By the time he’d returned Nancy to ground level, counselors were chivvying the last few kids toward the cabins. His own campers still lingered by the dying bonfire, though it was definitely not through any desire to extend a delightful evening. Beth and Archie had gone back to pointedly ignoring each other, Hetta was sniffling again, and Ignatius appeared to be mentally composing a long letter of complaint to his uncle.
“There you all are!” A girl from another pack bounced over to this tragic group. “Hi, everyone!”
“Hello, Flora,” Finley said, smiling in return. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Same here!” Flora hugged him, then Archie. She turned to Ig.
“Do not,” Ignatius said, “even think about it.”
“You haven’t changed a bit.” Flora punched Ig on the shoulder. “Isn’t it great to be back at Camp Thunderbird?”
“Yeah,” Archie said gloomily. “Great.”
“It’s a shame we aren’t in the same pack this year.” Flora turned to Estelle and Beth. “But we’re still sharing a cabin, at least. Guess what, Claire’s back too! And she’s brought some of her snow leopard cousins. They can’t change colors like she can, but they’re still lots of fun. Tomorrow, we’re all gonna shift together and explore the woods!”
“Flora,” Moira called from the path that led to the junior girls’ cabins. “The other girls are waiting for you.”
“I gotta go,” Flora said to the other kids. “Ragvald said that if we all got ready for bed quickly, he’d teach us how to sharpen an ax. Let’s catch up later, okay? I’ve got so much to tell you!”
Estelle gazed wistfully after Flora. “Wecould have been sharpening axes.”
“I think some of us already are,” Ignatius muttered.
“Go join the other girls,” Conleth told Nancy. “Paige will take you to your cabin. Please make a determined effort to stay in it. I’ve already had to replace that roof once.”
Paige had pulled Leonie aside for a low, urgent conversation, their backs to the campers. Conleth could guess the topic.
“Please, Leonie,” Paige was saying as Conleth joined the pair. “This isn’t fair to the kids.”
“I can’t change the pack assignments now,” Leonie replied. “Look, give your campers a little time. It’s only the first day.”
“Yes,” Conleth said. “Just imagine how much they’ll hate each other by the end of the week. Paige is right, Leonie. Punish me however you like, but don’t drag the children into it.”
“Why, Conleth, I haven’t even begun to punish you yet.” Leonie turned back to Paige. “You aren’t on cabin duty tonight. Come find me at the senior staff bonfire after you’ve put the kids to bed, okay? I havesomany stories to tell you. Some of them involving apples.”
“I deeply regret touching your clipboard,” Conleth said to Leonie. “I am very, very sorry.”
She gave him a sweet smile. “Not as sorry as you will be.”
Paige looked between them. “What’s this about apples?”
“We do not speak of the apple story. At least, some of us don’t.” Conleth grimaced in resignation. “Let me guess.I’mon cabin duty tonight.”
“Oh, Conleth. When will you learn not to underestimate me?” Leonie raised her voice so that her words carried clearly across the square. “Of course you aren’t on cabin duty tonight. You can meet up with Paige at the romantic, adult-only bonfire. Just as soon as all your campers are in bed.”
Thanks to his pegasus senses, Conleth did not need to turn around. He did so anyway.
Archie’s expression was pure, malevolent glee.
Behind him, Leonie let out a happy sigh. “Nowyou’re being punished.”
An hour later, Conleth had his arm down a toilet.
“I don’t know what happened,” Archie said from behind him. “It just started spewing water everywhere.”
Conleth stared at the ceiling, trying to pretend his right hand belonged to someone else. “How odd that such a malfunction would spontaneously occur in your presence, Archie.”
“It’s a mystery,” Archie agreed serenely.
