The carriages had arrived at their gates two hours before dawn.
There are certain things that must be cherished in a daughter's life, and perhaps, many mothers will agree, the most important period of life is the period right before she leaves the house for good. Typically this would mean the period after her engagement and before her wedding, but for Aelis's mother, it meant now.
Aelis gave a quick kiss to her teary-eyed mother who was effectively saying goodbye to both her daughters and shook her father's hand.
Aelis hadn't slept that night because she had had to make several last-minute arrangements for the trip. They had woken up Orsha a few minutes ago, and the girl had wobbled down sleepily and curled on the armchairs in the drawing room. Donna was searching stifling a yawn as she tied down Orsha's boots.
"Write to us regularly, dearest," her father said. His voice had a vague sincerity that made Aelis nod her head seriously.
"Aelis, dear," her mother said holding her face.
There was something unnerving about how similar their eyes were. Almond-shaped, hooded, and dark.
"I will take care of myself and Orsha, mama."
The word mama sounded weird in her mouth. She wondered when exactly she had stopped using it, and why it sounded so rusty in her mouth. But her mother just smiled.
"No matter what happens, you can always come back to us. We will always be a family."
"Yes, mama."
"May the Goodness be with you," her father said.
Aelis bundled her sleepy sister into the carriage and got in herself. The two guards stationed for her, Marcus and Walp were also scheduled to accompany her. Marcus saluted her and said,
"We will stop by Duke Lurris's House in Orira before we head to the Central Railway Station."
The train they would be taking east was the Opal Express, where they would be getting down at Fulfad Station and hitching carriages for the rest of the way. They could have taken a train straight to Lurris in the late morning - The Jade Express, but owing to the Duke's hurry to leave, they were forced to take these measures.
"Understood, thank you, Marcus,"
She closed the door and settled in. Orsha sat opposite and curled on the seat. Aelis took out one of the blankets and spread it over her, tucking her in. She wondered briefly if she should say something to the Duke about all this rushing about at some godforsaken hour, but decided that it would be wiser for her to catch some sleep.
Not the rumbling carriage was helping her much in that regard.
The area around the Central Railway Station was just starting to bustle with life. It was one of the newer built constructions, barely a decade old. Back when Ochalis was still ruled by King San Exalos, the development of the railways was a project the King took a great interest in. The Stusal Empire to the east had led the world into throes of machinery and engines and whatnot. The King had commissioned the Central Railway Station at Orira to connect Orira with the rest of the kingdom to great success, although as of late, Aelis mused, she didn't come across a lot of initiatives with the railways.
She wondered if traveling using magic was impossible.
The sun was rising to the east, streaking the skies in oranges and yellows. Orsha was still drowsy and she only fumbled awake when Marcus offered to carry her to the trains.
The Duke hadn't said a word.
He was dressed in a crisp black coat and a black felt hat that somehow looked very pleasant in contrast to his platinum hair and pale skin. There was a small flush in his cheeks, possibly due to the cold, and he still continued to wear his garish white smile.
"Good morning!" he said cheerfully as Aelis rolled a cloak over Orsha.
"Good morning, my lord," she said, and then remembering that she hadn't yet introduced her sister, added, "May I present to you, Orsha Damaran, my sister."
Although they had had discussions about Orsha joining them at the dukedom, after she sent a note, they hadn't really had the opportunity to meet. Orsha blushed and curtsied and Duke Lurris offered her a little bow wishing her a good morning too. He didn't seem to be particularly in favor of or against her presence, which to Aelis was a relief. They requested Marcus, Walp, and another staff member to handle the luggage as they made their way inside.
"Would you like to eat something?" Duke Lurris asked Orsha, as she shyly hid her face behind Aelis's arm. The station was starting to get people. Vendors were setting up their stalls selling newspapers and tobacco and little candy pieces.
Orsha pulled Aelis's sleeve and nodded at the candy.
Sigh.
Before Aelis could speak to the vendor and take out her own purse, Duke Lurris was already chatting with the man, and making a purchase of a bag of orange candy, which he then extended to Orsha who grinned taking them.
Sometimes, it was just so easy to please a child.
"Shouldn't you thank the Duke?" Aelis whispered.
"Thank you, my lord!" Orsha popped an orange candy into her mouth offering the bag to Aelis.