The right stagecoach clasped his hands, eyes shut, and murmured a silent prayer.
Please let nothing happen to us.
Oh great Zesch, please protect us on this journey and guide us.
The right breathed out and looked back up and relaxed his muscles.
"Fine, let's go." His words felt held back by a rope as he flicked his reins in the air.
"Yeah!" The left stagecoach smiled as he flicked his.
*Nneiighhh*
The horses increased their pace, their muscles bulged as they brushed past the air.
Meanwhile in the carriage, Jorel sat as he read a newspaper, the creaking of the wood and the clanking of the wheels drowned out the outside world.
He dapped his finger on his tongue and turned the page. He was immediately greeted by advertisements of businesses and products. There's also a tiny message from what seems to be from people----Probably pilgrims of a religion because of its contents.
It read,
×Join us, the children of Smarin, where you would see the greatness and superiority of the all knowing smarinten as she shares her power and wisdom×
×If interested, meet our start up at Port Salar in the Henoko region×
"Huh…Never heard of this one before." Jorel adjusted his back on the itchy chair and turned the page again.
His eyes widened as he saw the headline for this page, his grip on the paper creased the edges.
×Tensions rise as the lord of the bandan lands, marched into the high court and murdered seven people×
So that means that uncle…
His eyes continued the piece.
×From witness reports, he declared a full separation from the government and added that "he's withdrawing the garrison defence from the king's forces."×
×Declares war on the king, what a futile attempt if you ask me, but it seems that this alone sparked something in bandits all over, as it has been reported that there's been a recent hike in bandit attacks.×
×There's yet to be any word from the king and his high court, everyone's in confusion, what's going to happen now to Marlour and her people?×
×Everyone awaits×
×Written by J.R Silo bringing you the latest scoop×
Jorel's breath heavy as he lowered the newspaper, his mind completely still, the creaks and clanks filled up his brain.
If what I read is true…That means…
The king…
"I'll have to meet father." He shook his head as he slammed the newspaper on the floor.
"Wonder how much longer it is…" He gazed at the corroded ceiling and tapped his fingers on the edges of the seat and huffed a single bust of air.
I'm bored…
He stood up and reached his hand for the door, he tried to open it but…
THUD! THUD!
"Huh…" He relaxed as his face wore a confused look.
Well, what can I expect from this hump of junk.
He grabbed the doorknob tightly, his body strained more effort as he banged on the door once more.
THUD! ----THUD!
VVWHOOF!
"Wo-Wow!" He busted the door and swayed his hand in the air while the other one gripped the doorknob while his legs glued tightly to the floor.
"What in the?!" The stagecoaches both looked behind and their eyes whitened with their lips apart.
"Y-Young lord…What are you doing?!" The right stagecoach asked with his stunned face. Jorel still looked to the ground like as if no one speaked just now.
He stabilised himself firmly and looked to the stagecoaches while the carriage clunks on the uneven path.
"How much longer till we reach the Ujochi estate? Are we already in the Jonke region?" Jorel shouted, placing his hand to his mouth. The stagecoaches lookee visibly confused for they could not hear anything due to the wind brushing by as they move.
"Huh... What'd that ingrate say?" The left stagecoach asked, his head still locked forward.
"I don't know... Couldn't hear him." The right stagecoach answered while he's still looking at Jorel.
"Hold on..." He said as he adjusted himself firmly on his horse.
"What'd you say young lord!" The right shouted as the carriage buckled beneath.
Wha...Are these fools deaf?!
Jorel thought and murmured.
"I said! How much longer till we reach my estate?! Or are already in the Jonke region?!" He still shouted.
"Oh...We're not in the Jonke region just yet." The right stagecoach shouted back.
"But we are taking a shorter path, so it shouldn't take as long as it was expected earlier." He lightly smiled.
"And how long was it expected to be earlier?" Jorel asked.
"Three days!" The right shouted whike his hat slightly wanted to fall off, but he grabbed it just in the nick of time.
Three days?! No...
But at least they said they took a shortcut---hmm so peasants can use their brains for once.
But three days...
Jorel gripped the door's handle more firmly.
"But sir, you should really go back inside! It's more safe!" The right stagecoach nodded his head to the carriage beside him as he smiled.
"You could really fall off, the path here isn't smooth!" He added.
Safe? So they care about my safety?
No...It couldn't be it, they just don't want to be held responsible if something happened.
Peasants could never care about anything apart from themselves.
Jorel scorned, but hesitantly he reluctantly retreated back into the carriage and closed the door.
The carriage trotted along the path and moved towards the right, the wind slightly blew all the while something----No someone above was watching them. Someone in a dark grey coat who wore a mask was above them, sort of like he was floating.
"I think I've found who we're looking for." The person slowly brought a lone disembodied ear that seemed connected to a long thread closer to his mouth area.
---The end of chapter 20---