Falling Petals

Chapter Two

John had been right. It was a horribly long ride, and terribly boring at that. With Carmen driving the carriage, Sophia had no one to talk to. And it was even close to nothing to do. She would stare out the window at the countryside they were traveling through, and when that got too boring she would shift her blue eyed gaze to the matching sky and search for shapes in the clouds.

It was only when her stomach growled that she remembered the raspberry tart her older brother had given her. So pulling the pastry from her dress pocket, she removed the white cloth concealing it before taking a bite out of the sweet, flaky dessert.

She closed her eyes as the flavor washed over her taste buds. Raspberry was most certainly her favorite. The sweet tang of the raspberry filling, mixed with the sugary texture of the frosting that had been drizzled over the top of the flaky crust. It was a thing to die for in Sophia's opinion, and her brother always understood that this was one of the many things that bring her joy.

She continued to nibble on the pastry until all that was left of it was the sticky residue left on her fingers. This was when she used her handkerchief to wipe it off of her fingertips.

It was a few minutes after she finished the pastry that the carriage came to a halt. Sophia had been staring out the window into the trees, watching the green slowly flow past and listening to the rhythmic clopping of the horse's hooves. "Carmen, why have we stopped?" She called out to her handmaiden with a soft frown, trying to see around the front of the carriage from the window.

"A fallen tree my lady, but we can go around." Carmen's voice responded shortly after from the outside the carriage. "It will just be but a few moments."

With an annoyed huff, Sophia leaned back against the leather of the seat. Now the ride would be longer and she'd have to think of something to keep herself busy while Carmen worked out a way to get around the tree.

Carmen meanwhile had climbed down from the driver's seat of the carriage, looking for the easiest way around the fallen trunk. But as she neared the wooden log, her eyes widened as she saw the base. It wasn't cracked and jagged, it had several cuts. It hadn't fallen, it had been chopped down.

Her heart began to race in her chest and she ran back to the carriage and opened the heavy black door. Fear running through her mind and body as she stepped in. And a very small bit of relief as the door closed with a 'thud'.

Sophia looked to her handmaiden with a confused expression. Carmen was usually so calm, so it was unusual to see her worked up about something. "What's going on?" She demanded. Though she was still young, her voice could often hold a lot of authority.

"My lady, please keep your voice down." The handmaiden pleaded, reaching out and taking the young girl's soft hands in her own slightly callused ones. "The tree outside was cut, I'm afraid whoever did it is a bandit." She whispers, meeting Sophia's sky blue eyes. "I don't want you to get hurt while in my care."

Sophia could see the fear in Carmen's eyes and knew what she spoke was the truth. So with a small nod, she sunk to the floor of the carriage to avoid being seen out the windows by any possible bandits or just plain anyone who would want to cause harm to hers, or even any noble family.

It wasn't too long before there was a sharp rapping on the door to the carriage. Sophia shut her eyes tight as she pressed herself against the door, knowing that doing so would leave whoever it was with less of a chance to see her.

"Whoever is in there better reveal themselves!" A male voice shouted, sounding rather angry which only made Sophia's heart race. "My name is Arthur, I am a servant of the Larson Estate and I demand you show yourself!"

The name 'Larson' made Sophia jump to her feet. That was the last name of Damon, her seventeen-year-old fiance. "My name is Sophia Anderson! Daughter of Elise and Maverick Anderson!" She responded to the voice, keeping hers strong and unwavering.

There was a short pause before the heavy door was swung open and a man looked at her, holding a pistol in his hand. "Lady Anderson? Are you alright? My master sent me on the path knowing you were on your way. He was worried those thieves would still be around and ready to attack."

Looking only briefly at the pistol, she kept her head high. "I am quite alright, thank you. If you could help get this tree out of the way, I can continue on the path to meet with Lord Larson."

Arthur took a moment to look over the young lady before responding. For such a young girl, her form was rather attractive. Her shiny blonde hair pulled upward into quite the elegant bun, her yellow gown flowing around her legs in the soft breeze coming in through the open door. "Yes, I will. My master is expecting you, as lunch is already being prepared as we speak. He will be delighted to know you were not harmed."

Sophia nodded in response, taking a seat back onto the carriage chair. "Carmen, you may go back and ready the horses again." She spoke firmly, sitting up straight and noble.

Carmen looked at her briefly. She knew how strong the fourteen-year-old could be, even in the most troubling times. And it was an admirable quality for someone so young. "Yes, of course, my lady."

She watched her handmaiden climb out of the carriage and closed the heavy door with another 'thud' before the young lady slumped in the seat. She absolutely hates when she has to do that. But she doesn't need anyone, especially servants, thinking she is just some weak little noble girl. No matter how true that may really be.

It was only perhaps five minutes before the carriage began to move and Sophia was able to watch the greenery pass by the window once again. She spotted a small fawn standing with its mother just behind the trees, watching the carriage cautiously. A soft smile graced her lips and she stared at the beasts before they too passed out of sight.

Then she saw a raggedy looking man standing in the shadows, glaring into the window of the carriage as it rode past and a twang of fear passed through her heart. She knew, although she wouldn't tell anyone, that it was one of the bandits that Arthur spoke of, regretting they didn't attack before the male servant arrived with his gun.

Turning and facing straight ahead, Sophia forced the feeling of fear down with a deep inhale and thick exhale. It was certainly a long ride indeed.