Chapter 493: Sleep
Elmo felt like he’d been pulled into something he’d have rather stayed out of. Not because he didn’t want to help, but more because he was now the central focus of the plan and if his part fell through, then the plan would be worth as much as his confidence in his ability to pull it off. Nor was he confident that his sleep spell was infallible. As far as he knew, it was weak and could easily be dispelled or prevented somehow. Yet, he doubted that the others would be eager to let him explain his doubts about the spell.
Especially with how he couldn’t be sure that there was any reason to think that his doubts would turn out to be actualized.
While he would have liked to test his doubts out first, he knew that doing so really wasn’t an option. Especially with the time crunch they were in.
While it was entirely possible that they’d be able to rest and relax until it got dark, Elmo seriously doubted that whoever was running this competition would allow them that time. A sentiment that he knew made it impossible for him to articulate an argument that would allow him to argue against this very action that he’d have rather done under different circumstances.
Which also meant that he was screwed by his own assessment of the situation. Or at least in regards to making this attempt. Though, he hoped that he’d be able to at least wait until one of the members of Stanley’s group would get in a position that would allow him to use his spell and make it look like they fell asleep naturally. As then it wouldn’t give them away as easily, or so Elmo hoped.
"So, when are you going to use the spell?" Elwin prompted as Elmo looked out over the distance from the trees where he could barely make out Stanley and his group.
"Just waiting for a moment that won’t alert them to something going on when I use the spell," Elmo replied, feeling like Elwin should be a little more patient, even though he had a feeling that Elwin wasn’t the patient type. Which in part contributed to the issues they’d experienced with Elwin and others in the group since they’d combined all of their groups together.
"Anytime would be preferable than any delay," Elwin replied, making Elmo wonder if Elwin was actually itching to fight something, possibly because of the issues they’d had fighting the giant worm the night before.
"Easy," Owen urged. "If we do this correctly, we’ll be able to move on without a fight, meaning we’ll have less of a delay in dealing with Stanley’s group than we otherwise had a right to expect."
Elwin scowled at Owen, clearly not pleased with what he’d heard, but he didn’t say anything, much to Elmo’s relief. Elmo just wanted to get through this and not have everyone waiting on him to make his move. It was more pressure than he could remember having, even when it came to working on websites that had a strict deadline for him to complete something or other. Yet, even if he didn’t like the way it was done, or said, he at least appreciated the support in regards to taking a little longer to make him move. Especially since he could make out that it wasn’t yet time for him to make an attempt just yet.