“Have you ever talked to a spirit before?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“You’re not sure?”
“Well. I’m not sure if the forest counts as a spirit.”
“Oh. That’s a good question.”
“It laughed at me the one time I asked it.”
“Seems like something it would do, yes,” Ron said, directing that comment to the forest, which was indeed laughing again. “I don’t think it’s a spirit. It feels too big.”
“Is Keden doing okay?”
“He seems the same as before.”
“So you don’t think Juniper was talking about him.”
“I don’t know, but it seems unlikely.”
“You really don’t think he’s dangerous?”
“No.”
Jed nodded. “He’s definitely not.”
“That’s new.”
“Yeah, James gave it to me the other day.”
“He gave you a boner the other day and you still have it?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Unlike him.”
“He’s branching out,” Ron explained, slotting a post into place with a grunt.
“You know you are allowed to come with me,” Isaac said, as Peter walked him to the portal. “I think you’d like James.” They were both grumpy and brilliant, so they’d probably get along.
“If you think I would, I’m sure it’s true,” Peter said, holding Isaac’s hand. “But I have homework. Some of us actually take classes at this school.”
“Seems like a mistake,” Isaac teased, sticking out his tongue. “Did you consider having a mental breakdown so that everyone feels bad for you and lets you out of all your classes?”
“Just this?”
“And that.”
“Nothing else?”
“No, it’s not a hard ritual.”
“It would be even easier if there was a bridge.”
“Yeah, well.” Ron shrugged. “There’s not.”
Every single person who asked for this to be released owes me four hours of my life back.
“Do you guys need anything?”
“No, we’re fine, really.”
“Okay. If you do, I’ll be just outside.”
“We wouldn’t want to interrupt your big meeting. It sounds very important.”
“It is, but taking care of people who need it is also important. Come get me if you need anything.”
“If you insist.”
“I do,” said Ron, giving Daisy a smile. “I know how hard it is to suddenly have to leave home, and it must be even harder when you have a baby.”
“They’ll be here any minute.”
“Yeah, I can hear them coming.”
“Yes, they’re quite loud, actually.”
“In all senses of the word, yes. Speaking of which, can we trust the centaurs not to clomp through the garden or should I go tell them not to step on Howie’s shoots?”
“I think we can trust Estelle to know better than to disrespect our garden.”
“I think so too,” Ron admitted, stroking the table to calm it down. Everyone was going to be getting here for the meeting soon. Their family was already here, standing by the house and waiting. Ron could hear the faeries approaching from the east and west, at the same speed and distance. They must be able to sense each other, and of course neither of them wanted to arrive first and be made to wait.
“You ready?”
“Yeah.”
“You sure?”
“It’s a little late for me not to be sure.”
“That doesn’t mean you are.”
“I am.”
“You sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” Ron said, leaning against a tree while he waited. It was an old tree, tall and strong, and it was holding Ron with its song.
“Thank you for having me.”
“Anytime. You’re welcome to stay if you want.”
“No, I should return home and check on the garden.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
“Right. We’ll be there.”
“I should hope so, it’s your wedding.”
James chuckled. “We wouldn’t want to miss that, you’re right.”
“Not at all,” Ron agreed, trying to stand still. It had been a very, very long day. “We’re looking forward to it.”
How Best to Use a Sword 