Chapter Two Hundred and Eighty-Three - Are You Trying to Get Arrested

Chapter Two Hundred and Eighty-Three - Are You Trying to Get Arrested

Chapter Two Hundred and Eighty-Three - Are You Trying to Get Arrested

Wheres Rowan? I asked.

Amaryllis, Nathan, and Ellie didn't seem to hear me and kept watching the parade. There had to be a few thousand sylph out on the road, all resplendent and marching with perfect synchronisation under the watchful eyes of drill sergeants.

I glanced to Awen, who shrugged. I didnt see when he left, she said. I turned, and he was just gone.

I chewed on the inside of my lip as I searched the crowds lining the street. I didnt want to scream out Rowans name. Not that my screaming would help much. A marching band was stomping along in the middle of the formation of soldiers, brass horns and drums and cymbals hooting and banging in time to a marching beat. I wouldnt be heard over that.

Guys! I said as I ran up to Amaryllis and the others. I tugged on Nathans arm to get his attention. Rowans missing.

Nathan looked at me, then glanced around to look for his friend. He had a height advantage, I was sure hed see Rowan, and wed all discover that the cervid had wandered over to a street vendor, or maybe the washroom, and everything would be fine.

I cant see him, Nathan said, poking a hole right through my hopes.

Probably just taking a walk, Ellie said dismissively. Look, theyre doing aerial parades too.

I glanced at the sylph zipping through the air in tight formations, but that was all the attention I spared them. Im still worried, I said. Were responsible for keeping you three safe, you know?

Just relax, Ellie said.

Nathan made a deep, growly noise. Ellie, youre hiding something, he said. Ive known you long enough to tell. Wheres Rowan gone?

Ellie stepped to the side slightly, her arms crossing. How would I know? she said. It did sound rather defensive.

Youre all morons, Amaryllis snapped. She gestured to the side with a wing, pointing towards the large military base right next to us. Rowans the one that wanted to stand so close to the base, and now hes missing. Hes probably snooping in there right now. Right, Ellie?

Ellie pouted for just a moment before she glared at Amaryllis. Were not spies, she said.

I didnt accuse you of anything of the sort, Amaryllis said. But I sure did think it.

Amaryllis. Were trying to be friends here, I said with a warning look. Nathan, Ellie, where did Rowan go?

If he did go to the base, Nathan said with a rather pointed glance at Ellie. Then itll be against the orders of the embassy. Which means that hed be under a different set of orders.

I dont really know much about Trenten Flats politics, I said.

I mean that its likely that if he is trying to see what can be seen in that base, then hes doing so under the polite suggestion from a superior in the army. Rowans always been ambitious, it wouldnt surprise me to hear of him taking this kind of risk to earn a bit of favour.

Are there any cervid military types here in Goldenalden? Amaryllis asked.

Nathan shook his head. No. Well, yes. Theres an escort, and guards who are under the orders of a commissar, but the summit is meant to be a peace talk, and the sylph discouraged the presence of non-diplomatic military personnel. Which is all the military personnel in the Trenten Flats. We keep the army and politics far apart, as a rule.

So, assuming we believe you, if Rowan is being a moron, then hes being a moron under either the orders of someone thats nowhere near here, or hes doing it of his own free will to score points, Amaryllis summarised.

Rowans not a moron, Ellie said.

I butted in before Amaryllis could say anything else, because I knew that her next words werent going to be all that polite. It took some time for people to get used to Amaryllis Amaryllis-ness, and the cervid werent quite ready for that. Lets look for him, I said. Just a poke around the base. Around it. We cant get into trouble for taking an enthusiastic walk, I dont think.

What if he comes back? Ellie asked.

I hesitated. What if we split up, then? Some of us stay here, the rest go looking for Rowan?

Ill go with you, Awen said. Amaryllis can stay with Ellie.

Amaryllis squawked. Why should I stay?

Because youre a harpy. Theyll think youre more suspicious than Broccoli and I, and if we get into big trouble, youre better backup than I would be.

Well, I didnt say that we had used one, just that we needed to use one, Awen pointed out. Do you know where theres a little ladys room?

The officer didnt look amused. Really? he asked.

We could use a boys room in a pinch, Awen said. She shrugged. You know us, us humans and buns, we just need to wash up a lot.

And what about the cervid? the officer asked.

Awen glanced back at Nathan, then at me. Uh, she said.

Theyre our chaperones, I said hurriedly.

Thats right, Awen said. Nathan heres our chaperone.

One of them, I added. We have two.

The officer looked at Nathan, who stood a little taller. You have two? he asked.

I nodded, then pointed to Rowan. See. Theres our other one. Hey! Rowan! I called. Did you find a bathroom yet?

The officer blinked, turning his head to follow the imaginary line of my finger, and saw Rowan with his face smooshed against a window. "Hey!" he shouted, reaching for his club. "This is a restricted area! You can't be looking in there!"

Rowan jumped, spun, then stared at us all wide-eyed. When the officer started moving towards him we followed, Awen and I making calm down sorts of gestures at him. Rowan looked like he wanted to run away, but Nathan shook his head and he stayed on the spot.

Did you find a little ladys room? Awen asked before the officer could start grilling Rowan.

No? Rowan tried.

The officer glared at Rowan, then at us. Okay, I dont know what kind of funny-business is going on here, but I dont like it.

We dont like bathroom business either, sir, Awen said. But its a necessary evil.

The taller officer snickered until his partner levelled his glare on him. He looked at us again, and I tried extra-hard to look innocent. Get out of here. Find a washroom elsewhere. Not... not here.

The nice officer escorted the four of us for a while until we could walk off on our own.

Damned tourists, he muttered before walking off.

Nathan waited until we were back on the sidewalk and heading towards the others before he rounded on Rowan. What in the Worlds own sacred Dirt did you think you were doing back there? he asked.

I... got lost, Rowan said.

Oh, were you looking for a washroom? Nathan asked with biting sarcasm. You idiot. You could have gotten us all in a heap of trouble.

I needed to, Rowan said.

Needed to what? Get arrested? I dont entirely disagree, Nathan said. But you getting in trouble would put me and these girls in trouble too.

The sylph are a threat to our nation, Rowan hissed.

And youre a threat to my sanity, Nathan bit back.

I cleared my throat. Um. Can we... not do this? Friends shouldnt argue. Come on, Rowan will tell us everything, Im sure, but it would be nicer if we didnt have a big argument right on the sidewalk. Also, arguing when tempers are high already isnt great. Im sure we can make an effort to be nice to each other.

The boys were silent until we reached Ellie and Amaryllis who were both waiting with their arms crossed. So, where did you find the moron? Amaryllis asked.

I smacked myself in the face.

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