Thomas sat in a chair, slumped over, exhausted. Cornelius was gone. And then Thomas started to speak, and his voice sounded lost and far away. “I have seen many things, in my travels about the world,” he said, slowly, “and I have faced many dangers. But I think this night has been one of the worst. I would not have brought you this way if I thought it would be this dangerous. I always knew the Moonlanders were strange folk, but if they have become disciples of the Witch we are in a peril greater than I could have imagined.” And he put his hand to his head, and I thought he might be about to cry. And I got up, and went over to him, and laid my hand gently on his shoulder, and said: “You did not bring us this way. We would have come anyway. If it is me the Witch wants, then I will continue my journey alone, and you will all be safer without me. My brother can remain here with Cornelius, and you can travel a different path to mine, or at least give me a day or two’s head start.
