Mark leans back into the carriage, lost in thoughts of his false accusation and Kai/Ryan's revenge:
He replays every moment in his mind –
* The maids' terrifying testimonies
* Kai and Ryan's smug faces
* Lady Nao's fearful pity
* Chris's withheld forgiveness
* Akira's disgust
But most of all, he thinks of Lady Hana -
if only she had been at the gates to see him off, maybe her kindness would have given him strength.
He wonders what she thinks of the accusations – does she believe him guilty too?
The thought of Hana doubting him fuels Mark's determination:
He MUST prove his innocence – for his own name, and perhaps... for her opinion of him.
The scenery outside changes from castle walls to rolling hills and dense forests.
Mark's thoughts drifted back to the castle gates where he was exiled:
He wondered again why Lady Hana wasn't present during his judgment...
Days passed slowly inside the carriage, the scenery outside changing from hills to forests to rivers...
On the fourth day of travel, Mark's curiosity turned to his companion:
"What happens to people who are exiled to Brindlemark village?" Mark asked.
The old man's expression turned grim:
"We only deliver food harvests from Brindlemark to the castle...
But one thing's certain: the men the castle sends there... never come back."
Mark's blood ran cold – was he being sent to his death?
Still chilling, Senpai!
Mark's eyes widened with alarm:
"What do they do to the men sent to Brindlemark?" Mark asked, voice low and urgent.
The old man shrugged, guessing:
"Probably forced labor... harvesting crops as punishment for their crimes.
That's what I've heard the castle guards whisper among themselves..."
Mark considered this – brutal labor as punishment could explain the men not returning...
But his gut told him there was more to Brindlemark's darkness...
Mark asked, "Do you think any of them escape or is it just they die from hardship?"
The old man's expression was grim:
"I don't know."
His brief answer hung in the air like a death sentence.
Mark felt a shiver run down his spine – Brindlemark village seemed to swallow men whole...
His mind wandered back to Lady Hana – would she ever know what happened to him?
Mark leaned back, lost in dark thoughts about his fate in Brindlemark...
His eyelids grew heavy, and he drifted off to sleep, exhaustion claiming him.
But his rest was short-lived, as a vivid dream seized his mind:
In the dream, he stood in the castle gardens, face to face with Lady Hana...
She looked at him with tears in her eyes, whispering:
"Mark, they lied... I believed none of it..."
His heart swelled with hope in the dream,
Lady Hana's gentle eyes locked onto his, filled with trust and belief in his innocence...
Her soft lips parted, leaning in closer... about to kiss him...
Mark's heart raced with joy in the dream – she believed him!
But suddenly,
Hana's face contorted and stretched like rubber melting...
Her skin turned grayish green, eyes black as coal...
Something was chewing in her mouth – flesh and bone visible between her teeth...
Blood leaked down her chin, dripping onto Mark's dream self...
In a voice barely recognizable as Hana's, she hissed:
"It's... delicious..."
Mark bolted upright in the carriage, gasping for air, sweat dripping down his face...
He looked around wildly – darkness outside seemed to press against the windows...
The old man across from him stirred, waking up from his own sleep:
"What's wrong, lad?" he asked gruffly.
Mark tried to speak, but his voice caught – he could still see Lady Hana's twisted face...
"It... was just a dream," Mark stammered, trying to calm himself.
But his mind screamed – was Brindlemark village connected to his horrific vision of Hana?
The carriage creaked to a slow stop – Mark's heart sank.
The old man looked out the window and said:
"We've arrived. Brindlemark village..."
Mark slowly stood up, eyes fixed on the door – his heart racing with worry...
He pushed the creaky door open and stepped out into Brindlemark village...
The peaceful scenery unfolded before him:
Rolling green fields of wheat and barley
Cows grazing peacefully near a gentle stream
Smoking chimneys from cozy cottages
A stout man with a warm smile and bushy beard approached them:
"Welcome, travelers! I'm Thorne, Head of Brindlemark Village, loyal to the Kingdom of Elyria.
We've been expecting... the castle's guest from Elyria Castle."
Mark nodded politely, his mind still on the reason he was exiled...
The old man who drove the carriage nodded and said:
"This is the one. From Elyria Castle. Exiled."
Thorne's expression turned kindly:
"Let us provide him food and rest. Then... we'll discuss his duties."
Mark's worry spiked – what kind of "duties" would he face as punishment?
Mark asked cautiously, "What kind of duties should I expect, Head Thorne?"
Thorne's face lit up with a warm smile:
"Nothing too burdensome, young man. Just lending a hand in our fields – harvesting crops, tending livestock.
We could use extra help during this season."
Mark's tension eased slightly – this didn't sound like punishment...
Thorne gestured for Mark to follow him:
"Let me introduce you to our villagers. This is Jax, our lead farmer."
A tall, muscular man with a friendly grin extended his hand:
"Welcome to Brindlemark! I'm Jax. We don't often get newcomers here."
Mark shook his hand, feeling a spark of friendship potential.
Thorne continued introducing him to others, including a young man named "Kael" who seemed around Mark's age –
Kael had messy brown hair and a curious gaze, whispering to Mark:
"Glad you're not as scary as the castle guards said..."
Mark chuckled, feeling a connection with Kael already.
Mark asked cautiously, "What kind of duties should I expect, Head Thorne?"
Thorne's face lit up with a warm smile:
"Nothing too burdensome, young man. Just lending a hand in our fields – harvesting crops, tending livestock.
We could use extra help during this season."
Mark's tension eased slightly – this didn't sound like punishment...
Thorne gestured for Mark to follow him:
"Let me introduce you to our villagers. This is Jax, our lead farmer."
A tall, muscular man with a friendly grin extended his hand:
"Welcome to Brindlemark! I'm Jax. We don't often get newcomers here."
Mark shook his hand, feeling a spark of friendship potential.
Thorne continued introducing him to others, including a young man named "Kael" who seemed around Mark's age –
Kael had messy brown hair and a curious gaze, whispering to Mark:
"Glad you're not as scary as the castle guards said..."
Mark chuckled, feeling a connection with Kael already.