Chapter 17: To the North Gate

"This is hopeless!" remarked Wen, expressing her impatience as the carabao plodded on slowly. "We're never going to reach the north gate in time."

"Don't speak that way at Noha. You'll hurt her feelings," said Casser, his own feelings hurt over Wen's nervous remark.

"We would have made it to the north gate already had we walked." Wen heard Mira's voice and Wen could only agree.

"Patience, Wen," said Eldion. "Noha's pulling a heavy load. She walks slow, but she's steady and dependable."

Noha bawled as if in protest at Wen's impatient remarks. The carabao turned her head sideways as if to look at Wen and flicked her ears to drive off the flies.

After what seemed to be an interminable wait for Wen, the north gate came into view. Like the south gate, it was heavily guarded and people who were on the way out of the city had lined up as the guards interviewed each person and examined their belongings. It was unusual that the queue of people and carts goi