Iviyana

I jolted awake at the noise. I must have fallen asleep. The sweet lull of the winds with the slow, fluid motion of the carriage being the cause. It could also be the result of all the exhaustion I had suffered since yesterday. I stretched feeling refreshed after that nap. Drinking some water from the pitcher placed in the extravagant carriage. There was even some cheese with small pieces of bread and fruits, freshly picked and packed. I had helped myself to them earlier.   Are we still not there yet?

I lifted the curtain up to check just where we were. The last shades of twilight were entering the skies into darkness. We have been travelling close to half a day.  But that is not what shocked me. It was the hustle bustle of the people that had me sticking my nose close to the window. We had entered in a town while I was asleep. Small houses lined up in the back. It was too bright. Candles and other lamps burned away the night. I stared  in awe at the different groups of people merrymaking. Laughing , dancing , singing and drinking  around a bon fire. We passed them and more came in view. Men ,women alike and  even children were taking part in the celebrations that seemed to be going on. Music from the ballads and old tales reached the inside of carriage and I pressed myself more to the window soaking in all that was going around. They were entirely engrossed in their merriment and the mood was so infectious that made me smile  despite being just  a spectator.

 As we went deeper inside, the magnitude of the celebration escalated. Everything was decorated here with flowers, and different colored flags and paper lanterns. I took it all in with my mouth open in a wide grin. Here people were more boisterous. Men and women danced together in some fascinating dance form, clapping their hands ,then whirling around and stepping back and then coming back together on beats of music playing out on drums and other musical instruments. My foot started taping lightly to the music I could now hear clearly. I wanted to go out and partake in their enjoyment but was still unsure. This place was foreign and I didn't know the purpose of my visit. Offending the scoundrel will not bode well for me so I steeled myself from going out and enjoyed through the small window. A rowdy gathering of men were drinking and laughing out loudly. I could see they were deep in their cups and even the others refrained from going near them. Too early for that , isn't it? One of them made eye contact with me and lingered .  He made some crude motion with his finger , a lascivious smirk on his face . Disgusting. I frowned to show my displeasure. He got up and stumbled falling down . Serves you right. I ignored his antics and instead moved to the women who were sitting in a circle, singing softly. Their kids on their laps. How sweet!  I  could make out her the lyrics . The song was telling a story of a girl who was celebrating the return of her lover. The lyrics beautiful and the sound melodic.

I jumped at a loud bang, hitting my head on window in the process. The carriage stopped .I rubbed the spot and scooted to the other side when I heard some commotion. The same man who I had made eye contact with earlier was struggling hard to get out of the grip of a guard who had him in a chokehold. The head guard then came into view. Have they been following me all this time?

He stalked to the assailant who was now gurgling. "Do you not know whose carriage this is?" The clear voice of the guard ringed in the now silent atmosphere. A halt in the celebrations.  The man  trembled, nodding his head slightly. "And even then you came near it, knowing whose seal this carriage holds ." I heard gasps and some woman even screamed. Women collected their children and scrambled inside their homes. The men huddled together with their heads down. The perpetrator more afraid now, looked left and right as more guards surrounded him. He glanced straight at the window I was peering from, again. Tears streamed down his horrified face. A punch to his face. His nose and mouth started bleeding. Another one to his gut and his form bent to the ground.  "Don't you dare look there again. I'll gouge out those eyes if you make the same mistake. My lord will not be so kind." The bald guard turned to the window and seeing me ,bowed his head in apology. "Lady, I apologize for the inconvenience and the ugly sight you had to see. I was careless and let this fool disturb you. He will pay for it ."  A hard tone in his voice.  "I'll take whatever punishment Lord Xaki"  more gasps, my eyes followed the frantic movement of  the men who broke from the group and ran inside their homes  " and you deem worthy when we return." He didn't wait for my reaction , turned back and nodded to someone. Two of the guards dragged him away. The poor man's eyes bugged out of his head. "N-no, no.. Forgive me, my lady.. I was in the wrong....It.." His voice muffled. They must have covered his mouth. The bald guard bowed to me once more and tapped the carriage lightly.

The carriage started rolling again. Faster than before but still as smooth. I let go of the curtain and sat back. The night now silent. All the hints of the celebration gone.

What was that? 

Their reaction...I couldn't get my mind around that. The abruptness in their behavior. I started getting uneasy. Just where am I? Everything is foreign . I don't know anyone here. What is happening ? And where is he? How can he leave me alone here? I felt like an intruder. An imposter. My head was still in that tumultuous state when the carriage stopped once again. The door opened as soon much to my startle. I expected the head guard to be there .But to my utter surprise the beast stood there. He regarded me and stretched his hand out for me to take. Seeing his familiar face after everything  silenced my confused thoughts. His presence calming my troubled state. I let out a relieved breath. Feeling like myself again.

I took his hand and climbed down the steps with my cramped legs. He didn't step back and I collided with his body ,falling into him. He filled my vision. His hands came around my waist to steady me. Instead of letting go, he pulled me closer and enveloped me in his arms. My eyes widened at the action . My heart thudding faster. The familiar scent surrounded me, bringing me more peace. The thought of fighting and freeing myself didn't even enter my head.  We fit perfectly and I swayed at the strength I detected in him. I'll blame it on my long ride later but for now I relaxed and felt secure in his arms. My worries flying away away at his nearness. Bringing his mouth near my ear, he whispered "Wrap your arms around me." It was then I realized that my hands hung limply on my side. I willed them up and wound them around his shoulders without question. "Good girl." He praised and something tingled in my heart. My mushy brain still not up to its complete functioning.

He let go after several moments. The warmth  was replaced by  coldness and I shivered. He rubbed his hands up and down my arms and I was touched by the sweet gesture. Staring at him in a daze. 

"Were there any issues? "  He asked looking straight in my eyes, frowning when he noticed something not to his liking. Was he asking me?

I looked to the side as the head shuffled closer to us. And I realized the question was meant for him. "No, my lord. We travelled without any difficulty. There w.." 

"Yes, everything was perfect. I found I quite liked travelling without the presence of your dark shadow." I said saucily interrupting the bald guard, before he could tell the beast what had actually transpired. I didn't want him to find out. I didn't know why I was trying to hide this but my instincts screamed at me to do so. His eyes  narrowed at me and then turned to the head guard. "Marcus?"

I shook my head inconspicuously as the bald guard's or Marcus's eyes flitted over to me briefly. He bowed his head to me and said clearly . "It is as the Lady says. There was nothing to worry about."

The beast considered it and let his eyes remain on the poor guard who endured his Lord's scrutiny.  Finally the beast turned to me. "Let's go." I knew the matter was far from over. I could read it in his gaze. But he seemed to let go of the issue at the moment. I breathed a relived breath.

He took my hand again and pulled me behind him. I passed Marcus who nodded his head in gratitude. I smiled at him and followed the beast.

Willing to trust the beast in this new world.