After hopping over to the carriage, we made our way to the city of Exalos. If by foot, will take 3 days. by carriage it should only take us a whole day now.

I made myself comfortable at the back of the carriage, Jasper was now awake and sitting in a relaxed position beside me and here I was enjoying the view at the back. although the side is protected by the white cloth called bonnet that surrounds the wagon, I could still see the view from behind.

We were currently running with average speed, if could estimate our speed, we should be running around 20kph. I felt a cold breeze even though I was wearing a blue collared long sleeves. because the wind is blowing from the front, I felt a cold breeze passing through me, it was like the wind caressed my skin, the sensation of the cold wind sent shivers down my whole body, and I got goosebumps after. It was honestly a great feeling riding in the wind.

I asked their names before we went on our way, the middle aged man is named Adrian while the young man is named Mark. They were actually son and father, I never knew. It was because they didn't look alike at all, I was genuinely surprised when Adrian said Mark was actually his son. I also introduced myself.

"My name is Elaine Aleytia, I was born and raised in the city of Krask"

"My name is Adrian and this is my son Mark we both live in the great city of Gristos"

We shaked hands officially announcing our friendship. Mark is a shy one so he didn't talk much unless he was being directly asked, he is somewhat an introvert.

"mmm mmm meow"

Jasper let out a cute purring sound before laying himself on my legs he was kike a big furball curling himself up he probably felt cold due to the cold breeze of the wind, his face was also weary, probably tired from the travel.

15 minutes passed and I felt a bit tired. I still haven't gotten a good rest ever since getting out from the Demonspire forest.

I wanted to doze off; but there's no place where I could properly lean my head, my best bet is to put my legs up and use them as a pillow, but it would disturb Jasper in return.

I was contemplating whether to be selfless and let Jasper rest, or be selfish and prioritize myself in having a comfortable position. While thinking about what to do, I saw that the carriage was going inside a small group of trees with a large space in between. It was like a park where there is a large road with trees at the side, it gave off a romantic feel because of the falling leaves. Inside there was scattered leaves everywhere. The road was almost invisible due to the numerous leaves that covered the road nevertheless it was a breathtaking spectacle.

"Woooow..."

I was utterly mesmerized because back at home, I never really went outside much, I was so busy studying and training myself with the piano that I had no time for leisure activities such as sightseeing.

"Do you like this place? this beautiful place is called the "Gate of Yura" rumors tells that when you pass through this area at the peak of afternoon. Everyone present will be lucky at their love and fortune. Talk about a convenient luck"

"Heh....really?"

I thought about that one person; on class who I couldn't beat no matter what.

The young man told me. I never knew that he fancy stuffs like fortune telling since he was really quite this whole time, I only thought of him as a timid person who cannot initiate conversations, but I was dead wrong. This is first time that he initiated and talked to me after all.

I never really cared about whether fortune telling was accurate or not, I was not the type to easily believe the words of someone who knows nothing of my life. For me, believing in fortune telling is similar to entrusting your life to a complete stranger.

2 more hours passed.

I must have fallen asleep when we passed the Gate of Yura. I noticed that there was a sweater covering up my legs up to my shoulder.

"Hmm..since when did I had this?"

I blinked a few times, scrubbed my eyes and yawned, after that, I saw the young man at the other side of the carriage just across my seat. It looks like he must have also felt tired; as he was sprawled on the seat. from my side Jasper is also asleep.

I looked at the sky from the entrance behind the wagon, the sky was full of clouds and it was dark. It looks like there will be a downpour sooner or later.

"Oh, young Elaine, you're finally awake?"

"Mmm... yeah, thanks for the sweater, Mr. Adrian."

"Oh, it was Mark that put that sweater on you, he said that you were asleep and looked kind of cold so he a brought it out and covered you."

"Really? then..., I'll properly thank him when he wakes up."

There was a smile on my face, I thought that Mark was just a timid guy, but he was more thoughtful than I had imagined.

"Young Elaine, it looks like it will be raining soon, there is a cave nearby this mountain; we will have to take shelter there until the rain subsides."

"Yes we should, there is no guarantee if the rain will be light or heavy, but judging from the appearance of the clouds. it looked like it will be a heavy downpour."

"Yeah that's why we should take shelter rather than take on the rain, this carriage's rain equipment is in no good condition. It won't be able to protect us completely from the rain."

"Really, then should I wake up Mark then?"

"There is no need young Elaine, that kid is also tired from the travel. he should get proper rest first."

I glanced at Mark, he was snoring a bit and I could hear his voice faintly, it looked like he was also tired. From my side it looked like Jasper is finally awake.

"purr meow"

I caressed Jasper's fur and he purred in return, it looked like he feels good when his fur around his neck is being touched.

"Young Elaine, there it is. We will stay in that cave for a while until the rain subsides"

I saw the cave at a distance, it was a large hole that could fit around 2 of these carriage with room to spare, it looked like it was perfectly natural to be a shelter site for heavy rain.

The carriage slowed down and Mr. Adrian and I lead the horses to the cave, we didn't bother to wake up Mark as he was sleeping like a rock.

The horses settled down and came to a complete stop. Mr. Adrian, and I decided to go outside and collect twigs in order to start a campfire. It is necessary in a cold cave.

There were snaps of branches everywhere, it looked like some fell off the trees naturally as some of the branches were still completely intact.

After picking up as many as I could carry, I went back inside the cave. Jasper was currently sitting at the driver's seat of the carriage it looked like he was certainly comfortable as he is sprawled like a rug. I really thought that he looked like a ball of fur, he was really cute.

Shortly after, Mr. Adrian also went back to the cave, we split up in order to collect more twigs in separate areas, looking at his hands, it looked like he was holding at least double the one I brought back, I should have expected no less from a veteran traveler.

During a camping trip in my high school, there was a guy in my class who could is knowledgeable in the arts of survival, he demonstrated that a fire could be made by rubbing two woods together. There should be a hole under the wood that is being kneaded. A ball like fur that is called a tinder bundler needs to be placed on top of the hole in the wood. As it will absorb the heat from the friction of the two woods being kneaded together, then it will heat up and an ember could be produced.

It was demonstrated by Mr. Adrian properly he looked like a master fire maker from my perspective, but in truth this should be a piece of cake for Mr. Adrian, starting a fire should be a necessary skill for a traveler after all.

After kneading the two pieces of wood, I was holding the base while Mr. Adrian was the one kneading. a spark emerged from the tinder bundle and was placed under the pile of twigs.

The spark lit up the pieces of twigs slowly then finally a beautiful blaze. A capmpfire was currently lit up in the middle of the cave.

Mr Adrian and I settled at the side of the campfire, it was really warm and cozy. shortly after rain started to pour outside.

It was a real downpour. it rained heavily and the whole vicinity outside the cave was already drenced in water. the exteriors of the cave looked like it was having a waterfall, luckily the cave's entrance is positioned in a slope manner. The water definitely won't make it inside.

"Ah, it was really downpour it looks like it won't completely stop soon"

"Mr. Adrian why don't you rest up a bit while we are still here"

"Ahahaha, I'll get rest when we get back on the road, I'll let Mark handle the carriage by then"

"I really can't relax when I feel that I'm not moving. The results of my years of experience in travelling made me in a way where I sleep comfortable when I feel that I'm inside a moving vehicle."

I see, that's a strange way of getting comfortable"

I chuckled a bit, shortly after, Jasper jumped from the carriage and made his way to the campfire besides me and Mr. Adrian.

We waited for the rain to subside and Mark is still fast asleep.

"That sweater that Mark lended you is a memento of my wife and Mark's mother"

"......"

I didn't give a reply, it was because the word memento is perceived as an object left by someone important. It was like a reminder of someone who went away or in the worst case scenario; who passed away.

I was only able to give a surprised look to Mr. Adrian, if I could imagine my face, I could see myself with an apologetic and melancholic look.

Then, Mr. Adrian told me a story about his wife.