outdoor court of sorts, with a tall black chair made of glass and plastic. Men and women followed our progress, blocking off our exit and crowding in from the sides, forming a kind of procession through the town. More people gathered behind them, until nearly everyone in the fortress was behind us.
The man sitting on the large black chair was bare chested, with heavy necklaces of gold and silver, and a helmet made of antlers, holding a tall, jagged spear. As we approached, I could see the chair was made out of smart phones. I’d found them before, in the wild. Nearly every human had carried one once, and nearly every time you came across a pile of scraps and bones, you’d find one of the shiny black bricks nearby. Damien told me once every single one was connected, allowing humans to speak across thousands of miles.
The man rose when we approached, raising his hands for silence. He had long red hair, with beads braided into his beard, and a bright blue slash across his eyes.
On each side of his throne, tall spears pierced two round objects; an elite skull with gleaming long fangs, and a dried-up husk of a heart. Spread out before him was a thick rug made from slagpaw, including the stuffed head. The eyes had been replaced with large black balls with the number 8 on them.
My heart beat a strong rhythm against my chest and dread flooded through me. Would Penelope be safe here?
“Welcome,” he said, “to the shire.”
The man stood and smiled when he saw Luke, then pulled him into a hug. At this, the men around us took their hands off their weapons, but didn’t lower their guard or back away.
Someone was pushing through the crowds and I smiled with relief when I saw a dark skinned man moving towards us. Jacob had given up his dramatic furry armor and trinkets in exchange for form-fitting travel gear, and a dark leather coat with straps and a hood, built for utility.
I looked behind him, but couldn’t find anybody else I recognized. Havoc was so large though, and I’d only had a chance to get to know a handful of people during my stay.
He smiled, but his face was tense as he looked over my little band of companions.
“I’m a little surprised to see you,” he said.
“Not unwelcome I hope?” Trevor asked, shaking his hand.
“Not entirely, no.”
“I’m glad to see you too,” I said. “We weren’t sure you made it out. We saw the explosions.” Was that only a few days ago? So much had happened since then.
“Where’s everyone else, from Havoc,” Trevor asked. “They can’t all be here?”
“There are other homesteads, like this one. Did you find what you were looking for? The antidote?”
“No,” I said, biting my lip. That was the truth of it, though it seemed far too simple, it would have to do for now.
Jacob nodded, thoughtful, but didn’t seem too disappointed.
“We can talk more later,” he whispered quickly, squeezing Trevor’s shoulder. “If you’re allowed to stay.”
“Wait, what?”
“I’m only a guest here,” he said. “I’m not the one in control. And Luke’s uncle is... eccentric. They have their own ways and customs. If you want to shelter here, you have to obey their rules.”
I glanced over towards Luke, standing next to Sam. He was frowning and arguing, but his uncle leaned his forehead forward until it touched his, then shoved him away. He stood in front of his black glass throne, which was on a small raised platform. It put him several heads above us, so he could address the entire gathering. There were probably a few hundred people around me, and the pressed in close as he began to speak.
“We have new visitors,” he said, his voice carrying above the rush of the waterfall down the hill. “And although they are friends and family, they will not get special treatment.”
“We only came here to meet up with Jacob,” I said. “We’re not staying.”
“It’s too late. You’ve been here, you know our location. We cannot trust you to leave, so you must be initiated.”
I frowned and crossed my arms.
“As more of you came,” Sam continued, “I had to find a way to prove your strength and loyalty. We have few rules here, and only one maxim: a life for a life.”
“A life for a life,” the crowd behind me answered. Chills went down my spine. It was a like a strange mimicry of Richard’s renewal ceremony, but wild and untamed.
“Firstly, we