The Rubenhart carriage had been traveling for nearly three hours.
By then, the capital was far behind them.
The stone roads closest to Skargardia's royal castle had gradually given way to quieter routes bordered by dark woods, open fields, and low hills. The wheels rolled steadily beneath the carriage, their rhythm muted by the thick interior walls. Outside, the mounted Rubenhart knights moved in disciplined formation around them, their armor occasionally catching the pale glow of the moon.
They had departed in the evening.
If the road remained clear and the weather did not turn against them, they would reach Rubenhart territory by the following afternoon.
Inside the carriage, the arrangement had remained the same as it had been during their journey to the capital.
Ulrich sat alone on one bench.
Across from him sat the three sisters.
