He'd told her to meet him at the edge of Arachnea's revenge, just before the forest began to thicken. He was so thrilled that he could not stay still, his fingers entangling in the horse's coarse, wavy main and his foot swinging against the animal's flank. He was so giddy with excitement, so happy that he was about to do something wonderful for her. Kansas had always imagined whisking her away from what so drained her, just for a little while. In his mind, he didn't refer to this as the pack, because he and every other Dreamer knew she loved it with all her heart. He meant the other things; the trouble with her siblings, the worry he saw in her eyes that he wasn't even able to explain adequately. She deserved to leave it all behind, and he was proud to be the one who could do that for her.
His bag held many things and strained heavily against his shoulder. He took it off and let it rest between himself and the horse's neck. Inside the black bag were items that he'd never carried before, but that might hopefully help them enjoy themselves to the umpteenth degree. Indeed, the boy was nervous, but only to see his raven's reaction to the surprises he had for her. And it went without saying that the horse on whose back he was mounted was the greatest of these. Strange though riding a large beast felt, Kansas was extremely enthralled to own one. He couldn't wait to sweep her off her feet and ride into the forest with her sitting behind him like the princess she was. There was more; he'd save it for when they'd reached the destination he'd carefully selected for them.
He was not completely certain of how long they'd be gone; not too long before life beckoned them home. The only important thing to him was that they would be there together, if only for a little while.