The Prepared Mind

Valerie caught their expectant stares. A soft, warm laugh escaped her lips, breaking the brief silence that had settled over the dusty crossroad. "What?" she teased, her voice carrying a light, confident cadence that put them at ease. "Are you guys planning to win this whole show by just standing around doing nothing?"

Jaxon and Arthur exchanged a quick glance. "Yes," they replied in unison, thei