The group hurried through the darkness. Everything was burning behind them. As quickly as possible, the clan moved away from their previous hive and tried to reach the border of Z1.


    They had misjudged, but badly. While everyone thought they still had time, the 652 suddenly approached the clan castle from the other side at the same time.


    When it shouted ''Burn everything!'' outside, the clan members thought it was just another group of their own members running in the wrong direction. How could they be so wrong!


    And then the clan castle was on fire, and what should have been an orderly and well-organised retreat turned into an uncontrolled escape.


    Genny at the front turned round and tried to survey the hastily advancing group.


    ''Is everyone out? Have we got everyone?''


    ''My hooves hurt. Is it still far?''


    ''Is anyone missing?''


    ''I don''t know! It''s bloody dark here!''


    ''Why don''t someone light a torch?''


    ''Are you mad? Then they''ll see where we are!''


    Cursing and swearing, the group made their way through the darkness. Suddenly Hendrix shouted: ''The lady''s missing!''


    Genny rolled his eyes. ''She wanted to finish ironing! Not ten horses could get her off her ironing board. She said she''d join us!''


    Hendrix looked around worriedly. ''What if something happens to her?''


    ''Nothing happens to her! Nothing ever happens to bad people!''


    ''Can we slow down a bit?'' complained KittySVG, ''I can''t go that fast! Besides, I have to carry the basket with my cat!''


    ''Oh yes, please!'' some shouted, ''And the luggage is so heavy!''


    Genny thought about it. ''Maybe we could put a few pieces of luggage on the donkey...''


    ''You''re gay! Don''t even think about it! I''m not a packhorse! I have pride and dignity! Besides, I want to leave anyway.''


    ''Leave my little donkey alone,'' Impel scolded, ''Look how hard he''s having it. He''s already panting!''


    ''Yes, because you''ve fed him so much fat! He can''t even carry his own weight!''


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ''You''re gay!''


    Captain Zaxpool, who was walking side by side with Scorpion further back, looked around worriedly.


    ''They''re chasing us, shit,'' he whispered to the man running next to him, ''Do you think we''ll reach the border in time?''


    Scorpion swayed his head back and forth thoughtfully. It was an oppressive situation. Time and again, individual members furtively dived into the bushes to the left and right. Ostensibly just to do a quick job, but everyone knew that they were secretly looking for ways into other cities and that they would only be seen again when the total number of players would force the clans to form new alliances.


    The train in front slowed down, as some of them were almost unable to go any further. Suddenly there was a crash in the bushes next to them, and instead of one person stealthily slipping away, Lady Evelyne stumbled onto the path with a less than graceful movement. ''There I am!'' she shouted out of breath. ''Just barely made it! All ironed and ready.'' She proudly held up a large box with the ironed aprons in one hand. Her outfit could only be described as adventurous: In her other hand she held a large sack and on her head she wore an upside-down glass cake bowl from which pink icing dripped onto her hair.


    Genny stared at the lady in bewilderment. ''What''s that on your head?''


    ''Oh, I needed a helmet when I ran out... the ceiling panelling in the hall was already coming down because everything was on fire. Didn''t we used to have a fireman in the clan? Where is he anyway? - Never mind. It wasn''t enough for me to wash the bowl. But at least it was better than the bowl that Ghost stuck to my head with superglue. It took me months to get the glue out of my hair again. Icing, on the other hand, is good for your hair. It''s a natural hair setting agent. When I braid my hair later, I''ll have beautiful curls tomorrow!''


    Before Genny could say anything back, a loud crash sounded from the end of the train and a cascade of fire spread. Secauto and two other girls, who had fallen back from the group out of exhaustion, cried out with a shriek.


    ''They''re throwing firebombs! Damn, they''re close!''


    ''Quick,'' said the donkey, ''Put Secauto and the other two girls on my back. They can''t take any more. I''ll carry them. But don''t you dare add a single package! And then let''s get out of here! - And before I forget: You''re all gay!''


    The group ran as fast as they could across the plain, crouching so as not to present a target. They went up a small hill, from there it wasn''t far to the border.


    Captain Zax turned round. Whole clouds of shadows were after them, gloomy as orcs in the dark. And they were damn close. Zax handed his knapsack to Scorpion and pulled out his axe.


    ''Run!'' he shouted forwards to Genny, ''I''ll be able to hold them off for a while!''


    Genny turned round, ''Are you mad? You''re all alone against a hundred!''


    ''I''m a dwarf, remember? Run, you stupid elves! You just want some of the enemies, but there aren''t enough for everyone! These are mine, muahahaha! I''m not sharing!''


    Genny took a deep breath and wanted to say something in reply.


    Then Zaxpool shouted at the top of his voice: ''And besides, I''m the train boss! No one is above the train boss but God!''


    Then he turned to the approaching enemies on the plain: ''Come here if you dare, you damned cowards! Here stands a dwarf, you filthy orcs! The numbers aren''t in your favour and it''s an unfair fight, but sometimes war is unfair!''


    A dark shadow emerged from the crowd next to Genny. It was irrr, his long dark hair tied back, his katana and wakizashi crossed on his back. He indicated a bow towards Genny and spoke, ''I will cover the retreat. But do as he says. Don''t hesitate.''


    Genny took another deep breath and then did what she always did, even if she had never asked for such a situation herself: she took charge.


    ''Run. Quick!''


    All together, with Genny in the lead, they ran towards the safe border.