Blackfoot Forest how am I gonna be an optimist about this?;;

The boy could only blink in surprise for a moment, but when he heard Lennon's immediate denial he felt inclined to speak up. Korei... if you're sure you can take care of yourself... then I trust you.
Perhaps they had not been giving the girl enough credit. More time spent with her had made Alarian realize she was older than she seemed, and he also knew she was not quick to volunteer for things she could not do. If she felt she could do this-- who was he to tell her she couldn't? Especially when it seemed their only hope.
If we die there won't be anyone to protect Korei. That would be worse. He was looking at Lennon now, eyes soft but serious. And we need to trust her. She trusts us.