Future plans

Leonard was sitting at a table writing on a paper as they walked in. He didn't even lookup.

"Welcome back. How did it go?"

Joseph started putting all his stuff down.

"Hello, Leonard. It went fine. We got company though."

He looked up and saw Tobald looking around in the middle of the tent.

"Excuse me."

He stood up and walked up to him.

"Good day to you sir! I'm Leonard a historian."

"My name is Tobald. Nice to meet you."

They shook hands.

"What brought mister Tobald here?"

"We can say that I was interested in the ruins. I'm a historian myself."

"I see, but the place is in the hands of the Phoenix family. If you want to do any research you have to have a permit from the head of the house."

"I don't plan on going down. I just wanted to take a look at the scenery."

"That is not a problem. You can take a look at any time, but be aware that these places are very old and fragile. If you go too close to the edge of the hole, the ground might crumble below you. Though if you want I can give you some general information about the ruins, that is already known."

"I've already taken a look, but thank you for the warning. Also, I would love to hear about it."

'It seems like he knows how to play along. I'm happy that we don't have to make a cover story for him.'

They spoke about general stuff for a while. Meanwhile, Joseph and Catherine walked to the side.

"Joseph, what are your plans from now on?"

"I want to go back and get that guy out of jail first, then go forward. I don't plan on stopping, except if I have to. Do you still want to come along?"

"Yes. That's why I asked if I can tag along. But what about Tobald?"

"I think we should ask him about it."

"Right."

They sit down on the other side of the tent. They weren't far away and heard what the other two were talking about, but they didn't listen to it.

"Can you show me the map again? I want to see where is everyone on the continent right now."

"Sure."

Joseph gave her the pin once again and a map of the continent showed up in front of her.

There were four points on the northern part of the continent and a lot more at the place where they thought the manor was.

"This is surprising. In two months almost everyone else got to the manor. It seems like there are only two more people missing and one is locked up in Krishmar. I wonder why is the fourth not going back."

The one he was speaking about was halfway from Krishmar to the mansion.

Catherine shrugged.

"Maybe they don't want to go back, like the doctor."

"Possible. Do you know how much time does it take to get to the mansion from here?"

"Hm. I would say at least three or four months."

"That is a long time, but I thought it's longer."

"Not really. If we could go on a ship, it would take half as much, but from here to the sea and from the sea to your mansion would take just as much time as we would spare."

"So we should go on dry land?"

"That is my opinion."

"Well. We can also check on the last person meanwhile."

"Alright. So we go this way."

She pointed at Krishmar and drew a curved line to the mansion. It followed the roads but almost missed every big city. They would only go through a few villages on the way.

"Why that way?"

"Because if we go into the cities, we might need more time depending on the cities."

Joseph looked at her questioningly.

"Some of these cities are strict. Or at least they were a hundred years ago. They did not let anyone in without permission."

"What kind of permission do they need? I mean we got one from the guild, didn't we?"

"That might help in some places, but the cities are ruled by different lords. Nowadays there are rarely any countries around. Most of the places are in the hands of the city lords, so they can be prepared for defense better."

"You mean defense against the demons?"

"Exactly! The only links between them are the people who do wandering jobs and the strict contracts that they must obey."

"So that's why you want to dodge every city. It makes sense."

Meanwhile, Tobald and Leonard stopped talking and both of them were reading books.

The day went on and the new day came very soon.

Carriages and armed people arrived in the morning.