It is just past day break. The Ranger does not want to still be in all of her present company when the sun goes down. She is good in a fight and still armed, but has no desire to reveal or test these skills against one or maybe both of Ornthal's over sized companions.
She moves to stand and before she makes it upright all three men are on their feet. Looking meek and startled, "I got lost in the woods searching for mushrooms. I've been up all night and wandering about. Please sirs, I must relieve myself." The look of pleading she delivers almost breaks Ornthal's stoic demeanor. He steps forward.
"Alright, off with you, then. I'm not sure about your story, so you aren't free to go, but you are free... to go. I'll keep your privacy." The two wander off into the woods. Out of earshot the duo picks up almost where they had left off. Spinning to face him, "I need you to come back with me, Ornthal. You know I can't go back without you. If I go back and don't complete the ceremony, they'll kill me. Even if you do come back with me and we're late, I'll be shunned as Nameless."
"More's the better for you."
"Shut up! I need Them, Ornthal. I belong there. I am one of The People."
"Opal, you don't need them. You've never needed anybody."
"That's not my name," she hisses angrily. "Of course you'd try naming me after treasure. I can't stand how predictable you can be."
"We need to get back or the muscle twins will think you're taking the longest shit in history."
"No flowers now, huh?" They are both angry. "Just tell them you charmed your way into my already lowered pants."
"You're my gods damn sister, Opal. By the gods. Besides, do you think it's a good idea to tell them I got what I told them they couldn't have?"
"What's the deal there, anyway? What possible symbiosis could have possibly developed there?"
"Did you just call me a parasite? Is that how you ask for favors?" Defeated, she turns to follow him back knowing she'd hit a wall. Her brother is the only person who can be more stubborn than she is. She has two weeks to convince him before they miss the window to make it back in time for her Naming.
When they arrive back at camp the fire is stoked, a pot of something is warming on it, and the bed rolls have been stowed. The muscle twins are murmuring ro each other, stopping abruptly as the siblings approach. Opal takes more notice of how imposing that are together. Even with Ornthal's help it would be a very difficult fight she isn't sure they'd win. She also isn't sure Ornthal would willingly aid her.
"As she has claimed to be lost, we shall escort her to the road to town and leave her on her way." Barely able to hide the venom in her voice, Opal thanks them, keeping up the ruse. She, for the first time, thinks of the tracking leathers that she is wearing and hopes that they don't tell the truth of who she is. She rolls her eyes at herself.
Camp is broken quickly and the band is on their way. Opal feels very much a prisoner as the siblings travel between the two lugs. "Good sirs, how far is the road from where we are?"
"Less than half day's travel," the one in front grumbles without turning around.
"I hope it isn't a an inconvenience for you. I'm so grateful for your help." Opal's mind races giving up on ideas as soon as they're formulated. She knows Ornthal will leave her as promised if she doesn't come up with something. "It's a shame to have left my mushrooms behind in my panic. Father will be very cross when I get home."
"Perhaps you should learn from thins experience, milady. Even if a place is familiar, it can be disorienting. Perhaps it is just not the place for you," Ornthal replies with a gruff charm.
The group trudges through the forest, Opal fighting all of silence instincts. She reflects on how exhausting it must be to be a normal girl. She is amused at the lug in front of her turning with angry looks whenever she makes a loud enough noise. Needing to talk to Ornthal, she forces a stumble, landing on hands and knees. Breathing heavily, "Please, sirs, I simply cannot keep up with your pace. I do need a bit of rest. I also need another moment of privacy." This time it was the truth.
Ornthal looks impatient, "Have at you, then. Don't go far. We've places to go." As she wanders away she hears general utterances of complaint from all three. At least one of the Lugs suggests leaving her.
