Clackers

Clackers - Part 3

CHAPTER EIGHT - DRAFT

In the few weeks since the Concetar, Aiden and I have been spending more time together. Aiden and I are standing beside a horse drawn carriage in the middle of a huge barn full of horses and carriages. Today is a free day, no training with Sentius and no jabbering by Mara. Aiden is taking me to see Clappam Common, an Out town.

"We're going in this?" I say.

The horse snorts and stomps her feet to protest my comment.

"This is really a surprise," I say.
I've never been out of Brehn. The wild land outside the cities is called the Fray and it can be treacherous.

Aiden says, "These are the traditional horse-drawn carriages used outside of cities."

The carriage doors are ornate with carved moldings. Inside the bench seating can easily hold four people. The carriage roof is a shiny dull gray metal, with space up front for the driver.

"It's beautiful," I say.

Aiden says, "When you attend the Black and White, this is how you go."

The Black and White Masquerade Ball is the high society party for Saffire citizens. It is the event to attend. Everyone wears masks and elaborate costumes. The Black and White happens once a year but people talk about it non-stop. The word is I will be invited due to my defeat of Aiden at Concetar.

"What's it like?" I say.

Aiden says, "The costumes are amazing."

Aiden climbs to the top of the carriage and picks up the reins of the horse.

Aiden says, "You coming up here or you riding in the carriage?"

I squeeze in tight to Aiden. Our carriage is empty.

Training has been very strenuous both on the body and the brain. I am pumped to go on this little trip with Aiden and have thought of little else in the last week.

Aiden says, "Are you okay, you look tired?"

"I didn't sleep well," I say.

Aiden says, "The Dream."

I nod yes. I don't get it every night, but the Dream panics me most nights of the week. The baby comes out as a tiny little girl, she fits in the palm of the doctor's hand. The doctor says, 'We've never seen one so little'. The baby girl has big blue eyes and a full head of black hair. Then she starts growing and growing. I am in the birthing room, it's just me and Mom. My sister Sophia yells from the other side of the glass, 'Get back over here'. I scream at this point in the dream and fight my way out of sleep.

Aiden says, "Did the baby take all the oxygen out of the room?"

I say, "It's the same dream all the time, she just keeps growing and growing and my face gets plastered against the wall. At the end I always feel like I'm suffocating."

Aiden says, "There's nothing better than some good country air, you'll sleep well tonight. I promise."

Aiden looks at me and I smile. He understands I can't control this dream and it seems so real, it shakes me every time. I've already shared enough with this young man. The wind on my face is nice. We take a path through the city that runs beside the river Tems. Other couples are also using horse drawn carriages. Some use a driver but most sit up top like us.The super-hot sun shines on my face and it feels good. The horse clops along the path at a relaxed pace.

Aiden says, "I'm not good at steering this carriage. Let's take a break."

I don't agree, he's doing an amazing job. We sit just off the path under a tree.