I averted my gaze and stared at my lap, listening to the purring and whining between Hawthorne and Emilija.
I was helpless. I didn’t know what to do to help her. All I could do was sit by and watch her slow, labored breathing.
All of a sudden, Emilija stiffened. Her breathing became harsh, and she whined piteously.
I hurried to her side, not quite sure what I could do.
‘What is it, girl?’ I asked. ‘Where does it hurt?’
Whimpering and panting, Emilija seemed to be going into a state of shock. She tensed up, and for a moment I was sure this would be the end.
Something near her tail moved. Shock rooted me to the spot as I watched what was happening.
‘What the-’ I gasped as the realization of what was happening struck me. Something large, grey, and writhing was pushing its way out of Emilija’s body. At first I thought it was her innards, but a moment later, I recognised the squirming mass as a hairless, baby Vulmessian.
Chapter Fourteen
Joining the Guard
JACK GREENWOOD
‘Come on, you stupid, bloody animal.’
Merry Legs refused to walk. They’d been riding for only an hour today, and the horse had gotten bored and decided to graze on a patch of grass instead.
Jack, still astride the beast, was doing everything within his power to make the horse pay attention to him, but Merry was having none of it. The steed could tell that Jack was inexperienced, and was taking full advantage of it.
Jack shook the reins, dug his heels into his sides, and even smacked him on the rear end. All Merry did was eat and whip his tail back and forth. Jack even tried whistling, and shouting ‘Yee-haw’ though he felt quite foolish afterward. He could imagine Avalon laughing at him whilst astride Hawthorne.
‘Useless bloody animal,’ Jack cursed, sliding from the horse's back. Rummaging through his bag, he pulled out an apple he’d been saving for himself.
‘Oi.’ He waved the apple in front of the horses face. This seemed to get Merry’s attention; his head shot up at once, and he made to grab the apple, but Jack pulled it out of his reach. ‘Nuh-uh, buddy. You gotta earn this apple.’
Merry grunted impatiently and tried to get the apple again, but Jack took a step back. At least he had the animal’s attention. After all, they were only a couple of hours away from Concord city.
~
Bribery worked wonders on Merry Legs. Jack had the genius idea of tying the apple onto a self-made fishing pole and dangling it in front of Merry’s face whenever he showed signs of slowing, or disinterest.
He arrived in Concord City quicker than he’d planned; Merry had galloped a little bit of the way, and Jack decided he didn’t completely hate the animal.
Jack quickly sought a lodge with stables so he could house Merry, and himself for as long as he needed.
As he’d expected, Avalon’s face lined the streets of the Capital city. There was even a poster at the reception of the lodge.
Jack stared at the it. Ava’s face stared at him from the parchment; the huge ‘wanted’ lettering standing out like a sore thumb. But it wasn’t the poster that caught Jack's attention. Directly beneath Avalon’s wanted poster was another that read:
OUR WAY OF LIFE IS IN PERIL AS HUMAN EMPATHISERS THREATEN MAGE-KIND.
The Realm is seeking young men and women to join the War against Humans and protect our way of life.
ENLIST IN THE REALM’S GUARD NOW!
Living quarters available.
This gave Jack an idea. He could work with the Realm by joining the guard. Surely he would have a better chance of finding Avalon if he was part of a larger group that was searching for her. It was a risky move, but what other choice did he have? If he joined the enemy he would learn where they were searching.
Jack envisioned himself as a cunning and stealthy under-cover spy, working for the Realm whilst secretly supporting the human movement. Imagining himself as a spy made Jack smile.
Tearing down the enlistment poster, Jack read the fine print.
Register for the Realm’s Guard at Town Hall Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon until three o’clock.
Checking his watch, Jack discovered that it was half past two already, but he had no idea what day it was. Travelling tended to confuse him.
‘Excuse me?’ Jack caught the attention of a pretty woman walking by with her young son. ‘Can you tell me what day it is?’
She gave him a strange look, but responded, ‘It’s Wednesday.’
‘Thank you,’ Jack called after her as she briskly walked away, holding her son's hand.
Brilliant. It was Wednesday, and if Jack could find the Town Hall within half an hour he would be able to enroll himself into the Realm’s guard. It shouldn’t be a problem; he’d just ask a local where it was.