potion approaching (andromache & kingston, day 1)

Stupid Brad. Stupid Maverick. Thanks to them showing up, I never got a chance to get a good look at the light Florentine pointed out to us earlier. Once they made themselves known -- though I don't know how somebody like Brad could stay hidden for long -- I'd switched to monitoring them rather than whatever not so natural phenomena the Gamemakers programmed into this place. Turns out sometimes people are just well meaning. Weird, but whatever. Strategy isn't a gift given to everyone. 

When it's my turn to take watch, and once I'm sure the other two are fast asleep, the first thing I do is double check I don't have any other bells hanging off me anywhere. I already ditched the jester hat. I left it back in the throne room after the place cleared out. I don't want anyone to hear me sneaking around, but especially not Eulalie and Florentine. The trust wrapped around us and keeping us together is less of a strong seafarer's rope and more like cheap sewing thread. In my mind, anyways. Either I can't get a complete read on them, or I'm too paranoid to accept the whole truth already in my hands. Better paranoid and alive than oblivious and dead though if you ask me. 

I creep across the plush woodland floor with careful steps, avoiding tree roots and spare debris, and make it back to the edges of the ponds. In the dark I can see the light more clearly than I did earlier -- it's somewhere different too. Multiple entrances? Or does it move? I don't know. By myself, I'm free to get down on my knees and get right up close to follow the light to its source.

I'm there. I swear I'm there, able to make out shapes beyond the glow, when I hear a twig snap. Again? Seriously? I snap up straight, and see the guy from Three. The one who cut Florentine's leg. 

"Don't come any closer," I sneer. With practiced ease, I draw a knife I'd taken from the throne room earlier. "What's your name, Three?"

_{[ DARS ]}