"Sir! Sir!" the urgent voice repeated, breaking through the cocoon of sleep that had enveloped Oldman Dunn.
His peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted as a voice called out to him, jolting him awake.
Oldman Dunn rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep that clung to him. "What?!" he grumbled in an annoyed tone, still half-asleep from his nap during the journey.
"We have arrived," the young scholar repeated, sounding more awake and excited than Oldman Dunn felt.
As he looked out of the carriage window, Oldman Dunn's grogginess faded away, replaced by curiosity.
After two days of monotonous journey, the sight that greeted him was that of the imposing gates of Klover, standing tall and formidable, with a long line of people waiting to enter the city.
The buzz of activity and the anticipation of travellers filled the air, making it clear that Klover was a bustling and important city.
Oldman Dunn straightened up in his seat, his weariness now replaced by a sense of anticipation. He thanked the young scholar for waking him and gathering his belongings, prepared to disembark from the carriage.
However, instead of waiting in line like the other carriages, the Cozy carriage went straight to the gate, passing everyone else.
Curiosity getting the better of him, Oldman Dunn turned to the young scholar sitting beside him and asked, "Don't we usually have to wait in line like everyone else?"
The young scholar, who seemed well-informed about the workings of the company replied, "Is this the first time you've used Cozy Carriage's services, sir?"
Oldman Dunn nodded in response, "Yes, it is. What's about it?"
The scholar smiled, explaining, "All carriages that belong to Cozy Carriage doesn't have to wait in line because of its reputation. In fact, anyone who uses their services doesn't have to pay a coin for entrance fees."
Oldman Dunn was intrigued, "So, they get special treatment?"
"Exactly," the young scholar confirmed, "I think they must have some deal with the Klover family, but I don't know a lot of details."
Oldman Dunn leaned closer, "Tell me everything you know, young man."
The young scholar, sitting beside him, whispered, "You see, sir, Cozy Carriages has been operating for generations. During this entire time, they maintain strong connections with various influential families, including the Klover family."
Oldman Dunn's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of connections?" he inquired, genuinely intrigued by the workings of the prestigious carriage service.
"Well, rumour has it that the Klover family highly values their services, and in return, Cozy Carriages has exclusive rights to transport the Klover family members whenever they travel," the young scholar explained in a hushed voice.
"Additionally, it is said that the Klover family provides substantial support and protection to Cozy Carriages, ensuring their smooth operations and special privileges."
Oldman Dunn nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information provided by the young scholar. It seemed that Cozy Carriages held a unique position in Klover, earning them special privileges to come in and out of the city.
As they approached the gate, Oldman Dunn observed the line of people waiting to enter, patiently standing under the morning sun.
Meanwhile, their carriage continued unhindered, as if a path had been cleared just for them.
Once inside the city, the carriage continued its smooth progress through the bustling streets of Klover.
Oldman Dunn observed the lively activity around him, taking note of the various shops, stalls, and colourful buildings that lined the streets.
The city was vibrant and full of life as he made his way closer to the heart of Klover.
The carriage eventually came to a stop in front of the Cozy Carriage's establishment in Klover.
Like their establishment in Krigos, it was a rather ordinary-looking building, lacking the grandeur he had expected from such a renowned carriage service.
Oldman Dunn found himself wondering if there was a reason behind this seemingly deliberate choice.
Most businesses preferred to show off their prosperity and stand out from the crowd, but Cozy Carriages seemed to have taken the opposite direction.
Perhaps there was something more to this understated approach or maybe the owner of the business simply want to keep it humble.
While Oldman Dunn is deep in his thoughts, the driver turned his back and called out, "Alright, everyone! We have arrived. Make sure you get all of your belongings with you. We will charge you a hefty amount of money if you forget your things and requested them back."
The passengers began to disembark from the carriage one by one. Oldman Dunn followed suit, stepping out onto the cobbled path.
The lively hum of the city become clearer to his ears, and his nose smelled the aroma of fresh bread from a nearby bakery. The sun's warm rays cast a golden glow over him and the bustling scene, and the gentle breeze played with the leaves of the trees that lined the street.
Each passenger went their separate ways, some disappearing into the busy crowd, while others entered nearby shops and establishments.
Oldman Dunn watched as the young scholar approached him with a friendly smile.
"Where's your relative's home, sir? Perhaps I can help you find it," the young man offered kindly.
"Don't your parent ever thought you to not meddle with someone's else business?" Oldman Dunn responds curtly.
The young man looked slightly taken aback and then explained, "I'm an orphan, sir."
"I see, no wonder you're so..." The old man felt a pang of sympathy, but he still doesn't care nonetheless. "Anyway, I don't need your help. I know exactly where it is," Oldman Dunn declined the offer, not wanting any further entanglement with the overly friendly scholar.
The young scholar's expression fell slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and bid farewell to Oldman Dunn.
As the old man walked away, he couldn't help but feel relieved. It was best to keep his distance from persistent individuals like the young scholar. People like the young scholar tend to walk into danger and unwanted situations.
He better cut off ties with him now. It would be much easier to eliminate the scholar if he proved to be an obstacle later on.
This chapter is updat𝙚d by f(r)eewebn(o)vel.com