The 4 wheels of the cart rattle against the ground. The cart bounces up and down constantly. Consus holds tightly onto armrests and bounces with the cart. His medium hair flies back a bit.

"Are we not going a bit too fast Marie?"

"Nonsense Consus! These horses can take it! Hyah!"

The cart bounces high in the air and crashes down hard, but keeps going.

"That's not my concern!"

Marie-Jane cracks the whips as the 2 horses connected to the cart speed forward. Her strawberry blonde hair flies backwards.

"This rush is amazing is it not?"

"We are going over 200 kilometres per hour!"

"These babies love it, right!"

"NYEEEH!" Both horses neigh at the same time and speed up even more. The cart holds up with the speed.

They ride for a while until Marie-Jane's eyes widen. She yanks the whips back.

"HOLD ON!"

The horses plant their hooves into the ground with the cart tilting forward before crashing back down. Consus lands hard on his seat.

"Why did you do that?!"

"There are people around us."

Almost immediately, 4 members dressed in grey appear around the cart. They all have a shield symbol on their chest. The horses jump up, and Marie-Jane holds the whips to calm them down.

One of the members with a blue shield symbol speaks up.

"No animal travels are permitted within these areas. We have had some complaints from nearby villages."

"Bulls***. We are purposefully travelling on roads that aren't used. There's no way these are causing trouble."

"Only-"

"Yeah yeah. Only those permitted and those with animal communication gifts are allowed. Here."

Marie-Jane takes her ID card and hands it to the man with the blue shield.

"As you can see, it is clear that I am allowed."

The group in grey all look at each other.

"I'm sorry Miss Marie-Jane. According to orders we received, as of the 5th day of the month of Smith, you are not permitted to travel between key areas anymore."

Marie-Jane grits her teeth. "What?! Did they already put the ruling in effect yesterday?!"

"What's the meaning of this?! Get me in touch with your Guild Leader. Now."

Consus looks at Marie-Jane. "Is something going on?"

"I'll tell you about it later."

"That's not the only reason that we are here."

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Consus and Marie-Jane look at the blue shield man speaking, while one of the others, someone who has a green shield on their grey shirt, talks a distance away.

"Please explain the contents in the cart."

"Come again?! Are you saying I am some smuggling terrorist rogue guild member?! I gave you my ID card! You even know who I am! I am a Guild Leader of Harmony!"

"Marie… calm down…" Consus chuckles nervously.

She takes a big breath. "Fine. Do you want to know? It's food, jewels, and whatever the hell I have to use to live."

Again, one of the members looks at the blue shield man. A visible vein appears on Marie-Jane's neck.

"CAN YOU PLEASE JUST SPEAK! There's no reason to communicate telepathically."

"… Our energy analyser states that there are energy sources in the cart that do not match your description."

"You're kidding."

Marie-Jane jumps off of the cart.

"Let me show you what's in here. Stopping me when there could be people that need help. Honestly, Sharmeija must love wasting time."

Consus, during this entire conversation, constantly takes big breaths and seems extremely drained.

Also during this conversation, Easton was awake the whole time. He's been awake for quite some time.

"What is all that ruckus out there? Why did we stop? And how is this red-rank still asleep after all those bumps?!"

He hears Marie-Jane's voice, saying "Let me show what's in here".

"Oh, s***! They're going to see us!"

"… Sharmeija must love wasting time."

Marie-Jane lifts the tarp over.

"The tarp is here to ensure that-" Marie-Jane sees the 2 newborns in their pyjamas, with Easton staring with wide eyes into hers. "Whatever is in here… doesn't fall… out… gosh…" She slouches her head down.

The sun shines on Kiran's face causing him to wake up and yawn.

"HYAAAH! Whoa, what a great sleep!"

Kiran sees many people around him. Marie-Jane, Consus, and then 2 men in grey. He turns his head and sees that even Easton is frozen.

"Oh uh… This… isn't the bathroom. Hehe."

"R-Right. It was a bit dark…"

"What are you two doing here!!"

Marie-Jane yells and birds start flying off in nearby trees.

The cart parks next to a tree. Consus pets the horses and gives them food while Marie-Jane talks to the 2 newborns.

"Are you two idiots?! Do you understand how bad this looks?!"

The 2 newborns' eyes keep staring at the ground. The presence of their Guild leader in front of them makes the weight of their head feel 10 times heavier.

"One, it looks like I am lying. Two, you two don't have ID's. Three… you two are idiots that make me look stupid!"

Again the 2 boys say nothing.

"Holy crap she's scary! I don't want to break a rule again! It feels like I am going to pee my pants." Kiran is unable to stop his mouth from trembling.

Consus has finished petting the horses as they eat some food he places down for them.

"M-Marie… are you sure you aren't being a bit too harsh? I mean, I understand your frustration, but shouldn't we-"

Marie-Jane gives a side eye to Consus. He gives a faint smile.

"Shouldn't we be a bit harsher?"

"Shut up Consus. You aren't helping."

She takes a deep breath and holds her head. The man in grey with blue comes to talk after the green shield says something to him.

"Master Cashel informs that you are allowed through. You are given full visitors right."

"Thanks. Do you possibly have clothes for us to wear?"

Marie-Jane looks at both Kiran and Easton in their pyjamas.

"I think we can organise something while you travel towards Sharmeija. Head to the town's tailor."

"Thank you."

"Okay, squad. Move out."

Suddenly, the 4 in grey disappear from Kiran and Easton's sight.

"That was fast!"

"I didn't even see them move."

"You two. Close your mouths. We're going."

Marie-Jane pushes Kiran and Easton to the front. Consus takes off his Haori and hands it to the two of them.

"I doubt you two will be able to handle the wind with the speed we are travelling. If it gets too much, put this over your head. It should cover both your heads."

He helps the 2 newborns onto the cart. They sit in the middle between Marie-Jane and Consus, as the cart is wide enough for 4 people to sit in the front.

Easton's nose twitches. "Why do we need this stupid-smelling thing?-"

"HIYAH!"

"WHOA!"

"HOLY S***!"

As soon as Marie-Jane cracks the whip the horses dash forward. In less than 5 seconds, Kiran and Easton are already clinging to their seats. If it wasn't for Consus holding his bamboo staff over him, Kiran is certain he would've flown off.

They ride like this for about an hour before slowing down again. Easton almost immediately put the entire haori over his head. Kiran didn't use it.

"I can see why your hair naturally stands up Kiran." Consus chuckles

Marie-Jane controls the horses at a slow pace.

"We need to slow down around this area. We are near villages."

There are scarce trees and grass around. It's mostly ground with hills in the distance. Kiran can see small clusters of homes located on these hillsides. Signs are along the road that point in those directions. The cart is following the road with the sign "Sharmeija Town."

Easton takes off the haori – his usual tan face as pale as Kiran's.

"I don't feel so good…"

He sees his surroundings and frantically shakes his head around.

"Why are we in the middle of nowhere!?"

Marie-Jane hits him on his head.

"Ow!"

"Don't yell so loudly! You are not going to complain while you sneaked on."

Consus nervously laughs. Easton grabs his head.

"We are 50 kilometres out."

Easton slumps into his arms, "50 kilometres?! In an area like this…"

"Can I-"

"Shut up."

It takes another hour before they reach the town. The group didn't discuss anything else; Marie-Jane shut down any conversation that occurred.