The first three days of travel went pretty well, which should have been Greg's first sign that something was going to go wrong. The carriage moved smoothly along the main trade routes, and the Eternal Engine Core hummed happily as it powered them forward without needing to stop or refuel.
Greg was the first to drive, and Marina was next to him to help him find his way and keep him company. The view was beautiful as they left the western territories they knew so well. They watched as the landscape changed from the rolling hills around Ferndale to flatter plains with small farming communities.
"It's nice out here," Marina said, putting her hand on Greg's as he drove the carriage. "It felt so calm that it makes you forget about all the trouble that is coming our way in Meridian."
Greg said, "Don't jinx it," but he was smiling. "We still have more than a week of travel ahead of us."
"What's the worst that could happen?"
