Boer slowed the carriage and sat up straight.
Before the carriage had fully stopped, someone behind the barricade was already moving.
An older church guard came around the wooden stakes, one hand resting on the hilt of the weapon at his waist. His gaze first swept over the horses' bridles, then the Logistics Department seal on the side of the carriage, before finally settling on the two men in the driver's seat.
He should have spotted the Night Watcher markings on the bridles and seal from far away, yet he still came over.
"Where are you headed?"
"Gubo Town." Boer pulled a badge from his coat, flipped it over, and flashed it at him.
The man glanced at the pattern on the badge. His hand left his weapon's hilt, and his shoulders loosened slightly.
"Fine, got it." He turned and waved to the people behind him, signaling for them to move the barricade.
Boer did not hurry on. One hand rested on the reins as he turned to look at the guard.
"When did this road start having checkpoints? In past years, you wouldn't see a soul on this route."
The guard paused. He looked at Boer, apparently weighing whether he should answer.
"Orders from above." His tone was mild, but exhaustion seeped through it. "This isn't the only place lately. They've put them up on several forks to the south too."
Boer raised an eyebrow and pressed on. "The church is setting up checkpoints outside the Imperial roads to inspect travelers? When was that authority approved?"
The guard drew a breath, seeming a little irritated.
"I don't know whether it was approved or not." He glanced toward the barricade and lowered his voice. "The higher-ups say inspect, so we inspect. The letter listed a whole string of things to