Echoes and Shadows

Chapter 6

         Rose's feet stepped nimbly among the Earth, watching where she was walking as to not disturb the nature. Birds were calling in the distance, warning each other of her approach and yelling to get out of the way. A mouse darted from under an auburn colored bush and into her path; realizing its mistake it quickly took leave towards the juxtapose from whence he came. However, he was unsuccessful in his attempt to be unnoticed for she stopped and, with nothing better to do, she followed him into the undergrowth. Her eyes stayed on the little brown body as it zig-zagged along, dipping in and out of cover- running from the giant behind him. 

        As the mouse started rounding a corner and heading back to the path and nicker made Rose look up. Grazing in a field beyond the treeline- which wasn't at all far from where she stood- was the prince's horse, swatting at flies with its tail. She walked forward, the dry brown grass rubbing against her knees. 

        "Well, hello," she said aloud, "I thought I told Ian to get rid of you." The horse, intent on its mean, only raised its head for a second before lower it back into the feast, "Has your master found you, yet?" She continued, her tone unworried, but her eyes suddenly searching for the glint of a gun or a sword in the trees. Turning her attention back to the horse, she looked at just how well-groomed it was. 

        "You're beautiful," she said, placing her hand on the horse's flank, stroking the unrealistically soft fur, "you know," not quitting her petting of the animal, "I bet they took care of you. Interesting that even though you're a beast- a thing capable of only a few emotions- you are treated far better than a human being. No, humans create other humans and then when they have seen what makes creation human,  what makes them real, they label them with 'monster' and throw them into a concrete box!" With a burst of magic her hand plunged into the horse, who was surprisingly calm. That is, until she wrapped her fingers around its heart. Its eyes widened and it let out a shrill whinny, jumping back. Its thumping heart stayed behind, glowing bright red in Rose's hand. 

        "Well, well, well..." with a flick of her wrist she was engulfed in a swirling cloud of wine colored smoke. It took a second to clear, but when it did she was back in camp.

        "Rose?"

         She looked to the old wooden table where Robin and Ian were standing, both held blank expressions. 

         "I told you to get rid of it, Ian," Rose snarled, her voice a whisper. Robin, knowing for sure she wasn't mad at him, stifled a smile and looked to the blond across from him.

        "Uh-oh, spaghetti-ohs," he muttered under his breath, feigning worry.

        Ian shot him a glare before replying to the angry girl, "If you are referring to the horse: I did get rid of it."

        "No," Rose countered, stepping forward with each furious word, "You did the soft thing. You let it to a field a little ways from here and let it go. I expressly told you to get rid of it." She shoved the heart into his hands arms and backed away a bit, but she caught him by the collar and pulled him closer; she stood on the tips of her toes so she was in his face. "Ian, go get rid of it." She lowered herself back down, still glowering as he slunk into the trees. 

         Meanwhile, Robin had gone back to his potion, "I feel like this happens a lot, Rosie."

         "What." She snapped, whirling on him. He was unfazed, used to her threats. 

         "All I'm saying is that you get your hackles raised at Ian, who does what you want, then we have a conversation about something or other that will lead to a mysterious cliffhanger until out next talk," he said, finally closing his potions book and starting to put the liquid in bottles. 

         Rose contemplated and decided she didn't like the idea, "You're too laid back," she prodded, calming down, "you're just like your father."

         Robin's eyes flashed to her, "And you are far too much like yours." Looking ashamed, Rose hopped and sat on the table, staring down at her dangling feet. Robin let out a silent sigh and walked around to her, placing his hands on her knees. 

          "Look, I'm your friend," he continued; she was avoiding his gaze so he lifted her chin to force her to look at him, "Ian isn't, he's only here out of respect of the deal and the second he holds up his end he's out of here. Just go easy on him." He waited until she gave a sharp, half-hearted nod before circling back around. Grabbing another vial from his basket he got back to work. Rose stayed where she was, thinking about Ian so hard she missed what Robin said next.

        "Wait, what?" She asked, twisting to look at him.

        "Now, don't get defensive. I was just saying that-"

        "No, Robby, I seriously didn't hear you."

        "Oh," Robin said, corking another bottle and looking like he hadn't figured out this scenario, "I said that we should go talk to the heroes, I think they-"

        "NO!" Rose practically screamed it, jumping off the table and slamming her hands down. At that moment Ian was walking back into the clearing.

       "What's going on?" He asked, seemingly unconcerned.

        "Look, both of you," Robin said, "I honestly think we need to just go and tell them."

        "Tell who what?" Ian said, interested, but lost. 

        Robin sucked in a breath of air, ready for an argument, "Tell the heroes everything, I'm guessing they would-"

        "Robby, no." Rose said firmly, hitting the table with her palms again, "end of discussion." They all slipped into an uncomfortable silence. Robin was thinking quickly, trying to find any hold in their original plan that would merit change. After a minute of the unbearable quiet, Rose stood rigidly straight.

         "I'm going hunting," she announced before stalking off. When they could no longer hear her footsteps, Ian turned to Robin, his face ashen.

         "Are you going to talk to them?" He said, looking at Robin questioningly. The black-haired wizard's eyes gleamed.

          "Don't try to stop me."