The wheels churned over the dirt and the carriage rocked back and forth spastically. But the unpredictable motion was churning something else: their stomachs. The not-so-gentle rocking was annoying everyone, frustrating them and at times making them nauseous. Cassia was especially prone to the nausea, as by now she was very gassy, but decided to just clench her cheeks and stall emission until they were out in the open and nobody could track the sound and smell back to her. Two and a half agonizing hours the ride lasted.
The very minute they arrived, Cassia hopped out of the carriage and let loose. With the door shut and everyone else still climbing out, nobody paid enough attention to hear the massive, sickening burst of wind Cassia let forth. *BrrrPPPPPFFrrrttTTTffffweeee* Cassia was mortified, and more than a little sick to her stomach. Her fart had changed pitch at least 4 times, and lasted longer than 20 seconds. After the wave of nausea and the awkwardness passed, however, she felt a surge of relief. A burden had been lifted from her shoulders. (Or more accurately, her intestines.) By the time Gabriel and the escort had come around the carriage, Cassia had maneuvered away from the "stink cloud" and met them halfway, setting off for the church on foot. The carriage pulled away and went to await their return.
A few minutes later, as they reached the top of the hill in-between their stop and the construction site, they laid eyes on the church for the first time...or what was left of it. The foundations and scaffolding that had been built around the construction site were burned down, and it was mostly smoldering ash that remained. "What...what hap...what became of this place?" Cassia asked sullenly. Gabriel was silent, but it was clear he was in shock also. "Well, we had better find out." He said. Still shocked, the group began to carefully trudge down the hill.
When they arrived in the village, still no one had come out. When they were on the hill, they couldn't see anyone in the square or in the fields or anywhere else for that matter. The town seemed deserted. "Uhm...IS ANYONE THERE?!" Cassia yelled, trying to attract some attention. Nothing. The group scanned the area and still saw no one around. "ANYONE!" She yelled again. The group all turned on their heels, darting their eyes around fruitlessly. Finally, Gabriel's ears perked up. "Over there!" He exclaimed. His finger was pointed in the direction of a small house down at the other end of the square. Someone was peering out through the window at them, and was tapping on the glass to get their attention. They all ran over to find out what was going on.
When they got to the house the figure staring out the window threw the curtains back into position and disappeared. Cassia and friends all stopped short of the door. They waited. "Well, fine welcome this is." Gabriel sneered. Not even 10 seconds later he was forced to eat his words when the door clicked and swung open. A man stood in the doorway, urging them inside. "Hurry up hurry up!" He hissed. They all piled through the door and just barely got themselves braced when the man slammed the door shut and put a heavy wooden plank in front of it.
"What happened here?" Cassia immediately demanded. The man sighed and leaned up against the wall. "Aye, you're Lady Cassia, correct? We been expecting ya. Good thing ye didn't come sooner, girl." He said. "What happened?" She repeated, sounding a little more concerned this time. "Goblins." He grunted. "They came late in the afternoon, just started banging on doors and throwing those bombs around. They didn't do much damage as far as I know, but the church is torn apart. Think everyone is alright though. ...Ah." He quickly bowed. "Sorry m'lady, forgot me manners." She blushed. "It's quite alright. So goblins raided Coldmarsh? How long have you been hiding?" She asked. "Just since yesterday. Speakin', did ye see any on yer way in?" He poked his nose against the window again. "No. The town is empty." She told him. He perked up a little. "Ah, good then. I can round the town up and we'll decide what to do. As fer ye, ye better get back to yer big ol' castle. It's the safest place fer now." He warned.
Cassia went along with the villager as he went by all the houses, ringing a bell and hollering for everyone by name. As they were letting Coldmarsh know the coast was clear, Cassia felt the pressure in her gut return with a vengeance. She just about doubled-over mid-stride, and it took all her will to keep moving without giving away her pain. After a while it become unbearable however, so she had to stop and lean against a fence to recollect herself. Gabriel took notice and confronted her about it. "Perhaps we should return, m'lady. You must be tired. This is a lot to digest." She winced. "It certainly is." She thought. She straightened up and looked him in the eye. "No, I'm fine. We'll be staying at an inn here tonight. I don't care if it is dangerous, I must see to these people. They're in danger too, and I shall not abandon them." She said proudly. Gabriel was taken aback. "Perhaps she is a proper leader then." He thought. He waited, to test her resolve, to see if she would flinch or back down. She did not. He sighed. "It is your will, m'lady. We may stay if you wish." She smiled. "Thank you, Gabriel. Bring the carriage out and let me collect my things."
As Gabriel carried a sack of Cassia's things and the guard carried her private loo, Cassia clutched her stomach and swore under her breath. She didn't feel the urge to move her bowels, but she felt a little gassy and it felt like she had been stabbed just above her crotch. "It may be a long night tonight..." She grimly considered.
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