Hermi stirred when the carriage lurched to a stop, hitting a particularly jagged bump. The carriage interior had been meticulously outfitted for her, tucked between layers of heavy wool blankets and plush velvet cushions like a portable nest, yet the impact still jolted through her aching bones.
She blinked through the persistent haze of sleep, her mind sluggish as she tried to orient herself. The carriage was bathed in a deep gloom. Through the dark crimson curtains of the window, the harsh sunlight of the day had vanished, replaced by a dancing orange glow that slipped through the gaps. The caravan had stopped for the night. The men were bringing the campfires to life.
