“Smart,” Thomas said. “They all look so similar. I forget which one mine is on.”  

“How did you get behind us?” Kirsten asked. 

“I was looking for someone,” Thomas said, straightening and looking over the heads of the Westlanders in front of them.  

“Well, maybe they’ll catch up with us when we make camp. I saw the Lumbapi and the dwarfs packing up together.”  

Thomas looked behind them, “Yeah. That's why I went back, but I think they are way back there. I don’t want to double back.”  

“Why not just wait?” Bo asked. 

“I saw a gap. Who knows what could happen while I wait alone on the Plains,” Thomas said dramatically. 

“I think you’d be fine,” Kirsten said.  

“Well, now that I found you two again, I would rather stick together.”  

“So, you want to see the wild horses, too?” Bo asked. 

Thomas nodded, “After the way Kirsten described the moment you two had, I think it would be a great opportunity for me and...” he trailed off.  

“What do you mean the opportunity we had?” Bo asked. 

“He still doesn’t know?” Thomas asked Kirsten. 

Kirsten rolled her eyes, and said with a sigh, “No.”  

“What don’t I know?” Bo asked. 

“When you and I were hiding from the horses,” Kirsten said. “We were close together, and alone...”  

“Oh,” Bo gasped. “Really? You wanted me to then?” 

Kirsten looked skyward, “Yes.”  

“I had no idea. You should’ve said something,” Bo said flustered. 

“Clearly you had no idea and no girl is going to ask a boy she likes to kiss her, especially then.”  

“Wow,” Bo said. “And ever since then?” he asked. 

Kirsten nodded, “Yes, can we please change the subject?”

Bo straightened while puffing his chest out a little, “Sure can, crusher.” 

“Oh, I like that. Because she was crushing on you for so long,” Thomas said with a chuckle. 

Kirsten rolled her eyes and said, “So, about the horses.”  

“I bet we’ll see them once we get closer to Aquina,” Bo said still walking tall. 

“You said you always wanted to go there,” Kirsten said. 

“As a kid, the stories Elaina would tell us about the nomads of the Plains captured my imagination. After learning more about them, I begged so many times to be taken there. Max and I were going to go there next after he won the Grandwood Games.” 

“It was delayed, but you’re getting your chance now,” Thomas said. 

“I didn’t think it would be under these circumstances.” 

“I hope it's still there,” Thomas added. 

“It’ll be there,” Kirsten said.  

“If it’s not, I hope Max and Britt can convince Red to wait for the rest of us to show up,” Bo said. 

“Speaking of Max,” Thomas started, “how did Anders take the news?” he asked Kirsten. 

“Um, yeah, we didn’t tell him yet,” Kirsten said. 

“That probably won’t go over well,” Thomas said. 

“But he hasn’t noticed,” Kirsten said. “And what does it matter? It’s not like we’re sticking together as a group. I haven’t seen Evans since we left the grove and the elves are leading the armies.” 

“Does that mean we’re supposed to be at the front, too?” Thomas asked.  

“I didn’t hear anything from Anders or Maija about it, so I’m just going to keep doing what we’re doing until I’m told differently,” Kirsten said.  

“Thomas, I didn’t know you figured out how to use the crystals?” Bo asked.  

Thomas looked down at the ground, “I haven’t been able to use the powers yet, but I have the poudrettite.”  

“That’s not the same,” Kirsten said.  

“He saw what it did to the demon,” Thomas said. “And he can’t use the inhabitance crystals either.”  

“That’s a fair point. That thing did scare off a demon,” Bo said. 

“But it’s not the same; we’re sure to encounter more than just demons. What about the kurr, orcs and soldiers?” she asked. 

“That’s why I brought my bow,” Thomas said, pretending to shoot an imaginary arrow through the air.  

“You would be of better use at the medical tent. The sapphire has healing magic,” Kirsten told him again. 

“Last night I talked with the archer's division and they said that they could use all the help they can get. They want me to join them in the fighting,” Thomas said. 

Kirsten groaned in frustration, then asked, “Will nothing I say make you see that Rune and Ophelia need your help? It’s not like they’re turning down extra hands either.”   

Thomas shook his head.