The carriage didn’t rattle. The ride felt smooth as a baby’s bottom and I didn’t like it. Part of the romance of travel was in the bouncing and bumps. As a kid in my last life, I loved sitting in the back of the bus on field trips for exactly that reason.

I fumed a bit, but at least I wasn’t the only one having a rough go of things. Huggs struggled like a banshee in my arms, trying to break free of my iron grip. I hadn’t let him go since last night, and I wasn’t about to.

Lily sat across from me in the carriage and she looked like a picturesque noblewoman. She wore a gray-frilled dress covered in stylish bangles and jewels.

I couldn’t stop my eyes from glancing down, though, to her withering legs. They were starting to thin and, even when hidden under the billows of a wide hemmed dress, looked a bit unnatural. I could feel my own guilt stirring at the back of my mind so I snapped my head to the side where I could see out of a thick-glass window to watch the countryside roll by.

Originally I never intended to ride the whole way in the carriage, but Lily insisted, and I could hardly say no to her… Not after everything that happened.

I compromised, though, by dragging Huggs in with me. Whenever conversation lulled I could always torment my little pet dragon.

-

One of our first stops was a small town I recalled with fond memories. I saw the sign from the window and smiled:

“Welcome to Sorten Village.”

I smiled. This town hadn’t changed at all. The same wood and thatch homes lined the streets and little mud-covered kids were scurrying about, swinging sticks and throwing balls.

Off in the distance, working in a field, I could make out the familiar visage of a stocky farmer. I wanted to wave to him, but I doubt he’d be able to see me through the tinted glass.

“Do you know this town, Calliope?” Lily asked.

“Yes. I stopped here for lunch when I went south with your letter. I had a meal with a nice family.” I pointed my finger to the farmer in the distance. “That’s Sell’s father.”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Lily’s eyes popped wide open. “That’s Sell’s dad? He doesn’t look like a gangster at all!”

“He’s not a gangster,” I laughed, he’s farmer. I don’t know where Sell got her fashion sense from.

Lily laughed with me. We enjoyed a short lunch break in the carriage. I wanted to go out to the town, but I felt bad about leaving Lily alone. She couldn’t exactly go out and about herself, due to her condition. Her maids did assist her with a brief bathroom break, though.

Soon enough we started our travels again. I felt a bit better having seen that village again. I was reminded of my last visit and I couldn’t hide the goofy grin on my face. I wondered if the gold I left them back then ended up helping them out.

I gave Lily a side glance at that thought.

“I’ll be right back,” I said. “Five minutes, tops.”

Lily smiled. “You can do whatever you want, Calliope. Don’t mind me,” she said.

I picked Huggs up and stared him in the eyes. “Huggs, you are to guard Lily with your life while I’m gone. If a single hair on her head is harmed…”

I didn’t need to finish the threat. The adorable baby dragon raised his right paw in a faux salute, something he probably picked up from watching the guards around us. I stifled my chuckle.

Like a breeze I vanished from the carriage. None of the escorts noticed my absence except RED. I felt his eyes follow me as I ran back to that familiar village.

It didn’t take me long to find the house I ate in before. The young boy, Sell’s brother Tristan, was carrying a bag of grain by the door.

Quiet as a mouse, I slipped past him and into the door. Inside, cleaning a table, I found the tall woman I was looking for. Sell’s mother hadn’t changed a bit since my last visit. I used the blind spots in her eyes to sneak behind her and, with a tremendous sleight of hand, I put a few gold coins on the table right behind the cloth she was wiping it with.

I left as quick as I came, leaving behind only a brisk breeze and a handful of coin. I heard a woman’s panicked yell behind me. I stopped at the doorway and let her see me, briefly. Her eyes were tearing up. I waved and, without a word, took off.

I really liked that family, and I felt bad for them having a delinquent like Sell for a kid.

Rather than return to the convoy immediately, I decided to let Sandy out of the Space Pack for a short walk. I still had a couple minutes, anyways. Being able to move at supersonic speed was quite a cheat, to be honest. Once I thoroughly exhausted my Omega Hound, I returned to the carriage to find a very alert Huggs being gently pet by Lily.

My heart shattered. Why was Huggs letting her pet him like that, but he bit me every time I tried!?

“Punishment!” I yelled as I appeared in front of him. The dragon’s eyes went wide and it tried to dive under Lily’s dress to get away. I caught him, though.

Lily’s laughter echoed from the carriage, and through the window I could see most of the guards and escorts smiling.