The Tangle Where’d You Go?

Yes, they said simply, glad Sky followed in theory.

But what about in practice? Masquerade folded their body close to the ground, elbows tucked to their ribs and haunches coiled like springs at rest. Although they relaxed their muscles some, their neck remained rigid as they scanned the surrounding forestry. Their eyes and ears were both in constant motion, their nostrils flaring as they drank all the tells on the subtle breeze.

The wind is blowing from the sea to the north, they observed aloud, meaning we’re downwind from everything in that direction. If we stay quiet and still, it’s only a matter of time before something stumbles this way. Do you think you can sit still and wait, Sky? Possibly for hours?

No matter how assured he seemed, only time would tell if Sky would prove capable. And in the likely event that his youthful attention span ran short, Masque would be happy to teach him everything they knew about staying focused and patient.