Speed is of the essence

JP with Lucian and Zeeke

North of Ostiarium

As they traveled along, Wim scribbled notes in an oversized leather book with a charcoal stick. He noted types of trees and landmarks. He watched Tarmen barking at the men when that started to goof off.
Every bump made Wim wish he was on a horse and not the hard bench.

Here and there in the distance they see herds of wild horses running across the plains. The occasional native riders observe the group.

Tarmen knows the natives are on their annual migration north and those they see are only the first few waves ahead of the main body coming from the Southern pastures. They know they have to reach Aquilo before the largest groups of tribes and animals come this way or risk being cut off or worse trampled to death.

The natives made Tarmen uneasy. Not so much out of fear, but knowing what they were going to be embroiled in.
He had seen it too many times. There was a reason Kru’ll hosted so many ‘savage’ tribes.
The overall scenery was gorgeous though. Plants and animals that were familiar and foreign, those with eyes often staring at them until distance hid them. He looked to the distant mountains and remembered the ruins he had seen. Given he could shirk his duties on the right person, he would relish some real fun.
He reigned in his thoughts here, not wanting to be too hopeful and instead focused on contacting Wim.
“Riese, we need to pick up the pace. I was hopin’ to be ahead of the plains tribes when we got there.”