Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of Intempia ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

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Chapter Two

“Alsentia!”
Her father's face swam into view.
“We're there.”
There in question was the end of the line. Literally. Trains didn't run any further west than this. If they went any further they would head into the Borders, and that wasn't safe at all.
“Come, get your bag.”
Stretching, she glanced around. The boy was still asleep against the window.
“Shouldn't we wake him?”
“The staff will. Come.”
Sliding into her coat, Alsentia did as she was told, picking up her bag and following him from the compartment.

His eyes snapped open now they were gone. Fishing in his bag, he pulled out a small case. Opening it, he carefully took out two blue lenses. Sliding them under his lids, he blinked, gathered his things and left the train, following the path of the previous two. Blue eyes kept watch over everything. And he smiled.

“Horses?” She wrinkled her nose in disgust.
“Automobiles are much too noticeable. And we can take less obvious paths with horses. They also have the uncanny ability to pick up on any werewolves or vampires nearby.” The man patted the creature's neck fondly.
“But… They're animals… They're dirty and smelly…”
The man looked offended.
“Alsentia, we're taking the horses. It's the way things are done.”
She met her father's eyes and sighed, looking away. She knew better than to argue. His hand landed on her shoulder.
“When you inherit my job, you'll understand.”
She nodded, and watched him walk away to finalise details with those escorting them. Her attentions turned to the animal stood beside her. He was a tall creature, slender but well built. His face was gentle, and full of wisdom. Something about him comforted her. Reaching out a hand, she touched his nose. He whickered softly, his breath whispering across her skin.
“Maybe you're not as bad as all the others.” She murmured to him. He tossed his head in response, shaking out his silver mane. Despite herself, she smiled and stroked his nose again.
“See, you're beginning to like him already.” Her father's voice broke through her thoughts. Alsentia snatched her hand away from the horse as if he'd bitten her.
“I am not.” Even as she said it, she knew she'd replied much too hastily and was just proving his point. The amusement in her father's eyes affirmed that thought.
“Come.” He said, changing the subject. “Let me help you up. We have a long way to go.”
Sighing, she allowed her father to help her into the saddle. It felt odd, but nothing she couldn't live with. The horse was warm beneath the saddle, and his movements were steady and careful. As he turned his head to nudge her foot, she understood that this animal would protect her, that she was safe in his presence and nothing terrible would happen to her. Not while he was around.

She had to admit, the scenery was quite something. Endless plains gave way to dense forests, which sprawled across the slopes of rolling hills. The sun was rising gradually higher in the sky, dancing across the trees. As they neared the border, the temperature rose. She remembered now, winter in Algora was summer in Intempia. Gradually she was forced to remove several of her heavier layers in the heat. She was not accustomed to such temperatures; Algora was generally quite cool, even in the heat of summer. It appeared, however, that Intempia was quite different.

As their group entered the border of a wood, Alsentia found herself riding near the back, and was therefore forgotten in conversations. Not that she was upset about that; it meant she could wrap herself in her musings and imaginings. Her mind flicked to her `Human Prince' from the train and she could instantly imagine him crouched beneath the boughs of a mighty tree, examining the tracks of an animal, his sword at his hip and his bow in his hand. As she watched him, his piercing violet eyes raised and seemed to pierce her. She could feel the flush spreading across her cheeks. The horse dragged her out of her mind by trotting down a steep bank, splashing through a stream and loping easily up the opposite bank to catch up to the others. Her father awaited her.
“Are you ok?”
She nodded and watched him ride back towards the front once more. Playing with the horse's mane absently, she was left to wonder why she'd made his eyes violet.

He knew this path well; had been here before. The girl on his back was paying little attention to the world around them. From what he'd worked out, she was little more than a filly. Snorting softly to himself, he couldn't shake the inexplicable feeling that something was watching them.

For a long time they rode uphill. Gradually the ground levelled, and the trees opened out. Across the open space, she could see the village. It looked a quaint little place; trees on three sides surrounded the little whitewashed cottages. They nestled together, and paths of green grass ran between them. The horses picked up their pace, already anticipating the feed that awaited them. The village grew closer, and Alsentia could see it more clearly. Bloodstains lingered on the whitewashed walls. Scorches clung to the walls and spattered the grass. Far to the right a dark brown scar cut across the ground. Silence hung in the air, much like the smoke that lumbered to meet them. Beneath her, the horse tossed his head, snorting.
“I know what you mean.” She whispered. “I don't like it either.”
“Alsentia!”
“Coming father.” She sighed.