The Foundling Saga: Revelation Read Free Page B

voice now, not looking back but holding onto Keller’s arm with a tighter grip.
    Keller and Cormic waited some way beyond the entrance, which itself was almost a ten minute walk from the barrier. In the distance, most of the traders seemed to be continuing with their business. He could, however, see a group heading towards his position, and with a sinking feeling realised that his entire family were making an early exit. He knew the hardship they endured each month just to get here. Not all of the family were able to get to each trading event and may have waited several months or so between visits. This early exit was something to do with him and he didn’t understand what had led to this.
    “Cormic, they are all coming back. What’s wrong? Why were the Londoners staring at me?” He said as he paced up and down. He held his hands by his sides and Cormic observed the clenching and unclenching of fists, and sighed.
    “Listen to me Keller, you are safe with us but we can’t bring you here again. Nola and I will talk with the older ones at tonight’s meeting and then we will come to you and I hope we can explain.” Cormic spoke with real concern. This was the man who would wander bravely into the abandoned towns and cities in the North wearing a haz-suit, but suddenly he seemed afraid. Keller knew he needed to give Cormic time to gather his thoughts as something was clearly wrong.
    Nola reached them first. She looked hot from the exertion, and clearly angry. Standing between the two of them she looked at Keller with concern and then towards Cormic. “We must go on. I think they are likely to follow. We have to get moving.”
    Keller saw the look between the two of them. It was a look of mutual concern and he saw something else, perhaps sadness or possibly resignation.
    “I agree, let’s get ready and go,” Cormic said, looking back towards the rest of the family. Keller followed his gaze. There were a dozen adults bringing up four mules. Several children were accompanying them, and further behind were a group of eight young adults of his age.
    The trek home back to the tents would normally be a good eight hours with several stops for rests, both for the family and for the mules that pulled the small carts. Keller noted that the pace was definitely faster than the outward journey.
    The weather was also in their favour. Keller ploughed on like the rest of them without complaint, hanging just behind Cormic and some of the other older men. He frequently found himself walking alone, pondering on the earlier events with some concern. Their rest stops were brief and it seemed everyone was happy to get moving after a short break, as soon as the mules had taken water and everyone had a chance to rest and perhaps eat a little.
    Keller helped lead the mules to water when they stopped, but he was aware during these rests that the family were silent on the whole, and he noted concerned glances in his direction. It seemed to him that even the mules seemed a bit contrary and not their usual obedient selves as he watered them in the shallow stream.
    They had just stopped again for a rest by some fruit trees. Several members of the family came by to touch his shoulder or show a kindness during the journey back. This was not unusual over the course of a week, but he could see that they were showing more concern and more kindness than usual. He felt miserable.
    They weren’t far from home but would arrive in the dark, so this would be a longer rest to ensure they at least ate one hearty meal today. Keller again helped with the mules before he sat down against a tree for a rest. He looked over towards Nola, Cormic and several other family members who were in discussion around a new camp fire, away from the younger ones. Two of their men had been hanging back from the group and had now caught up. It seemed to Keller that they were presumably reporting on whether they had indeed been followed by anyone. Given that they continued with