Reacting instinctively to Nana’s taps on his skull, Ty pushed her away, a reflex born from his unique circumstances. Nana, taken by surprise, rolled off the bed with a minor yelp, landing on the ground beside him.
"Are you okay? Sorry, just a habit, I guess," Ty said, weariness roughening his skeletal voice. Across the room, loud snoring filled the air and broke the brief silence.
They both glanced over to see Todd, sprawled across three tied-together racks, deeply asleep and oblivious to their exchange.
Nana, brushing herself off as she got back up, gestured for Ty to be quiet. "Shh, listen. What better time to investigate the capital than now? I heard that the King is here and taking charge.
It’s the perfect opportunity to do some digging, or at least try to."
Her eyes sparked with excitement and determination. "We have about five hours until sunrise, and then another hour before everyone starts waking up," she added, outlining their window of opportunity.
Ty, still shaking off the last vestiges of sleep, replied groggily, "Ugh, as long as we finish before then.
I actually enjoy turning off the lights for a little while, you know." The joke landed dry.
Nana gave him one dry look, then decided the mission mattered more than arguing with a half-asleep skeleton.
Nana moved quickly and tossed Ty his attire. "Oh, I also cleaned your clothes. They had a bit of dirt and smell to them," she explained. "These black clothes of yours will help keep you hidden." Ty caught the clothes, noting the thoughtful gesture.
As he dressed, Ty noticed Nana’s change of attire. She was now clad in a skin-tight outfit that hugged her form, with an X design across her chest.
The outfit seemed both practical for stealth and somewhat out of character for her usual style.
"What exactly are you wearing?" Ty asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
Nana, with a light chuckle, responded, "Oh, this? I grabbed it from Lady Amaris. It’s hard to have recon clothes when I’ve outgrown everything." She tugged at the sleeves, illustrating her point.
"Though it’s a bit baggy for a skin-tight suit," she added, rubbing her hand above her head in a casual gesture.
Ty watched as Nana produced a map from within her shirt, a sign of her resourcefulness and foresight. "I managed to grab this from her nightstand before the fairy led me here," she explained, unfolding the map for him to see.
Intrigued, Ty leaned in to examine the map but then paused, a question coming to mind. "Oh, where is the fairy, by the way?" he inquired, looking around for the tiny, glowing companion.
Nana’s expression shifted between annoyance and amusement as she gestured towards the bed they had just vacated. There, curled into a small ball, was the fairy, sound asleep.
The small sight made their plan feel even larger and riskier. Ty lowered his voice, because waking the fairy before they even left felt like losing the mission early.
He kept his steps light anyway, careful not to disturb her rest.
Ty smiled at the sight. The fairy, their silent guide and companion, now lost in her own peaceful slumber, added a touch of innocence to their otherwise dangerous endeavor.
Shifting his attention back to the map, Ty focused on the task at hand. "Alright, let’s see what we have here," he said, his voice low to avoid waking their tiny companion.
As they huddled over the map, the faint glow of the fairy provided a subtle illumination, casting their shadows against the tent walls.
Ty chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I guess fairies enjoy sleeping as well," he remarked, observing the tiny fairy curled up in slumber. Turning his focus back to the task at hand, he said, "Well, let’s get a move on."
Quietly, Ty and Nana slipped through the door of the tent, emerging into the night. Above them, the stars hung brightly in the sky, casting a soft glow over the encampment.
As they moved stealthily, Ty mused aloud, "I wonder what everyone back at the castle is up to. I’m thinking about Elithira and the others."
Nana, keeping pace with him, replied, "Probably the same old stuff. Maybe they’ve got some more unique training going on." Her voice was hushed, blending with the whispers of the night.
They continued their journey, leaping nimbly through the area. The camp, with its tents arrayed in a giant circle, seemed almost peaceful under the night sky.
As they approached the gates, they noticed two guards stationed at each entrance, their figures silhouetted against the flickering torchlight.
The guards spotted Ty. They paused, then let him pass without questions. Their silence showed how much trust he had earned in the camp.
As Ty and Nana moved discreetly past the guards, Nana leaned in and whispered, "You know, we could have knocked them out."
Ty glanced at her, a serious expression on his skeletal face. "Not needed right now. They still fully trust me," he replied. He then gestured to a mark on his arm, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Besides, I’ve had this mark for a few months, and I don’t want to risk accidentally triggering it. They won’t even tell me what it does."
Nana nodded, understanding his caution. "Oh, I heard about those marks. Lady Amaris managed to talk them out of giving me one, considering I’m her daughter. Instead, she took the mark for three months.
She says it’s useless on her for some reason."
Before Ty could respond, the ground beneath them shook. Dirt and rocks stirred on the road, building into a larger shape. Teeth sprouted from what looked like two rocky eyes. Nana’s voice trembled with fear and curiosity.
"What is that?"
Ty watched the creature rise. "I think it’s some kind of rock monster."
An idea sparked in his mind, and he quickly added, "I have the perfect idea though." His voice carried a tone of resolve, indicating he had a plan to confront the unexpected threat.