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Caleb takes a deep breath before muttering an incantation he knows by heart. On his lap sits a music box, a gift for the girl who changed his life. Beauregard Lionett, who is turning ten in a few hours, is slumped against Caleb's side, fast asleep. A few weeks ago, when Beauregard mentioned her birthday, Caleb started saving up money for a gift for her. Luckily, or maybe simply coincidentally, Caleb stumbled across a second hand music box. The thing looked plain from the outside, but held a song he distantly remember from his childhood. Caleb had bought the box then and there. Later, he'd spent all his alone time trying to transform the box into something special.
Only now, when it's nearing midnight, is Caleb done. What was once a plain box has now been decorated with simple blue and green lines, painted with unsteady hands but having some charm to it. Now, as Beauregard sleeps, he admirers his handiwork. Seems like he's better at this than he thought.
Caleb watches the sun set outside. Only a week ago, they left Trostenwald, where they spent a good week. Before that, they left Alfield, too worried about the crownsguard presence there. After all, when they left Zadash, it wasn’t in good circumstances. Leaving after being thrown in jail felt like the safe bet. Though, they maybe should’ve waited out their sentence instead of breaking out of jail.
Clearly, it doesn’t matter. Like every other place Caleb has been, Zadash was simply too big for them to stay. Obviously, it would’ve been better if they could’ve waited until after winter to leave, but leaving at the first sign of trouble had been the only reason they’d stayed safe before. Winter was well on it’s way, now, bringing a biting air with them. Nicodranas, which should hopefully be warmer, is their current destination. Spring will begin much sooner there.
Caleb watches Beauregard stir, the carriage bumping below them and jostling the two of them. On Beauregard’s shoulders, her blanket slips. Beauregard shivers, grabbing for the thin fabric and pulling it back up. All this effort, Caleb thinks, just to leave home. Like he has a better excuse. The years in the Vergesson Sanatorium were terrible, but the fear of running might be just as bad. Caleb is pretty sure they’re on a wanted poster in Zadash right now. Lingering near that city is no longer an option.
On the carriage, along with Caleb and Beauregard, are a bunch of crates. When they arrived in Trostenwald, Caleb had seen the cart coming in and known that that was their way out. Not more than three days later, they were able to leave with the merchant driving the thing. Soon enough, they’ll approach the Wuyun Gorge. Caleb can barely imagine it. Only a day ahead of them lies the Menagerie Coast. Both of them will be out of the Empire pretty soon, for the first time in both their lives. After that, Caleb will be able to breathe. Living might become easier, after that.
The carriage slows to a halt. Caleb looks up, at the merchant, who is hopping down from the front of the cart. “Looks like we’ll have to stop here for the night,” the man says.
On the road ahead, Caleb spots other carts, camped near the side of the road. “What’s wrong?” he asks.
“Nothing wrong, kid,” the merchant says, “just the gates up ahead. Someone’s gotta be awake to check the border.”
Caleb looks past the carts and finds two heavy set gates, lines with guard posts, blocking the way through the gorge. “Oh.”
Beauregard wakes up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Are we there already?” Looking around, her smile drops. The darkness indicates nothing of a city, not even a small town to think of.
Caleb gives her a small smile, handing Beauregard the box on his lab. “Liebe Beauregard,” he says, nerves chewing at his stomach, “happy birthday.”
Opening the box, Beauregard gapes at the dancing lights that stream out and up into the air. Warbling from the music box, a familiar, cheery song begins to play. Next to her, Frumpkin nuzzles into Beauregard’s side. She smiles.