Marrick raised his spear as a mud-splattered carriage raced toward the northern toll bridge after dark.
At the river crossing, Sergeant Marrick and six spearmen stood guard beneath the eaves of the stone toll house.
The thunderous rumble of galloping hooves echoed over the bridge planks, cutting cleanly through the roaring mountain river.
A lone, mud-splattered carriage thundered out of the darkness, its two lathered horses straining hard against their harness traces.
Maid Elina pulled hard on the reins, sliding the carriage to an abrupt halt right before the toll house porch.
"Halt! Who approaches the Sixth Region border?!" Marrick challenged, leveling his spear toward the carriage door.
"Stand down, Sergeant... it is Princess Didi," Hajin commanded, stepping out from the shelter of the doorway into the rain.
The carriage door swung open, and Princess Didi stepped down into the mud, her royal traveling dress soaked by the storm.
