It had been faint, barely visible in the early evening light.
It streaked across the sky like a falling star.
Then, it was gone.
"Did you see that?" Noble turned to Flint.
He nodded. "Looked like a cot."
"The celestial bodies have been ill at ease for a long ti," Syrce frowned. "Sotis it looks like the sky is falling."
Child of Promise frowned.
The do over the NQSC did not allow for stargazing, but she had seen the night sky in Crestfall and Ravenheart many tis.
The stars might be different here, but Noble couldn't help but feel what she had seen was unnatural. Her mind felt restless, but as the cart ca to a stop, she was forced to abandon her musing.
The break in the forest was much larger than Noble had originally thought. If not for the faint outline of trees against the growing night sky, she would have thought that they had finally reached the end of the woods.
"We will make camp here. Titus?" Syrce arched her brow as she dropped the reins.
Flint had enough Legacy pedigree to know what he was expected to do. Leaping down from the carriage, he held out his hand to help Syrce exit the driver's seat.
"Don't forget Bel!" Syrce gave her subordinate an accusing glare.
Swallowing whatever words were about to spill out of his mouth, Flint pressed his lips together as he marched around to the other side of the carriage.
"Lady Bel." He held out his hand with an exaggerated bow.
Noble smiled sweetly at him. "Thank you. You are too kind."
"Kind...sure." The legacy muttered. He motioned for her to follow him with a tilt of his head.
They needed to speak privately.
"Titus!" The mossy-haired leader clapped her hands lightly. "Pass back the command to circle the carts and prepare the night watch. Those tasks should not take you to the end of your tether, should they?"
Flint looked at the line of people already starting to form a large ring with their wagons. "I don't think..."
"Good!" The Saint nodded. "Bel and I will release the Pink Ones. You may go."
Flint knew better than to argue. A silent understanding passed between the two cohort mbers that they would speak later.
If Noble had felt it was urgent, she could have called on The Other's Voice. However, Flint was more annoyed than worried. The man could complain at her later out loud instead of transmitting the insults directly into her head just now.
Following the Saint's lead, Noble copied how to unhook the large harness from Delia's middle. The system of belts and ropes was intricately woven to provide comfort for the beast, and removing it took so ti.
"Titus seems very unhappy, more than usual," Syrce noted.
"You may have to get used to it, at least for now," Noble patted the Pink One's side as she worked.
"Is it because he is tethered to you?" The Saint wondered aloud. "No, that could not possibly be it. Anyone that lucky should be overjoyed."
"I doubt he sees it that way." The floating Master pulled at one of the straps until it ca loose. "I think he is very keen that the tether should be removed as soon as possible."
"If he really wants to break the bond forever, there is one obvious solution."
Syrce's comnt made Noble miss her floating step. She touched the ground with the tip of her boot and hissed softly.
"We are not going to kill Titus!"
The Saint shrugged. "I didn't say I wanted to, just that it was an option. I am sure he will find another way."
"He will," Noble affird.
She didn't like the idea of killing fictional people in the Nightmare. Murdering a person in her cohort was unthinkable!
"You are right, of course, Bel. You always are." Syrce nodded. "Funny how you can be right and empty-headed at the sa ti. What a special friend I have!"
Tired of arguing about her ntal competence, Noble simply finished her task and lifted the harness so the Pink One could walk out of it. Delia trumpeted as she moved forward. Her tail swished against Noble's face when she passed, the hairy tip tickling her face in a friendly gesture.
Noble adjusted her hair as the sibling pair ambled over to the closest tree and started stripping its branches of leaves.
"Those things are never satisfied. Nothing is ever enough." Syrce left the creatures to their al as the rest of the Pink Ones joined the first.
"Will they not wander off?" Noble wondered.
They were not like echoes that obeyed unspoken orders. The Saint had said they had tad them, but even that had a limit.
"The Pink Ones like being around us and being noticed by us. When they grow tired of eating, they will co and seek a place by our fires. They don't need the warmth. They just like the company."
Noble regarded the creatures in their feeding frenzy. They had seed so real when pulling the cart, but now their presence was fleeting and unreliable.
The Master could see them clearly enough. Their outline was solid and unchanging. It was as if sothing intangible was evaporating like the morning dew.
'How exactly did Imagination make them?'
"Are you wanting one as a companion, Bel?" Syrce ran her fingers through her hair while she regarded her friend's pensive expression. "We need all of these, but I am sure when we make it to the fortress, we can try to hunt one down for you to ta."
"For to ta?" Noble's eyes opened slightly. "Uh, no. I have a creature companion already."
The Saint frowned. "That's not a very nice thing to call Titus."
Noble laughed genuinely. "That is not who I ant. My furry friend is of the four-legged variety."
There was another reason the floating Master had no desire to get close to one of the Pink Ones. In her last Nightmare, she had beco very attached to Kosi.
She had gotten an Echo from her love for the Symncus, but unless she wanted to kill another faithful companion on the off chance that lightning would strike twice, she was better off not getting attached.
It would be nice for Helios to have a friend, but what if he got jealous?
It was better to treat the Pink Ones and any other ta creatures she encountered with respect. Too much more would cause unnecessary heartache.
"Ah, that is good, Bel. I only hope they treat you as well as you deserve." Syrce turned toward the company of soldiers. "Now, just because we are ladies doesn't an we can't get our hands dirty. How good are you at building fires?"
Looking around at the dead wood littering the edge of the forest, Noble smiled. "I think I can help with that."
A short while later, the campfires were built and lit, and a al of delicious dried at and fruit was served. All too soon the flickering flas of the convoy beca the only sources of light beyond the stars overhead.
The moon hadn't risen—perhaps it was a new month—so the flickering flas glowed with extra brilliance.
The conversation around the camp was animated, with Orrin telling animated tales of past adventures when he was young.
Despite the jovial atmosphere, Noble could feel an underlying tension among the soldiers and servants. Even Cook, who looked prone to scold anyone who ca near her, was on edge.
At last, the conversation dwindled, and the mundane people headed to bed. The first watch took their places as Syrce stretched and stood from her stool. The seat was seamlessly removed and stored for later use before she had fully risen.
"Are you ready to head to sleep, dear Bel? My wagon has an extra bed. Or I can have a wagon reassigned for your use."
"That won't be necessary tonight. I am not tired." Noble dipped her head.
"Be careful and don't stray too far from camp. You never know when the darkness will spread."
"Thank you. I will be mindful. I will see you in the morning." Noble waved. "Goodnight!"
She watched the Saint head to the enclosure at the back of her wagon, only turning away when the flap was shut.
Closing her eyes, she searched for a particular emotional signature.
'There you are.'
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