"We're in a bit of trouble," Primrose said, her brow furrowing.
"Were we going in the wrong direction the whole time?" he said in mock horror still stirring the wild vegetable soup that was to be their lunch.
Primrose snorted," No, our timeline is off. I can't figure out how to get to MT. Annapuna in time," she said, not looking up from the map.
Malik's hand tightened on the wooden spoon, "I thought you said we had plenty of time," he said lightly.
"We did till we lost three days because I was sick, and it wouldn't stop raining." she sighed in palpable frustration," The real problem is I didn't account for how long it would take to go around every town and city we crossed."
Malik had unbeknownst to Primrose taken Stephen's knapsack "just in case". Inside of the sack was Malik's official warrant and some of the privet letters he received from that Calypso lady. Malik had ripped those letters from Primrose's hands, read them quickly then burned them in their campfire. Putting that super suspicious behavior to the side they learned that bounty on his head was high enough that they couldn't risk going into any towns for a while.
"It costs us a lot of time giving the towns a wide birch. If we keep going at our usual pace, we won't get to Mt. Annapuna till a week after the end of the month." Primrose sighed rubbed her temples.
Malik walked over the maps and looked them over," So right now, we're here right." he said, staring hard at the map," hmm, what time of the year is it."
"Midsummer. I believe it's a week past the feast of beasts," she said.
Malik's face brightened," We're in luck. If we go through the valley of Purple flowers, we can meet up with the Seven Veils Carnival in about a day."
"So, we die entertained?" Primrose said, confused.
"No, no, no. Every year during the summer, the Seven Veils travel from the hills of Vennti to MT Annapuna. If we join them, we can go with them to travel through the towns without going around. If we travel with them until they get to Lord Bryon's territory and go on horseback and we'll be able to get to MT. Annapuna with two days to spare." he said, marking the path to show her
"Why would they give us horses, and more importantly, how do you know their schedule so well?" Primrose asked.
Malik smiled widely," My older sister owns the carnival. I've traveled with them most of my life." he said.
Primrose was shocked to suddenly hear about the existence of a sister but decided to put that to the side for now and turned her attention back to the map and cross-checked the route Malik suggested and nodded," Yeah, that would be perfect."
"Great, so we'll need to head northeast for a bit, so let's head out right after lunch," he said, and Primrose nodded her consent.
They ate their lunch and headed out. Malik and Primrose walked for a long time in silence.
"It's really sinking in that we have so little time left together, huh," he said with a small, sad laugh.
Primrose didn't say anything then quietly said," It's just the end of the soul bond. We don't necessarily have to part ways."
Malik's head whipped up," What?!" he said.
Primrose reddened," Well, you're pretty helpless alone, you know. Nine out of ten villages have warrants for your arrest, and while you're excellent at evading capture, sometimes you need to muscle your way out of trouble, so I would help. You also wouldn't need to worry about your "nighttime activities" I'll respect your space." she said quickly.
"Why would you want to?" he asked dumbly.
Primrose looked hurt," Oh um I-I thought we were friends. I'm sorry it was just a suggestion. Just forget about it."
Primrose speed up to get away from him, but he stopped her," Wait, sorry, I was just surprised. I don't want to separate either." he said.
"Really?" Primrose said, smiling.
"You sound really relieved," Malik laughed.
"Yeah, I guess as we get closer to the end of this soul bond, I'm starting to realize that I don't really have any plans for after. No job, no home, nothing," she said with a sad smile.
"Well, now you definitely have a job protecting me!" Malik said with enthusiasm trying to cheer her up.
Primrose laughed," Oh, are you going to start paying me now?" she asked.
"Hey, I've offered to pay you with my body many many times. Hell, I'll give you your first payment right now if you want." Malik said, doing a little dance with his hips, making Primrose bust out laughing.
"Not a chance," she said, laughing, but the laughter died as she noticed that Malik looked a little guilty. She was about to question him about it when she heard footsteps coming towards them. She pulls her sword out and had Malik get behind her.
A hooded figure stepped out the tree with their arms up," Hello fellow travelers, I apologize for interrupting you guys. Our caravan is coming this way, and I'm just clearing the way. If you keep going this way, I have to ask you to..." the hooded figure crooked their head to the side, then gasping "Malik?!"
Malik nervously looked over Primrose's shoulder then smiled and stepped out from behind Primrose," Rana!"
The hooded figure let out a loud shriek and ran over Malik, throwing herself into his arms. Malik caught her and swung her around in circles while both laughed loudly. As the woman turned, her hood fell down, and Primrose could see she was a beautiful, slightly older woman with an exotic appearance. The mysterious woman had a slender face with a reddish-brown complexion. Her bright eyes were rimed with black, and she had a gorgeous smile.
For a moment, Primrose felt a strange twinge in her heart as she watched Malik twirl about with this stranger, but she just reshefted her sword, "Umm, hello..." she said, reaching a handout in greeting.
Malik set Rana down and pulled Primrose close to them," Primrose, this is my sister Rana. Rana, this is my friend Primrose." he said.
Rana gasped at Primrose then smiles widely," Oh, you got a girlfriend. You're at finally settling down." she said quickly, giving Primrose a hug.
Primrose quickly pushed her away," I'm-We're not-it's not like that." she said frantically.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm not one of those judgy broads who are going to be all preachy." she said, waving away her concerns," I of all people understand how easy it is to love our little Mal-Mal."
"No, we're actually not like that," Malik said then laughed at Rana's confused face," it's a long story."
Rana looked at both of them and smiled," Well, I always have time for a good story."