Rain hammers the river pass as the Kurogane transport noses out of the mist. Arimari plants his naginata across the track, and the lead horse balks at the blade. Reina slips toward the rutted verge, eyes on the guards' footing.
Reina
One slip there, and the whole line goes into the mud.
The cartmaster shouts for speed. Two guards surge forward, but the slick stones betray them, and one drops to a knee. The transport lurches, its axle grinding as the wagon stalls in the choke point.
Arimari Tiarasan
If the axle breaks here, their cargo stays here.
The Cartmaster
Clear the road. That shipment must pass at once.
Reina darts in low, striking the mud beside the nearest horse. The beast shies hard, yanking the team sideways. The wagon tilts, and a bound chest slides against the sideboard with a dull, ugly thud.
The Cartmaster
Hold the chest! Do not let it spill!
Arimari drives the naginata point into the cartpole and stops the advance cold. The guards freeze, staring at the blocked pass, while rain runs black over the sealed cargo. If this load reaches Tukeyo's chain, the oni feeds again. Here, it stops.