The carriage rattled violently, each jolt sending a sharp, jarring thud vibrating up through the strained wooden frame.
Inside the cramped and heavily padded cabin, Kai braced a gloved hand against the wall, his fingers digging into the upholstery as he tried to maintain some semblance of dignity.
He was seated with his back to the horses, facing the rear, and the constant, rhythmic jarring made it difficult to focus his eyes, let alone his thoughts.
Right beside him, Carlotta sat with composure, though even her usual stoicism was being tested by the relentless, bone-shaking motion of the road.
Nevertheless, her posture remained upright.
Opposite them sat the two adventurers they had hired for the escort mission.
To Kai's immediate right, a burly, axe-wielding warrior named Grok looked utterly miserable. His helmet was off, resting on his knee, revealing a sweat-drenched, balding head that glistened in the dim light of the cabin.
