Growing tensions

The autocart rattled on the dirt road. Cyrus stayed seated in the autocart they started the journey in. Sen had moved carts once they stopped, to check the automobile's engine.

Nearly half a dath had passed since they started moving again, the sun was burning right on top of them, shining directly on the ingredients on the next cart.

Intrigued by the Verdian's craft, Sen engaged the leader of the group dealing with their luggage on how best to store their herbal wares. In turn, she explained in great detail how their storage system works and what almost everything does.

As they spoke, two people approached.

One was slightly taller than the rest, male, Sen guessed, around 5'6, wearing an insipid cloak and thigh-high boots. The other one stuck to her partner's side, wearing the same dull cloak with boots reaching just below the knee, she was a little shorter, about 5'2.

"I see you've taken an interest in our ingredients." The shorter one said, her thick accent smothering most of the words. "My name is Denine Richè. My outstanding partner here is Arghast Brat. If you would like to continue our exchange, we could lead you to our personal autocart and continue there."

"Sen Akrin," he replied, "nice to meet you." The pair nodded in response. They walked to the autocart in silence. Once they got into the automobile, Verdians started yelling in another language then the cart started moving.

Arghast spoke first, breaking the silence.

"What a quaint city Caztillo is. It must be nize living there."

"Yes. It is quite the experience. If you like it that much the next time you stop by, I could show you around."

Arghast paused then asked in a dismissive tone, "Iz there anything worth zeeing in Castillo?" Sen was taken aback by Arghast's question.

Sensing the growing chill in the air, Denine Richè cut in, "Look, it seems we're going to stop soon." Both of them stopped glowering at each other and instead turned to the windows. It was growing dark, they had to stop.

They had stopped in front of a monastery, a large building for being in the middle of nowhere. The building seemed freshly painted, was it new?

Sen wondered why such a building would be in an open flat plain on the way to the next city.

From in front of him, he heard Cyrus shouting his name, he walked out of the autocart to check it out. "This is the place. This is where the blinking light is, I'm sure of it."

Sen sighed, knowing they would have to stay the night. With a heavy heart, he took in a deep breath and followed Cyrus to the door of the monastery. Cyrus grabbed onto the simple metal fixture hanging off the large dark wooden door. He gave two sound knocks.

Silence at first, followed by several clicks as the person on the other side unlocked the door. They pushed the large dark door open till they could fit their head through the crack, "May I help you?"