Lilith's carriage, black and gold, contrasted with the blue sky and green meadows of the Tonal Kingdom. The wheels rolled smoothly over the dirt road, lifting small clouds of dust that the wind scattered among the crop fields. In the distance, the city's white walls gleamed under the midday sun.
They were stopped at the entrance of the wall.
The coachman, now a young and radiant man, pulled on the reins. The horses snorted, impatient. Two guards approached, their lances at a diagonal, their helmets reflecting the light.
"I'm transporting Lady Edyth to trade with Lord Profot," said the coachman, his voice now clear.
The taller guard scanned the carriage with his gaze.
"Merchandise?"
"Textiles and oils."
The other guard approached the window. Lilith, inside, tried to hide her face behind a black lace fan. The guard observed for a moment, then stepped back.
"Follow that path," he pointed. "The market is in the central square."
The coachman nodded and snapped the reins.
The market streets were peaceful. Too peaceful. Only children and women walked among the stalls, their voices hushed, their steps hurried. Lilith watched through the half-open curtain. Something about that calm made the back of her neck prickle.
"Do you see anything? Why aren't there any men?"
"No, my lady," the coachman replied. His voice had recovered that harsh, guttural tone that only she knew.
"Be careful," she said, stern. "We don't want the delivery for Profot to be delayed because of you."
Inside the carriage, Lilith looked at the seat across from her. There rested a sealed jar, white, with branching golden designs climbing its ceramic surface. Her fingers touched the wax lid, still intact.
"Not much longer now."
Leaving the market, the coachman heard heavy footsteps. Fast. He looked to his right.
A hooded man, in dark ceremonial robes, was riding toward them. He wasn't stopping. The black horse foamed at the mouth.
"Wait!"
The collision brought down the horses. The carriage tilted, creaked, and overturned with a crash that scattered the children playing nearby. Wood splintered. One wheel kept spinning in the air, alone.
Other men on horseback approached. They lassoed the coachman and pulled. A lance pointed at his throat.
"Don't move, or we'll finish you right here."
"W-WHAT'S HAPPENING!?" cried a voice from inside the overturned carriage. A more childish and soft voice, tinged with panic. "WHAT'S GOING ON?!"
"Don't pretend, demon," the leader spat. "You, go get him out."
The crossbowman climbed onto the side of the carriage. He searched for the door handle, now pointing at the sky. He struggled with it.
"Halt!"
Everyone turned.
A guard captain, with a blue cape and burnished breastplate, advanced followed by four soldiers. His dapple-gray horse planted itself in front of the group.
"What is happening here?"
"We're purging," the leader replied, without taking his eyes off the carriage. "It's our job. There's a demon in that carriage, we've been following it from..."
"Can't you see it's Lady Edyth?" interrupted the captain, pointing to the shield engraved on the door. "Idiots. After everything she's done for the city, and you treat her like this?"
The leader opened his mouth, but found no words.
The captain dismounted. He pushed the crossbowman aside and opened the door. From inside, a trembling hand appeared. Then an arm. Then a young woman in a blue dress with purple hair, disheveled and full of splinters.
"I'm so sorry about this, my lady," said the captain, holding her carefully as she descended.
"My jar," the young woman looked toward the overturned interior. "Oh... it's fine. I think it's fine."
"Arrest them!" ordered the captain to his men.
The soldiers surrounded the hooded men.
"Wait! Her aura betrays her! She's not her! Look, her..."
He didn't finish the sentence. The soldiers put them in chains. Those still on horseback fled up the street, their cloaks disappearing among the rooftops.
The captain ignored the shouts of the Purgers as they were taken away.
"Allow me to take you to your destination," he said, offering his arm to the young woman.
Edyth shook out her clothes. A cloud of dust rose around her.
"That would be a great help," she accepted, taking the captain's arm.
She mounted the captain's horse with his assistance. The coachman, now freed from the ropes, mounted one of the soldiers' horses. The two riders, followed by the escort, moved away from the overturned carriage while the white jar lay among Lilith's arms, still intact.