It was still very interesting, in my opinion. ‘Can I get a demonstration?’
Gregory Boil sighed, but he did as I asked. He reached towards me and touched my shoulder lightly. Instantly, I felt myself being transported, as though I was being sucked down a giant plug hole. It was over within a second, and I found myself facing the opposite way to which I had previously been standing. Gregory stood in the place where I had been, smiling.
‘That was odd,’ I said, a little dizzy.
‘Whoa,’ said Dagon. ‘You switched places!’
‘That’s why they call me a Switcher,’ said Gregory, stepping aside. ‘It can be unsettling at first, I’m sorry.’
‘It’s fine,’ I said, giving myself a little shake.
‘So can we join you?’ asked Terry eagerly. ‘Can we help fight your cause?’
I nodded. ‘You can come with us. Mr. Boil, you will find your daughter. And Mr. Pratchet, you will find your brother. I can help you with that, but under one condition,’ I said, my tone firm. ‘You do as I say, no questions asked. Betray us, or disobey, and you’re out of here.’
They both nodded again, their expressions relieved.
‘What did I tell you?’ Fae whispered in my ear so Gregory and Terry couldn’t hear. ‘The Realm has created their own enemy by posting your face across the country. I bet there are hundreds more willing to follow you.’
Fae was right. I had followers.
A couple of minutes later, Mr. Greenwood exited the apothecary and jogged to our side, a rucksack slung over his shoulder. He was flustered, as though he had packed in a hurry.
‘Avalon,’ he said, rather breathless. ‘I’ll come with you. Caroline has agreed to stay here and watch the business.’
‘That’s great, Mr. Greenwood,’ I said, beaming.
Fae looked Mr. Greenwood up and down, her expression stern. ‘This is Greenwood?’ she asked, nodding at him.
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘He’s coming with us so he can find his son, Jaime.’
‘We haven’t got enough transport for all six of us,’ said Dagon, eying Mr. Greenwood and the two recruits.
I looked around, thinking. ‘Does either of you own a horse?’ I asked them
Gregory frowned. ‘I have a mule.’
‘Right. Good enough, I guess. Meet at the Scyre gate in an hour. Be ready to leave.’
Terry and Gregory nodded and hurried away at once.
Turning to Fae and Dagon I said, ‘I can’t believe it. They’re … they’re going to follow us.’
‘What did I tell you?’ she smirked.
‘Who are those people?’ asked Mr. Greenwood.
‘They’re like us,’ I told him. ‘Human empathisers.’
Mr. Greenwood shuffled nervously. ‘I just want my son back,’ he said.
‘Mr. Greenwood, all humans deserve to be free.’
Mr. Greenwood was about to respond, when Dagon interrupted.
‘So, what’s the plan?’ he asked.
I thought about it for a moment, calculating how long it would take to reach Concord City.
‘Dagon, you and Mr. Greenwood can take turns riding Emilija,’ I said. ‘Terry and Gregory can take turns riding the mule.’
‘You want me to ride on this thing?’ asked Mr. Greenwood timidly.
I nodded. ‘It’s the fastest way to travel. Either that or you can walk.’
~
An hour later we were at the Scyre gate, waiting for Terry and Gregory to arrive. They did, carrying backpacks and leading a mule. To be honest, I was surprised. I hadn’t expected them to show up.
‘Right,’ I said to the group. ‘You’re going to follow us. If you can’t keep up, that’s your own fault. It’s a long ride to Concord City, so I suggest you share the mule.’
A few minutes later, we were on the road. Mr. Greenwood rode Emilija first, while Dagon and Terry walked quickly alongside us.
According to my estimate, it should take two days to reach Concord City, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to feed or shelter six people and five Vulmessians.
We made camp as the sun was setting, and I asked Terry and Gregory to collect firewood. Behind me, Dagon and Fae were whispering to one another.
‘What’s the matter?’ I asked, approaching them.
Dagon stepped away from Fae, looking guilty. ‘Nothing,’ he said quickly.
I crossed my arms, suspicious. ‘Since when are you two so friendly?’
Fae scoffed. ‘Give me a break.’
I let it slide, and paid no attention to their unusual behaviour, choosing to focus on setting up the campsite.
Once there was a roaring fire set up and Fae, Hawthorne, Shadow, and Emilija had caught enough meat for everyone, we had a small feast in a clearing in the woods.
Each person took it in turns to talk about his or her journey.