As days passed, the groups made arrangements to carry out their plans. The village of Tauris was deserted and arid, with no signs of inhabitants. The group gathered inside the guard towers, standing around a large table that displayed a map of their land.
"There's a small gathering of magic users residing in the Northeast," Diana stated, her eyes meeting Lucas's. "That's where Thalia and Aspens were staying before they found me. The head of that camp will be able to introduce you to the organization."
Eric interjected; his brow furrowed with concern. "Won't there be suspicion on us?"
"As long as they can sense the aura of your powers, you should be fine," Diana reassured. "Just stick to your title and role within the organization."
Lucas nodded, absorbing the information. "How will we communicate with you?"
Diana sighed, her gaze drifting to the map on the table. "You can't," she said nervously. "You'll be on your own."
Lucas, Emily, and Eric exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the gravity of their situation. "What if we need help?" Emily asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"You'll have to find a way to leave the organization when you're done with the task and meet us up North," Diana said firmly, her gaze unwavering.
"We'll be making our first stop in Mistol to inform the Lord," Diana relayed to Henry and Zack.
"The boat's all set for us," Zack confirmed.
"Good. Everyone, start packing your essentials. We'll be departing shortly," Diana commanded.
✨🌙✨
Lucas stood at the Tauris docks with Emily, Eric, and Thalia not far behind. His eyes were fixed on the large boat beside the docks, where Henry was busy loading boxes. Diana descended from the boat to address Lucas.
"Don't travel at night, and help Eric practice his powers, despite his hesitance," Diana instructed, her gaze momentarily flickering to Eric.
"I will try. Safe travels," Lucas replied politely.
Diana nodded, turning back to board the boat.
As the boat began to sail away slowly, Aspens rushed to the edge and waved frantically, her long hair trailing behind her in the wind. Zack stood nearby, a small smile playing on his lips as he watched the girl's animated gestures.
"Bye, Thalia!" Aspens hollered, her voice filled with excitement and a hint of sadness at the parting.
"Will see you soon," Thalia shouted back, her tone reassuring, though her eyes betrayed a hint of worry for her friends on the departing boat.
Emily stood still, her mind swirling with dread, her breaths heavy and loud. She watched the boat sail away, memories flooding back. She held her breath, anticipation gripping her as she stared at the ship, her gaze unwavering.
"Emily," Eric called his hand gently resting on her shoulder to draw her attention away from the departing boat. She turned, her gaze reluctantly leaving the vessel.
"Sorry," Emily replied, her mind elsewhere.
"Don't worry, they'll be fine," Eric reassured her, understanding the thoughts that plagued her.
Lucas approached them, his expression serious yet composed. "Are all the boxes loaded onto the travel wagon?" he inquired, addressing Eric.
"Yes, everything's set," Eric confirmed.
"We should start heading out," Lucas stated a sense of urgency in his voice.
"Just a moment!" Thalia interjected; her voice slightly frantic as she rummaged through her bag. She retrieved a small wooden box and handed it to Lucas.
Lucas raised an eyebrow, curious, as he opened the box. Inside lay two simple rings.
"Oh," Lucas muttered, intrigued yet puzzled.
"What's that?" Eric peered into the box, confused.
"It's a ring," Thalia announced dramatically, taking a deep breath. "We need to make it believable that you're a happily married couple... You can't be wandering around without a ring. It's a symbol of value in the marriage tradition," she explained, a determined yet playful tone in her voice.
Eric nodded slowly, understanding Thalia's reasoning. "I suppose you're right," he murmured.
"We'll use it when we get to the camp," Emily chimed in. "Great thinking, Thalia."
Lucas nodded nervously, returning the box to Thalia reluctantly. "Hm, yes, to the travel wagon," Lucas said, lost in thought.
✨🌙✨
They stood outside Tauris borders with a small travel wagon in sight with leashes, its two horses waiting patiently with leashes dangling from their bodies. Emily's eyes lit up as she spotted the horses and walked towards them, petting them, and speaking to them softly with Thalia trailing behind.
"You want apples. Of course, you do." Emily said tenderly to the horse, her voice filled with affection. Thalia handed an apple to Emily. Who fed the horses with a smile.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Eric stood inches away observing them before Eric let out a frustrated sigh.
"I can't believe we aren't carrying any weapons," Eric complained.
"I know is frustrating." Lucas began. "But we can't waltz into the organization with weapons while we are meant to be ordinary refugees or outcasts."
"Yes, I understand...We should just look for weapons when we get there." Eric suggested.
Lucas simply nodded, before facing the girls. "Let's enter the wagon now," Lucas said walking into the wagon with Eric beside him. Thalia leaves Emily's side, joining Eric and Lucas in the wagon.
Reluctantly, Emily stopped petting the horses. The horses nudged her gently, moving their heads towards her neck, seeking more attention. She laughed softly at their antics.
"Sorry, but I have to leave," Emily said softly to the horse, petting it one last time.
Lucas stared at her with a soft look from the wagon, his smile widening as he watched her interaction with the horses.
"Emily, come on already!!" Eric shouted at her, breaking the moment. Emily enters the wagon immediately with a sheepish smile.
"Sorry," Emily said in embarrassment, Eric rolled his eyes in amusement and Thalia laughed quietly.
Lucas turned his attention to the path ahead, grabbing the leashes connected to the horses and giving them a gentle tug to start their departure.
Emily sat beside Thalia in the back of the open wagon, gazing at the fading sight of Tauris as they rode away from it. She couldn't help feeling uneasy and uncertain about the organization she would be staying.
✨🌙✨
The sun was slowly setting, casting a warm glow across the sky, and signaling the upcoming arrival of the moon. Thalia had fallen asleep with her head on Emily's lap, letting out soft yawns as she dozed off. Eric was sitting upright with his eyes closed, breathing slowly and calmly, his hands resting on his chest.
Emily was still awake but could feel the urge to sleep creeping up on her. She looked over at Lucas, who was driving the wagon ahead of them.
"You're not tired?" Emily questioned Lucas.
Lucas moved his gaze to look at Emily for a split second before facing the road ahead. "I'm fine, you can fall asleep if you like. I'll manage." Lucas responded.
"I'm used to staying up late and not sleeping at all even," Emily remarked, her hand stroking Thalia's hair, making her whimper in satisfaction.
"With making recipes or baking pastries, I presume?" Lucas said, a smile playing on his face while he still concentrated on the road.
"Huh? How do you know." Emily said curiously. "Never mentioned it to you."
"Eric tends to talk about you when the guards are training.... I'm pretty sure all the guards know you due to that." Lucas laughs.
"Of course he does." Emily rolled her eyes glaring at Eric sleeping.
"Hopefully, he doesn't say anything embarrassing," Emily said nervously.
"Nothing embarrassing," Lucas assured her.
The wagon came to a halt, and Lucas looked ahead to the campsite in front of them. Emily's eyes widened in awe as she took in the scene: men, women, and children, along with a few guards, were bustling about, carrying luggage, and emerging from their tents.
She watched as the children displayed their magical abilities, some conjuring spells from their palms, others levitating objects, and a few emitting bright lights from their hands, surrounded by other kids. Some children were playing with the shadows and laughing in delight.
Emily smiles, her gaze softening from the peaceful and magical environment.
"We're here," Lucas informed.
"Finally," Eric said startling both Lucas and Emily, making Thalia wake up yawning.
"I thought you were asleep?" Emily questioned; her eyes wide in confusion.
"I was. But you and Lucas woke me up from your conversation." Eric said his gaze moving to Lucas "So I decided to just pretend I was asleep" Eric shrugged, grinning in amusement.
"Anyways...Don't forget your roles, everyone." Lucas said
"And the ring," Thalia said handing the rings to Emily and Lucas. They slipped the rings on before disembarking from the wagon with the others.
A guard approached them, his expression serious and assessing. "Good day," he greeted, his gaze scanning the group. "You people seem to be magic users," he observed.
Emily's mind wandered, wondering how they could tell how one had magical powers.
"Will you please introduce yourselves?" the guard requested, his voice calm as he gave them a small smile.
"My name is Lucas," Lucas began. "And this is my wife and child," he said, gesturing to Emily and Thalia. Thalia waved at the guard enthusiastically, causing a chuckle from him.
"Good day, Mrs...?" the guard prompted, looking at Emily.
"You can call me Emily," she replied. "This is my brother, Eric," she added, pointing towards Eric, who waved blankly at the guard.
"I assume you've heard about the organization," the guard said to Lucas.
"Yes, we look forward to finally having a nice and peaceful place to stay without worrying about, you know... We've been moving across the land to hide," Lucas responded, his tone tinged with sadness and nervousness. Emily glanced at Lucas empathetically, knowing he must have experienced that at some point in his life.
The guard sighed; his gaze empathetic. "No need to worry about that anymore. The organization is where we can be free to be who we are," he assured them.
Emily and Eric exchanged glances briefly before returning their attention to the guard. The guard gestured for them to enter the campsite, walking at the side of Lucas with the others trailing behind, taking in the sight.
"I must say, it must have been stressful to get food for the kids and wifey," the guard whispered to Lucas, the others far behind unloading the boxes.
Lucas chuckled softly. "It was hard... but not impossible," he assured him.
"And having a child. Well, we do need help with populating and not erasing our history. So, great job with the kiddo, IÂ hope there will be more to come," the guard joked.
Lucas's face flushed bright red at the guard's comments. "Yes... I should probably go help," he said, walking towards the group behind him, his face still red.
✨🌙✨
The group stood in front of tents, arranging their boxes beside them. Eric noticed Lucas walking towards them, his brows furrowed a bit at Lucas's expression.
"Why is your face red?" Eric asked, tilting his head to the side, and gaining the attention of Emily and Thalia.
Lucas coughed lightly, his face still flushed, and avoided Emily's eyes. "No reason... It seems our cover works, so that is good," Lucas whispered, changing the subject quickly.
"The moon has begun to rise. One of the guards said we will be heading to the organization tomorrow morning," Eric informed.
"I'm tired," Emily said drowsily. "I'm heading to bed."
"I'm coming with you," Thalia said as Emily opened the tent for her, letting her in.
"It seems we are sharing tents," Eric noted.
"Today was a long day... I'm going to shut my eyes for a while," Lucas said, his gaze moving to the rising moon in the sky.Â