The wheels on the carriage made a thumping sound as soon as it started driving on the rocky dirt road leading to Laplan. "The trip shouldn't be as long as Rowan, as this new shortcut leading into Laplan was made just 1 year ago!" Vulgart had stated.

Ford was of course happy to hear that, as he wouldn't have to wait 2 weeks just to see Arias. When Ford thought about her, he wondered what she might be going through.

He hasn't been able to rescue her for 5 years. He had thought that Arias might have been getting tortured at that very moment. He couldn't bear the possibility that she might be getting tortured, so he had tried to stop thinking about it.

******************

The carriage suddenly came to a stop. When Ford went to check what was going on, he couldn't believe his eyes. "Rayn..." He thought to himself.

Rayn: "Excuse me, but you wouldn't happen to be going to Laplan, would you?"

Vulgart didn't remember Rayn in the slightest bit, but Ford had. He became suspicious of Rayn ever since their first encounter 5 years ago. "What's it to you?" Ford had asked. He wasn't going to take any chances.

Rayn's eyes widened as he saw Ford, and--

Rayn: "Ford Reski.. You're the one who was regarded as a hero for saving the capital of Rowan from the Devoted Cult.. I'd like to accompany you to Laplan, if you'd let me, of course"

"I'm afraid not" Ford said, now he knew for sure that Rayn could not be trusted. He whispered in Vulgart's ear "run him over... He works for King William" as soon as Vulgart heard that, he didn't say anything, and started driving at top speed, going straight for Rayn.

Rayn just stood there and smiled.

Rayn: "huh..."

Suddenly, the carriage flew up into the air... Causing everyone in it to die, including Ford.

*****************

Ford slowly opened his eyes back in the carriage. Rayn was standing in the road, and Vulgart contemplated what to do.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Ford couldn't risk attempting to run him over again, so there was only one thing he could do, but it be a huge risk. He pretended not to remember Rayn, and said "Get on". That was all Ford could do, as he didn't want to battle Rayn at that time.

Rayn smiled and said--

Rayn: "Well thank you! I greatly appreciate it"

Ford opened the door to the carriage, as Vulgart whispered in his ear "you sure about this?" He would just nod his head, as he let Rayn inside the carriage.

Rayn stepped onto the carriage, and spoke up-

"I'd assume you all are going to see King William? Why, that is where I am headed as well"

Ford smiled and said "well that just makes this easier for us! Welcome on!" He shook Rayn's hand and introduced himself "My Name is Ford Reski! I assume you already know it though?"

Rayn: "of course.. You are regarded as the hero who brought down the Devoted Cult!"

Ford laughed nervously as he stated "Please... I'm no hero..". He never liked being called a hero, as it might make him seem selfish to some.

Rayn: "But that is what you are! You're amazing!"

Ford continued to laugh nervously "Well, I'm not that amazing... We should get going."

Rayn: "Oh, yeah... right"

With that, The journey had resumed. After about 3 hours, they had arrived at Lorton. "Well, here we are!"

"Let's go" Ford said, as he got out of the carriage. He walked over to the front gate, where he was stopped by a guard

"State your business!"

"I'm here to see King William. My name is Ford Reski, and I am a knight up in Crowlan" He said as he raised his arms in the air to signify that he wasn't looking for trouble.

"Let him in!" The gate started to open up, and Ford walked in to see a big castle in the distance. He pointed and said "That is where we need to go".

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