They stopped at a stream bend, the driver said the horses needed to drink and rest a little rest and they should probably get their legs going, they were about two thirds there. Kurt reminded Layla that she shouldn't fly which she didn't respond well to. There was this big relief over them, since they were gone and going to somewhere at least Kurt had never been to. The clan won't find them anytime soon. But they still need to make a gate somewhere, which meant stopping the carriage for a prolonged period. So this wasn't the time to do that, just a breather.
Things had gotten out of control really quickly, he was mad at Layla, but at the same time. As soon as Arthur set foot in that gate this was going to be the result, one way or the other. Kurt didn't want to anger the clans directly. He honestly didn't know what to think anymore, he had no idea what he was doing. It had all seemed so simple, easy money.
He stretched his legs and took a small walk, thinking about everything. He thought things weren't adding up and couldn't put his finger on what. Lays and Sara were chatting up whatever at the moment, he didn't want to speak to any of them.
"Trouble in paradise?" said the driver who was the only person there.
"I'm not dating any of these people."
"Ohh, why not?" he looked at him, "nevermind, sorry I asked. The name's Jerry by the way, you must be Kurt, I always get the names of my riders beforehand, and you don't look much like a Layla."
"Do you do this often?"
"Often enough, easy money for me. This is your first time, not often you see new carriages, and you won't be seeing it again from now on, it's not new anymore."
"In something that is not a wagon I guess, first time."
"Well, that's good."
"Yeah, we are hoping to find some lessons to drive one ourselves."
"It's not always worth it, and I know it's coming from someone that makes his living driving them around, but that's how I make it. If you're not traveling enough the cost of just the horse's upkeep can make the whole idea just cost too much. It is also better because I'm with stables, we have insurance, if a horse go lame or gets sick, we have extras."
"But still wouldn't it be better to drive it your self, no offense."
"I guess there is a little bit, but honestly the difference in price isn't as much as you think, if you rent a horse they still have to pay me to bring it back, between stables. There's a whole system, in a lot of ways it's better for us when we have riders both ways. So if you even travel enough, how are you going to have enough locations to keep the horses without paying the stables anyhow?"
"I see what you mean."
"Yeah unless you just need to flex the money, it's better to get a guy like me, if you start becoming regulars we can give discounts and stuff as well, especially if it's there and back type stuff. Honestly I wouldn't buy horses if I had a carriage there is really no reason to, it better to have a driver from a stable on retainer and that only if you move a lot. I don't know what you are doing but a lot of carriages don't get used all too often, a couple times a year. All things considered."
"And you're not just hoping you get our retainer fees?"
"Well you do have this nice new carriage. But the reality is, there is a reason my business exists, and it's because it's easier and cheaper for a lot of clients, there are of course those that need full time support then buying your own horse starts looking better, but most don't need to travel that much."
"Well we are not trying to stay in Clarksville long, having decided where next but it shouldn't be far."
"I know a nice place where you can rest your carriage, if you don't mind a walk to town, it's cheaper than where we are going, did I mention stuff like that is a side benefit to having someone on retainer, we know all the good local spots. This one is on me, if you're alright with it."
"How do I know it is not some set up to rob us?"
"Trust me, it's not some spooky location, there will be other carriages there. You think I would do this, you hired me right from the stables, how long would I have this job if I was doing that? I'm just doing my job, my boss wants us to think of ourselves as guides, not just drivers, or some corporate nonsense."
"I'll think about it." It's not like Kurt was actually worried even if it was a set up, after fighting the Horror Rabbit fighting a few thugs seemed trivial. It would be highly unlikely they even had drank from a spring, let alone a powerful one like Kurt, and we weren't even counting Sara. So there wasn't too much concern, Kurt mostly didn't want to come off as the type of person that didn't ask that question.
After a little while, Jerry had gotten the horses back attached to the carriage after their drink from the stream, everyone piled back into the carriage.
"Okay, listen I'm sorry, I overreacted. This is just really serious now. Arthur isn't just some low ranking person. I don't want to be fighting you and them," said Kurt.
"Apology accepted, you just have to realize I'm under a lot of pressure to. I'm doing my best." said Layla, giving Sara a stare.
"I've been thinking, I mean Arthur did seem to think the gate wasn't going to move though." said Sara, ignoring the stare, "I don't think they will even understand what happened."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, in order to move the gate we had to destroy it right?"
"Destroy isn't the right word but yes." said Layla, "it would have to be taken down."
"Well, why wouldn't they just think we destroyed it and that's it."
"And just ran to the other side for safety. That's being very hopeful."
"Well, I'm just saying we might have more advantages than we think, they could easily be led to believe we destroyed the gate and are hiding on the other side?"
"Actually Cindy might be able to help with that idea." Said Layla.
"There we go, Layla has Cindy tell them, that all that she could have done. That we are just, sitting safe and sound on the other side, scared. What can they do then?"
"To be honest that might be Cindy's actual belief right now, but I'll make sure she's sure," said Layla.
"What about the carriage though, he saw us packing?"
"But he never saw the carriage and we told him it was our company's."
"But Arthur knows there is no company," said Kurt.
"So how does he even know there was a carriage, he basically caught us bringing our stuff into the Pillar, we got to
find a better name for that place. Obviously we lied about everything," said Sara.
"Damn. They might think that. And if Cindy confirms. This whole time I was thinking of course they think we are on the run, but as far as they know we are just sitting on the other side safe and sound," Kurt thought for a moment, "Then I guess we have no choice but to take Jerry up on some of his offer, the stables is the loose end really. I'm sure a bit of discretion can be bought."
"Jerry?"
"Our driver."
"Yeah, that should be fine, most of those guys know how to keep a secret."