Purple runes in my memories

Chapter 37

The sun was starting to set and Freed made sure he had everything he needed. He had his sword and his bag with things he would need for camping. He had came up with a plan that might make sure they would find the mage hunter who attacked Yukino, Minerva, Orga and Rufus earlier.

Talking about the memory mage, he was sitting at the edge of the bed and looking how Freed went through his things.

"I still don't like this", he announced like he had done for so many times already.

"I know", Freed said.

"I really think you shouldn't do this", Rufus said and he stood up, coming closer to the rune mage. "Or at least you should take more mages with you, not just Bickslow."

"It wouldn't work then", Freed explained once again when looking at Rufus. "If there's only me and Bickslow, it makes us easier targets."

"Remind me again why that's a good thing..."

"Stop worrying so much. Laxus and Evergreen are following us all the time. Bickslow can easily keep contact with them with his dolls."

"Only one mage more wouldn't really make things different -"

"You're not coming with us, Rufus", Freed said with an adamant tone and Rufus sighed. "You are still recovering from that spell, we can't take you with us even if we wanted. It's easier if it's just us four. I know you, Sting and others would be happy to help but it's simply easier this way."

"But what if there are more hunters than you can take?"

"We can handle them", Freed chuckled and he closed his bag. "I might work as a bait, but that doesn't mean I don't have a plan. Laxus, Evergreen and Bickslow can definitely make sure nothing bad will happen and if everything goes like I think it would go, we're going to catch that mage hunter."

Rufus huffed, looking how Freed took out a green scarf. It was already late fall and it could get really cold up here in mountains. He sighed and stepped behind the rune mage, wrapping his arms around him and snuggled his face against those green strands. Freed sighed and he patted the arms and turned his head to look at Rufus.

"It will be fine", he assured.

"I wish we could still talk this over and come up with a new plan", Rufus said.

"We would've figured it out already if there was any other better plan. This way we'll catch that mage hunter fast, otherwise we might have to wait for weeks before something happens."

"We can't be sure if that woman is around anymore. Are you really planning to walk back to Magnolia all the way?"

"If we have to yes."

The plan was to pretend that for some reason Freed had to leave with Bickslow and they couldn't use a train for that. Laxus and Evergreen would stay close, but keep distance so their enemy wouldn't notice there were more than just the two of them.

Rufus sighed again and he kissed Freed gently.

"I just want to make sure everything will be okay", he said. "Even if I can't come with you, wouldn't it be better if Sting and Rogue came with you?"

"They know about Rogue and Sting already, they wouldn't take a chance if they saw them."

"Considering how famous Laxus is, I'm sure they would know him too."

"That's why he won't show himself near us before it's necessary. And Evergreen is our trump card for catching that mage hunter so she shouldn't show herself before it's time for that. Laxus might be famous but me, Bickslow and Evergreen aren't that known so I don't think they would know what Bickslow can do. Walking with him might make them think attacking us would be easy."