25:Hide Your Secrets, and I'll Hide Mine

Maultner knew the woods like the back of his palm. The fact amazed and pleased me at the same time. I had my private system of navigating the forests and apparently, so did Maultner. It was a good thing, since I was not in the mood to take on any extra responsibility that would arise, if I had to show him the way. We could also considerably reduce the chances of being spotted by those in the ceremony planning committees, who used the well known and endorsed paths.

"I am heavily wondering where to stick the key in," Maultner contemplated aloud. I doubted he was looking at where he was going. He had been ogling the ultima's box for the past ten minutes. I did not entirely trust that he would not take off with it.

"Pay attention or you're going to fall," I chided.

He easily evaded a stick in his way, and he shot me a brief smug look. I rolled my eyes. He was such a show off.

"Don't impose your clumsiness on me," he said.