Chapter 7: Le Morte d'Arthur

"It started everywhere at the same time - it was massive".

With Lynchessa and the others apparently walking in circles, Amelie looks around at the motley assortment of people gathered with the wagons. She decides that this many people will need to eat something soon, and if this really is the destination Lynchessa was talking about, it was going to need a lot of work. Idle hands lead to grumbling, and between the disreputable look of some of these hangers-on, and Julien's worried comments about her safety, she starts giving orders: collect wood for a fire (dead and dry only, please), unpack and start setting up the tents, unhitch and picket the horses and donkeys (downwind from the tents, mind you) ...

When the village appears, then quickly gets demolished, Amelie gasps in wonder, and the work stops. What have we gotten ourselves into? When the illusion disappears, and the magi continue talking, Amelie realizes that the rest of the folk are still staring. Back to work everyone! Villages may appear and disappear, but they won't put food in our bellies, or shelter over our heads. She pauses to smile at the group as they restart their tasks. But wouldn't be grand if they did? she muses, looking back at the magi.

The hours are spent in unpacking. As the sun goes down, and a beautiful full moon rises above the trees, the trees observe the humans suspiciously. There are no animal sounds emerging from the forest. An hour before, the Druid has said his good-byes and vanished into the forest who swallowed him up without a trace.

Suddenly, a child yells: "The circle - it's gone!"

The settlers who had been grumbling since the arrival at the site, discuss these news with hushed voices.