"It's called the No Man's Land. We were surprised you had not settled there in the first place. It's a place of wizards, mostly human, who thrive on peace. No group holding malcontent could ever come for you. The living conditions are poor, but food and water are abundant."
"We would take you, but we have appointments with the humans in Shadowfax on the border of IiLifa, then Novelty deeper in." Heather said sitting down.
Matthias whispered in his wife's ear before she whispered back hurriedly.
"We're supposed to go to Novelty, we have a friend there."
Heather frowned, "That's a fortunate coincidence"
"But coincidence nonetheless." Mathias replied, so smooth it slowed her flow. It was unnerving, as if he knew her well enough to counter while staying above reproach.
"Yes, well..."
"Are you going to ask?"
"What? Ask what?"
"Ask us to come with you. You need to know more about the prophesy, at least the bounty, we need to know about No Man's Land and finally you need to go to the Summer festival in Shadowfax as soon as possible if you want to make the end of the festival before going to Novelty which is a long way away. I notice you're walking; I was going to get a carriage. We'd be able to move at twice the speed. I think it's obvious what's needed."
Heather stared; it was all she could think of. Her arm still tingled, wanting more. She'd do too much for it.
"No, we can't-"
"Why can't you?" Matthias asked.
"Because, I said we can't" Heather snapped.
"The others don't get a say? You run their lives? Sounds like something a soldier would say."
Heather felt like she'd just been shoved while standing on the edge of a raging river. The man was only a few words away from disaster. Sarah was already reaching for her bag, death in the eyes of Nomonda and Qondile.
"We'll vote on it, that's a good compromise for all involved right?"
"Good, all for?" Matthias chirped happily.
Heather raised her fist, Qondile, Nomonda and Sarah followed suit.
"That's only four" Matthias said brightly.
At that moment, time seemed to catch up to Heather. "No, wait this is ridiculous. What in the Black Thorne makes you think your vote counts?"
"Because, we're offering you something, our lives." Mathias said bringing himself up.
Her head buzzed, natural aggression threatened to override common sense, already under siege by something she'd never had before. The closest thing she could think of associating it with was greed. She was going for something that wasn't hers to take, which could comprise ruin, even end lives. An unspoken crime leading to the ostracization for one's entire family, country, exile and death. You just didn't do it.
But still she wanted him. Nomonda was staring. Heather might as well as been made of crystal. They'd known each other long enough. The very idea of being read was maddening. Everything was, these people had to go, even if it killed, well... him. Nothing would kill her.
Her resolve hardened; she'd throw them off the tower if she had to.
"Fine, you'll come as far as Shadowfax, but then you'll know in intimate detail, the path to No Man's Land and you will take it. Even if we had to kidnap you and drop you there ourselves."