Gateway to the North

As the three boarded the carriage, with a sharp command from Doron, the four massive wild oxen pulled the long carriage into motion.

Leaving the courtyard of the inn, they followed the outer street and approached the platform.

With a slight jolt of the carriage, it returned to a smooth ride.

Amid the creaking of wheels, the carriage gradually picked up speed.

On both sides of the iron tracks, the four wild oxen galloped forward, and with Doron's shouts, the carriage sped away rapidly.

Behind them, the vast post station grew smaller and smaller until it completely disappeared from sight.

In the endless world of yellow sand, the carriage moved along a faint railway track.

"I told you, they were too impatient."

No one knew how long had passed—several hours, maybe longer—when, at Doron's reminder, the three inside the carriage lifted the curtain to look outside.