To my surprise, Edward just turned and glared up at the tree. I followed his gaze and immediately understood why he wasn't more concerned that he almost lost a toe.
The blonde archer- Leonardo- was perched gracefully on a slender branch, innocently polishing an arrow. His bow was slung haphazardly over his shoulder- it didn't take a genius to figure out who had shot the arrow. I was impressed with his skill; he had hit right next to Edward's foot.
"Hey, you come down here and try that again, Leonardo! I bet you're not so tough when you're not shootin' your arrows up in a tree-"
"You talk too much," the blonde interrupted, replacing the arrow in his quiver and pulling out another. "Learn to be quiet for a few seconds, Edward, would you?"
I couldn't help but let out a chuckle as the boys squabbled back and forth. It reminded me somewhat of my childhood; I was always in some fight or another with the boys… playful, of course.
But Laura was always running out of her church, pleading for us not to hurt each other…
"Aran? Araaaaan?"
"Y-yes?" I muttered, coming out of my thoughts slowly. Edward was waving his hand two inches in front of my face, pouting slightly. "I think Micaiah wants you…"
I turned and looked over my shoulder, seeing that Micaiah was indeed beckoning for me next to her and Sothe's tent. Sighing, I put a hand on Edward's shoulder. "We'll train together sometime, Edward. That's a promise."
My words worked, the boy perked right up and I was able to walk away without feeling too much like a jerk. "Don't bother," Leonardo called after me, "It won't help him."
"HEY!"
I chuckled at Edward's response, making my way sluggishly to Micaiah. I could tell by her face that she wasn't going to give me the answer I wanted- that I wouldn't have to share a tent with Laura. She had her lips pursed, and she looked almost… sad.
"Aran," she greeted me as I approached, giving me a weak smile. "I talked to Sothe about your problem…"
"Yes?"
"And… would you really mind so terribly to share a tent with Laura?"
I paused, tightening my hand around my lance. It wasn't really so much that I minded… I was concerned for Laura. She probably had never shared a bed in her life, let alone with a grown man. I knew she wasn't naïve. And the worst part was that she wouldn't refuse, no matter how uncomfortable the situation would make her. That was just how she was.
"I'm just worried about Laura," I finally answered. Micaiah nodded, pushing her hair out of her face. "I already talked with her while you were with the boys… she seemed fine with it. But I won't force it on you if you really don't want to, Aran."
Laura was okay with it? That made things slightly better. I would have to deal with it…
"I'm sure I'll manage," I muttered tightly, adverting my eyes from hers. I heard her sigh, and she leaned slightly forward, lowering her voice. "Sothe wanted me to save this for an emergency, but I believe now is the time to use it… to give it to you."
I raised a brow in confusion, meeting her yellow eyes. She seemed almost… mischievous, pulling back the flap to her tent and mentioning for me to go inside.