Liron was curious about what was transpiring out where the others were being led, but he decided to hang back with Trixie and the other teens. Zeke and Sullivan were still waiting with Lorelei, Dalek, and the orc brothers so Liron didn't want to be left out of any potentially important discussions. Besides, the scene before him was far too entertaining to leave.
"I take it Emerick sent you along with Jacoby to pick us up?" Trixie deduced.
"Yes. If you'll come with me, there are a few carriages designated for you and your family specifically," Orval nodded, doing his best to quickly compose himself. "I'll need you to identify them though, I haven't met any of you in person before today."
"Maybe you should leave it to Jacoby," She suggested. "He seems to have things under control." So saying, she motioned to everyone and exited the building. He hung his head in defeat and followed her out the door.
"Should we be worried?" Lorelei wondered.
"Definitely," Dalek snorted.
"Better there than here," Titus disagreed.
"Are we sure about that?" Lorelei interjected again.
"Emerick saved my life," Sullivan pointed out, "And the boss seems to like him. That's good enough for me."
"Yeah," Lorelei consented with a nod, "I guess that's true."
"Get a move on!" Trixie called back.
"Yes boss!" they all chimed, then hurried to follow. It was never wise to keep Trixie waiting.
Outside were a procession of carriages and covered wagons. Liron watched in awe as children were divvied up quickly and efficiently between the carts, each introduced to an overseer and accompanying guard. Trixie and the rest of their group were specifically guided to the four carriages, each large enough to comfortably hold eight, and he quickly learned that they were assigning them by ages to ensure at least one older orphan was in each of the wagons. This was likely in an effort to help the young ones feel safer.
Before long, they were off down the road, and Liron, sharing a wagon with Sullivan, was pleased to watch the expressions of Zeke and the four younger children with them as they watched the world pass outside the window. Zeke was talking about different roads and buildings as they passed them, eager to share his knowledge about the world outside the institute.
"…and that place is a cobbler's shop!" He was saying. "They work closely with my master!"
"What's a cobbler?" one of the girls asked. "Is that some kind of dessert?'
"A cobbler is someone who makes shoes," Zeke explained.
"He's excited," Sullivan said with a slight smile.
"Aren't you?" Liron questioned. "I mean, we're really out of there, hard as it may be to believe."
"I don't know how to feel," Sullivan shrugged. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad I don't have to worry about potentially getting crushed by a stack of logs again, but… well… it's still the only home we've ever had."
"I guess that's a fair point," Liron shrugged. "It'll be interesting to see what happens. I'm curious to hear more about this house that the boss has got though. I mean, carriages?! Seriously?! What's with all the special treatment?"
"I have a guess," Sullivan shrugged, "but that's all it is."
"Always such a stickler," Liron rolled his eyes. "Of course you won't share that guess with me." Sullivan shrugged. They fell into a comfortable quiet as the carriage continued to bounce along.
About a half hour later, they pulled to a stop at some kind of compound. Liron wasn't sure what to make of it, but as far as he could tell, it looked like some kind of street festival. He was startled when the coach driver opened the door and started helping them out.
"What's going on?" Sullivan asked, worried etched in his features. They obviously weren't at any sort of dwelling, though a lot of tents were set up.
"Master Jacoby has instructed us to stop here on our way up to the manner," the coachmen replied. "It is his wish that you get a good meal, fresh clothes, and other necessities to make the rest of the trip more comfortable. It is a half a days travel by carriage. Besides, this is where the rest of the children from your orphanage will be staying until their permanent residences are ready for them. Don't worry, they will all be seen to as well."
"Ok," Sullivan seemed to relax a little with the explanation, but he was still on guard. Liron couldn't blame him. They'd been abused their entire lives, it was only natural to be suspicious when something unexpected transpired.
Looking around, he could tell Trixie and the other teens were equally wary of the sudden stop. Like Sullivan, she looked more at ease after a few words with Jacoby, but she was still apprehensive of the situation and struggled to keep the young ones close. Liron didn't see why she bothered.
Around them, they were encompassed in a carousel of colors and smells most had never experienced before. Lining the walkways were stands filled with all sorts of food and treats even the full blooded children hadn't tasted, and there were also a number of smaller tents with all manner of amusements were erected. Baskets and baskets of clothes were stacked at yet another tent, and he was pretty sure there was a clinic in the back.
The young ones were so excited and curious, there was no way to rein them in, and Liron didn't feel a need to try. The area was well contained, and there were a number of adults present to keep an eye on things. Everything was set up efficiently but openly to allow them to wander and partake at their leisure.
"I must insist that you and that youngster follow me this way, m'lady," Jacoby's stern voice attracted Liron's attention to where he seemed to be having something of a staring competition with Trixie. "Those injuries are severe, and need tending."
"I'm fine!" Trixie, replied, though she looked anything but. Liron hadn't paid proper attention, but now that Jacoby pointed it out, the hobgoblin looked terrible. In fact, the only time he'd seen her in worse condition was the day Saw managed to ambush her. Beside her, was Ripley, who she was trying to push behind her.
"You are not fine, and neither is he," Jacoby scoffed. "I will not allow you to travel in this condition without being properly treated, or would you rather risk illness and infection? Would you really risk this little one's health over your own pig-headed pride?"
"I don't feel so good big sis," Ripley croaked, hand over the side of his face. He had taken quite a beating from the matron the night prior, so Liron was impressed he was standing on his own feet, ointment or no. "Can they really help us? I don't want to go by myself…"
"Fine," Trixie sighed, then shot Jacoby a scowl even as she ruffled Ripley's hair affectionately. "You win this time Rabbit."
"That's Mr. Abbot to you," Jacoby reminded.
"Whatever you say, bunny boy," Trixie rolled her eyes. Liron relaxed a little as they trekked out to the clinical tent. The fact that they were being tended to help ease a burden on him he hadn't completely realized he was carrying.
"Shall we go explore?" He turned to Sullivan, feeling excited. "I don't know about you, but I'm pretty hungry and it would be great to get out of these itchy rags!"
"I can introduce you to my master!" Zeke exclaimed. "I can see her over there with the others who are handing out clothes! Come on!"
"Shouldn't we check with the others first?" Sullivan worried. Liron turned to the four little girls who were still clinging to their pants, eager to participate in the fun but too shy to approach the strangers.
"Do you think we should wait, or should we all go and have some fun?" He asked mischievously, getting them to giggle.
"We want to have fun," the oldest one smiled.
"Yeah," the other three chimed in. With a look of defeat, Sullivan shook his head and shrugged.
"Fine, fine. The majority has spoken," He sighed. "We stick together though, no wandering off or I will have big sis paddle your bums, you hear me?"
"Yes Sully," they all nodded in unison. "We unner stan."
"Good," he nodded, then turned to Zeke. "Very well then. Lead the way my excitable fellow."
"You are not going to regret this!" Zeke squealed. "Just you wait!" Liron suspected his stomach would very much regret putting Zeke in charge, but he wasn't too worried. They would get the chance to eat their fill before they returned to the carriages, and the girls were already excitedly talking about pretty new dresses anyway. The joy in their faces made him beam as well. It was good to feel hopeful for a change.