After another pointed stare from Mak, Kalia gave a long, dramatic sigh. “Fine.” Despite the reluctant act, her eyes were sparkling. She halted in the path, twisting her snout down at her hind legs. Pausing with her, Flisety searched for a bag of some kind, but there was nothing there. As it should be; she hadn’t noticed Kalia wearing anything before.
However, a few moments of examination confirmed that there was something. Not a bag, but a pair of bands, hard to pick out amongst Kalia’s fur due to their almost-matching shade of pink. Lifting her paw, she caught hold of one of them with her claw and flipped it off in one smooth motion. She was clearly well-practiced at handling the bands.
Flisety frowned. “Surely it would be easier to wear those on a forepaw.”
“I don’t find that comfortable,” Kalia said with a shrug. “Besides, I don’t want them too obvious. Imagine if someone stole them.”
“So that’s why they’re pink? For camouflage?”
Looking up, Kalia stared at her as if she’d just asked if deer could fly. “No, the pink is just pretty.”
A chuckle slipped from Flisety’s throat. “I see.”
“Seriously! Isn’t it?” Kalia slid the freed band across the path towards Flisety and continued without waiting for a response. “Anyway, just slide that on whatever paw you like and I’ll show you what they do, if it works.” She glanced at the path ahead. “But let’s keep walking, because I don’t want you to miss out on the tour.”
With a nod, Flisety slotted the band onto her left forepaw, letting loose a little magic to pull it into place. They set off at a slower pace than before, but Kalia’s step skipped with excitement.
“What are they?” Flisety asked.
“I was getting to that part.” Kalia cast another glance at the band around her hind paw, giving her leg a shake as if to adjust it. “They’re like trackers. If you have one, you can always find the other.”
Twisting her head to the side, Flisety realised she’d only ever heard of trackers on the border. That required a wolf to be trapped and still. “How do they work?”
“They sense the tiniest tremors of a wolf’s steps, or any movement, and allow me to follow them to the other band.” Kalia stated it easily, but pride tugged the corners of her smile up. “Jael is a Rockshaker, and he let me use his magic to enchant.
“Very clever,” Flisety remarked truthfully. She caught Mak’s eye.
“Told you.” He nudged Kalia’s shoulder. “You’re a smart wolf.”
“And a talented Powerplacer,” Flisety added. Such an intricate enchantment must have needed so much precision and control. As a Mindmover, she didn’t understand how others could manage the attention required for enchantments regardless, but this was something even more incredible.
“Do you want me to demonstrate?” Kalia’s tone was tentative, but clearly hopeful.
Flisety nodded. “Of course.”
“Alright.” She paused and jerked her head towards a path to the left. “I’ll go ahead. You stay here with Mak. When I give you the signal, start trying to track me.”
“How will I know when you give me the signal? We’ll be--”
“You’ll know,” Kalia said with a sparkle in her eyes. Even after knowing her for less than a day, Flisety knew better than to argue.
She managed only a single step in the path’s direction, however, before Mak rushed out to stop her. “I think it’s better if I stay with you.” His tone mirrored the firmness it had held when Rowtag approached. “It’s best you’re not alone on these streets.”
Kalia opened her snout to protest, but slowly closed it when he held her gaze. Something unspoken passed between them. Shifting nervously on her paws, Flisety held her breath. All at once, the mysterious fear from before had returned, and it gripped both of them with such ease.
It made no sense that Mak would care so much. Kalia was old enough and smart enough to avoid any trouble that threatened to come near. Besides, Flisety was far newer to the city, and if Mak joined Kalia then she would be alone.
And the last time she’d been alone, it had been with Rowtag, moments after the two of them had fled. She didn’t know whether to feel bitter, or concerned, or just confused.
But once again, she swallowed her questions. They deserved a little privacy. She had to remember how much of a stranger she still was to them, even if Kalia removed those feelings entirely.
After a moment, Kalia nodded, blinking away her brief uncertainty. “Yeah, you’re right,” she said quietly, before turning to Flisety. “Are you okay with that? Trust me, you’ll be able to find us. I think,” she added, ducking her head.
“It’s alright,” Flisety said, flashing her a smile. “I trust your magic.”
“As you should,” Mak said, producing another giggle from Kalia. It was as if nothing had happened. Flisety shook out her fur, trying to sink into that normality.
“If it’s all okay, then see you in a bit, Flisety!” Kalia took a step backwards, her eyes bright again. “Or maybe sooner. We’ll see.” With a sly glance and another laugh, she bounded away, Mak tight at her side.
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