Green light started to show through the waterproof fabric of Artemis's tent. He rolled over to grab his clothing bag, and heard a muffled "ouch" coming from beneath him. He quickly got off of Holly and slid to the far end of the tent. She yawned and sat upright.
"Holly…?" he ventured after a moment of silence. "What are you doing here?" She groaned and rubbed her eyes.
"Butler sent me," she confessed.
"Because he wanted me to accomplish something on my own, with my bare hands and tools, and feel fulfilled without really being in danger of anything," he said. "Am I correct?"
Holly nodded. "I wasn't supposed to let you know that I'm here. I've been following you since Butler said good-bye at the boat landing."
Artemis felt himself sink emotionally. So much for doing this on his own, for having some time just to think things over. "So why are you sitting in my tent now?" he questioned.
"Well, I last night, I was jogging around the forest. Of course I couldn't have any equipment other than wings with me, so I didn't see the elevation change hidden by the brush. I fell off of that ledge over there, onto those rocks."
Artemis winced. That sounded painful. It also explained some of the noise he'd heard last night.
Holly continued. "I healed myself immediately, and limped around the ledge back up to camp. But when I tried to shield, it didn't work. I've used up all my magic. I can't hide from you any longer."
"How did you run out of magic so quickly?" Artemis inquired with pursed lips.
Holly shrugged. "I wasn't as careful as I should've been. It was stupid to think I could shield for two weeks and heal both of us if necessary without completing the ritual. And the full moon was two nights ago. I missed it."
"We'll just have to be more cautious, then."
Holly snorted. "Cautious and Artemis Fowl don't belong together."
"Very well, then. And what of the wings?"
"They're in your equipment pack for safe keeping."
Holly's statement about limping finally hit Artemis. "You limped? I thought you'd healed yourself."
"My magic ran out before I was completely healed. I've got a sprained ankle, that's all. I'll be fine in no time."
Artemis thought for a brief moment. "This changes things. I've only got enough food for myself, which means that the trip will have to be cut short by a week. We'll have to share the tent - and you're light enough to ride along in the canoe without slowing it down."
"Gee, thanks," Holly muttered. "I'm honored to be allowed to ride in the canoe. Good to know I'm not going to have to limp out of here."
"You have your wings. I am just saying that you don't have to fly if you do not wish to do so," he stated calmly.
"Artemis," Holly said, "the wings don't work. That's why I fell. They're powered wirelessly from Haven, so there's no good reason for them to fail – unless something happened to Haven. I can't fly anymore. I am, for all useful purposes, a very short human." She grimaced as she added that last part.
Artemis stored the information about Haven away for further contemplation at a later date and smirked. This week was going to be interesting.