The sun was blinding as they headed out. Alice had to place her palm above her eyes and search alone for the carriage since Nacht had left a while back, saying that he needed to get the horses and prepare. From the way he had conversed with her while they were having breakfast she knew that Nacht had figured out about her sleepless night. Maybe it was her constant yawning or her red eyes with the very obvious black circles underneath.
He had seemed worried and his expression was unboundedly an evidence of his guilt. It was actually quite cute, she thought and observed the man as he brought over the carriage and gently opened its door for her to enter. Even the harsh seating and the bumping on the road didn't bother her at all. She was so tired that she almost instantly fell asleep, closing her eyes and thinking the bumpy road as her being in a crib and shook by her mother.
She wasn't aware for how long she was out but she opened her eyes when the carriage came to a very sudden stop. She was pushed forward being caught off guard and she fell on her knees, barely managing to stop her face from being violently slammed down. Once there was no more movement she stood up and headed furiously outside.
"You could have warned me about the stop you know!" She told him.
As jumped out though she realized that he wasn't able to warn her. She found herself at the gates of what was known as the Kingdom of Sol. Huge walls were extended, surrounding the whole place. The outside seemed like an endless steep desert while she could recognize the bandit filled forest from far away. She could only steal a glimpse of the unknown Kingdom through the entrance, which was big enough to fit three carriages side to side.
There was an endless road that began from there that led to the enormous palace. It was white and gold, shinning underneath the murderous sun, with many towers and enormous glass windows. Pretty colors reflecting from the glasses. Purple, green, blue and so many more created fascinating designs. It was very different from the diamond like palace at Nyx but still majestic and honestly mesmerized. At the sides of the road all the way until the palace which was surrounded again by smaller walls keeping any unwanted guests out, a huge market began, with sellers shouting and people running around with filled baskets. In contradiction to Nyx's green scenery, the sound of chirping birds and flowing artificial rivers Sol could be described as dry. It was a kingdom where the pale colored of dirt was the basic one, a yellow that was spreading with the air with every step someone took. It looked like one of those Kingdoms she read in her book, an old and far away land ruled by a burning hot sun.
But beyond her need of staring and actually imprinting the image in her mind Alice focused on Nacht who had gotten off the driver's seat and now was heatedly conversing with one of the guards. He was wearing a pair of white pants and a lose white shirt almost unbuttoned making Alice wonder if that a guard appropriate outfit. He had a huge knife on his belt and wore leather brown sandals as he conversed with the red haired man who suddenly seemed to be so out of place. Nacht's clothing did not match this county the slightest. It was a wonder how he wasn't sweating profusely buy now.
"What do you mean we can't pass?" Nacht shouted. "You know who I am, I am sure you do."
"These are the orders of the king. You are to be punished for leaving without letting anyone know and if you try to get in you will be taken to the dungeon." The guard threatened him and Nacht scoffed, pushing back his pony tail.
"Try me." He provoked him and ran towards Alice who was standing further away. She looked at him surprised as he once more offered her his hand.
"Shall we begin a new adventure?" He asked her with a devilish smile and she cocked her eyebrows. "It's this or the dungeons sweetheart" he said and before she could even reply he was dragging her inside the Kingdom. The guard shouted at them, calling the other since he couldn't leave his post.
Alice and Nacht began running in the busy streets, pushing people asking them to get away. This was definitely not the luxurious palace life she had been promised. Why were they running from the king, wasn't Nacht supposed to be one of his advisors? She wondered.
Nacht led her through a small alley, holding her hand tightly while she tried to keep her dress from tangling in between her feet. She was panting as she felt the dirt of the streets and the dust getting in her lungs as sweat dripped down her back. It was really hot, she realized and felt her face burning up.
"Where are we going? Why are we being chased after by guards?" She shouted but the only thing Nacht did was turn his head and signal her to be quiet.
In the next small crossroad, they faced, hidden between the tall building, Nacht turned left and opened the first wooden door he found, pushing her in to what seemed to be a tavern.
"Now we are safe." He told her with a bright smile.