Chapter 06 - A journey starts with a step out

They all woke up as the first rays broke through the fog that had ensnared the world. Aurora, Heilig, and Morgan greeted each other with a simple good morning before packing camp. Lumen smuggled the satchel he had been holding against his side in a pocket before getting out. He struggled rolling his sleeping bag. When he finally got up, half-proud of the barely tight roll, he looked around to see his three companions waiting for him; nothing was left of the camp. Even the spot where the fire burned was barely visible. 
“I’m glad to see you’re working with us. We’ll teach you efficiency on the way. We have a long journey ahead, so no need to rush. You’ll be more useful once you get used to living on the road like the rest of us.” Aurora’s voice was equal; she wasn’t trying to shame nor praise him. Factual, cold, quite the difference with her compassion from last night.

Not wanting to give her any reasons to contradict her first words, Lumen grabbed his sleeping bag and put it on his back. He had no bag nor change of clothes, as expected from someone who was kidnapped. It wouldn’t be an issue for now, but they would have to stop by a village sometime soon.
“Heilig, you take front. Morgan, I want you erasing our steps. Lumen, you’ll walk near me.” He opened his mouth. “And I won’t take any questions or complaints.”
Without a sound, he raised a hand, waiting to be allowed to speak. She didn’t pay any attention and started walking. Heilig was already on the road, staying in earshot, scouting. Morgan, staff in hand, was weaving a spell. Before long, a blue veil was flowing behind her, akin to the trail of a magical wedding dress.
She stood beside Lumen, staring at him. As he wasn’t moving, she raised her staff. With a quiet gasp, he turned and followed Aurora. The bruise from yesterday was still lightly painful, and he sure didn’t want to get another one.

As he caught up with Aurora, he glanced back to see Morgan’s veil trailing behind her, restoring the ground they walked on to its previous state. That was probably how she also softened the burn marks from the fire. Syncing his pace with Aurora’s, he tried to start up a conversation.
“Do you think we could be followed? Any danger I should be aware of?”
He wasn’t hoping for answers, but she surprised him.
“We had a run-in with goblins on the way to your house. It wasn’t far from here. We couldn’t afford to lose time chasing them to their lair. They’re more than likely still around, and I’m expecting an ambush. Keep your eyes peeled for blue skin.”
Lumen froze for a second. Steps behind him pushed him forward. He knew what to expect from goblins, but the staff stomping the ground behind him was on a whole other level of terrifying.
“I don’t suppose you took any of my stuff when you kidn— invited me to join your group. Would you happen to at least have a walking stick I could use?”
“Run up to Heilig, and tell him the mouse is freed. And be quiet.”
Confused, Lumen didn’t want to waste this chance and quickly darted without a sound. When he caught up to the man, he relayed the message.
“Of course. Here.” From below the cloak came out a long stick, one of its ends weighted down by a chain tightly wrapped around.
They sure were full of surprises. Lumen grabbed his trusty weapon, wondering how they found it, hidden as it was under the garden shed. Making sure the chain was still tight to avoid any clanking, he slowed down to wait for Aurora.
“Thank you.”
“We’ll need you if anything happens. We’re all watching each other’s backs.” Those words took on another meaning as he felt a gaze on his neck. He turned around to see Morgan’s eyes coming from underneath her hat, glowing in the shadows that were covering her face. He shuddered, tightening his grip on the wood in his hands.

Morgan’s gaze had nothing to do with it, though. He heard a branch crack. Aurora tensed up next to him, and she let out a short, high-pitched trill, reminiscent of a bird’s call. Heilig came back to them, without letting the road ahead out of his sight, his cloak flowing without any breeze.
“They have a troll.”
Aurora gave Lumen a puzzled look, but didn’t question him. She unsheathed her sword, giving a sign to her companions. In a few seconds, Morgan’s veil had disappeared, and she was weaving another spell. Heilig was back with them, his bare hands visible as he loosened the cloak to let it flow wider.