“About those boats,” Kar said as the villagers went back to their preparations, stopping only to shoot periodic glances at Curz and his group, as well as mine.

“What about them?” I asked, holding back the sigh as I could already see the villages turning inward and against us.

“You provided them no? I don't think I've seen the like before and it would make sense if someone from far away brought different things.”

He wasn't wrong, but I was divided. On the one hand, I really didn't like these guys. They were going around and strong-arming people into joining their team. That was understandable on some level, as there was a war on, and they at least hadn't been violent, yet, but on the other it grated against my experiences from my previous world. Having been raised somewhere where freedom was one of the core values seeing behavior like this was quite unwelcome.

On the other hand, spreading information like this would help the world and our people as a whole. This type of boat wasn't immediately weaponizable, nor was it too complicated. It would require some work for them to make themselves, but nothing the couldn't manage already and the materials were locally sourced.

There was also the consideration of the war to go on. Any information that provided even things that would help the people in general might serve to push the scales up on down on either side. The villagers would know, and while I doubted they'd do anything being around unhappy people wasn't enjoyable. It might also get back to Nora that I was providing them with technology, even if I'd already given it to Curz, and I might have an unhappy elder to deal with.

“I did, but if we're to leave soon I don't have the time to show you how,” I said after carefully weighing my options, in the end denying wouldn't work and pissing either side off was a poor idea.

“Very interesting, you know, even if you are a messenger, you could stay. We always have need for people with power in their blood and sharp minds, and Uro is no fool, I imagine he'd treat you well.

“Thank you for letting me know,” I said noncommittally, having received similar offers a number of times already and denied them all.

I expected the villagers to drag their feet, but was surprised when they were ready to go in only a few hours. Perhaps they understood that dragging things out wouldn't help them, or that it would only irritate the men who were here to 'escort' them along. Perhaps they had some sort of plan, I didn't honestly know.

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That evening we ended up camping on another small island, it wasn't too far from where we'd begun, but with the number of people we had and the speed of the boats we were traveling at something around the speed of a mighty starfish. It was clear to me that this was going to be one long trip.

Kar and his men camped a bit off from us, with pairs of them grouping to do a watch schedule. Chien, Isha and I set up our own of course, as did the villagers, none of the groupings truly trusting one another. As we prepared our dinner Curz came to join us, loping over to our small site.

“Hello Curz.”

The sound around us muted, some spell from him if I had to guess, and then he spoke.

“Did you lead them to us?” he asked accusingly.

“No.”

“Did you know they were coming?”

“I did not.”

“But you're fine with going with them? After this nonsense?” He was angry and it was clear to see that he was trying to judge where our group would fall.

“Uro is as likely as your patron to let me leave, and will fulfill my mission to spread the news just as effectively. This is not my fight Curz, and while I may not like these men, there's a difference between that and wanting to go to war.”

“Pfft, what would a coward like you know of war?” he spat, causing both Isha and Chien to look up.

“How many of our kind have you killed Curz?” I asked.

“That's not,” he tried before I cut him off.

I stood, drawing close to him, eyes unblinking. “Because I have killed many. The first I killed when I was still a boy, a threat to my people and my home that couldn't be removed another way. Then, when war came to Atal, I killed more, units of soldiers. In the final battle between our forces I rained fire and death upon our enemies.”

“You...” he tried, clearly shaken by my displeasure as I let loose on my magic, feeling it flow out and seeing the bubbling aura that surrounded me expand like a cloud.

“I know what comes of war, because I've seen what it brings. Friends and foes broken and ripped, gasping for air that won't come, screaming as they die. There is a time to fight, and a time not to, and right now there are too many innocents in the way.”

“So... so you'll help us? If we can get the others to safety.”

“You weren't listening, this isn't my fight. All I want is to get my job done and go home.” He deflated, looking about in worry. “Though I won't stop you should you do something, that is on you.”

For a moment the leader thought, eyes low as he considered things.

“If I should, and if I should fail, will you see that the villagers make it to safety?”

“I've nothing against your people, and I need them to guide me. If things go awry I will do what I can to keep them safe, at least until we reach the cities.”

He nodded and left us, looking like a man ready to die.

After he was gone I went to sit down in our raft, unhappy with everything going on. Isha and Chien had been there, but Chien had said nothing, probably because he didn't actually care. Isha joined me where I sat, rubbing my back gently.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I'm tired love, I'm tired and I want to go home.” I looked over to her as I spoke. “You haven't told me anything about what you think of this.”

For a moment she looked off into the distance, pursing her lips and thinking.

“I really don't know Justin, I really don't. I've never been in a situation quite like this, so I'll trust your judgment on the matter.” Her piece said she kissed my cheek.

“You're not worried that I'm making the wrong choice?”

“No.” I turned to look at her and she simply shrugged. “You may be a mess, but you tend to do better than I would in wild situations.”

“Whatever comes, I'll keep you safe.”

“I love you too.”