The legend of Solis

Chapter 3: Arriving at the Duchal Household

Since I wasn't able to see because of the enchanted blind fold over my eyes, I channeled my energy into ears and nose. Immedietly those two senses were amplified and I didn't miss my sight at all, I could get just as good a understanding of my surroundings by using these two senses.

The sound of the carriage riding over cobble stones and dirt changed into the much more pleasing sound of the carriage wheels traveling over polished stones. The ride become less rough, and the noise made from the carriage wheels scrapping aginst the roads wasn't unpleasent anymore. The further the carriage rode, the more well maintained the roads seemed to get, not just travelling from start to destination, but travelling between two differently classed barriers.

As we drove further away from the church, the sounds that the poeple made changed as well. From the suburbs surrounding the church, I could hear the people chattingly loudly while going about their days, as if they had all the time in the world to just be happy. They laughed brazenly and said what they wanted. I heard a few beggars asking for money, and the sound of children running around.

In the new area, I could distinctly smell the scents of refined perfumes that the noble ladies wore, and heard their more reserved manner of speaking. I could hear long dress skirts gliding over the polished floors, and the sounds of fine cutlery and crockery clinking together at open restaurants. These two locations might not be that far away from each other, but they were undoubtely worlds apart.

I couldn't help but feel a bit of nervous as the horses and carriage pull off the main road and began to trot on a private driveway.

"Woah there!" The priest driving the carriage brought the horse to a stop. I heard large gates creaking open in front of us, allowing us entry into what must be the Duke's estate. The time had just flown by while I was having fun listening to my surroundings, before I knew it I had already arrrived at my new home.

As the horses started up again and we drove into the manor, the lovely fragrance of flowers flooded my nose. Although I had known flowers from my previous lives, this version of me had never smelled that natural sweetness before. As we drove down what felt like an impossibly long driveway. I heard little animals scuttle back into their hiding places as the horses drew near. At the end of the driveway I could sense a crowd of people waiting outside. As I directed my senses toward them, I could also hear their chatter.

"Ethel, I heard that descendants of the subjugator are all monsters that don't have any feelings. Mother said they have eyes that can turn people to stone. Isn't it a little unfair that we have to..." The girl's whimpers were cut off by a sharp sever voice.

"Be quiet, Ruth." The woman snapped, "It's a wonder that your head hasn't turned to mush with all these crazy stories you fill it with. The boy in there is our new master. No matter what he looks like we will treat him with respect."

I held back a chuckle. Although she scolded the other girl for believing in stories, she herself believed that I would have the appearance of a monster.

"Mister Higgs, I can hear the carriage coming!" A youngman announced excitedly.

"Yes, the young master will be arriving soon." The voice of a stern old man who didn't sound all that pleased to have me coming here.

Their shoes clack against the loose stones on the driveway as they all started shuffling, like they were organising themselves in some kind of formation.

My attention was torn away from their movement as the Count Ellmire fidgeted from across me. He seemed unhappy with his robes, straightening and tugging at them, suddenly self concious about how he looked. I guessed he wanted to look his best for his benefactor, the Duke.