Jolane was tired of waiting.
It was pretty obvious. Naise's "We can't be sure" speech was losing its effect, she could tell. Her little sister just kept getting more and more antsy.
She wasn't sure how she felt about it. Shouldn't she be more willing to stay with her sister? Her biological relative, who loved her? She knew Jolane loved her and Keryth as well, but... It wasn't nearly the same as it was for July.
Three weeks after they'd left their parents' village, Naise went into Jolane's room to tell her dinner was ready. She arrived on a scene of her sister folding dresses and her blanket, and putting them, along with a few other items she'd gotten in the past few weeks, in saddle bags.
Naise sighed, making Jolane jump slightly. "So, you're leaving now?"
Jolane turned back to the bed she'd been using. "It's been three weeks. I was expecting... well, one, maybe two at most."
"I wanted to make sure you were safe-"
"I know. And I thank you for it- really, I do. But..." She turned back fully to her sister. "I agreed to leave while August and July shook the people who were tailing them. I'm sure they've done that by now, they've probably hidden for long enough..."
Naise leaned against the doorframe. "I'm guessing there's nothing I can do to stop you..."
Jolane shook her head. "I'm... I'm sorry I'm leaving so suddenly, but-"
"No, don't be sorry. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't leave sooner."
Jolane sat on the bed and looked at the saddle bags. The slight red tint in her cheeks showed her embarrassment at being found out.
"At least stay here until the morning," Naise requested. "It's dangerous to travel alone, especially at night, and especially as a woman."
"You and Keryth aren't going to come with me?"
Naise chuckled. "We have lives, too, you know. Much as I'd love to to protect you, we can't just uproot everything whenever there's something you want to do. Monarda asked me to watch Barak and Rahab tomorrow."
"But- doesn't Keryth go to Truehearth sometimes? To sell meat and hide?"
Naise mocked consideration. "You drive a hard bargain..."
"Naise!"
"Okay, I'm sorry. But you are right, he hasn't gone for a while... Tell you what, I'll talk to him tonight while you rest. Whether you're going alone or with him, you're leaving in the morning, not at night. Alright?"
Jolane sighed. "Alright."
Naise smiled sadly and walked over to her. She took her sister by the hands, stood her up, and pulled her into a hug. After a second's hesitation, Jolane hugged her back. After a few moments, she realized that Naise was crying silently.
"I... You're not going to lose me again. I'll do everything I can to make sure of it."
A quiet sob was Naise's response. Jolane hugged her tighter.