Buzzard teaching the Sparrow

The guard stood frozen in place, only snapping out of his daze when the other guard tapped him on the shoulder.

"What are you doing, standing still? I have checked the cart. They are indeed traders," the guard informed, tapping the side of the carriage to signal the coachman to move along.

Gideon complied, urging the horses forward. The carriage slowly rolled out of the eastern gates of the Capital, heading toward Sandspear.

Once the carriage was far from the guards, the atmosphere inside shifted abruptly. The men inside lunged at the "woman," beating her black and blue. The most irritated one was the "baby" in her arms, who swung his leg with surprising force, causing the woman's right eyeball to pop out of its socket.

"You've got the nerve to jest in such a serious situation!" Pax scolded his brother, observing his pitiful state.