“Finally, it’s over.” Ellie sighed after the incident was over and they were through the border. Alan was sleeping, his fever already down thanks to Theresa’s abilities, so they had time to talk about their next plan.

“It’s not over dear.” Theresa said while changing the poultice on Alan.

“What do you mean? They can’t follow us here, it’s another country, they don’t have power here!” Ellie’s anxiety lit up once again hearing her mother talking.

“Shh, don’t wake him! And I’m saying what I’m saying. It’s not over. Not until we take back the kingdom. The royal family was wrongly accused of befriending night creatures and worshipping the Old Demons. We need to take justice into our hands and come back!”

Ellie stiffened at that. There was no mention of ever coming back. She thought they can live the rest of their lives in peace.

“Also, you can have power anywhere if you want to. Do you think we will not have our throats slit if we just sit tight? What kind of extermination would that be?” A small laugh left the old woman’s mouth. Ellie could only gasp.

“Eric, tell me you were not a part of this!”

Finally coming out of silence, Eric replied “Well, I wasn’t, because I also didn’t know about it, but not that she mentions it, it sure sounds fun!” Another laugh filled the small wagon.

“Max?” She desperately turned to the large man.

“Where the Lady and the Lord goes, I go too.” He replied simply. He was loyal to his superiors to no end.

“I can’t believe this.” She buried her head in her lap, desperately wishing this wasn’t true.

Yet it seemed, it was as true, as the sun waking up.

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***

Alan woke up with a sore shoulder, but otherwise, his fever was gone and he could move around. As soon as he got up, he focused mana into his legs. It became somewhat of a routine. Only after that did he take in his surroundings. He was sitting in the back of the non-moving wagon, no one could be seen yet it must have been noon already, taking a look outside.

His nose took in the smell of smoked meat, which was refreshing after all the dried supplies. He couldn’t wait to sink his teeth into it.

Thinking of sinking teeth, he remembered what happened and how he almost died because of carelessness. He failed to take out simple soldiers after learning some magic. That showed him how long he had to go to reach an acceptable level against true mages. Thinking of that, he could barely tickle Eric, who said he wasn’t even practicing his magical skills. That depressed him even further.

Ellie’s sight brought him back to the real world. She waved him, but it could be seen on her face that her usual depressed attitude was even more depressed than his current one. Her mouth hung low, her eyes almost hollow.

“What’s the matter?” Alan asked in a careful voice. He wanted to sound as caring as possible, otherwise she will not open up.

Like she was slapped, she returned to herself and waved it away “Nothing, come eat with us.” Then she turned around to leave.

Alan carefully slid out of the vehicle, taking in the nice clearing they were currently in. There was a small creek next to the road and you could see well into the forest since the tree density was small. That was a good thing when it came to resting. You don’t want anything to surprise you.

Eric, David, and Max were sitting next to a small fire, above it on a spit-roast some a pig’s whole body.

He approached the group, and noticed that Jonathan and Theresa was in the woods by themselves, also approaching them. He gave them a quick nod, then finished his small, ten-meter journey to the others.

“Hey.” Alan raised a hand in a greeting gesture, then sat down next to David, since he was the closest.

“Heya Alan. You came just at the right moment, you are good at that. It’s already cooked!” Eric was the first to greet him, followed by David with a nod. Max didn’t even look up from the fire.

Eric cut some for Alan, then Max and David. He looked around seeing that Theresa and the others were coming too so he cut some more. In a flash, half the pig was eaten.

Alan’s stomach cried in joy, which was an opportunity for some jokes for the others. Together they spent a nice lunch together, bringing them even closer.