RavenGuard

Part 4

        The coach rumbled over the uneven ground as the third day slowly passed into night. The entirety of my time in the six by six foot box was spent staring out between the elaborately decorated curtains. I watched the sun lazily float over the earth as it did every day, yet somehow this was different. Every sunset before that moment seemed to have purpose, to drive myself farther from the cruel existence I had been living.

        But that was gone. With no home to think back on and no future to look forward to, the rising and setting of that life-giving orb was pointless. It was just an endless cycle, as everything seemed to be. 

        The wheeled cabin stopped and the door opened to once again to reveal the old wizard, asking me to withdraw from my daze and eat. And as per my routine, I just sat and stared out the window. Again, the timid servant came in and left a piece of bread for me and again I ate in peace. Everything repeated, exactly as the day before. 

        The just as the sun went about its endless chase of the moon, so the moon did the same. The gray crescent rose into the navy blue sky. The stars shone out like pricks in a sheet, a candle held behind it somewhere in the dark oblivion above. 

        The wizard returned to give me unwanted company as expected. He sat on the opposite bench, ensuring he was comfortable on the smooth red silk.  

        "How long have you sat there now? Have you any idea?" He asked, puffing out rings of smoke from a long pipe. 

        "Three days." I responded bluntly. 

        "And how many more do you intend to remain so?" He inquired. 

        "As many as it takes for the world to change." 

        He let out a long sigh, a trail of smoke escaping from his thin, cracked lips. "The world does not change on its own, nor does it wait for those who have the conviction to challenge it." He lifted himself from his seat slowly. "We will reach the city in the morning. Someone will be in to help you dress before we arrive." And with that he went, leaving me alone once again. 

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        The trek through the city streets was slow. No longer could I sit and stare out the window, greeted with never ending fields of crops. The streets closed in on us, people bustling about the coach. I slammed closed the curtains with a grunt, unable to bear the familiar sight and sound. It occurred to me that this had been the only irregular act I had performed since being trapped in this box. 

        A serving girl had brought in various dresses before we entered the city's walls. She sat on the opposite bench, waiting patiently for my decision on which I would like. They were hanging in a rainbow of colours along the pale wall. All of them were finely made and exquisitely detailed. 

        "Miss, you need to make a decision. We will arrive shortly." She said impatiently. 

        "I don't need some frilly dress." I retorted. 

        "Miss, please. Allow me to help you." The woman pleaded at my repeated refusal. 

     Finally, I couldn't put up with her persistent whining and allowed her to shove me into an unnecessarily complex one made of pale green silk. The sleeves stretched down to my fingertips, obstructing my every movement. The bust was tied far too tight for anyone to breathe. 

        As our arguments came to a close, the coached stopped. The old wizard opened the door, causing the maidservant to take a deep bow. He waved it off as she left hurriedly. His usual garb was replaced with a much fancier gray one.

        "We've arrived. Are you ready?" He said, extending his hand.

        "Do I really have much of a choice?" I asked, heaving my mass of skirts up and jumping to the ground. The bright sunlight burned my eyes as I kept put of the carriage. I put my hand over my eyebrows and attempted to squint in the direction the wizard was pulling me.

        "You always have a choice, my dear ." He placed his hands on my shoulders, smiling. "Where you go is up to you."

       "When did I decide any of this would happen?" I asked, genuine hopelessness lying under the hostility.

      "You were never forced to stay. We made no effort to imprison you, yet you did not leave. When you know why, you will be certain of where you belong."

      I simply stared as he walked toward the glittering building ahead. Realizing I had no time to spare, I once again scooped my skirts into my arms and sprinted after him.