The people of Sorn City gathered, preparing to depart. Ten thousand people might not sound like many, but they made for an enormous procession.
Raphael led the way at the very front. Behind him was High Priest Zed, holding aloft a tall banner bearing the symbol of the Lord of Evil Desires.
To make it easier for those farther back to see, Raphael had hung two large hurricane lamps at the top of the banner, making it visible to everyone nearby.
Behind Raphael stretched the enormous procession of pilgrims. They carried only a little luggage-the last remnants of their attachment to this city.
They also had to transport the tents on carts.
Raphael had hired people in Backlund to modify these carts. They were large, with relatively small wheels and heavy springs for shock absorption, making them well suited to traveling through the wilderness. Usually, one person pushed from behind while two pulled from the front.
They were all Beyonders, so three people could move a cart with ease.
Sorn City's elite guarded both flanks of the procession, ready to respond to any emergency. Speaker Haden brought up the rear with his men to ensure no one fell behind.
To prevent stragglers, they had also appointed a group leader for every ten people. Each group leader had to count their members frequently. Every ten groups had a team leader, and every ten teams had a Thousand-Man Leader. If anyone was missing, they had to report it up the chain immediately. If an emergency arose, they were to raise the alarm at once and summon the elite Beyonders for help.
After Raphael offered a brief prayer to the Lord of Evil Desires at the head of the procession, the pilgrimage officially began.
People in the procession kept looking back at the