Recovering the Forgotten Twins [Semi-Open]

"What have we to worry about then? We have a repair man with us, don't we?" Kourelan spoke cordially, climbing onto the drivers bench as one of the stable hands gave a final check to the leathers and harnesses. The heavy springs of the undercarriage swayed slightly, making a faint creaking noise that they would all have plenty of time to get used to. "Get in, both of you. We're wasting daylight."

The wagon started forward slowly, out of the wide cavernous expanse of the institute stables and toward the north gate. It was a well kept road, the same for miles around the institute. It would be some time before they reached the wilder, rougher pathways of the north. Kourelan let silence settle over them for a while, simply taking in the fields as the passed. Toward the east, the land dipped downwards, rolling slowly down to the marshes. The sun climbed higher in the sky, and the old man pulled their wagon over to the roadside. He stepped hurriedly down to the grassy shoulder of the highway and walked to the back of the wagon, speaking loudly so that both of them would hear as he went.

"This is the same road that leads up and through the Ironspikes, but we'll be turning before the foothills and following them north." He swung open the back doors, rummaging among the supplies until he found something specific. "We have a long ride ahead, and we may not have opportunities like this to stop and stretch. Take a moment to enjoy it!" From a terribly worn box, the brown leather ripped and patched in several places, Kourelan pulled out a large iron stand and skillet. It was a simple matter to get a fire started with a little dry grass and a quick incantation. "One of you get the meat hanging in the back and the other can bring a little wood over here."