Demesne ¦¦ Hunhan, Taoris, Kaisoo, Baekyeol

12

The night was long. Kai and Sehun took turns steering the mount. While one was driving, the other slept or talked to the professors. The mount in front of them lead them until the sun began to peek over the horizon.

"What are those?" Sehun pointed over the side of the mount towards the ground. Kai looked to where he gestured. Metal bars lay on the ground with wooden beams between them every two feet or so.

"I have no idea."

"They're train tracks, nitwits." Xiumin's voice came muffled from the inside of the carriage.

"Someone didn't sleep well." Kai mumbled.

"He doesn't like mounts. They make his stomach hurt." Sehun mused. "One time, Dad took us to Artena to visit our Aunt. Xiu hated the whole thing. Threw up three times. It was hilarious."

"Maybe for you! I was miserable." The small window opened and Xiumin's tired face and ruffled hair filled the empty space. "Are we almost there?"

"You are asking the wrong navigator, sweetheart." Sehun chuckled at his brother's appearance. "What? The ride not comfortable?"

Xiumin glared. "Oh it's just wonderful. Love being the third wheel to a blooming relationship." He lowered his voice. "The testosterone levels in here are way too damn high."

Kai sputtered out in laughter, his hand letting go of one of the reins to cover his mouth. Sehun blushed at the implication. His expression embarrassed. "Oh... oh my."

Kai regained control of himself and the reins but kept a shit eating grin on his face.

"Something amusing you, Kim?" Xiumin deadpanned.

"Nope. Just enjoying the sunrise."

"Mmhm. Brat." Xiumin disappeared back into the carriage and shut the window.

Suddenly, a loud noise shattered through the air. Kai and Sehun jumped.

"What the fuck was that!?" Kai shot his head around in every direction. Sehun mimicked his movements. Snickering was heard from the carriage behind them and in front. A sliding window on the back of the mount in front of them opened. While Kai and Sehun were still trying to find the source of the sound, Kyungsoo and Luhan watched them from their mount, snickering like school boys. Xiumin stuck his head back out. "Hey geniuses, that was called a train horn. Trains use it to tell people that it is arriving."

Sehun looked at him incredulously. "A what?"

The laughing in front of them grew.

"It was a train! I can't believe you've never heard of one." Luhan shouted from his seat. Sehun's face drained of color when he realized the Prince had seen his embarrassing freak out. Kai sunk in his seat when he saw Kyungsoo's face. His smile caused a raging blush to bloom all over his cheeks. He whipped the reins and steered the horses to pull the mount next to the other. They made their way up and, while still sulking in their seats, came up right next to Chanyeol. They looked up at him with pitiful faces. Chanyeol side-eyed them, obviously holding back a grin.

"Can I help you?" he asked innocently.

"Are we there yet?" Sehun pouted.

Chanyeol nodded his head and pointed in front of them. Their trip had been across a barren landscape with a few bushes scattered, but overall had been lacking in sights. The large buildings in the distance was surely a sight for sore eyes. The sun was about a quarter of the way through the sky when they passed the first of the buildings. The windows were shut and nobody was around.