“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.
“Go ahead then, not all of us can do what we want.” After Kirsten said it, she noticed both Bo and Thomas gave her a look of disbelief. “What? I can follow orders. I’m doing what Anders asked of me and using the crystals.”
“If Anders told you, you had to go work in the medical tent because your crystals could heal people instead of killing them with magic, there is no way that you would stay in that tent once the battle started,” Thomas said.
“Yes, I would. I have willpower,” she said defiantly.
“Yeah, you demonstrated your self-control in the last battle,” Thomas said.
“Bo, back me up here,” Kirsten said.
Bo rubbed at his neck where Rankstine had struck him with energy in the last battle. “Maybe you’re better now that you’ve had some practice; but if it’s like the last time, you can get a little out of control.”
Kirsten nodded, “I guess you’re right. I wouldn’t want to go to the medical tent either. I just don’t want to see you go, either of you,” she added.
“If those dragonriders Anders saw decide to attack us, there’s not much chance we’ll be seeing anything after that,” Bo said.
“Fair enough. I’ll enjoy the time we have while we have it,” Kirsten said, taking Bo’s hand.
After several moments Kirsten heard a woman with a distinctive accent speaking behind them, “Excuse me, girl?”
Kirsten turned around to see a lean woman with short black hair, pierced septum and tattooed arms. At first, she thought the woman was Rolloan, but quickly realized she was Lumbapi.
“You were with Anders at the beach when we arrived,” the Lumbapi said.
Kirsten nodded, recognizing the brightly colored clothing as the Southland native’s princess Anders had greeted. “Yes,” she said with a nod. They kept up their pace and the woman joined them. Kirsten motioned to Thomas and said, “We’re his cousins.”
“Just who I was looking for,” she responded with a smile. “I am Inama.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kirsten,” she said moving her hand across her body to shake the Southland woman’s hand.
Inama took Kirsten’s hand and gripped it hard, she shook it up and down in an exaggerated way.
Kirsten pulled her grip away and flexed her hand, “That’s quite the handshake you’ve got.”
“That is how you greet one another in Westland, is it not?” Inama asked.
Kirsten nodded, “Yes, but usually with less enthusiasm.”
“Oh, sorry. I have little practice. We do things differently in my culture.”
