At a little after six in the morning, Tarquin and Lowell arrived at Sutton''s home. Dane and his younger brother were already there.


    Seeing Tarquin and Lowell, Diaz ran over happily and gave a deep bow. "My brother said you''re going to help the vige build a school and a library, and you''ll even help us find teachers! I won''t have to go away to study next year! Thank you!" he said excitedly.


    "You''re wee," Tarquin replied in a gentle tone.


    Lowell smiled and ruffled the boy''s hair. "You have to study hard. Your dad and your brother are right-knowledge can change your destiny."


    "I will! I''ll work hard!"


    Dane also approached to express his gratitude to Tarquin, who responded politely, "If there''s anything else you need, just let Lowell know. We''ll help if we can."


    Dane was touched and thanked them profusely. He had been skeptical of Lowell''s words yesterday, but he hadn''t expected the vige elder to find him before dawn today.


    "Dane, it''s great news!" the mayor had said. "Someone has donated money to build schools and libraries in the viges and to improve the hospital facilities. They even said they''ll help us with the teacher shortage. The kids won''t have to leave for school next year! The mayor said the donors are outsiders, real saints! I heard you''ve been in contact with them. You must thank them properly on our behalf!"


    As soon as he heard it, he knew Lowell had kept his promise. Thest bit of suspicion he held for Lowell and Tarquin vanished, reced by overwhelming gratitude.


    Tarquin and Diaz went to find Sutton, and Dane turned to Lowell. "We still have some time before the video call with Evan. Let me take you somewhere first." Lowell was happy to go. He mounted Dane''s horse behind him, and they set off. "Hold on tight," Dane warned. "We''re a bit short on time, so I''m going to ride fast!" "Don''t rush," Lowell said immediately. "There''s no hurry. We can push the call back if we need to."


    But Dane wanted to be on time. He spurred the horse into a gallop. Lowell''s face went pale. He didn''t know how long they had been riding when a river appeared ahead.


    Seeing Dane showed no signs of stopping, Lowell''s eyes widened. "...Are we crossing the river?!"


    "Yeah, don''t worry, the water is shallow!"


    The big ck horse was as calm as its owner. It charged toward the riverbank without hesitation and plunged into the water, sending sshes everywhere. Something in


    the water must have ending


    because the horse suddenly reared up on its hind legs. Lowell felt himself about to fall.


    On pure instinct, he threw his arms around Dane''s waist!


    Dane''s body stiffened. His first impulse was to pry Lowell''s hands off and shove him off the horse. But then he felt the frantic thumping of Lowets heart against his back and hesitated... Lowell really wasn''t trying to grope him; he was terrified.


    Dane frowned but didn''t move him, letting. Lowell hold on. It wasn''t until they reached the other side that Dane pried his hands away. It''s okay, we''ve crossed the river!"


    Lowell opened his eyes, gasping for air, too stunned to speak. "..."


    Dane couldn''t help but ask, "I thought you were a race car driver? Why are you such a coward?"


    Lowell took a moment to steady himself. "It''s not that I''m a coward. I just had a bad experience. I got kicked by a horse when I was a kid, so I''m terrified of riding." Dane fell silent.


    "How much farther?" Lowell asked.


    "Just over this mountain, and we''re there. Hold on tight."


    This time, Lowell didn''t need a reminder. He grabbed onto the saddle where he was supposed to, not Dane.


    Dane led him on horseback over the mountain. When they arrived, Lowell was utterly stunned.