eleanor rowe

Hattie shrugged. “Sure.”

“I make people bleed, and then I patch them back up. It’s a lucrative business.”

“I’ve already got to keep people alive. I don’t need plants, too.”

“You’re studying to be a healer?”

“Better I supervise, then isn’t it? How is twenty feeling?”

“Much like nine-teen. With a bit more pressure of impending adulthood.” The last sentence was a joke, obviously. Elle felt like she was no closer to being an adult than she would be at thirty.

“You get graded on plants?” Hattie realized that it really wasn’t that surprising, she just further began to understand the difference between them. “I tried keeping a plant once and it died.”

“Herbology major,” she gave a small shrug, “You just haven’t found the right one yet.”

“There are no rules in a true fight.”

“Not when it counts for half my grade.”

Clem eyed the list as she walked. “I hope you’ve got a plan to get all those back to the castle in one piece.”

“A few trips should do the trick.”

“I know how to use knives.”

“No, that might make it worth it. I’ll fight a plant, too.”

“They’ll probably win.”

“Have you got your eye on anything in particular?”

Elle pulled out her list, with at least fifteen things on it. “Where should I start?”

“Always a good idea to make sure you don’t blow your guests up. Need any help?”

“Please. I may have had a few glasses whilst putting them out.”

Rory groaned, eyes rolling, as she gave in. “Half an hour. That’s it.”

“That’s where I want to sit, then.”

“Not yet, though. I still need to check they’re far enough away.”

“Yeah, I’ll step on another flower of yours. Really start to feel your wrath.”

“Make sure it’s none of the ones that bite. For your own sake.”

“Don’t no, Marlene me.” Marlene looked back over her shoulder and surveyed what she could of her own bum. “You know it’s a good one.”

“I have no doubts. But the fireworks -- they’ll be over there.”

“I’ll come with you, if you want company.”

“Not now?” This was disappointing news.

“Um -- no. It’s still light out.”