We all woke up at 4 a.m. sharp.
Even though we had gone to bed early the night before, none of us felt fresh. Our eyes were heavy, our bodies stiff, and everything felt slow. The air outside was still dark and cold. A thin mist was hanging over the village like a tired blanket.
There was no ti to sit and rest.
Sarah and I quietly packed the last of our belongings into the carriage that was waiting for us near the front gate. The horses were already hitched, their breath steaming in the cold air.
This whole arrangent had been set up with Erika's help. I hadn't spent a single coin—Erika paid everything, and with her Slave Will at 1000%, it didn't matter how much she gave.
We were on our way to Solin, a city nearly 90 kiloters away.
If we went non-stop, we might've made it by nightfall—around 8 p.m. But realistically, the horses would need to rest, and so would the driver. That ant we'd reach Solin the next day, soti in the morning or afternoon. I didn't mind. Getting out of this village was the most important thing.
It was just , Sarah, Darcy, and Aunt Lindy in the carriage.
I'd made the decision not to bring Erika or Seren with .
It wasn't because they were useless—they were powerful now, both under my control—but because they ca from noble families. If they suddenly disappeared or were seen traveling with a "commoner" like , it could stir up trouble.
People asked questions when nobles went missing.
But I had already taken what I needed. 100 gold coins from Erika's personal stash—enough to start a new life in Solin.
---
The carriage itself was modest, but sturdy.
It was pulled by two large horses, thick with muscle, their dark brown coats glistening slightly under the moonlight.
The driver was an older man, probably around 40 years old, with a gruff face and thick gloves. He didn't talk much—just nodded when we climbed in.
The carriage was divided into two parts.
The front: where the driver sat, holding the reins, with a small window just behind his seat.
The back: a compact space designed for passengers and storage. This was our section.
Inside, there were six cushioned seats, arranged in two rows facing each other—three on one side, three on the other.
Above the seats, small wooden racks held bags and boxes.
There was a faint sll of leather and straw. The interior was painted in a dull yellow color, chipped in places, showing the wood underneath.
Despite the simple look, the fare wasn't cheap—1 gold and 2 copper coins for the whole ride.
Honestly, that was a steep price for a village-to-city trip... but like I said—Erika paid. I didn't.
We all settled into our seats slowly, still half-asleep.
The carriage rocked gently as it started moving down the dirt road, the sound of hooves clopping rhythmically in the silence. Through the small square window, I could just barely see the driver's hat bouncing with every bump.
No one spoke much.
Darcy leaned her head against the wall. Sarah was looking out the window. Aunt Lindy pulled her scarf tighter and closed her eyes.
As for —I just sat back, watching the misty road behind us disappear.
The sound of the wheels turning softly against the dirt road had beco a lullaby.
At so point, I must've fallen asleep too.
Darcy's head was resting lightly on my shoulder, her breaths slow and steady.
Sarah was beside her, leaning gently onto Darcy's other side.
And Aunt Lindy? She had taken over the opposite three seats all to herself, arms folded, completely out cold.
The soft sway of the carriage and the quiet around us made it feel like ti had stopped.
The last thing I rembered before dozing off was thinking how easy it had been to leave the village.
After I killed Ashton Hook, things had fallen into place like puzzle pieces.
With Erika's help, getting that exit signature from the Head Guard was nothing.
No questions. No delays. Just one signature and the road was open.
Too easy, honestly.
I blinked my eyes open.
The soft golden light was touching everything.
The cold air of dawn was gone, replaced by a gentle warmth.
I sat up straight, trying to shake the stiffness in my neck.
"How long have we been riding?" I asked the driver through the small window.
He turned his head slightly.
"Four hours."
Four hours?
Damn. That ant it was around 8 a.m. already.
Ti had passed faster than I expected.
At 8:30, the driver gently brought the carriage to a stop.
We had reached a small rest area—nothing fancy, just a wide open space near a lake, with two or three wooden stalls and a couple of benches.
The horses were unhitched and taken to a feeding area.
The driver left to grab sothing for himself from one of the tiny roadside shops.
I turned around and tapped everyone awake, one by one.
"Hey, ti to stretch," I whispered.
Darcy blinked at sleepily, then rubbed her eyes.
Sarah groaned and leaned back. Aunt Lindy muttered sothing under her breath and finally sat up.
We all stepped out of the carriage.
---
The lake was peaceful.
Its surface shimred under the morning sun like a sheet of smooth glass.
A few leaves floated lazily on the water.
Birds chirped softly from the trees nearby.
There were no crowds—just a couple of vendors preparing their small stalls, and a few travelers resting in the distance.
We found a spot close to the water and sat down on the grass.
The lake breeze was soft and clean.
The kind that made you forget, just for a little while, about all the chaos behind you—and all the trouble that might be waiting ahead.
Sarah opened the food basket, and the sll hit us all at once—warm chicken rice, fresh bread with honey, so mild porridge, and four cups of herbal tea packed in little flasks.
We passed the food around.
Darcy tore off a small piece of bread, dipped it in honey, and looked at with a soft smile.
"Here," she said, holding it up to my lips.
I raised an eyebrow, but took the bite anyway.
Sweet. Warm. Simple.
I did the sa—tore off a bit and offered it to her.
She leaned forward and ate it from my fingers, then giggled softly.
Sarah rolled her eyes but smiled.
Aunt Lindy sipped her tea in silence, her expression calm.
No one said much for a while.
We just ate, laughed softly, and watched the ripples on the lake.
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