"Order! Order!" The constables shouted to the disorderly crowd in an attempt to restore peace as my father and I quickly made our way home through the streets. Around us, men and women shouted angrily as the news of the ultimatum spread like wildfire.

"What're we going to do if we reject?" A woman asked.

A younger man hopped onto a nearby shipping crate and shouted, "We fight! Fight for our freedom!"

"What of the children or elderly? They cannot fight!" Another man shouted.

"Stay close," Father said as he held me close to his chest and pulled Ruby along behind him.

A handful of constables began to run out into the street toward the crowd. "Enough! Enough!" One of them shouted.

A plump enforcer blew into his whistle, releasing an ear-piercing screech that sent Ruby into a rage as she squawked and roared.

Father grunted as he hushed the creature and pulled on her reins while holding me tight. After a few moments, the creature relented as the rotund constable shouted, "Everyone, please remain calm; the situation is under control. Please return to your homes and places of work."

A man nearby scoffed. "What do you mean, remain calm?"

I woman shouted to the constable. "I have six children; I can't just do nothing, knowing our neighbors want to kill us!"

I whimpered softly as I watched the mob behind us encroach on the officers. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and buried my face in my father's chest praying that a riot wouldn’t start.

Thankfully, within minutes, we were out of the town and back at the military camp. Officers shouted orders left and right, and around us, soldiers bustled to and fro.

"This is a restricted area!" An elven woman in an officer's uniform or I assumed bed on the three gold marks on her shoulders, shouted to my father. "Civilians are prohibited from passing through between 08:00 and 21:00!"

"Apologies, Ma'am!" My father responded. "My home is just up this passage; I'll be out of your hair!"

For a moment the officer turned and looked at my father, eyes narrowing. Finally, she took a deep breath and motioned for a collection of soldiers to trail behind us. “Escort these two out of here will you!” She ordered the men.

Father simply nodded and kept walking, not minding the men following us. "What has her all worked up?" I mumbled. "They let us pass through earlier."

Father shrugged. "Everyone’s going to be on edge now, hon." he said softly. “Just hold on tight.”

We made our way through the camp and upon reaching the edge we were searched by those who stood on guard. Seeing we only carried the money Father brought for the strider and wagon. The soldiers there let us go.

We moved up the highway at a brisk pace now a little ways away from town I could still hear the commotion coming from there. In the distance somewhere to the south on my left, I caught a glimpse of something glittering. Looking over my father’s shoulder I saw far off coming from the southwestern highway another convoy of vehicles and striders making their way to town.

"Shit…" Father grunted softly, and I glanced back at him and noticed he was looking out in the direction of the eastern field near the Hautchkins mill. Following his gaze I saw he was watching a group of soldiers with shovels and pickaxes digging into the farmfields. Among them were figures in white and grey robes wielding… balls. I had to squint to focus my vision and what I could make out were what seemed like crystal orbs no larger than a man’s fist.

Wizards? I thought and just then, my assumption was confirmed as the orb began to glow. Whisps of shimmering mist shot forth from the orb and into the soil near the soldiers. In an instant, the ground began to part as if a giant’s blade tore through the soil splitting it apart and forming a trench. The soldiers who were digging turned to look at the image with a mix of bewilderment and apprehension.

“You couldn’t have done that to begin with?” I heard one soldier shout to the mage.

"They're making trenches." I whispered, and Father glanced at me and nodded.

"Yeah, dug my fair share back in training." He sighed as we kept moving. "Though that doesn't look like training, no wizard ever came and dug our holes for us. Which tells me the brass is taking this seriously."

"But we don't know if we'll accept or reject that ultimatum thing the gnome read about," I said, though I had a hunch as to what the answer was going to be.

"Yeah, but Papa thinks our glorious leader isn't going to bend over, especially not after what happened to his cousin." Taking a deep breath, Father spat away from me and over his shoulder. "That frosted bitch is going to make him do something stupid. All the more reason we need to get moving." He snarled fiercely, and I swallowed. I could sense my father's fury in his eyes.

We continued on a bit further in silence, yet down the road, I noticed a dark figure coming toward us on a land strider. I gripped my father tighter as he continued forward with Ruby and me before stopping within a few dozen feet of the mounted individual.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Hautchkins." Father nodded to Herbert as my head perked up and I looked towards the miller and his strider, Opal.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Ashflow and Lady Luna." Herbert greeted us with a tip of his cap as he pulled Opal's reins to the side and made room for us on the road. "Now this is mighty convenient."

"What do you mean?" Father asked as Herbert came to a stop beside us just as Opal squawked at Ruby, the two striders examining each other thoroughly.

"Well, I just got done gifting my wagon to Cailynn," Herbert explained. "She told me you and the little miss right there were out getting a strider and that Henderson was taking his sweet old time with your wagon."

Gifting a wagon?

I felt and saw Father relax as relief washed over him. Like a heavy burden taken off his shoulders. "Henderson did more than take his fucking time. He took our fucking wagon and presumably fled town."Father gestured back to the town, and Herbert's eyes widened. "But why have you gifted us your wagon?" He asked

Herbert took a deep breath and said, "Oh shit… I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Ashflow." He sighed and looked at me. "Is your little one—"

"She knows what's going on," Father said before he could finish, and Herbert nodded.

"I should've expected as much, especially after everything I've heard from my kids." He chuckled.

His kids? I hardly hung out with Avdol and Mila… Then again, Varis was friends with Avdol, so he probably heard of me from him.

"Yep, our little star here is our little super genius." Father smirked and hoisted me up a little higher.

"I'm not that smart!" I protested. "I just catch onto stuff easier."

"Right." Both Herbert and my father said.

"Anyways," Herbert continued, "Mr. Olson and his family, as I told you, caught wind of everything before it was announced. Just as I was leaving, the newspapers arrived at your house talking about this ultimatum. Well, Mr. Olson offered a trip to myself and my family to go with them to Khannatore."

"Khannatore?" Father blinked and smiled. "Well, I wish you the best of luck. Not many humans ever get to see the undermines; count yourselves lucky."

Herbert laughed. "I dunno how I feel about going so far deep beneath Enora. Personally, I'd prefer the fields and my mill. Though if it can get us away, even for a short while, from whatever is coming this way, I'll take it."

Father nodded. "But that doesn't explain why you gave us your wagon. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it, Mr. Hautchkins; we're going to need it. But what about your folks?"

Herbert waved his hand to the side. "Already taken care of, Mr. Olson and his family are practically taking their entire shop with them; they have three wagons, one of which is open enough to house my family." My father nodded as Herbert snapped his finger and pointed at us. "Cailynn mentioned you all were going to be heading to Johanneson, right?"

Father nodded. "Aye, that's correct."

"That's along the way to Khannatore; why don't you travel with us? Safety in numbers, and both I and the Olsons have plenty of supplies to share, not to mention I think Olson… and myself would feel safe knowing you lot are with us."

My father glanced at me and then at Herbert. After a brief moment of silence, he said, "I'll need to discuss the matter with my wife. We've been storing supplies since we found out down in our basement, but thanks for the offer. When are you leaving, and where would we meet up if we decide?"

Herbert nodded. "In two days, at the start of the new week, at the Kenchala River at sunrise," he explained.

Father nodded. "Two days…" He sighed. "I was hoping to leave by tomorrow, though I know Cailynn has some final preparations she needs to handle. Soldiers have been paying us well for her goods." Father nodded, and Herbert snorted.

"Cailynn is an excellent baker!" He laughed. "And you'll need all the coins you can get. Shops in town gouging everyone."

Father nodded in agreement and waved at Herbert. "Well, thank you; come then. If you don't see us, do not wait. Go."

Herbert gave us a thumbs up. "Alright, I'll go let Mr. Olson know. Till then, Slyran, be safe."

"You as well, Herbert." Father glanced at me as Mr. Hautchkins flicked his reins, and Opal squawked and began to trot away. "Actually, one last thing, Herbert." Father faced Hautchkins, who stopped and looked over his shoulder. "You're a good man; even if we don't travel with you, what you did by giving us the wagon is something I won't forget." Without a word, Herbert closed his eyes and smiled before giving us a curt nod and riding off.

Turning back around, Father gripped me a little tighter and looked at me. "Luna, what do you think?" Father asked me once Herbert was out of earshot.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Wait what? I blinked and looked at him. Father, are you asking me about my thoughts now? I smirked. Maybe now I'm part of the inner circle.

"Uh… I think it's pretty sound." I nodded. "If we're all traveling together, I don't see it as a huge issue. Maybe slower, but probably much more comfortable. Mr. Olson, I think, has kids, much older than Varis and me, but Herbert's kids are our age, so we'll have some friends to hang out with on the road." I explained. "Also, at night, we'll have more people to keep watch if things get a little hairy."

Father blinked and looked at me with wide eyes. "You were really putting a lot of thought into this, weren't you?"

I blushed faintly. Of course, he wasn't expecting a well-thought-out opinion, gah.

"Yeah." I nodded. "Best to be prepared!"

"Well, let's get going home. Your mother is probably worried sick."

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Worried sick she was. When we arrived back on the property, Varis was the one to spot us and shout for Mother. Like a whirlwind, she was upon us in seconds. Flying out the front door in nothing but a pair of loose shorts that went over her knees, a casual polo, and no shoes, she began to scold my father.

"Where have you been?! You were supposed to be back before noon!"

My father placed me on the ground and held Ruby's reins in his other hand as he straightened up and held out his newly free hand to Mother. "I'm sorry. The town is in chaos right now after the news and that snake Henderson stole the wagon."

"Excuse me?!" Mother gasped.

Father nodded. "Yep, and Harold tried to sell this strider off." He shook Ruby's reins. "Despite me telling him to hold one for us, but… well, never mind. I heard Herbert dropped off a wagon."

Mother took a deep breath and calmed herself. "Yes, he did." She said as she glanced at Varis, who was reading a book on the front porch, and said, "Dear, go inside and help Isa with the dishes."

Varis groaned, but a stern glance from Father sent him to go inside. Before closing the door, he said, "Is Luna coming?"

"She'll be in shortly," Father said, shooing him off.

Mother looked back at Papa and said, "What else is happening down there?"

Father waited for the front door to shut before explaining, "News of the Ultimatum and the assassination reached the town. People are shouting and acting up; the constables are out now, and things aren't too bad. Though it did make travel hard, not to mention, the soldiers are buying up all the striders."

My mother raised an eyebrow and nodded towards Ruby. "How'd you get this one, then?"

Father sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "With Luna's help, I was able to buy one off a dwarf for seventy-five gold."

My mother gawked, her mouth going slack for a second as she shook her head. "Excuse me? Seventy-five, did you at least try to haggle?"

My father shook his head. "No, I didn't…" His hand slid up to run through his hair. "I probably should've, but…"

Mother sighed. "It doesn't matter; what's done is done." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "We still have money, though that'll put a dent in things."

Father nodded. "Where's the wagon Herbert dropped off?" He asked

My mother turned and pointed to the wagon parked along the side of the house. "It's right there. The same wagon we took on the mountain trip."

"Mr. Hautckins also said we could travel with him and Olson!" I said as I came over to Mother and patted some dust off of her shorts.

Mother glanced down at me and smiled as the sight of me seemed to calm her. "Is that so?" She said it in a calmer tone.

I nodded. "Yep, he said in two days they're going to this place called Khannatore!"

"They'll be traveling past Johanneson," Father said. "Little one made a point here too; Olson and Herbert both have kids. Travelling as a group could be safer, and the little ones will have some company."

Mother smiled. "Does that mean you'll finally get some friends of your own?" Mother said to me, and I felt like an arrow shot through my chest!

Dammit! God, I wish I could tell her to shut it right now. It's not my fault I'm shy; besides, there was plenty to do at this house with Varis.

I must've done a terrible job at hiding the blow to my ego because my mother giggled and ran her hand through my hair. "I'm just teasing, love." She hummed and glanced at my father before resuming her more serious tone: "I'm okay with this; if it's just us with them until Johanneson, then I see no point in not taking them up on their offer."

Father nodded. "Any news from Aenorin?"

Mother shook her head. "No, not yet, though I don't plan on it till we're at his front door."

Father shrugged. "Makes sense, I guess, well anyways. Meet, Ruby." He gestured to the red strider, which squawked in my mother's face.

Placing a hand on her hip, she glanced at me. "You named her?"

I nodded. "Yep! She's as red as a ruby and has cute blue feathers!" I pointed at the highlights alongside her red feathers.

Mother giggled and nodded. "Well, it's a lovely name. Want to help me get her comfortable out back?" Mother asked as she squatted beside me.

I beamed and jumped up and down. "Yeah!"

With a laugh, my mother messed up my hair some more before taking my hand in hers. "Slyran, I can take the strider from here."

"You sure?" Father asked though he handed her the reins anyway.

"Yep. Go check on Varis; he's been kind of grumpy all morning." She said it with a small sigh. "He talked back to me this morning."

Father groaned and kicked the dirt. "Of course, he did." He glanced at me.

Oi, why are you looking at me?

I gulped. "Maybe he knows what's going on?" I suggested.

Both Mother and Father bit their lower lips.

"We should tell him," I continued. "Varis is young, but, uh… I'm younger, and I caught on! Maybe he is too and is grumpy that we're keeping secrets."

They both shared a glance as I continued, "See, I would be mad too if Isa tried to keep lying to me when I found out."

"Okay, I wouldn't say we're lying—" My father started, but my mother silenced him with a wave of her hand.

"Yes, we are," I corrected. "Even white lies are still lies. Even if we're trying to protect him, in the future, when I'm grown up, I'll probably look back on today and be happy that you guys trusted me with knowing this, and, well, he probably would too. Even if he's a little immature most of the time, he can probably help us with ideas too, and it'll just make everything else easier in the long run."

Both my parents looked at me, their expressions stun-locked. After a few moments, Mother glanced at Father and said, "Uh, go check on him." Before looking back at me and saying, "We'll think about that, sweetie, thank you."

Oh shit, did I overstep?

Without a word, my father nodded and went back inside as my mother lightly squeezed my hand and said, "Come one, love, let's take Ruby to the backyard."

Suddenly, the door opened, and Father stuck his head out. "One more thing, Cailynn. Start moving the boxes from the basement to the wagon when you can. I want us to be out in a flash when we're ready!"

Both I and my mother nodded to him before taking Ruby's reins and walking her out back.

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A day has passed since the issuing of the ultimatum. Once again, my night was plagued by nightmares. This time, as I was running through the woods at night, echoes of screaming people and crying children came from all around me, interspersed with bouts of what sounded like machine gun fire. The ground trembled as something large, and mechanical moved behind me. Sounds of turning and twisting cog wheels mixed with the gaseous hiss of steam pistons as metallic feet slammed into the earth as something pursued me and drove me further into the woods.

A woods that began to decline as I appeared to be running down a hill. My heart raced, and my cheeks and ears burned as I huffed and puffed as my tiny legs forced me forward. The mechanical monstrosity hissed and roared like a person screaming into a metal pipe. Its tone was hollow and lacking life, as whatever it was tore through trees and underbrush relentlessly as it came after me.

Sharp whistling cracks tore past my ear as I screamed and dove to the ground as the rapid retort of a machine gun tore over my head. The bark of trees exploded into clouds of fragmentation as the dirt around me blasted puffs of dust and debris into the air. I began to army crawl ahead, moaning and crying as the rapid, heavy thudding of metallic limbs grew closer.

Through the underbrush, I spotted a hollowed-out log and made my way to it. Feverishly crawling on all fours, I dove into the muddy, rotten log and cowered.

"They're coming, they're coming!" I heard a panicked woman cry beyond the safety of my log.

"Don't look back, Debrah; keep moving." A man's voice responded, and I could hear the snapping of twigs and the rustling of bushes as the couple ran past my hiding spot.

Suddenly, the mechanical footsteps halted but were soon replaced by a haunting howl. A horn that sent my heart into a frenzy, and beyond my log, the world was engulfed in a red light. Once again, the mechanical shunting of the monster's feet resumed, yet much faster, and the ground beneath me began to shake as the machine made itself known.

Outside, the couple screamed with horror, and I cried softly. Peeking out of the small hole, I saw the monster's feet. A mechanical four-toed foot like that of a bird's slammed into the ground, meager inches from my spot.

I cupped my mouth and screamed as the whirring of the monster's machinery drowned out everything around me. A sharp hiss and a bang had me cupping my ears before suddenly, an immense heat washed over me as a sharp whooshing sound started and then immediately ceased.

Everything fell quiet; the screaming couple was silent.

You must keep moving. My mind told me. You must make it to the city. Do not stop.

What's happening? I thought. What is this? What's that thing?

That thing is an obstacle. One that can be avoided, but only if you aren't too slow.

The mechanical whirring above me resumed, and the creature bellowed its horn, and I gasped as massive hook-like tendrils pierced through the top of my log. I screamed out loud as the hooks yanked upwards, my ears deafened by the sound of splintering wood and screaming machinery.

As my hiding spot was exposed, I lay there face-to-face with my pursuer. A large quadruped machine with a single glass eye that projected a blinding white light. As the machine gazed down at me, I screamed as its tendrils shot for me.

Reach the city and find me again.

----------------------------------------

I jerked in my bed and screamed as I rolled over and cried out when my bed disappeared, and I fell to the floor. Panting heavily, I rolled out of my covers and sprawled out on the floor in nothing but my black nightgown. I panted heavily and sat up, groaning and rubbing my head.

"Oh, thank fuck, it was just a dream." I muttered softly under my breath and reached up to test my ears, then patted my chest and checked below. "I'm still me." I took a deep breath and smiled.

Ever since my nightmare, where I reverted to my old life, I've been paranoid. Though the dream had me as my normal self, I think I didn't have time to check in that dream to see if I was Luna.

"The city…" I muttered under my breath as I heard someone knock at my door.

"Luna, are you okay?" My mother's voice came from behind the door.

"I, uh, yeah." I nodded. "I had a bad dream, and then I fell out of bed."

My mother opened the door and came inside to see me sitting on the floor. "Another dream?" My mother asked.

"Sort of… though it might just be a normal nightmare." I sighed, tried to get up, and winced as my gown shifted over my chest. My hand reached up and lightly touched my breast.

Goddamn, these things are a pain. I sighed softly.

My mother nodded and came over to me as she knelt and held her hand over my chest. A surge of embarrassment came over me as my face flushed as Mother cast the numbing spell, which made the pain go away.

"There we go. Are you hurt anywhere else?" She asked me.

I shook my head now, too shy to speak. My mother noticed this and cooed softly as she rubbed my shoulder. "No need to be embarrassed, dear." She glanced out my window, where daylight was beginning to stream through. "Why don't you get dressed and meet me downstairs? We can talk about this dream."

"It-it was just a normal dream." I muttered.

"Normal dreams don't have little ladies screaming and leaping out of beds, love." My mother booped my nose. "You can always talk to me about issues. Now. Go on, get dressed. We have a lot to do today."

As my mother helped me up to my feet and fix my bed, she once again tussled my messy hair and left me alone. Once the door shut, I sighed softly and glanced at myself through my bedroom mirror. I looked like a mess; my long hair, which now reached midway down my back, was unkempt, and my eyes held dark rims. I did not sleep well at all.

I sighed. "Make it to the city…" I muttered softly to myself again as I tried to recall the dream. Yet it was hazy; I could vaguely recall shapes, yet the message seemed very clear.

We're going to need to move fast.