How Life Defines You - Part 5 - The Arrival

Here's where we left things in the previous post:

The lord peered out his own window realising where he was, he looked over at the small girl that still sat peering out the window - he stated "Finally, almost home."

Milas fingers gripped tightly at the edge of the small window, her eyes locked on the shaped the now rose up out of the ground in the distance - though as they continued to get closer Mila began to realise the sheer size of the estate, that she was now forced to call home.

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As if cued by the lord's words, the horses whinnied as a loud crack of the whip that urged them forward - Mila was again almost thrown from her seat as the horses launched into action.

Mila's eyes remained fixed on the looming shadows, that now grew larger with every passing moment.

In the failing light of day she could now see small lights beginning to appear in the still distant buildings, each moment that passed showed the vastness of the estate - with even more lights sparking into existence.

Her breath quickened with panic and uncertainty, unable to control where she was going or what would be expected of her.

Lord Evanvar noticed her reaction but rather than address the frightened girl he instead called out to the driver of the carriage "Jareth, time till we arrive?" a voice replied from outside the moving vessel "Least an hour My Lord" no response was offered - and the carriage returned to silence, besides the monotonous creaks the carriage made as it jostled along it's path.

Mila paused to think for a moment, if there were still an hours ride from the estate - then it dawned on her the unimaginable realisation of the compounds true size, it was at least half the size of the palace and still the second largest building she had ever seen.

His question had managed to calm her somewhat, at least knowing how long it was before she had to meet her new fate seemed to slightly ease her panic - at least for now anyway.

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Soon the sun's rays had left the sky darker but full of brilliant colours, the glistening silver of the stars to the green and purple waves that danced across the sky - but all paled in comparison to the Giant Blue, green, purple and orange sister planet of Keltorin, Keltoraan.

The massive globe could be seen both day and night, but it's true splendour was only revealed on Keltorins darkest of nights - the other planets visible in the night's sky revelled in the beauty of the twin giants.

But for this moment right now Mila's focus was on the looming form of the giant estate, soon there were so many lights appearing she could no longer tell them apart - counting now seemed futile and even more so disconcerting.

After the long arduous trip travelling across Almain and further than Mila had ever been from her home in her short life, the end was now in sight - she felt as though they now moved with great speed, towards her uncertain fate.

Her mind was spinning, uncertainty plagued her every thought, before long the carriage approached the entrance of the massive estate, it's once dominant presence now hidden behind it's own giant walls.

They passed a retinue of armed guards that were stationed along what appeared to be the main entrance, Mila was startled as they sprung to attention in unison at the recognition of their Lord's return.

Then they passed under a large stone archway that led into a wide paved courtyard, the sounds of a fountain spraying water were all that could be heard besides the restless footfalls of the tired horses - Mila had never witnessed such a device before, but she was too preoccupied on surveying her new surroundings.

As the carriage came to a halt and Lord Evanvar rose swiftly and made his way down the narrow stairs, upon reaching the bottom he turned to see Mila waiting sheepishly in the corner "Come on then" he instructed impatiently with a wave of his arm.

Mila did as instructed, once he saw she was moving he turned to face a small but very pretty lady wearing a beautiful deep green dress with long flared sleeves - trimmed with brilliant silver threads, swirling up towards her elbows where they narrowed.

Mila was too distracted taking in the sites many strange features, her childhood home would have easily fit inside the archway the carriage had passed through - she found herself looking up at everything, trying to take it all in ensuring she didn't miss a detail.

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As she looked over her surrounds she failed to notice the small woman approach to stand in front of her, her focus glided across the courtyard then finally returned to settle on the now waiting woman.

Startled by her sudden appearance Mila stepped back instinctively, "She's terrified Oten" shooting Lord Evanvar a stern look then her gaze returned to Mila with concern etched clearly on her face - as she looked over the muddied barefoot girl in her torn and tattered clothes.

She bent down to meet Mila's height, then she asked cautiously but kind "Would you like some food?" Milas eyes lit up with eager anticipation - unable to mask her desperate desire to fill the growing ache in her stomach "Well then let's get you cleaned up and fed" she said with a gentle smile.

The lady stood and moved into the large building directly behind her, Mila began to follow but hesitated when she saw the woman disappear into the darkened passageway - only the light of a lantern lit her path as it shifted and swayed in the cool night's breeze.

Mila squinted attempting to define the objects that littered the dimly lit path she had to follow, Lord Evanvar had moved away to talk with three men she had never seen before.

Then she heard the woman's voice calling out to her " Come along then" as it echoed through the passage, Mila's heart pounded and her breath caught in her throat as she cautiously entered the dark shadowed tunnel.

To be continued...

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