‘Uh, no. I’m her father.’
Cecilia clutched her heart, breathing heavily. For a moment he feared she might be having a heart attack, but before he knew it she had jumped into his arms, embracing Kenneth in a back-breaking hug.
‘Oh, my goodness. I can’t believe I’m meeting the Fire-Mage’s father. I am so honoured.’
Cecilia broke away, holding Kenneth at an arms length. She studied him, her eyes roaming across his face.
‘Yes, I can see it. Your hair is dark and thick like hers. And you’re short too. I heard Avalon was rather small.’
‘You … you know my daughter?’ asked Kenneth.
‘Only by name,’ said Cecilia excitedly. ‘I can’t wait to meet her. Oh goodness. When will she be here? Is she with you? Hiding? Is that why you came? To make sure it was safe? I can assure you, we have the highest security available. We’d be more than happy to offer this home as a safehouse for your daughter. We understand the danger she is in, and the task she has ahead. We want to do everything in our power to help her!’
Kenneth held up a hand to silence Cecilia. ‘Hang on just one minute,’ he said. ‘Avalon isn’t with me. I … I don’t know where she is right now, but I know she’s safe.’
Cecilia’s face fell, utter disappointment consuming her expression. ‘Oh,’ she said, her arms dropping to her sides. ‘That’s … that’s too bad, I guess. I thought … never mind.’
‘You thought she would be with me?’ Kenneth assumed. ‘My daughter is an independent girl.’
‘Yes, of course.’ Cecilia waved a hand as she walked back to her chair. She picked it up from the ground and sat in it heavily.
‘I’m sorry you got your hopes up,’ said Kenneth. ‘But … why were you so excited to meet her?’
Cecilia stared at Kenneth with wide eyes. ‘She is the leader of the human rebellion,’ she said. ‘We look to her to take us to battle against the Realm.’
‘Avalon? Battle? Are you mad? She’s just a kid.’
‘The Fire-Mage is a woman, not a child,’ said Cecilia, ‘and her fire will light a beacon of hope for us all. We know that she will join us in days to come – it has been seen.’
‘Seen?’ repeated Kenneth. ‘What has been seen?’
Cecilia pressed her lips together as though she had said too much. ‘It’s no concern of yours.’
‘It damn well is my concern,’ said Kenneth, sitting on the edge of his seat. ‘This is my daughter we’re talking about. If she’s in some kind of danger, you need to tell me right now.’
‘I never said your daughter was in danger,’ said Cecilia, crossing her arms.
‘You said she will be here within days. Why? Avalon isn’t stupid. She’s not about to go marching into a capital city where every man, woman, and child knows her face. She won’t make it two steps without being arrested.’
Cecilia smiled. ‘You underestimate her.’
‘How do you know she is coming to Concord City? How can you possibly know what she is doing? Have you spoken to her?’
Cecilia shook her head. ‘A member of H.W.L has dreamt of her arrival. Their dreams are often correct.’
‘Often?’
‘She is seldom incorrect,’ said Cecilia. ‘Sometimes her dreams show what is to come, other times it shows one's desires. We believe that the Fire-Mage will come to Concord City to take down the Realm.’
‘I need to be here when that happens,’ said Kenneth.
‘We’d be more than happy to welcome you to our group, Mr. Redding. All you need to do is sign this document pledging your allegiance.’
Cecilia placed her quill upon the parchment and slid them across the desk. Kenneth snatched it up at once and signed his name at the bottom without hesitation.
‘Excellent,’ said Cecilia, clapping her hands together. ‘Mr. Redding, welcome to the Human Welfare League.’
‘I won’t be the only one joining,’ he said. ‘There are others. Five others. They sent me to make sure it was safe,’
‘Well, Kenneth. It looks as though Howl will have a small army soon enough.’
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Follow the Leader
AVALON REDDING
‘I’m hungry,’ Dagon complained.
‘You just ate a whole pheasant,’ I replied.
‘Pheasant is too tough. I’m hungry fer salmon.’
‘Well, we don’t have any salmon.’
‘I haven’t had any seafood in a week,’ he groaned. ‘I miss it. The soft, flaky meat, a drizzle of lemon-’
‘I haven’t had any vegetables in weeks,’ I retorted. ‘This all-meat diet is giving me a headache.’ I yawned widely. ‘And making me tired.’
Dagon scoffed. ‘Ha. Vegetables. Honestly.’