Araluen

Arrival

The trip passed without trouble, While it was risky to leave a fief without a Ranger, there were other protocols in place, and no one knew there was a time when Ranger's would meet for a few days a year anyways, drastically limiting any danger. The Araluens were rarely a nuisance, but you get the odd few to keep life interesting.

She turned Anita off the road, down a series of winding ones, getting narrower and narrower until they arrived at a large clearing, away from the road. Small tents had already been erected, but there were still more to come. Not every Ranger came to each meeting, but since Tahlia was an instructor for apprentices before exams, it was important to get to the Meet early. Only mentors and apprentices were in the clearing at the moment, and presumably Crowley was somewhere. She was confident she could find his hiding place if she wanted, but she let him have his fun. 

Swinging down from Anita with ease and rub on the neck, Tahlia hoisted the pack off her too. Hanging it on a branch, she immediately took off the saddle and bridle, placing the saddle and blanket on the branch as well, and attaching the bridle as well. Not having a bit saved a lot of trips to the creek. Anita wasn't muddy, yet she was free to go swim in the creek if she wished.

"Tahlia!!" The wild cry came from some distance. Tahlia snapped out of her thoughts with enough time to spin around and not quite catch a fast moving girl as she collided with her. They tumbled together onto the hard ground. Not even waiting to catch a breath the girl leapt to her feet, grasping Tahlia's hand and pulling her up too, crushing her in a tight hug.

"Maddie! I've missed you too! How's life with your grump of an uncle?" Tahlia wheezed, excited despite possibly broken ribs.

"It's been amazing! We've been riding everywhere, I've never seen such mountains, and animals, and we've put people in jail, and I'm learning how to juggle, and-" Maddie was prepared to list all the details since when they last saw each other six months ago when she was interrupted by Will.

"Tahlia, it's great to see you again," he gave her a warm hug before stepping back, "Maddie was hoping to see you here, as was I, but really we want to see Jax, is he all grown up now?"

Tahlia laughed, "Nearly, I hope, he's getting big. He's a very good boy."

Jax, having heard his name, came bounding over, eagerly greeting Will and Maddie. He enjoyed the mass of pats he was met with, pausing his tail wagging to turn a baleful eye on Tahlia, this was the treatment he expected.

Will grinned, and went to say something before Maddie stepped in, continuing from where she left off, patting Jax all the while. Will simply shrugged, mouthed 'later' and listened to Maddie regale in their adventures so far.

When the evening became undeniable, the trio roused themselves from the grass they'd been sitting on, to light their fire and finish preparing their tents. It was easy work, standard tents designed to be efficient. She had already fed Anita and Jax, and they'd been off to explore the camp-site and find Tug, Bumper, Copper, and Sasha. They were disappointed not to see Halt and his horse.

The group then resumed conversation over dinner, Crowley joining them. The comforting smell of smoke curled past the tents, drifting upwards to the night sky, scattered with stars. Tahlia was confident Will would tell her whatever was bothering him when he was ready. Clearly it wouldn't be time pressured if he hadn't said anything yet already. Reclining against a tree trunck, she stretched her legs out in front of her. Maddie and Will had finished their dinner, truly delicious thanks to Will, and placed the bowls to the side. She'd clean them since she didn't cook, but not now. Now she was enjoying friendly company before time slipped through her fingers and she would return to her own feif, far away from close friends