Chapter 55: Flight and a Hidden Entrance
Adam, still in Eric’s body, stood before the crowd of grateful, newly freed prisoners in the deserted Old Market district. He looked at their hopeful, awestruck faces.
"I know," Adam began, his voice surprisingly gentle for the being who had just caused so much destruction, "that all of you have been through a very difficult and painful time. I cannot truly understand the depth of the pain you are feeling right now." He paused, his empty white eyes sweeping over their faces.
"But I hope that you will all find strength. You have endured so much to survive this long. I hope that you will all find success and happiness in your futures, and that you can eventually put this terrible experience behind you, like a bad dream."
He didn’t wait for their reactions, for their further thanks or questions. He simply turned and started walking away, heading back towards the alleyway from which they had first emerged. Lucas, the newly appointed mayor, quickly moved to follow him.
"Your Highness!" Lucas called out, hurrying to catch up. "What about these people?" He gestured towards the freed prisoners.
Adam glanced back at Lucas. "See to them," he commanded curtly. "Get them to their homes, or to a safe place. And identify any city guards who were involved in this... corruption. Punish them accordingly." He didn’t elaborate on the punishment, leaving it to Lucas’s discretion, or perhaps, assuming Lucas understood the severity required.
Lucas nodded, understanding the order. But another, more pressing question was on his mind. "Your Highness," he asked, concern in his voice, "are you... are you planning to travel to the Roland Kingdom on foot?" He looked worried. "It’s a long and dangerous journey, especially now."
Alina, who had been standing quietly nearby, also looked at Adam, a similar question in her eyes. She, too, wondered how Eric planned to reach the neighboring, hostile kingdom so quickly, especially if he was taking her along.
Adam stopped at the mouth of the alleyway. He turned to face them both, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips. "Who said anything about walking?" he asked. "And I am not going alone." His empty white eyes flickered towards Alina. "She is coming with me." He paused, then added casually, "We will fly there."
Both Lucas and Alina stared at him, their eyes wide with astonishment. Fly? Did he mean on horseback? Or... did he mean actually fly through the air?
Alina found her voice first. "Fly?" she squeaked, looking completely bewildered. "I... I don’t know about you, Your Highness, but I certainly can’t fly!" She waved her hands in front of her as if to demonstrate her lack of wings.