The back of the carriage jostled about as the wheels rumbled across uneven ground. The air in the carriage was thick and heavy as if there was a fog that lay across the land. Aldreera could hear the mumbles of the riders in front of her but she couldn't quite make out what she was listening to. Every now-and-then an audible word would brush across her ears like: 'bridge', and 'castle'. Darkness came in and out amongst the few catches of light and so did the pain. With each bump and tumble of the carriage brought back some of the pain from her stay in the dungeon. Her stiff limbs and joints creaked as she lay motionless and cramped wherefore hardly a small child could fit in a space such as this. Every so often she felt the urge to stretch, but that was not a luxury she quite had at the time. After just three hours Aldreera's eyes became heavy with sleep. She was fatigued and there was no amount of obstinance that could keep her mind from drifting into her comfortable dreams. Moments had passed before she had fallen into a deep slumber allowing herself one last solace. Aldreera had no care, however, she knew the time would come soon where she was ripped from the back of the carriage and heaved into another dungeon cell only to be propagated and pawned to whoever needed their fix. This was soon to be her fate.
In the distance a gate appeared in front of an ominously dark castle that almost seemed to reach the sky. The color of the walls were painted black giving a sinking feeling to anyone who paid heed. The sky was torn apart in anger as dark clouds of rain pulled in and out above the massive structure.
The carriage stopped before the gate. The gate was made of steel and heavy enough it took two people on either side to push the doors wide enough for the carriage to file through. As the doors opened, the groaning of the hinges could be heard through the valley; sounding angry and unpromising. This gave Aldreera a start. She awoke to have found both her legs fallen asleep and immovable. They were dead as her spirit would soon be and her heart immediately hitched in her throat realizing this was the end of the line.
Again tears welled up in her eyes. Aldreera blinked them away as she tried to focus on her legs and get them moving again. 'Why', she thought as she wiped away a fallen tear.
It took but a moment to find themselves at the front door of the mansion castle. Aldreera felt the carriage slow and then come to a heart-wrenching stop. She could also feel her heart sink even further until she could not feel anything at all. She clasped her hands around her wobbly legs and nuzzled her face into her knees praying that when the door opened it would be a whole new world. A world where she didn't have to worry.
The back of the carriage swung open and a dull face appeared staring into the back of the storage bay. Aldreera still had the sack over her face which made her incapable of realizing what was transpiring. She could make out brief shapes, but her face was still nuzzled into her knees.
"Mmm." the man hummed with doubt. "Is this the girl from that whore house of a mansion living across the valley?" The man next to him who was out of eyesight from Aldreera gave a nod of approval. The man looked on with dark eyes and high cheekbones. His tongue clicked to show distaste as he reached his hand into the carriage. Aldreera could see the shadow getting closer and her body tensed in fear of being ripped from the carriage like an untamed animal. But to her surprise the cloth was grabbed instead of her and lifted ever-so delicately revealing her eyes to bright sunlight as the speckles of brown showed contrast to her ever-green iris. Still clutching tightly to her legs she looked the man up and down taking in every aspect of information she could gather. His face was paler than most but the evident of his freckles brought color to dim features. The hair adorning his jaw line emphasizing the edge. Bold and tremendous his face was, yet subtle and forgiving. His eyes were of pale brown and moved in ways to put anyone in a trance. His black leather coat glistened with polish and beauty while the trim was of different color allowing the colors to contrast his pale, spectacular features. He was a good sight to behold however, this was not the time for beholding, Aldreera thought to herself.
Pulling away while he removed the hood, Aldreera tried to wedge herself further into the corner moving in a way as to figure out how to relieve herself of the prying eyes. She hoped she would miraculously find a new talent and become invisible. However, fate was not that thoughtful. The man chuckled as he reached in again and pinched her face.
"How adorable,"he said in almost a whisper.
"Sir?", the man beside him said as if he were directly talking to him.
The man in front of the door who was looking further into Aldreera's features took a small step back and swiveled, turning himself on his heel to face the other direction. With a wave of his left hand he spoke, "Untie her and allow her to walk freely."For the first time she could see the man had a drink opposite the hand he waved with.
"But, sir Ambrose…" the guard said with doubt. Before the man could finish he was interrupted.
"No buts. Do as I say." The guard reluctantly went to the front of the carriage and pulled out a knife walking it towards the back to where Aldreera sat motionless and barely breathing. His hand reached in towards Aldreera with hasty movements making her jump. "Hold still", the man said, irritantly cutting the ropes from her small wrists and ankles.
The man in charge began to speak again. Turning to face her from afar. "Now step out of the carriage so that I may take a good look at you", while teetering back onto his heels.
Aldreera's reply came short and sweet. "No.", she demanded with pursed lips.
The man looked at her in disbelief before throwing his head back in laughter. "Do you think that was a question, my dear sweet girl?" The happiness fell from his eyes staring daggers at Aldreera. "Now step out of the carriage." His teeth gritted with every word. "Unless you'd like me to pull you out by force, however, I never really liked the idea of man-handling a woman."
"I…" She stuttered. "I am unable." she blurted out; abashed.
"You are unable to, what?"
"I can't stand up, sir," she glanced at her feet. They would not listen to her please and give her recognition.
"And why is that?", the man in charge looked down at her with eyebrows high on his forehead waiting for a viable answer.
"My legs, sir. They have fallen asleep. I cannot move them. Please, sir. I am not one to lie." Her heart was now pounding in her ears ready to burst from her bosom. The man in charge motioned to his guard who came rushing in with his dirtied hands and mismannered face. He grabbed Aldreera by the arm. She was light enough that the brute of a man could pull her out with just one of his trunks of a limb. His face showed intolerance as she struggled against him, unwilling to give up her dignity. She was halfway out of the carriage when she heard the man in charge give another command.
"Hold yourself."
The guard stopped dead. Looking back, he removed his hand and stood along the doorway waiting for direction.
The man from afar began to walk forward nearing the back of the open carriage. Aldreera's mind went blank and fear crept into her chest, wrapping itself tightly around her lungs. She was unable to breathe. Her arms scraped at the floor trying to put herself back into the corner where she felt safe.Unable, however, to put enough distance between them both while her legs still unable to move trailed from her torso like limp rags.
The man stepped closer and seemed to admire the sight of her struggle. A small glisten came from his eye while the side of his mouth crooked up with pleasure.
Handing his glass to the guard he reached in with his right hand grabbing firmly onto Aldreera's left arm making her wince. She struggled but, to no avail as he pulled her like a rag out of the back of the carriage. He bent down just enough so that his left arm could slide firmly underneath her dainty legs. He lifted her with ease as he straightened himself to walk to the front of the large castle doors. Aldreera was so stunned that she tightened her body up into more of a fetal position.
"Relax."
His voice was soft into her ear as his long legs carried her making the steps seem effortless. To this, Aldreera immediately felt somewhat of a relief. Her fingers which clenched now loosened and her body fell naturally into his arms. She looked up at him with a questioning brow. This man was carrying her. No one had ever carried her. At least, not that she could remember.
Aldreera watched as the door came nearer with every fleeting step. Her heart began to pound again in her ears and her small fingers curled themselves into fists. She hugged herself tight in her own arms waiting for the moment when she would be tossed frivolously into chains. Looking at the large wooden door of the castle she could make out smaller details which she hadn't noticed before. There were no hinges on the door in front of them. No handles to grab ahold of either. The look of the front of the castle seemed as though it wasn't meant to be lived in; to step in and out of.
Unknowing to Aldreera the man watched her out of the corner of his eye; his mouth crooked into a small smile.
Aldreera looked at the large castle that lay in front of her with wide eyes. Once she had taken the sight in she looked back up to the vastly handsome man that was carrying her. Every breath he exhaled she could feel briskly on her fingers. 'Who was this man?' she stared with her big green eyes having no forethought as to whether he could see her frivolous movements.
He spoke again, but this time with more of a domineering tone. "If you continue to stare I will consider that a declaration of your affection." He continued to walk to the gate, stopping just before.
Aldreera looked around as she thought he was speaking to someone else but then realized there was no one near. Her face turned bright pink and she lowered her head in embarrassment.
"My apologies, sir. It won't happen again."
He scoffed only to say, "Who says I didn't want you to look at me?"
By now Aldreera's brain had been left behind and words could not form into being. She clasped her mouth shut and waited. That's all she could do as they both waited in front of the large doors. Stood there waiting for what?