“Prioritize the mission,” he suggested. “If there is the slightest inclination that nothing can be done, I think Puck had the right idea.”
“I know you don’t,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Again, the important part is ‘if there’s nothing to be done’.”
“What if there is something that can be done, but it’s risky?” Puck interjected. Ben frowned, his brows furrowed. His expressions had grown so familiar to her, and she would be able to tell by the way he set his mouth that he was genuinely considering the point. “Prioritize the mission,” he repeated after a moment. “Balance the risks, but ultimately prioritize the mission.”
“We don’t much want to leave you behind either, Elf,” Ben said gently. “But what alternative would you propose?”
They began to move, traipsing across the flat landscape as the sun steadily rose over the horizon. Ben would occasionally try to entertain them with a few games, but after a few rounds, they became quite repetitive.
It was startling how few signs of life they encountered. Occasionally, they would pass rotting animal carcasses, but it would be difficult to tell what the animal used to be.
“Probably some kind of pack animal,” Ben reassured her. “Don’t worry.” “A pack animal that thinks you look delicious,” Puck said, laughing a little.
Cal's eyes widened, looking nervous. "Me?! It would go after you first, I don't have enough meat on my bones..."
