Mysteries and Friendship

Maia surreptitiously rubbed her right shoulder as the fellowship ventured into the outskirts of the Old Glade. Perhaps Jared hadn't known his own strength when dragging her out of his bedroom the night before. Or perhaps he did. It could be a little hard to set aside ill feelings when you'd been manhandled by a new friend, but there isn't much else he could have done after catching her sneaking into his bedroom in the dregs of the night. Maia prided herself on being fair-minded, even if it meant admitting you were more or less completely in the wrong.
 
Why hadn't she waited, anyway? It's not like Jared had said she COULDN'T examine the stone. Just not alone, not at night. Still, looking inward she realized that part of her was reticent to tell the others about her Mark. Not just yet.
 
Which was more important? The truth of her magic, or her new friends? Years ago her father had taught her the responsibility of wilderness trackers and guides: put the needs of your charges first. It was no stretch of the imagination to extend that ethic to the people who were now in danger from the miasma and who knew what else was waking up in the wider world (The Witchwood? All Maia knew of the place were the barest hints of old stories). Still, she wasn't ready to show off her magic, even though it might be a help to the fellowship. It might even be related to the old Empire and the new miasma and whatever else. But the Mark usually made people uncomfortable, even afraid, and Jared was already angry with her. Would he stop trusting her if he felt she had a hidden agenda? Would Ash and Chu? She didn't have her own agenda. though. Not REALLY. But holding the stone when she wasn't yet ready to wake the Mark in front of the others seemed beyond pointless.
 
Nevertheless, she turned it over in her hands a few times as they made their first steps under the treetops. Maybe it was leading them to some answers along the way. Or maybe just a grisly death. Not that she really believed that would happen.
 
As shade spread across the fellowship, Maia handed the stone back to Jared before stepping to the front, bow at the ready. Mysteries and secrets would have to wait. Time to do your job.