The journey begins ....

continued from the previous post...

 Karolin had been provided with a coach for herself and her maid. A good strong detachent of dragoons made up their escort. They were on their way east to the kings hunting lodge in the Sackwald , a day or so's journey ...

---oXo---

Meanwhile the notorious bandit 'the Hook' had left his usual haunts in the south and had moved north heading for richer pickings. They were about 20 miles east of the capital Wittenberg about to cross a river

 

Bert: Why don't we camp down by this here river

Hook: No No ! much better to be in cover on high ground

The Hook seemed suddenly far away and distracted ; he always got this way near water.

Hook: Can anyone hear a clock ?

Bert: No hookey old mate nothing

Hook: Hmm, come on then, lets get across the bridge and on up into the forest yonder.....

A few minutes after they had gone a large sleepy creature lolloped out of the water by the bridge and lay down; a faint sound emanated from it

 tic-toc tic-toc ....