Busy Streets and Busy Minds

                  Ella and Leila hastily made their way through the crowded streets of Eknor. Humans and dragons filling the roles of merchants and spectators filled the streets with a busy bustling noise.

                  “Uugghhh, I’m so glad to be out of that booth. My sister was driving me crazy!” Leila said with a bit of contempt. “I can’t imagine being there all day long!”

                  “You know, we were actually planning to be there all day long; your sister was the one planning to leave.” Ella reminded her of their original plan.

                  “Yeah, I know. She’s just been so annoying lately, going on about destiny and nonsensical garbage like that. Lili disagrees with everything I say. She wants to be right all the time.”

                  Ella laughed out loud at the statement. She knew exactly where Lili learned the intricacies of being right all the time. It was one reason she liked Leila so much.

                  Leila continued to vent her feelings. “I feel like I’m growing up and she’s not. She’s stuck in her own childish imagination all the time. It’s so annoying. She still thinks we have special twin powers or something. Since I’m moving on, I’m maturing. She never leaves me alone; always wants to go wherever I go. Why doesn’t she get her own life, her own friends, and do her own things?”

                  “Leila, she’s your sister. She’s going to want to be around you. That’s just what family does.”

                  “Well, I wish—” Leila paused a moment as she considered the harshness of the next thought that came to her mind. Guilty and ashamed of the thought, she quickly recovered to a much less hurtful statement. “Well, you know, just because we are twins doesn’t mean we are the same. We are different people. I wish people would see that, that’s all.”

                  “Ha! If people can’t see that you two are the complete opposite, they must be blind. Even though you two look exactly alike.” Ella couldn’t resist the slight jab.

                  Leila gave a friendly glare as she knew Ella poked fun at the very thing that annoyed her the most. The twins had distinct physical traits, although everyone they met commented on how much they looked the same.

                   “Now, back to my problems!” Ella saw her moment to sway the conversation. “If you think this Jonas guy is not to be trusted, why don’t you come with me?” Ella already assumed she would secure her spot on the expedition up the mountain.

                  “Hmm, I don’t know. I’m not really into outdoor adventures. That’s more of your thing.”

                  “Aww, c’mon, it’ll be fun. You don’t want me to go alone, do you?”

                  “If at all!” Leila did not want to be left alone if Ella succeeded in her plan.

                  Ella nodded, recognizing the dilemma. “I know, I know. I just can’t pass this one up. I have to go on this venture. Nobody around here is ever going to let me be a part of a real expedition. But this is in our own town. It’s not far at all, and if this guy hired Enok and Torben, I’m sure I could get in as well.”

                  Leila listened like the good friend she was.

                  Ella thought for a moment. “I’m not a fool. I know the realities of me getting hired for defense detail on…, well, ANY expedition. I can’t help but think that this is my chance. If I could only prove to everyone what I’m capable of, I’m sure I could make my way into the guild.” Ella had a rare tone of seriousness in her voice as she vocalized some of her truest fears. “I still want us to hang out for the summer. I won’t have as much fun with Enok and Torben being their dumb selves.”

                  Leila gave her a look of sympathy, “Well maybe for you I would consider it.”

                  “Yes! Please, please, please come with me! Don’t make me spend all my time with the lame boys. If you go, it will be fun! We can throw things off cliffs, light things on fire, whatever we want to do.” Ella’s definition of fun differed from Leila’s, yet they remained best friends.

                  Leila entertained the idea of the journey, thinking about what she could get out of it. “I guess I’m curious about the book Jonas had.”

                  “What book?”

                  “Last night at my grandma’s house, Jonas wanted to show her some old book he found. It looked quite interesting. I’m not sure what it had to do with making maps, though.”

                  “I didn’t notice it. I did notice plenty of those honey sweet buns, taste-tee!” Ella’s memories only consisted of the things important to her.

                  “Yeah, but you noticed how weird it got when we all had to leave?”

                  “Uh, yeah, that was super strange. And I didn’t get thirds on my honey sweet buns.”

                  “It’s because of that book. I asked them what it was, and she got all weird and sent us all home. I don’t know, I just don’t know what to think of all of it. I guess I shouldn’t worry, right?” Leila looked at Ella for confirmation.

                  Ella’s eyes widened with excitement. “NO, you SHOULD worry! That’s why you should come along with us!” Ella found her reason. “Yeah, you need to come along. Make sure this guy’s book of spells doesn’t enchant us or something,” Ella flitted her fingers in a fake spell casting motion.

                  “How am I supposed to get invited, anyway? It’s not like I have much to offer,” Leila asked.

                  “Oh, I don’t know. I still need to figure out how I’m going to get invited myself. I’m sure you’ll think of something you always do,” Ella said with a smile.

                  Leila smiled. She had a knack for talking herself into, or out of, just about anything. Suddenly, getting out of town for a bit sounded like a worthwhile adventure, and she knew exactly where to start.