31. Jack
THIRTY-ONE
JACK
Jack exchanged looks with the rest of the group as they followed the girl into Burrow Den.
Jack didn’t think that Elizabeth was dangerous; still, he kept a wary eye on every building they passed.
Soon Elizabeth led them to the center of the city that opened up into a large circular space with a fountain placed dead center.
Water splashed from the top of the fountain shaped like a spitting fish.
Elizabeth stopped and pointed to a large building with a sloping roof. Jack could tell that the building was a church by the bell tower and crucifix that jutted from the top of the structure.
“Most everyone’s inside. Town meeting, you know, a lot of blah, blah, blah, and thinking deep thoughts.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Why do adults think they have everything figured out just because they’re adults?”
“Thank you for your help, Elizabeth,” Jack said.
“Of course, Jack, sure. Just don’t believe what he says. He’s a liar.”
Jack was about to ask her who she was talking about, but Elizabeth turned and ran away.
“What a weirdo.” Sloan dusted off her military jacket that showed the Queen’s emblem.
“I don’t know.” Aareth winked at Jack. “I kind of liked her. She was a good disciplinarian.”
This time, Marcus stifled a chuckle.
“If the city is gathered for a council meeting,” Sloan ignored them both and walked up the church’s wooden steps, “then this is as good a time as any to make our presence known. We need to formally offer our services on the Queen’s and the city of New Hope’s behalf.”
Fearless as ever, Sloan grabbed one of the wooden handles to the double doors and swung it open, stepping inside. Jack followed close behind.
The first thing that Jack noticed as they stepped into the large room and slid in near the back was the amount of people in attendance. The gigantic one-room building looked large from the outside, but the sheer number of people packed inside dwarfed the size of the structure.
Long wooden pews were set up for attendees, and from what Jack could see, every seat was filled. It was standing room only and it seemed like even a few inches of space for one’s feet to rest was high-demand real estate.
Shoulder to shoulder, people craned their necks forward or tilted their heads to the front of the room, trying to catch what was being said.
With a large portion of the town in attendance, Jack was certain they would be spotted as outsiders.
To his surprise, besides a few confused looks, everyone was too busy trying to hear the debate taking place at the front of the building.
Jack stood on his tiptoes, finding a spot where he could see through black and brown coats and tall hats and goggles.
There was a lanky man speaking at a podium on a raised platform in the front of the room.
Jack couldn’t make out specific details, but the man was fair-skinned with thinning hair.
He seemed like he was trying to calm the gathered people.
“Yes, elections for the new mayor and sheriff will take place soon, but in the meantime, I have taken it upon myself to act as the lead shepherd during this dark time of crisis. My position as a preacher has given me training on how to deal with serious situations in times of distress.”
“This is more than a time of crisis, Elijah!” a timid voice said from somewhere from the front of the room. There was a murmur of agreement as the man continued. “We’ve lost over three dozen members of our community to these attacks. This is an extermination!”
“Please, brothers and sisters.” The tall man called Elijah stretched out his long arms. He waited until the crowd was silent.
“Have reassurance that everything happens for a reason. We have to keep faith that there is an ultimate plan in place for us. The attacks, although still occurring, have decreased in the past few days. Perhaps whatever it is, is moving on.”
“But how can we be sure?” the same man said. “I—We fear for our families, for our children. What we need to do is leave this cursed place.”
Louder murmurs escaped the crowd as Jack listened in and caught what the people nearest to him were saying.
“Leave Burrow Den? Should we?”
“This is all we’ve known. Where would we go?”
“Better alive and gone than buried here.”
“Peace, peace,” Elijah crooned in a comforting voice. “There is no need to go anywhere. We have sent word to the Queen for assistance?—”
The man who was arguing with Elijah stepped onto the raised dais. He turned to address the crowd. He was short compared to Elijah, with a rounded belly and bald head.
“The Queen? Please, the Queen of New Hope sits in her royal palace counting her treasure and sipping her wine. No help from the Queen is coming. They don’t care about us poor Outliers. We have only ourselves to rely on.”
“That’s not true!”
All eyes turned to Sloan as she returned each and every stare. A small opening was made for her, Jack, Aareth, and Marcus as everyone tried to remember seeing them walk into the room.
“Queen Eleanor Eckert of New Hope has not abandoned her neighbors and friends. My companions and I have traveled hard and far to come to your assistance at her direct request.”
Everyone stood stunned, trying to decide if they approved or disapproved of the strangers in their council meeting. Jack forced himself to stand by Sloan’s side and not shrink back. He could practically feel the eyes on him, looking him up and down, deciding his worth.
“You were sent from New Hope?” The short man next to Elijah was first to find his voice. “From the Queen?”
“That is correct. My name is Captain Sloan. I am head of the Queen’s personal guard. With me are the best sorcerers and trackers in the Outland. We’re here to help.”