...as Brennan approaches the encampment, he and Maia spot each other almost simultaneously. She's apparently just left the others, and she looks preoccupied.
Brennan: [chanting to himself again]
I did the right thing, I did the right thing! etc. Ah, Jack, cut it out. It's Maia! She'll understand! ...If I live long enough.
[aloud, smiling]
Maia! How'd it go?
Maia:
What? I haven't gone yet. Why do you ask?
Narrator:
She starts to unlace her breeches. Brennan snorts as he realizes what she is talking about.
Brennan: [to himself]
Why does she always take everything literally??
[aloud]
Never mind.
Narrator:
He leans against a handy tree and waits for her to finish. When she does, she comes up to Brennan, jerks her head back toward the encampment and looks at him questioningly. He nods and they start back. Brennan tries again.
Brennan: [to himself]
At least she doesn't seem any worse for wear...
[aloud, picking his words carefully]
Did you tell them what we found? What did they say?
Maia: [overlapping him]
Yes. Not much. Blackbird is interested in anemones.
[starts to think about anemones]
Brennan:
Any other comments from them?
Maia:
Oh. Yes. She thought Jhereg would want to know. And she thought Druids of the Tuath were responsible - the old legends talk about "people of the forest."
Where's Beauty? Did she get enough to eat?
Brennan:
She's asleep, and she'll stay near the sleeping trees. I hope. I think she had plenty for now - the rest of this is to make up for the ham she wolfed down.
Heather:
fix the pun, please
Narrator:
By this time, they are back at the encampment.