Lost in the Wind

Something I've Never Known

"Lyd. Lydia, wake up" I jolted awake as i felt someone shake my shoulder. I quickly wiped the side of my mouth and patted down my hair as i thanked Jake for waking me up. That little power nap was all that i needed to feel regenerated.

"Bob, the bus driver said that we are about 5 minutes away." I nodded and looked out the window.

We were now on another gravel road, but it was smooth and maintained properly. The bush had grown lusher and greener on the sides of the road then last time i looked out the window. I watched as a pair of wrought iron gates came into view ahead. The bus pulled to a stop and a guard walked over, said a few words to Bob i couldn't hear, and then opened the gates.

The gates moved slowly and creaked slightly, but Bob drove through and i heard them start to close again. Then we pulled off onto another smaller road and Bob pulled into a cleared area and parked the bus. He opened the door and lead the way off.

We all began to walk along the road again, Bob in front until we reached what looked to be a stable. Out front were 6 carriages with 2 horses already hooked up to each one, and waiting. I stared in awe.

"How do you have horses?" I asked Bob. Usually werewolves couldnt have other animals around like dogs and cats, espeacially horses because with their keen sense of smell, they could smell that we were wolves, and would be very afraid and often go crazy around us, because they could never figure out where the smell was coming from.

"We had something made that goes in with their food every morning, that dulls down our scent. All of these horses have been born and raised here as well so i also think that some of them are just used to it by now." Bob answered.

I grinned, that is so cool. I reached up and rubbed one of the horses heads.

"Alright this is how we will get back to Arindelle. Normally we only use them for special occasions, but there is no specialer occasion, so everyone get on a carriage." Said Bob.

I climbed onto a carriage pulled by two black horses, with Timber, Wynde, and Rayne. Once everyone was on a carriage, what i assumed were grooms, came out of the stable got on the front of the carriage, picked up the big leather lines, and the horses began to move forwards.

We moved onto a bush trail where the horses picked up the pace, and all of the carriages moved in a single file line. The grooms didnt speak to anyone, which i was glad for because i didnt really want someone bowing to me again. I was thankful that it was such a nice day as i listened to the birds chirping and flying between the trees.

The horses continued to plod along at their steady pace for around 5 minutes before the first cart emerged out of the trees. Once my eyes had adjusted, i knew that my jaw was on the floor as i took in the sight infront of me.

Before us stood a large stone house, or mansion. It was huge and looked old, but beautiful none the less. Behind the stone house, i could make out the roofs of many smaller buildings, like a villiage. A little bit farther behind where the buildings were, rose a large cliff, lush with plant life, and multiple little waterfalls streaming down the steep sides, and even from here i could hear the running water.

I was in complete awe. This place was absolutly beautiful. Arindelle had been built with the cliff acting as a natural fence. It was genius. The horses came onto pavement and continued on up to the castle. The road wrapped around a large fountain before reconecting with itself and heading back out, like a circle. The horses pulled to a stop right beside a large set of steps that lead up to a set of doors.

The horses waited for everyone to unload before leaving, taking Bob with them, because he had to get back to the bus. I heard a stumbled step, before turning to look as Mr. Hamilton came stumbling down the stairs, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.