There were a few merchants that regularly delivered goods to the castle, and while all such deliveries were inspected by the guards before they went in, they didn't actually move or rigorously sort through the deliveries. Usually it was as simple as them pulling the tarp back to look it over and then ushering the horses forward.

Sif nestled himself into one such cart, wedged down in a mess of kindling. The familiar smell was less than pleasant, but he made himself deal with it; there were no other merchants going in as soon as he'd like with goods he could hide himself in. It would also be a shorter ride, as this merchant was the closest to the castle's service entry.

It was not long before he heard the man command his horses, and the cart lurched forward, shaking Sif back and forth as it bounced over the stone road. He couldn't recall ever having a cart ride so horrible when he was in Helna's body; was it because he was now small or because the cart was poorly constructed?

He hated it either way, because it meant he was constantly getting jabbed by small sticks. Not an ideal start to his plan.

At last it stopped, and he heard the cart owner having a conversation. Sif drew down and tried to make himself small, huddling close to a tangle of thin branches as light streamed in.

" Bit messy, isn't it?" the guard commented.

" What, you expect me to sort 'em out?" the kindling merchant remarked incredulously.

The darkness closed over the cartbed once again.

Sif felt his heart race when the horses began walking once more, as he'd made his way into the castle.

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