"They killed a monster last night," the woman said, scooping up another bulb."One of them died doing it."
That explained the limp.And the efficiency.They'd already learned.
Jin kept his attention split—half on the woman, half on their surroundings.His ability was pinging constantly out here.Small creatures in the grass.Larger ones in the forest.Nothing close yet, but that could change.
"Nineteen," the woman counted, shoving another bulb into her purse.
The largest dandelion—the one with the scars—returned with bulb twenty.Then twenty-one.
"Twenty-two—"
Jin's ability spiked."Faster."
Kenji's hand went to his sword."How many?"
"Two.Maybe three.Circling northwest."
The woman grabbed the last bulb from a returning dandelion."Twenty-three—"
"That's enough."Jin was already moving toward her."Mount up."
"But you said twenty-five was—"
"Mount.Up."He dismounted, and his hand was on her elbow, firm but not rough, steering her toward the horses.They needed to move.
Kenji was already in his saddle."Jin, we've got company.Northwest, like you said."
The woman looked between them, then at her dandelions."What about—"
"Can they follow?"Jin asked.
"I...yes?I think so?"
"Then they follow.You ride with me."He swung into his saddle and reached down.
She hesitated for only a second, then grabbed his hand, placing one foot in the stirrup.He pulled her up behind him.She was lighter than he expected, and she wrapped her arms around his waist immediately, still clutching that ridiculous minty stick.
"Hold tight," he said, and spurred his horse.
They took off at a gallop, Kenji beside them.Behind, the dandelions ran—impossibly fast for plant creatures, their golden eyes fixed on their human.
Jin could feel the woman's heart hammering against his back.Feel her grip tighten as they raced across the field.
His ability tracked the monsters.Three.Converging.But they were moving away from the shield now, back toward safety.They'd make it.
Barely.
The shield flashed as they crossed through—yellow light washing over them.The dandelions came through behind, not even slowing.
Jin didn't stop until they were well inside her property, near the strange treehouse.He reined in, his horse dancing a bit at the excitement.He spoke to it, calming him, then dismounted and helped her down.She was shaking—adrenaline, fear, relief, all of it hitting at once.
"You got your bulbs," he said, trying to calm her.
She nodded mutely, then looked at her dandelions gathering around her."Thank you," she whispered.To him?To them?He wasn't sure.
Kenji dismounted, still staring at the trees, the treehouse, the impossible garden."Whatisall this?"
The woman followed his gaze, and something like pride flickered across her frightened face."It's my farm," she said.
