stand in silence for a while longer, until I finallydecide it's time to get going.
"Time for a grand adventure, little tree," he smirks at me as we part ways near my door.
I stick my tongue out at him, before slipping into my room, hoping desperately that I've just made the right decision.
The rest of the day goes by in an anxiety-riddled blur. I pack and repack my bag about ten times.
"Can you stop pacing!?" Farra complains, and I frown at her.
"IwishI could be like you. Just lay down like a statue, staring at the ceiling," I joke.
"I'm pacing in my mind. It's a less annoying form of anxiety."
It's like the blind leading the blind between the two of us, both natural worriers. As if summoned, Leo pops in—packed, and ready to go—looking like a ray of sunshine.
"Ladies, are we ready?" he asks, stretching like he just woke up from a peaceful nap.
"As ready as we'll ever be," I admit. I notice he's toting two canteens. "What's this about? It looks weird."
He purses his lips. "I figure it's already going to look weird—me gallivanting down the hall with a full travel pack, two canteens won't lookthatmuch more suspicious," he grimaces, "Also, after an unfortunate incident with Danu, he will be traveling in a marked container."He gestures to the canteen on his left hip, which I now see has a "D" scratched across the face of it.
I can't help the snort that comes out of mymouth.
"You drank your sprite, didn't you?"
"That is one way to put it, yes. He has quite the temper when he wants. Also, he has a name now! Don't call himsprite," he covers the canteen like you would a small child's ears. "We don't need any...situationson the trip," he whisper-scolds us.
"Right, right. Danu. Apologies," I muse.
I've been meaning to ask Leo how things have been going with the little guy, and if he'd noticed any new magic development, but I figure I'll wait. We have a long, hopefully boring journey, and it'll be good to have a distraction until we meet up with Willow and Linden.
A knock sounds at the door.
Deacon strolls in, a pack that doesn't look full enough strapped to his back.
"Hello, friends. Everyone ready to break a bunch of laws and become fugitives?" he grins at us.
Leo laughs, but Farra doesn't respond, so I go over to her.
"You're allowed to change your mind. It's not too late," I offer.
She shakes her head.
