Two Paths

"We have less than two months before we can leave the range of the dark clouds. When that time comes, these refugees will be able to leave the protection of magic and head north on their own to find a place rich in water and grass to settle down," Nelson said to Andros beside him as he stood atop the vines pulling the "convoy." "Congratulations."

"What about Herpo the Foul?" Andros looked nervously behind him, but apart from the darkness, he saw nothing. "We've been gone for more than a month, and he still hasn't caught up. That's very unreasonable."

"At least for a short while, he won't catch up. That's all I can tell you, Andros," Nelson said curtly. "Before I show a clear weakness, he won't make a rash move. He's overly cautious."

"It's all thanks to you..."

"But the eyes in these dark clouds are watching me every moment, so what you should be doing isn't standing here saying 'thanks to you,' but putting your leadership to good use and speeding up the journey." Nelson raised his head and looked toward the dark clouds. The clouds he stared at immediately stopped churning when they felt his gaze. That oppressive feeling made him restless. No one could remain calm while knowing that an entire living mass spreading across The Peninsula was peering down from overhead. "I don't know how long it will take him to discover that I'm not invincible, but I believe that day won't be too far away. If by then we're still crawling like snails across the land of The Peninsula, I'm afraid everything we've worked for will become meaningless. You'll only have gathered these people together to send them to their deaths. A grand communal burial, Andros."

"I understand." Andros nodded. "I'll incorporate them