"The terrain ahead is exceptionally rugged. The unpaved mountain roads are littered with seismic faults, loose shale, and severe elevation shifts. Subjecting the mythril carriage to high-velocity impacts over such topography would induce severe instability within the cabin."
Seraphina blinked. 'Instability? Papa Duke, are you seriously trying to use high-tier engineering terminology to say you don't want me to get motion sickness?'
"Therefore," Kaelus declared, his legendary arrogance radiating from him in a flawless, unshakeable wave. "I have ordered the Vanguard to reduce our transit velocity to a minimum. We will not gallop or trot too fast. The horses will proceed at a controlled, shock-absorbing walk. We will halt for two hours at midday to allow the carriage insulation arrays to recharge, and we will establish a fully fortified, stationary perimeter before sundown every evening."
He looked at her dead in the eyes.
"The journey will now take two weeks."
Fourteen days.
