Chapter 139: Departure
"Good," Adrian stated simply. He rose from the chair, the movement signaling the end of the audience.
"Time is a resource we cannot squander. You have five days."
Charles sprang up instantly. "Five days? To pack up our lives? Right, right..." he mumbled, already mentally cataloging.
Adrian continued, cutting through Charles’s muttering.
"Five days to conclude all affairs here in Tulia. Settle your business, say your farewells, gather what you deem irreplaceable. We depart at dawn on the sixth day."
Charles appeared to think for a while before asking.
"How? I mean, travel. The Corrupted Lands are days away, even by fast horse! Should we... commission a reinforced carriage? Or...?"
He trailed off, his eyes darting toward Adrian who immediately saw through the unspoken question, figuring that the rumors of a ’moving metal box’ must have reached him already.
"Don’t concern yourself with the how of travel," Adrian replied as he moved towards the door. "That is already arranged. Focus on your preparations. We will meet again during these five days. All of you and the others joining us. I will explain everything."
"Others?" Jeffery asked in surprise. He hadn’t considered there might be more recruits.
"Yes," Adrian confirmed, his hand resting on the door knob. "We won’t be a large party, but a capable one. A few more key individuals. Hopefully, their commitments will be secured by tomorrow."
He opened the door and glanced back at Eli, who had made no move to rise. "Papa?"