‘A bit like your flying abilities,’ spat Fae.
Sending a fireball towards them was the only way to get their attention. The ball of fire shot between them, leaving a blazing trail through the grass. Both Dagon and Fae jumped back, alarmed. They fell silent immediately, eyes wide and mouths open.
‘Right,’ I said, hands on my hips. ‘I’m making a few rules, got it? I’m in charge. You do as I say. If you’ve got a problem with that, you can leave now. I’m not messing about. I want revenge on the Realm, and I won’t let two squabbling children get in the way. Dagon, I’m going to help you find your friend. Fae, I’m going to help you find R?ven. This means you two have to do something for me, and that is to follow orders.’
I glared at them, daring either of them to challenge my authority. Dagon gulped and nodded. Fae reluctantly nodded, too.
‘From here on in, we are an army. The resistance. We are only three Mage’s and three adult Vulmessians, but we are going to gather followers; human, beast and Mage-kind alike. Together we can do great things, but you must co-operate. Understand?’
Once again, they nodded in unison.
‘Are you with me?’ I asked, raising my voice.
‘Yes, ma’am!’ Dagon shouted whole-heartedly.
‘I’m with you,’ said Fae, her voice strong.
‘Right. Let’s get started. Fae, catch us some breakfast, please. Dagon, gather more firewood.’
They nodded once more and scurried away, apparently afraid that I was going to set them on fire. It wasn’t the approach I’d wanted to take, but it was necessary. We needed to be a team, and in order for us to do that, Dagon and Fae had to get along.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Messenger
JACK GREENWOOD
During his spare time, Jack wandered around base camp, listening in on various conversations. He’d visit Merry Legs and take him for a ride around the perimeter, as well as frequenting the local tavern each night, after midnight. Tonight was no exception. Guards were able to do as they pleased in their free time, but as Jack had transferred from the Realm’s army, things were a little stricter.
That didn’t stop him, however. Every night, Jack walked into town and met H.W.L at their headquarters for their nightly meeting. They greeted him cheerily; they had come to trust him over the last three meetings as he provided valuable information.
Not only that, but the number of members had increased from thirty to fifty in just three days, some of them human, too. Members had told their family, and word had spread. There was also news of five other human activist groups in Concord City alone, though many were reluctant to reveal themselves in case they were betrayed by imposters. The H.W.L group, however, was in a unique position to sniff out imposters, with Cecilia, the living lie-detector, on board. This is why their numbers increased so quickly. She could tell who was sincere, and who was not.
‘The Fire-Mage will unite all groups across the country,’ said Cecilia to her fifty H.W.L members, who nodded enthusiastically. Jack kept his mouth shut. He was one-hundred percent certain that Avalon was in hiding, and not building an army.
‘Now, we’ve got another five new members today,’ Cecilia continued. ‘Less than yesterday, but still great news!’
The room was so packed that Jack hadn’t even noticed the new faces. He only knew the names of a few select people.
‘We have contortionist Mr. Jeremy Pike of Scyre. Welcome, Jeremy.’ There was a small smattering of applause, during which Jeremy waved nervously from the middle edge of the room.
‘Next, there’s metal-man Hans Braun of Munich, who can transform into living steel,’ Cecilia continued.
Hans Braun was of gigantic proportions, and seemed extremely stern. His applause was far more hesitant. Jack wondered how he hadn’t noticed him earlier. Other members were giving him a wide berth in Cecilia’s sitting room.
‘Here we have Xara Swanson of Concord City, a multiplier and advanced intellect Mage. Good news, everyone. Xara works inside the Realm headquarters.’ Cecilia pointed to a Mage who sat beside her.
Jack felt his jaw drop. He knew Xara Swanson; she was the holographic Mage that had greeted him and Avalon at the Realm Headquarters. She was an emotionless girl that could complete hundreds of tasks at once. It made Jack wonder how many versions of her were around at this very moment. Regardless, the Xara that stood before them looked like the real deal. She did not flicker or fade like an image.
‘We also have Patton … who does not wish to disclose her real name. Fair enough, I guess.’ Cecilia shrugged. ‘She is a human, ladies and gentlemen!’
Loud applause sounded throughout the room.