While the most had left the caravans some of those who were still wounded remained inside. We had all come together to discuss what we should do from here on out.
I didn't really participate in the discussion and was just watching from the side-lines.
One of the villagers had suggested to go the dancing lion village. But no one seemed to be interested in that offer. That village was in the opposite direction of the only place that they expected to be safe, the stone city.
It was also an option to go to old castle city. However, if we were to do that, we would have to climb the mountains. And those weren't safe. Especially during this time of the year.
Just behind the mountains lived a special kind of bear. The locals called it the Tornarsuk. It was a mighty protective spirit who has been known to hunt humans. However, there have been cases in which the Tornarsuk would teach humans how to use healing magic and talk to spirits. But he would only do that to the ones who he judged brave enough. And the prosses wasn't fun either. The Tornarsuk would eat you alive after which it would be like you were reborn.
So, crossing the mountains wasn't an option.
Eventually the elf spoke. Like me he had been sitting on the side-lines, silently observing the discussion between the humans.
"I know a short cut to the stone city."
Everyone looked at him with their eyes full of hope. If that was true than they could reach the stone city before the land froze over. And they would finally be safe.
"I will lead the way. However, can I trust you demon?"
Even behind his mask, I knew that he was staring right at me. I shrugged. "Wat can I do to prove that I won't betray you? A deal probably won't do. I mean, what would the stone city think if you made a deal with a demon?"
"Believe us. You can trust him! We have been travelling with him for a long time and all he did was help!" Alex shouted. Manny people turned their heads at him and whispered to each other.
"What the idiot says is true. I know from experience how he could have just entered our minds to get whatever it is that he wants, he could have killed me so many times, but he didn't."
I was stunned out of all people I hadn't expected Gert to defend me.
"Besides, he can't take on all of us when we have the holy items. So, we are relatively safe, if not safer with him around." Gwen spoke.
She had seen with her own eye's wat kind of effect holy items had on me, so she wasn't speaking nonsense.
"But what do you have to say about those villagers who keep following him around like a bunch of slaves?!"
Nathan was starting to lose his temper. His anger only grew when Gwen, Alex and Gert started to defend me.
The five humans who had decided to live all looked at him now. the man with the red hair and the girls all had a worried expression on their face and the young man with the pale blond hair was looking at the elf like he was looking at a pile of shit. the man with the two-coloured hair wanted to stand up in order to punch the elf in the face. Luckily, I noticed that action on time and tell him not to do that.
The elf turned to me again. "You know, this only proves my point. They do everything that you tell them to."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh… what orders did I give them? Meet with your friends and family. Feel free to spend your time however you want. I advise you to sleep. Yes, I am totally an evil overlord who wants to take control over everyone here and conquer the world or something. These people have been through, I don't know what. And just need time to stabilise and get their lives back together"
"How do I know that what you just said isn't your real plan?!"
"How can you prove that it is? Would I hand you the items that can harm me if I wanted to force you all to do my bidding?"
"Then what do you want?!"
I stayed quiet. I didn't know how to answer him. I knew that he would not believe me if I told the truth.
Elisa reached out to the shoulder of the elf.
"He is scary sometimes, but he has no evil intentions. Please let him come along."
The elf sighed. "Fine he can come along. But, if you even show a single sing that are betraying us, I'll shove a cross down your throat.