Chapter 59: Speed rats.
WITH PETE FOLLOWING close behind him, Nigel jogged through the forest, the familiar terrain blurring around them. He moved with practiced ease, dodging a razor fern, and automatically, the royal, now surprisingly adept, did the same.
This journey was a far cry from their first trek to the treehouse. Nigel recalled with vivid clarity all the dangers Pete had stumbled into, all the near-fatal blunders that first day he'd met him.
Now, the royal's head constantly swiveled, scanning the surroundings, his movements swift and economical. And, surprise-surprise, he didn't talk. The silence, a profound and welcome absence of noise, made Nigel's lips twitch into a small, private smile. Getting this bloke to realize the inherent dangers here, and how crucial silence was fo
