The party made a beeline northwest to the southern edge of Hawkes Pass until they crossed the trail of the townspeople. As Asha had predicted, it was easy to spot, even in the dark. Plants and ground were trampled for miles behind the large group, and possessions littered the trail. Despite Grigor’s instructions, it looked like everyone in town had tried to bring too much stuff. Devin saw everything from an iron oven to a broken spinning wheel discarded on the side of the path. The saddest sight was a ragged doll in the dirt. Devin hesitated, then picked it up and tucked it in his belt.

  The pass was a break in the hills that separated the farmlands of central Teth from the wilder lands to the north. It wasn’t easy going in the dark, even for enhanced, and it took them the rest of the night to make their way through it. They came across wagons with broken axels and wheels at regular intervals. Devin dreaded the first sight of a body, but they hadn’t found any when they left the pass as the sun rose in the east.

  Once they cleared the pass, they caught up fast. The refugees were moving even slower than Devin had feared. They were ten kilometers north of the pass and scattered along a line a kilometer long. A single squad of calvary could cut through them without breaking a sweat.

  The party grouped up and jogged up the line. A few people stared as they passed, but most kept their heads down.

  “This was a stupid plan,” Devin said.

  Asha gave him a look. “It’s a great way to get the enemy focused on something other than us. Even an idiot could follow that trail.”

  Devin’s face tightened. “That’s not what I was trying to do. I wanted them to escape.”

  Asha shrugged. “They were doomed to die for what you did if they stayed put. At least this way they get to pretend there’s hope. That’s something.”

  Devin’s face went red. He started to respond, then he caught sight of Grigor walking with his family at the front of the column. The smith looked Devin up and down as the party approached.

  “Did you lose my hammer already?” he said.

  “I broke it on a basilisk’s head,” Devin said. “I guess it wasn’t made for enhanced lizards. Can we talk?”

  Grigor nodded. He handed the little girl he was carrying to another man and walked away from the group.

  Devin handed Grigor the doll he’d found. “See if you can find out who belongs to this,” he said. Then he followed. The party gathered out of earshot.

  “You’re moving too slow,” Devin said.

  “Really?” Grigor said. “I wasn’t drowning in frustration over it until you pointed it out. I sure am glad you showed up with a doll and a critique.”

  “I only meant … can you cut through the forest or something?”

  “It’s the elderly and pregnant women slowing us down,” Grigor said. “Shall I tell them to cut through even more difficult terrain and to stop being so old and pregnant? Do you think I’d even be able to keep the column together if we cut through the trees? Or that cutting through the trees wouldn’t slow us down even more?” His face getting redder with every word. “You told me you’d help us, and this is all you have?”

  He shook the doll in Devin’s face.

  Devin bit his lip. This was not going at all like he imagined, but he plowed ahead with the plan.

  “Actually, I kind of need your help,” Devin said. He hesitated. “Can you put someone else in charge, maybe that Randy guy, and come with us?”

  “No,” Grigor said. “I’m not leaving my family.”

  “I’m not asking you to leave them for good,” Devin said. “I’m giving you a chance to help them in a way you can’t right now.”

  Grigor shook his head. Devin sighed.

  “I didn’t want to say this out loud, but you’re not leaving me much choice. I have an enhancement crystal. If you come with us, it’s yours.”

  “I don’t want to be enhanced,” Grigor said. “Give it to someone else.”

  Devin blinked. He hadn’t expected that.

  “We need someone who is good in a fight,” he said.

  “Why do you think I can fight? I’m a blacksmith.”

  “Yeah, right. And Casey just happens to be handy with potions. I’ve seen the way you carry yourself, Grigor. I was an athlete myself when I was younger, and I recognize someone who has spent their entire life training their body to perform. I’d bet everything I have you’re as good at using that hammer against people as on a forge.”

  Grigor shook his head. “Why does it matter? Anyone you enhance will be better than me, anyway.”

  “I’m not sure that’s true. Even if it is, I want someone committed to this cause.”

  “Give it to one of the rebels, then. They’re committed.”

  “I’ve already enhanced a rebel,” Devin said.

  Grigor glanced at Asha and frowned. Devin thought he saw something flash across his face, but it was gone in an instant.

  “A lot of people are skeptical about the rebellion,” Devin said. “Someone with your standing joining up will help convince a lot of them.”

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  Grigor chuckled.

  “What’s funny?” Devin said.

  “Suppose I’m skeptical about the rebellion myself?” Grigor said. “You’re right. I do know a thing or two about fighting. I’ve seen war. Enough to know if you get this country riled up, a lot more people are going to die.”

  “That’s not your decision, and it’s not mine,” Devin said. “That maniac Felle has decided this is how it’s going to be. We can either accept it or fight it. This revolution will happen. The rebels are already spreading the word. The only thing you get to decide is whether you’re going to help us or hide from it.”

  “You want me to leave my people to fend for themselves? My family?”

  “What’s the point in staying with your people if you can’t help them?” Devin said. “You’re not enhanced. You can’t handle even a Copper level. Trust me. I’ve seen those guys fight.”

  “Then give me the enhancement and let me stay with my people,” Grigor said. “I can protect them in case they get by you.”

  “You wouldn’t have a chance by yourself, and I’m not wasting this crystal so you can kill a few soldiers before you die,” Devin said.

  “That’s not very charitable,” Grigor said.

  “I don’t have the luxury of charity,” Devin said. “If you want to stay with the townspeople, that’s fine. I’ll find another villager. Maybe Randy.”

  “None of them will go with you,” Grigor said. “We all have families to protect.”

  “But …” Devin broke off. He couldn’t think of any way to convince this stubborn guy to do the right thing.

  “Grigor,” Casey said. “If Devin says you’re needed, you’re needed. I don’t want the townspeople to get hurt either. I spent years healing them.”

  Grigor frowned but he looked uncertain.

  “Please,” Casey said. “There’s a reason we met back in Horgoff. Rainford needs you.”

  Grigor stood a long moment. Then he sighed and glared at Devin. “If my family gets hurt, I’m holding you responsible.”

  “I’m already responsible for what’s happening to your family,” Devin said. “I need you to join us so you can help me make it right.”

  “I said I would.”

  “I need you to say the words.”

  Grigor gave him a funny look. “I’ll join you,” he said.

  Grigor Hemming (Unenhanced) joined your party.

  Grigor has added a location of interest to Devin’s Automap: Coarshire.

  Grigor has added a location of interest to Devin’s Automap: Coarshire Keep.

  Grigor has added a location of interest to Devin’s Automap: Coarshire Forest.

  Grigor has added a location of interest to Devin’s Automap: Saker Keep.

  Grigor has added a location of interest to Devin’s Automap: Robere Keep.

  Grigor has added a location of interest to Devin’s Automap: Peleg Keep.

  Grigor has added a location of interest to Devin’s Automap: Feidhelm.

  Achievement Unlocked! ‘Stringer, Party of Five, Your Table is Ready.’ One, two, three, four, five!

  Reward: Boost ‘Basic Interface’ has been upgraded to ‘Improved Interface’ – The party leader can allow all party members access to every part of the interface, including Add-ons.

  Your interface now reports critical or fatal conditions inflicted on party members. Critical conditions include severely injured, unconscious, paralyzed, held, polymorphed, blinded, drained and exhausted. Fatal conditions include bleeding to death, turned to stone, dead, and obliterated. Hidden conditions like diseased, poisoned or bleeding internally will only be revealed if they are successfully diagnosed by a healer or through a healing ability such as Medicine or Triage.

  Party members within 1,000 meters of the party leader or within sight of another party member inside of that range will appear on the Automap and as icons in other party members’ field of vision. Party members outside this radius will appear in their last known location.

  Reward: Boost ‘Sharing is Caring’ – The Party leader may apply one of his non-combat passive Boosts to the entire party. The party must contain five enhanced members, and all party members must be within 1,000 meters of the party leader to receive the benefits.

  Congratulations! These are Exceptional Boosts!

  “Woo hoo!” Devin said.

  “What in Odohr’s name is going on?” Grigor said. He clenched his hammer. Casey touched his arm, and he relaxed.

  Milo has invited Grigor to Party Chat.

  Grigor joined Party Chat.

  Devin – Grigor, we think the Patriarch can listen in to conversations. We can talk here without being overhead.

  Grigor – This is amazing.

  Devin – Right?

  Milo – Let’s focus, please. We have a problem.

  Grigor – Just one?

  Devin – Well, one that’s bigger than the others. Our plan was to run to the Rebel Caves, enhance you, and get back in time to help the refugees. But we’re not even close to the caves. Winsley Farm is closer, but we might run right into an army coming up the pass.

  Asha – I know another way through the hills, but it’s even more difficult terrain. It takes days. We might do it faster, but I can’t be sure.

  Grigor – I have to say, this doesn’t feel much like a rescue, youngster.

  Devin – Spoken like a true Alderaanian Princess.

  Grigor – What did you call me?

  Milo – It’s his attempt at humor. You’ll get used to it. Actually, you probably won’t, but we all have our burdens.

  Devin – Senarci could really use some pop culture. Anyway, I think we’re going to have to use my Compass Boost. If we’re lucky, there’s a node nearby we can grab. What do you think, Milo?

  Milo – There should be one in the area. Whether the Boost points us to that or something else useful, I agree it looks like our best option. Remember what I told you about tweaking the results?

  Devin – Um … vaguely?

  Milo – You really should listen to me more. The Boost will locate what it calculates to be the most advantageous path forward for you, but that won’t always be what’s best for people you’re trying to help. For example, if you’re on a ship with a single lifeboat, it might direct you to the lifeboat, but it won’t help you save the rest of the ship unless you make it clear that’s what you want.

  Devin – Oh, right. And I do that by focusing on the specifics of what I want to do.

  Milo – Theoretically.

  Devin – Wait, this is a theory? You don’t know for sure this is going to work?

  Milo – I know it can’t hurt.

  While Grigor said his goodbyes, Casey retrieved some of her potions that the townspeople had looted from the manor. Then the party moved far enough away from the refugees to hide from any prying eyes. Devin sat on the ground with the shard pouch in his hand and visualized himself finding a new node. He kept that image in the front of his mind and activated Kwaku’s Compass. It was sort of like trying to scratch his head and rub his stomach at the same time, but he managed it.

  Kwaku’s Compass marked a location on Devin’s Automap at the cost of 2 Universal Knowledge shards. The next use of this Boost will cost 6 Universal Knowledge shards.

  You have 11 Matter shards, 82 Life shards, 113 Universal Knowledge Shards, 1 Dimensional shard and 1 Elemental shard.

  Achievement Unlocked! Triumph of the Will – You’ve used your Concentration Attribute to nudge a Boost in the right direction. Since you didn’t think of it yourself, you have to share this reward.

  I’m not exactly impressed - but I’m not unimpressed, either.

  Reward: +2 Concentration.

  Devin and Milo have earned this reward!

  The next use would cost 6 shards, which was an even bigger increase than the doubling he’d expected. Getting the Achievement was probably worth it, though.

  The Compass mark appeared near the edge of the Pineleaf Forest, which bordered the path the townspeople had made. It was about eight kilometers back the way they’d come.

  “I know that area,” Asha said. “I lived there for a year. Looks like the mark is right by the old hunter’s cabin.”

  Asha added a location of interest to Devin’s Automap: Old Hunter’s Cabin.

  Five minutes later, they party was moving south at top speed.