It was a mild cloudy day outside but the weather was warm. The nice weather was no match for the colossal Gnorse that appeared before her. Much more massive than the average of its breed, it stood above even Yale, a man who is well over six feet tall. It's brazen legs decorated with thick brown hair that came up to the giant man's abdomens as he reigned it in. The enormous body that rested on top of its huge legs were wrapped with a jet black coat and could easily support the weight of three heavy-set men. Bright yellow side-slanted pupils surveyed the unfamiliar faces of the children standing in its presence. Despite its proud look, sturdy body and glamours entrance; The payload towed behind was the complete opposite when she took her sights upon it.

The carriage was made of weak wood and rusted nails. Its wide wheels had were battered and scratched, the pinewood struts that held the frame were barely hanging on, but it somehow remained upright. Eris was unimpressed and thought it looked more like a wagon with a cover than a "carriage". She couldn't bare more than her poker-face at the old contraption, and her vision promptly swiveled back to the Gnorse. She thought the majestic beast was much more captivating and exciting to gaze at.

[Eris: That thing really is huge! But that carriage is... creative?]

Yale furrowed his brows and stomped the ground.

[Yale: Hey! This thing has put in more work in its six years than you have in your lifetime. Rigas is a decent sized place, if you'd rather walk be my guest.]

Spitting out his retort he turned to mount the giant Gnorse. With swift and fluent movement he wrapped his arms around the body of the animal and threw himself on top. The girl heard Zeais let out a confused Wha? and turned to see a look of stupid shock on his face.

[Zeais: It doesn't even have a saddle!? How is that even possible!]

Grabbing the leather reigns and obviously proud of trusty steed he gives a hearty laugh.

[Yale: "It" has a name, and "he" is called Charrette. You have to get used to your partner soon. If you can't trust yourself to mount them with ease than a Gnorse will just buck ya off. Doing it quick and easy takes the strain off them, but Charrette her doesn't have a problem no matter how I mount him.]

Yale rubbed the broad neck of the mammal, and it responded with a happy neigh, reciprocating his proud master.

[Zeais: Ooo, I see. I wish there were any that roamed my area. I might just try and catch one.]

Eris took no time to give the boy a disapproving scowl.

[Eris: Are you crazy? They don't just let anyone hop on their back. I'm sure they would be much more pleased by a great person like me!]

She gave the boy a sideswiped smile and leaned in, to pet the animal's side. Before her hand could even reach the smooth black hair, the proud Charrette moved over to the side away from her hand. The animal gave a deep grunt and swiveled its long neck and head to look at the girl. She peered into its eyes flared but not the look of surprise a normal horse would give off.

[Eris: Don't touch? Got it.]

Clutching her hands to one another and puffing her cheeks, she mumbled,

[Eris: How cheeky, I just wanted a quick pet.]

A hearty laugh is let out above her, Yale pats the animal gain.

[Yale: That won't do young one! He's not the type to just love anyone, he's only been my partner for years! HAHAHA]

Yale pointed with his neck quickly to behind him.

[Yale: Alright let's go, hop in the back.]

Zeais took the lead to jump in ahead of her, she thought that riding in the back of such a broken down heap of wood would be the last thing she would be excited about. Unenthusiastic, she lifted her self onto the wooden carriages frame and sat on the bench opposite of Zeais...

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

[Yale: Comfortable back there?]

[Zeais: Is this part of the floor suppose to wiggle like this?]

[Yale: Guess we're good then, off we go!]

Obviously ignoring the boy's question, Yale whips the reigns and gives the command for Charrette. The horse gave yet another low grunt and began moving at a walking pace; At least this is what it seemed like to her. For the Gnorse to make such little movement, it bewildered Eris that his speed was almost as fast as a simple trot. She could see nothing better than charging through forests and taking down big game on such a gallant animal in her head.

The towns scenery was strange to her. Much different than the cramped atmosphere of Don'te, she didn't see nearly as many people, even with the buildings looking decently built she expected the place to be filled with people coming on to rest from journeys and traveling. What seemed to only be the occasional traveler scattered about, there seemed to be no abundant bunch of visitors. The rows of shops and houses were well kept, the owners doing what appeared to be their daily routine and the precinct they were passing by was filled with active guards. Eris stood up to see more but the wobbliness of the carriage gave her a second thought.

A strip of Rigas [https://i.imgur.com/lgVGOYt.jpg]

[Eris: Mister, why are there so few people here? Isn't this a resting town?]

His blonde hair flowing in the wind and his body lazily bobbing from the Gnorse movement, he calmly turns to the girl,

[Yale: Who knows, I gave up on this place years ago, though, It's been like this for a good while now.]

Silently listening to his statement, Eris furrowed her brows and a small migraine ensued.

[Yale: I don't take much time to get involved in what goes on anymore, that's more of a Chief question when you meet him.]

Brief images popped into her head, painting what was supposed to be a town before her eyes into a crimson red nightmare. Taking a deep breath in and pushing the newly reserved air out gave her a clear mind. She felt a gaze and saw that Zeais was staring at her.

[Eris: Something wrong?]

[Zeais: No, I should be asking that though.]

She knew she had to hide the painful memories deep inside but they always seemed to slip out no matter how hard she tried. She assumed her default expression and carried on,

[Eris: Hm, don't mind me.]

[Zeais: If you say - SO!]

Zeais's last word didn't come out like the rest of his sentence. Feeling the same reason why he let out a loud whimper, her body slid into the side of the carriage and her neck got a slight whiplash. Charrette had abruptly come to a stop.

[Eris: Ow, you could be a little more gentle.]

Yale didn't respond, his back was turned but even from behind she could tell his face was angry if anything else infuriated. She stood up quickly and as she was about to repeat her complaint until she followed the gaze of the man.

Wrapped in all types of bandages and old useless herb wrap, a man of unknown but definitely of old age was standing in front of their path. She analyzed the man but soon regretted it, she felt a chill run down her back. The man's eyes were stone cold as if death himself would not come for the man. His head and body were very much so on the thin side of the health spectrum. He wore clothes, but they were such of a hospitals medical gown. His lips were dry and his ears unkempt.

A guard clad in chain mail came ran up to the unknown man and carriage out of breath. Eris could see that the guard was also not happy and was, in fact, fuming with anger. Out of breath and sweating the young guard whipped out his weapon, not even uttering the slightest indication of his action, cracked the man in the head with his metal stick. The old man fell to the ground lifelessly, a slow but constant red began to stain some of the bandages on his head. The guard looked up to the man high above him,

[Guard: Get the hell out of here NOW! --- This area is now -- restricted! --- LEAVE!]

Still, out of breath, the guard let his demands be known. Yale whipped the reigns and didn't speak a word. Charrette casually walked around the body and moved onward taking no mind to the situation. Eris did not know what to say, she only stared back to see a group of guards running up to their sweaty companion and surround the old man's body. They formed a circle around it and faced outward to keep citizens out. Two of them quickly patted down the man then picked him up. The whole group ran in a formation, disappearing with the body into a guard station.

Eris didn't even realize she was still standing till a wobble from the carriage knocked her back into her seat. Snapping out of her tunnel vision, she looked ahead to see Zeais, also looking back towards where the guards were. His expression didn't give any indication of surprise or shock, but to her seemed more like deep thought. She wanted to know what exactly he was questioning, but Charrette had come to a stop, much more controlled this time and let out a loud neigh.

[Yale: Alright, we're here. You kids can jump out, the lounge is just through the doors. Wait there while I hitch Charrette.]

Yale's face still looked visibly upset, she was curious but only followed his instructions. Eris proceeded to get up and lift herself down from the carriage. Zeais followed suit, and the two of them watched Yale ride off to the end of the street.

[Zeais: Guess we should go wait inside then...]

[Eris: I guess so...]