The duo lay contentedly for a time as the carriage bounced along.  Long enough for Pipa to notice that they seemed to be traveling rather swiftly, which really wasn't much of a surprise.  But finally Eren stretched out and said,<strong>"The soldiers and their horses have powerful magic that keeps them from tiring as much as they normally would.  But because of that, it is up to me, well, us I suppose, to let them know when we need a rest."</strong>She grinned sheepishly and reached for her discarded clothing.  She took out the silk panties that were inside her leather traveling breeches and even Pipa could see that they were visibly damp.  She seemed to look them over for a moment before deciding to slide the leather breeches up her legs, sans panties.<strong>"I know we are to pick up a third contestant, but they were somewhat vague, almost uncertain, as to when.  I hope we have at least another day or two to get in some more practice.  I have no idea who the third girl is, or if she'll be as... open... to the suggestion of practicing."</strong><br/><br/>She redressed, stealing another kiss from Pipa before she had finished and said,<strong>"I'm excited to see what sort of practice we can do when we convert the benches into the bed."</strong>If Pipa asked, Eren would explain that the soldiers would ride through a large portion of the night, only stopping when it was full dark, and setting off again as soon as there was light enough to see.  So the back of the benches could be taken down and laid in the middle of the coach, locking together ingeniously to create a somewhat cramped but serviceable sleeping surface that ran the interior of the coach.<br/><br/>Only when Pipa was also ready would Eren dismiss the wood warping spell on the coach, double check that her hair and face looked acceptable in a tiny mirror that she had, and then open the curtains on the left side of the coach.  Pipa was able to see a very sturdy looking lock on the window, and also noticed a slight sheen to the lightly tinted glass, one that spoke of either some minor magical effect or alchemical preparation.  It left one to wonder exactly how much protection they had, and how ironic it was that inside of ten months she would be entering a dungeon that might end with her demise.  But certainly the Queendom took the safety of the contestants very seriously.<br/><br/>Eren grunted slightly as she threw back the locking mechanism and slid open the window.  It only raised in it's track a foot and a half then stopped.  But it was more than enough for Eren to stick a hand out and wave at one of the soldiers riding along side the coach.  The soldier drew close, and Pipa got a good look at the way the armor clad woman jostled upon her horse's back and again was struck that they seemed to be moving at quite a rapid pace.  Strangely enough it didn't feel so, especially compared to the times Pipa had ridden in a cart or carriage.<strong>"Yes my honored contestant, how may I serve you?"</strong>The woman on horseback called in a loud voice.<br/><br/>Eren turned back to roll her eyes at Pipa,<strong>"I told them not to call me that, but they don't seem to listen..."</strong>Then turning back to the soldier she called out,<strong>"Miss Truebridge and I need a comfort stop, could we stop for a bit?"</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Of course honored contestant, right away."</strong>The soldier then motioned with her hand for Eren to close the window, which she did, and relocked.  Only after the window was closed would the soldier ride forwards out of sight.  A few minutes later the carriage rolled to a stop and Pipa and Eren were let out to stretch their legs and walk around.  They were in a light wooded area and some of the soldiers had gone off already.  A few minutes later they returned and led Eren away first, who returned a few minutes later.  Then one of the soldiers gestured to Pipa to follow,<strong> "This way honored contestant,"</strong>the soldier said leading her into the forest.  Pipa found  herself out of sight of the road after a moment, and then presented with a makeshift latrine.  A three sided curtain had been set up around a 'camp chair', which sat above a small and hastily dug pit.  The third side of the curtain was drawn back, and the soldier gestured for Pipa to make use of it.  The soldier then turned her back to the latrine, and Pipa couldn't help but notice that there were at least two other soldiers a dozen feet away in either direction, also with their backs to the curtains.  Probably looking out for trouble, she had to tell herself.  Because the alternative was just... icky.<br/><br/>When she returned to the carriage a small camp table had been set up with a simple meal of meats, bread, and water, as well as a small tub of water to the side for washing.  Eren, her face glowing red as if it had been freshly scrubbed had just started looking at the different meats with a look of mild distaste on her face.  Next to her stood the commander, Lady Ansel.  She had a somewhat annoyed look upon her face, and Pipa wasn't certain if it was because of the forced stop, the delay in their journey, or if the soldier simply always looked like that and had only been putting on a diplomatic face back in Oreford.<br/><br/>Yet she did force a brief smile for Pipa as the quarterorc approached and said,<strong> "Miss Truebridge, I hope your journey is acceptable so far?  Is there anything you or Lady d'Canti require before we resume our journey?  I'd like to make no more than one more stop before darkfall." </strong>Pipa glanced into the sky, it was still early summer, and they had many more hours before full dark.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">ooc</div><div class="spoiler_body">I don't know if you want to RP out another scene with Eren or if you want to just jump ahead.  But if you'd like to write out the next two days, make sure you stop the scene at close to dusk two days from this point.  The carriage will stop in the middle of a deep woods for the next major plot point.</div></div>