Elena changed into a neat set of dark red leather armor, with the Ice Soul Rapier Su Li had personally forged hanging at her waist. Dressed like that, she looked every inch a woman preparing to head into battle.
"The wine's bought." Elena handed over two bottles of red wine in exquisitely luxurious packaging.
Su Li took the wine, glanced at the sky-high price tags stuck to them, and tossed them straight into his Space Ring.
"Let's go. We'll pick up the horses from the stables outside the city." Su Li waved a hand.
The four of them left Ginkgo Alley and arrived at the boarding stables beyond the city walls, where they led out four tall capital-bred horses, each fat and sleek from being well fed.
Su Li swung up onto his horse, and Saina mounted with equal agility.
Elena had already seated herself in the saddle.
For the first time in her life, Elonore was riding such a large horse. She clambered up awkwardly, both hands clutching the rough leather reins for dear life.
"Move out." Su Li squeezed his legs against the horse's belly.
The four horses galloped north along the broad highway.
Once they left the territory of Silver Crown City, the wide, smooth flagstone road vanished. The ground became uneven and pitted, full of deep muddy ruts crushed out by heavy freight wagons.
They followed the same old road they had taken when they first came here, but the sights along the way had changed completely since that journey more than two years ago.
A remote little town they had passed through back then had once contained a few lively earthen taverns and shabby inns where travelers could rest their feet.
There had even been idle folk chatting at the village entrance. Now, all that