Count Me In!

Silver slipped in the saddle before steadying himself. Had he heard correctly?

He had! The Guardian narrowed his eyes at the Fate.

"What kind of trick are you trying to pull?"

Hanna's eyes widened innocently. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Don't play games with me! Are you only agreeing so I will second guess my choice and then decide on my own that I shouldn't go?" Silver felt his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

Hanna arched her brow. "While I do like games, I would never do that to you. If you want to go, I will not stop you. In fact, I will do you one better and encourage you."

"Why?" Something in Silver would not allow him to let go of the suspicion in his gut.

"Things are about to come to a head in Lakyle, and I think it would be good if you and Ethyn were there." Hanna paused.

"Is Sage in trouble?" Silver's eyes flashed. "I will go straight there!"

"Whoa there, Guardian," Hanna's words made Daisy's ears twitch.

Deciding that the command was not for her, she continued the course without missing her stride.

"I said you could go," the Fate shook her head, "but I did not say you could help."

Tilting his chin, Silver rubbed his forehead. "As usual when I speak to you too long, I do not understand."

"You may go to Lakyle and see Sage, but you may not help her…at least not until the appointed time." The lady's ever-present smile frustrated her companion.

"So I am just supposed to let whatever happens happen until some moment where I am supposed to act?" The Guardian queried.

"Yes."

'Does she even hear herself? Hanna likes riddles more than a court jester.' Silver blew out his cheeks. "And how will I know when the appointed time has come?"

"Trust me. You'll know," was all Hanna was willing to say on the matter.

"Of course I will…" The Guardian stared up into the sky. 'Maker help me.'

"You can still go back to Rynnlee as you planned and check on things." Hanna nodded thoughtfully.

"I appreciate that. How much should I pack for this journey Lakyle? Do I need to bring my own food for the entirety of the trip? Should I go on foot or horseback?" The Guardian hoped to get at least a little more information. He was disappointed.

"You worry too much, dearie," Hanna laughed. "Just do what the king asked and then sit back and relax until the right time. Think of it as a vacation with your best friend. It has been a while since you slowed down."

"Why do I feel like this isn't going to be the luxurious getaway that you are touting it to be?" Silver clicked his tongue. Hanna was being far too pleasant and accommodating.

"I cannot answer that, but I do hope you will take my words to heart and not interfere." The Fate's gaze became far off before returning with a knowing grin.

"You said to do what the king said. His Majesty wants me to come and work for him." Silver chewed his lip, unsure of what to hope for.

"I see no reason for you to refuse. As long as you are still acting as a peacemaker for me, I think it is a decent idea. You could use the money." Hanna winked.

"So could Rynnlee," the Guardian added with a short nod. He envisioned a proper schoolhouse and a more established marketplace.

"I love that you always think of others. People like you are rarer than diamonds." Hanna's eyes gleamed. "You deserve some happiness too, you know."

"I have Haven back and Ethyn's future is secure. All of Rynnlee's future looks bright when either of those two--or both--take the throne. What more happiness could I possibly ask for? My cup runs over with joy." Silver smiled at the Fate, but she frowned in response. 

"I am glad to see you are content. It does my heart good." She said slowly. 

"Then why do you look like you have eaten sour grapes?" The Guardian teased. Despite the Fate's strange, cryptic instructions on his next move, he was suddenly in a very good mood. 

"I do hope that at the proper time, you will not give up a chance at your own happiness in the name of duty." Streaks of lightning raced across the lady's irises. She clearly wanted to say more, but like the Guardian, she was limited on the interference she could provide.

"Appropriate time....proper time...is time all you think about?" Silver wondered aloud. 

"Sometimes," Hanna admitted with a chuckle. "When all of time stretches out before and behind you, I do wonder what you will spend most of your time considering." 

"Food," the Guardian answered without hesitation. He had spent too much time being hungry in his younger days to worry about much else. 

"Eat plenty when you get to Rynnlee. Your next feast will come but not for a while." Hanna thought for a second that she might join him. It had been a long time since she ate with humans. 

"So I am right to think this vacation will not be as pleasurable as you led me to believe?" Silver rolled his eyes. 'I knew it!'

"As much as the Maker will allow, I will assist to make it as comfortable as possible. Your lack of interference means I can do more on your behalf without changing the tide." Hanna opened her hands as if presenting some great gift. 

Maybe she was...

"Tide of what? The battle in Lakyle?" Silver finally felt like he had caught onto something. 

The Fate nodded. "Sage will appreciate your emotional support. However limited that might be..." 

"I am great with emotions...at least, uh..." Silver stuttered. "I am improving." 

"Keep improving," Hanna's smile returned. "For both your sakes." 

------------

Ethyn continued to glance over his shoulder. "What is taking them so long?"

He wondered if the Guardian and Fate were talking about him or other world matters. For how long they were talking, he hoped it was the latter.

'No use worrying about it...' he sighed. 

He rode on in silence, focusing on pleasant thoughts: Mostly Rose…A little on his found family...but mostly the blonde beauty that had his heart back at the palace. 

He had hated to leave her, but they had agreed along with the king that this was best. So while he longed to hold the woman in his arms, it would have to wait until things were sorted. 'After that though...' 

"What are you thinking about?" Silver pushed back his hood. 

"Ah!" Ethyn jumped, causing Courage to flip back his head. "You scared me! I didn't see you arrive." 'He's as bad as Hanna!' 

The Guardian smirked. "You were very deep in thought about something. Probably something that will make me want to murder you." 

"No, no!" Ethyn held up his hands. "I was just contemplating our next steps." 

"I hope you are ready for them," Silver had a dangerous gleam in his eye. 

"Why, what did Hanna say?" The knight straightened in his saddle. 

The Guardian pointed toward the horizon. "She said we have a job to do. It is confirmed. We are going to Lakyle." 

"You mean we get one more adventure? Just like old times?" Ethyn's hope-filled face looked just like the child who had come begging to the Guardian's doorstep so many years ago.

Silver couldn't help but smile. "Adventure? No. I'm told it will be more like a vacation." 

The young man shrugged. "Whatever it is. Count me in!"