I shoved the curtains aside and peered out. Through the deluge and the flickering lightning, I didn't see the forest road anymore.
I saw stone houses with pointed, thatched roofs and windows that glowed with a weird, greenish light. The village looked like it had been tucked into a fold of the earth, hidden by mist and ancient magic.
"A Hidden Village," Viking hissed, his eyes narrowing. "This isn't on any royal chart. The air here smells like old enchantments and... damp laundry."
"Sir Jin!" I shouted, grabbing the window frame. "Did you fall asleep at the wheel? How do you 'accidentally' steer a four-horse carriage into a secret dimension?"
"I was distracted!" Jin yelled back. "I was trying to find the wine, then the lightning hit, then the horses took a left at a suspicious-looking mushroom, and—oh, great! Now there are people with pitchforks! Or are those very sharp umbrellas?"
