Sir George goes home 1/8

After leaving Abigail, George rode Northwards across open country for several days. Although he couldn't speak Spanish, he found the local farmers very helpful. Bed and breakfast for himself was a simple matter and although he had to make signs to make himself understood, the local people made him welcome. Being used to animals they were also well able to look after his horse. He was able to pay his way by offering part of the treasure he had taken from the dragon Karg.

Then on the fourth day, whilst riding along a farm track his horse stopped and lowered his head to the ground, pointing ahead in the 'Beware Dragon' position he'd been taught. George was rather puzzled. The Witch Abigail had told him that there were very few dragons in this world and that he was not to kill them under any circumstances, yet here he was, in the most unlikely dragon country, not a cave in sight, and his horse was trying to tell him 'dragon ahead'.

The only feature he could see was a valley running from left to right and now that he had stopped he could just hear a low roar. It did sound rather like a dragon but if it was one, then it wasn't stopping for breath. The noise went on and on. George made sure his sword was ready to hand and urged his horse forward.

The strangest sight he had ever seen met his eyes as he reached the edge of the valley and could see down to the bottom. There was neither river nor dragon. A wide black road was full of brightly coloured little carts with small fat wheels, rushing along in each direction. It was the carts that were making the noise.

George and his horse stood still in absolute amazement. The speed of the carts was incredible. They were moving far faster than a horse could gallop. George guessed that they might be travelling 40 or 50 miles in every hour. The carts in the middle of the road were going even faster. Then he noticed that the strip of road nearest to him had no carts on it at all, surely this part of the road must be for men on foot or horseback.

Without more ado he rode down the side of the valley onto the road and turning right urged his horse into a trot. The noise suddenly became even worse. Every cart that passed him made a hooting noise, while the people inside waved at him.

"How very friendly," thought George, "I suppose they don't see many horses."

He continued northwards along the road, very pleased at finding such a simple way to travel. There were no fields to ride round, ditches to cross, or gates to open. Certainly the people of this world had made travel very easy for themselves.

After riding for about half an hour, he heard a much louder noise than usual approaching behind him. He turned in his saddle to see what new marvel was coming. In the distance he could see a white cart in the middle of the road making a noise rather like a donkey. It had a flashing blue light on top and all the other carts were moving over to let it pass.

He supposed that the people inside must be very important, maybe the local Lord or even the King of the land himself.

Then to his surprise the white cart slowed down and pulled over to George's side of the road as it passed him and stopped a little way ahead. Two men got out and waited for him to ride up.