He walks away, deeper into the trees. I continue after. There's a dipping feeling in my stomach, but I don’t stop.
Rodrigo wanted to go drinking before, and now he’s taking me into the woods to talk... He’s a part of the rebellion.
Strange. He seems the most territorial, determined slave. The giants typically leave his gang alone. They are hard workers.
Was that all a front for something more?
Time passes slowly as we walk through a narrow path. One of Rodrigo's men brushes a long, feathery branch behind us, protecting our tracks from being left in the snow. Trees allow slivers of moonlight to slip through as we continue forward. When we reach a small, abandoned building, all of my suspicions are cemented.
As we walk inside, there are a few chairs scattered around the moldering cottage. Rodrigo pulls one out and points for me to sit down.
I do.
"Is your name really Rasa?" one of the men asks.
I chew on my lip.
"In a sense. But again, that's not important. What is important is what you are doing here?" I gesture broadly around me.
Rodrigo purses his lips. "You should've come drinking."
I raise my eyebrow, and he continues.
"If you would've joined us, you would've met groups like us all over Zlosa. All committed to one thing—the freedom of the slaves."
I let out a long breath.
"That is good news. I was starting to think you all were a myth," I say.
While it is a good thing to find the rebels, did it have to bethem?
Rodrigo shakes his head and laughs bitterly. "We may as well be. It is not easy to get people interested in our cause."
"How long have you been working?"
"Years. Planning in the shadows and trying to find a way out. Admittedly, things have escalated since that human ran away with a breeding pen full of women. Her time here inspired lots of emotions among the slaves—confusion, anger, but most of all, the promise of some sort of sustainable life outside of Zlosa.I believe it was that firm, tangible vision that moved everyone to action. Especially after we saw how the elves panned out," another man says.
I adjust my sitting position and look out the broken window briefly before asking, "What happened with the elves?"
"We used to believe we could escape to their realm, but now we know. Since the giant and elf kings have allied themselves, I’m sure that any humans who made it to the elven kingdom were not saved."
I nod.
"You're one ofthem—the trolls—aren't you? I thought you were blue?" another man says.
“I am here to help. So, tell me your plan,” I propose, ignoring the question.
The air is thick with tension, and the others go eerily silent. Rodrigo smiles.
"That's what I want to hear," he says. Then he stands.
“Where are you going?” I demand.
“To tell the others it’s safe to come,” Rodrigo starts.
As I wait there, Melisa’s voice enters my head.
Are you well?