League of Laurels: A Win is a Win

“Harper, I don’t think we should…”

“Do you want Magda to get her boastful hands on the League of Laurels before you?”

“Of course not, I…”

“Exactly, so don’t argue.” With a nod of her head and a lengthening of her stride, Harper put a foot of distance between them, “The stables are straight ahead. We’ll sneak in, visit Whittaker, you do your voodoo-what's it, and we’ll be back in bed upon the hour.”

“An hour?”

“An hour.”

“I guess, but isn’t this, like, cheating?”

“Not if we don't get caught.”

“Harper!”

“Get real, Genie. I wouldn’t have suggested it, if I thought we’d be breaking the rules.”

“Thought, doesn’t fill me with warm fuzzies Harper”

“How 'bout this, I know for a fact, visiting the stables or its occupants therein, is not a rule breaker.”

“Okay,” Genie sighed. “I trust you.”

“Now that fills me with warm fuzzies.”

“Touché.”

The stables loomed in front of them, the flickering light of faerie flame winked in sconces set on either side of the double doors, giving off a warm glow.

Harper took Genie by the arm and they both drifted on tiptoes to the side of the barn, closest to the heavy double doors.

“Now for the fun part,” Harper gave Genie a nod and pointed up toward an open window above the barn doors, its shutters left ajar to encourage airflow on warm summer nights. "On the other side of that window is a ladder, I'll let you in once I'm on the other side."

"Wait, what? How are you going to do that? I don't see a ladder on this side."

"Watch." Harper took a few running steps and in a matter of seconds had scaled the side of the barn using the stone's natural dips and crevices. Smiling down at Genie from the open window, Harper mouthed, "That's how."

Rolling her eyes, Genie crept up to the barn doors and waited, rehearsing what she would say to Whittaker when she saw him. Words were power. Words of encouragement, positivity, and love even more so. She knew technically she wasn't cheating, but she also knew her talent was uncommon enough to change the playing field. With a whispered word in Whittaker's ear, she could win the race.

Lost in thought, Genie yelped in surprise when a section of what appeared to be paneling opened inward, and a hand snaked out to cover her mouth at the same time. Harper's voice close to her ear said, "Sorry, but it sounded like you were going to scream."

Batting the hand away, Genie turned to face Harper who had bits of straw stuck in her hair. "I'm sure. Couldn't you have warned me before opening the door?"

"I could have..."

"Whatever, where's Whittaker's stall?"

"I thought you knew?"

"Really, Harper? I know you checked every nook and cranny in this barn before opening that door. I also know you know that before a race, the horses are taken from the main stall block to this holding barn therefore, I do not know which stall he is kept."

"Third stall on the right."

"Exactly..."

"Careful, Genie, if you know so much I may have to remind you of my school's Code."

"Have you graduated?"

"No..."

"Then don't bother reminding me of the Code until after you take the Oath, and do I have to remind you of why we're poking around a barn that's supposed to be off limits-"

"Morally maybe, but not officially."

"Thank you for the clarification."

Harper shrugged, "My pleasure future King's toy."

Genie whirled around and poked her finger under Harper's nose, "I will never be a King's toy. Ever!"

Harper smiled, "I believe you, but do they?"

"Where's Whittaker?"

"Three stalls to the right."