Dark‑Ink Steeds howled like hell‑beasts and lunged forward, yet Jett and the others lounging inside the carriage felt no jolt. Ewelina cracked open the window to see if they were finally leaving the forest's heart. A sudden wash of golden light engulfed the carriage, startling the Hero, and in the next breath they were back in ordinary woodland, the stallions trotting smoothly along a dirt road.
"Splendid," Ewelina murmured.
Jett reclined in his seat, studying the fairy‑made map. The parchment showed the continent cleaved in two, one half claimed by the Blue Empire's dukedoms and its lone kingdom, the Six Weather Dukedoms circling the Dawn Kingdom like changing seasons. Their carriage presently traversed Mist‑Cloud Dukedom at the southern tip, bound for Rain‑Bead and, beyond that, Stormcloud—Jett's destination.
Even with the fairies' blessing and my steeds running nonstop, it will still take a few days. I may not arrive in time.
