117. Kate

Olaf was the quietest companion. With the suppliers on our backs we didn’t shift form, weaving our way through the damp muddy tracks that made up Luna Madeline’s Foxton pack. I was grateful for his guidance.

Changed into black leggings and a tunic dress with sturdy boots I had to top over muddy bogs, clamber over fallen trees and practically job to keep up with him. The one big difference was seeing his eyes. For the first time his hair was pulled back from his face. Tied up in a knot, secured by a long silver pin I imagined he kept as a weapon. His golden eyes scanned constantly. If a seed pod fluttered to the ground, he paused.

We didn’t sleep, he passed me snacks from his bag as we walked. Even stopping to relieve myself felt as though I was delaying us unnecessarily. Perhaps I was a hindrance, maybe it would have been sensible to send another person of Olaf’s skill instead of me. All I had to offer was the connection to Roxie.

“It’s time to drink the bottle she gave you,” he whisp