Late that night, they entered the Underdark. The High Elder had acted as if he wasn’t quite sure where the entrance was, but Vithia had immediately called him out.

The entrance was small; not enough room for horses or carriages, but wide enough for some carts and wheelbarrows of supplies. The Peacekeepers who had rendezvoused with them—thirty-one in all—were given orders by Icabod Deepshield to remain at key points in what was now a caravan of refugees. The High Elder claimed he didn’t know the exact dangers of the Underdark, and Vithia said nothing. But they were all sure there was more danger to come.

Before entering, Icabod had ordered a count of the people who would be coming with them. His Peacekeepers had ended up with a number just under a thousand. A lot to take care of. But they were leaving many, many more behind.

Kal and Lilly introduced Ayla to the High Elder and Icabod Deepshield, and told them she would be traveling with them from now on. They were too busy to argue, or really notice at all.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Healers had gathered together and would help the wounded travel as best they could. Kal, Lilly, and Ayla had managed to carry the Godknight—could they even call him that now?—to the healers, who confirmed there was little they could do for him. They did not recognize him and regarded him as just another elderly human. Perhaps that was all he was now.

Windham continued to act strangely, but slunk more and more into the background. But he never took his eyes off Lilly.

Savina Frost, still in Safehaven but preparing to go after the Godknight, received Windham’s message and conveyed it to Enek’Chok. Windham had watched as Lilly and the others had carried an old man—clearly not the Godknight—from the forest. The mystic Naruza wasn’t so sure, and told Enek’Chok so. Something had changed, she told him. She could still feel something, but it was muddled and messy. She would have to meditate on it.

The caravan leaders hoped they wouldn’t be followed; there would be enough dangers ahead, let alone being pursued. But Ayla came to them as they entered, pale. Apparently one of the Order of the Holy Ascension’s psychics had reached out to her and had given her a message. A message she relayed to them all.

“They’re coming.”