They reached the forest edge within a quarter of an hour – they would have got there quicker had the coachman let the horses move faster than a trot, but he was saving them for the two-hour stretch ahead.<br/><br/>They pulled up at the treeline, waved down by a Roadguard. The guard approached, cautious of the dogs that bared their teeth at the men. “You are aware you are entering Gorgon Wood, sirs? There is another, safer road you might take. We do not patrol this road out of the hunting season.”<br/><br/>“But there isn’t another rest stop where we can change horses or spend a night since…” Norris trailed off, not wanting to alarm Audrey.<br/><br/>“Good luck then,” muttered one of the soldiers. The captain ignored him and stepped closer to the carriage, peering inside to make sure there wasn’t anything suspicious. “Those dogs will be your best defence, then. Don’t be cautious if you have to use those, lad – but don’t kill any of the King’s game.” He backed away and nodded to the coachman. “Drive on, sir and be on guard of fallen logs.”<br/><br/>The carriage began to move again, the early afternoon sun turned to cool twilight in a mere moment.<br/>