Theo decided to focus on recovering his magic power. Their encounter with the undead had been closer to the Miller Barony than the Teheran territory. He would be able to see the fields he’d played in as a child as soon as they crossed a few more hills. If his home was in danger, he would need all his magic power. It would be best if he didn’t need to do anything, but it never hurt to be prepared.

Rattle! 

Theo felt the carriage crossing the apex of another hill.

That’s the fourth one. There’s only one left.

Theo had kept an ear out as he meditated. He knew that there were five hills between the border and the Miller Barony. When they started up the last hill, Theo opened his eyes. His magic power hadn’t completely recovered, but it was good enough.

Sylvia sensed him coming out of meditation and opened her eyes too. “Theo, have we arrived?”

He nodded. “Almost. Sylvia, wait inside the carriage until I give the signal. I don’t know if anything will happen, but I’m getting a bad feeling.”

Sylvia asked, “Signal?”

Theo stood up. “I will knock on the carriage roof three times like this.”

He knocked loudly on the ceiling of the carriage. It was loud enough to be noticeable even if the surroundings were noisy. Sylvia nodded, and Theo opened the...