Its shape was similar to a carriage. It appeared to be made from some type of metal. The frame was bulky yet strangely curved at the corners. Two sides of the carriage had a support beam connected to two poles on either side and they were affixed on what look like doors. But they were doors at least half the length of a normal one. It contained two leather hide chairs in the front and one elongated one in the back. Instead of the large wooden spokes seen on carriages, the spokes were smaller and made of metal as well. It had a thick, tar-like covering. The carriage was damaged in certain places. And on the rear side of the carriage were three odd shapes.

J-E- -P.

Unperturbed, Cassandra smiled and easily climbed into it. While Hedda was distracted with the carriage, Cassandra was busy rustling through her rucksack. From it, she pulled out a long, well-worn garment, wrap and cloak.

"Here, change into these," said Cassandra, handing Hedda her old clothes over the side of the carriage. "That's right, what is your name?

"Ai...," hesitated Aithne. "I'm called Hedda."

Several seconds pass until Aithne finally mustered up what's been on her mind ever since she heard about the market. "Cassandra?"

"Yes?"

"That friend of yours...w-w-would he really take another traveler?"

"As long as you have proper fare, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Fare," drooped Aithne, touching her waist where she hidden her money pouch. She only managed to bring five pieces of silver. Would it be enough?

"Fare isn't only money. As long as something attains value, he'll take it. Look," Cassandra said, vigorously shaking her head from side to side, "I cut off my hair as payment."

She cut off her hair?!

"But you can trade your tunic for passage. So quickly change." 

Aithne did as Cassandra said, shed her outer garments and wore one of Cassandra's. Then she awkwardly climbed into the carriage and sat next to her, listening as Cassandra regaled her with stories she'd heard about the great city of Matoha.

A tiny bell tingled across the alleyway, gaining their attention towards the shop. Aithne was given quite a start when the vehicle shook slightly. Cassandra was jumping up and down, waving her arms wildly, as she yelled, "Velli!"

Peering around her, Aithne gasped in surprise at the sight of the young man exiting the shop door. She had expected to see an older man of middle age but walking towards her was a strapping, young man. His hair, a sandy-brown was closely cropped and he sported a closely shaved mustache and beard. Peaking underneath his heavy-set eyebrows were eyes the color of the purest honey.

Velli was wearing a red and brown patched vest over a blue tunic and brown wool pants. His shoes were made of leather but the toggles clasped outwards to the ankle, contrary to O'tinel fashion. And strapped to his waist was a sheath and sword.

The man called Velli had a sour look on his face and when he approached them, Aithne heard the heavy clanking sounds of coins.

"Who is she Cassandra," Velli asked, not sparing a glance at her.

"She's a traveler just like me," Cassandra replied, smoothing her dress, before sitting back down again. "Her name is Hedda."

"You said you had something to pick up in O'tinel," needled Velli, raising his eyebrow.

"And I've already retrieved it," Cassandra declared. "Anyways, Hedda needs transport to Matoha as well."

"Now isn't that convenient," sneered Velli, looking at Hedda, then back to Cassandra. "How would it be possible for two strangers, going to the same place, meet?"

How dare he ignore me thought Aithne, balling her fists.

Cassandra must've sensed her growing agitation, because she grabbed her tunic off Aithne's lap, thrusted it in Velli's face and said,. "This is her fare. It's made of cotton. Look at the beautiful color. They sky itself pales in comparison for that particular hue. Notice the detailed stitching and embroidery? And doesn't it feel so smooth to the touch?"

Cassandra, smiled rather revoltingly as Velli examined the cloth.

After several moments, Velli glared at Cassandra and grumbled, "Indeed. A good trade."

"Right," Cassandra wheedled. "It really is a good trade right? I mean where else can you find such good quality. The tunic must've been especially made by a renowned dressmaker. I wonder how much someone would be able to fetch for it?"

Velli said nothing more but scowled at both women and stalked to the left side of the carriage. Grabbing the beam, he cleanly jumped into the chair before a fifth, smaller wheel.

Cassandra began to explain the smaller wheel controlled the carriage much like the reins on a horse. Aithne watched as Velli extended his finger, pressing a tiny circle on the side of the wheel.

The carriage immediately came alive with a low rumble. After pulling a short pole beside him, Velli turned the wheel right, causing Aithne to mutter an inaudible oh, when she felt the carriage move right. At a pace faster than a canter, they traveled down the alleyway, past the shop and through the now empty town square. Veering left onto the road exiting O'tinel, the sky opened up and the carriage gathered up speed faster than a gallop.

Leaving behind O'tinel at last, they raced towards the horizon to Matoha, none the wiser to what will be waiting for them.

                           ***                                                                   ***

Matoha was passed the plains, a huge expanse of dried up land, left thirsting from lack of moisture in the air.

It was yet midday and the sun already bore down on them, as merciless, as an adversary charging towards them, more so than Cassandra forewarned. Cassandra, who grew up on a farm, was quite use to it. Hedda on the other hand, spent her waking hours indoors, honing her swordsmanship. Of course it did not help that the climate to Matoha was vastly different from Odine. Although the winters are harsh, Odine was blessed with cool summers because of its many fjords.

Now she understood why most people preferred to travel between sunset and dusk. Unfortunately waiting for sunset was not a feasible option for either her or Velli.

Velli had business the next day and Aithne needed to put as much distance between herself and Odine. Only Cassandra was carefree about when they will arrive at their destination.

Aithne was grateful for Cassandra and her waterskins. For several hours, Cassandra would ply Aithne with water. On the other hand, Velli didn't look fazed a bit, sparingly drank from his own flask. Being a trader, he must've weathered crossing the plains dozens of times.

Cassandra sweat was a trickle but she was handling it better than her, and it's the first time they both were crossing the plains.

Not willing to admit the toll she was bearing, relief came at last when the carriage started to slow down, approached a nearby lean to. It was unknown what they were built for originally but these shelters, scattered across the plain, was now mostly used as a resting area for day travelers. It consisted of three walls, a floor and a sloping roof.

Coming aside the lean to and coming to halt, Velli pulled on the short pole on his right. Pressing the tiny circle again and the hum died away.

Cassandra hopped out and began to take out a blanket. Stooping inside the lean to, she spread out the blanket. Velli appeared by her side with the food she packed. Cassandra came to around Aithne's side to help her out.

The same as before, Cassandra instructed Aithne how to climb the gate and placing her feet on the side ledge outside the carriage. Unlike before, Cassandra's garment snagged, causing Aithne to trip and nearly toppling Cassandra, if Velli hadn't grabbed her underneath her arm pit.

Sighing, Velli shook his head and went back inside the lean to. Not liking Velli's attitude toward her, she gingerly walked to the lean to, scowling at his back.

Velli had already started on his meal of dried meat and bread. And as if he was elected as leader, announced how they'll travel again when the sun starts to set and to get plenty of rest until then. Silently mocking his authority until he looked up from his meal and abruptly looked towards the meal spread out before her, surprised there were enough for exactly three people.

Cassandra had kept up the chatter while Velli, with creased brows, tried to piece together any hidden, secret words. But from what Velli was trying to discover from the punishments they suffered for stealing horses and other madness, Aithne did not understand.

From Cassandra's patter, it was obvious they were very close relatives. Then why does Velli treat Cassandra as if she was someone to be wary of? Like an enemy.

After the meal, her head droop into her chest and Cassandra gently positions her to a more sleeping position on the blanket. Drifting off to sleep, Velli's voice sounded angry when he said the House of Arlen.

Cassandra saw that Aithne was distressed in her sleep, so decided to take a peek. Placed her hand on her forehead and concentrated. only reason she was able to do this was because dreams were one of many doors a person's fate is tied to, whether they're good or bad dreams. There is not but one fate, there are many. But even this was quite difficult and required practice and it's been a long while since she's done so. Also peeking into one's consciousness, made her twinge in guilt a little bit.

The House of Arlen was a small estate of rose and gray stone, nestled beyond the Caedmon Forest. In the courtyard entrance was the Asphagus tree. A tree pregnant with yellow fruits with purple leaves year round, and majestically shimmers exactly at midday.

Following the path towards the estate's entryway, Aithne halted in her tracks at the nauseous sight of her father and Bowen, coming from around the corner. Dress alike in short tunics of the deepest night sky and trousers, they walked arm in arm, roaring in laughter as they reach the entryway.

A step behind them, Aithne chased after them, never able to keep up or come abreast of them. Breathless, she finally arrived at the denn, the holiest of all places, and now the most fearsome.

Before her, they stood, Ragnar displeased and Bowen smirking.

No...please, thought Aithne, willing herself to flee from that horrid room, but her body would not obey her.

"Aithne," barked Ragnar, with a look as if to sever head from body with one swing of his blade, "Bowen will be taking over your position."

"No, " Aithne screamed, only to have them drowned out from Bowen's booming laughter.

Searching their faces to disprove that all this wasn't true, heard a sigh from her left. Turning around, she witness her mother, Lady Aithne sighing as she stepped out of her frame. Coming to Bowen's other side, with a mother's love; she beamed at Bowen, wishing she'd given birth to him instead.

"No," yelled Aithne, jolting up from the floor of the lean to.

"Hedda?" asked a worried looking Cassandra, "are you alright?"

"Ye..yes," Aithne groggily replied.

"You must've had a heatmare. This place taxes people's bodies and minds," getting into a kneeling position to get the waterskin where Velli once sat.

"A heatmare," murmured Aithne. It was a nightmare. Father did not so much as say that I was being replaced. It was only a few days ago when Ragnar told Aithne his decision. To distort the actual events of that way will require suffering from delusions. And Aithne did not believe that she was a delusional person.

Taking the waterskin, Cassandra watched as Aithne at first took only a sip, but at her assistance, drank more, nearly emptying the waterskin.

Giving back the waterskin, Cassandra promptly sat herself in front of Aithne, scrutinizing her face.

"What is it," asked an uncomfortable Aithne.

"What did you see?"

"What do you mean," evaded Aithne.

"In your heatmare," probed Cassandra, hoping she'd reveal more about that man called Bowen. "A long time ago, to qualify a position in a governing office, young Ma'athan hopefuls traveled to the plains to meditate only to come back once they find their answer. So what did you see Hedda?"

"N-n-nothing," stammered Aithne. "Just something unpleasant."

Looking away from Cassandra's inquisitive brown eyes, Aithne casted her eyes to anything of interest, finally noticing that the metal carriage is gone.

"Where is Velli?"

Pointing towards a short distance, the metal carriage glinted in the sunset. Velli wanted to scout the area up ahead which he'll be returning very soon, so they packed up and waited.

The carriage slowed, driving into a half circle, before coming to a full spot. Cassandra easily entered the carriage, followed by a grateful Aithne that she did not trip this time.

They waited as Velli took a strangely squared shaped jug with a spout, pouring the contents of it, a slightly putrid smell, into the side of the carriage.

Once he was finished, he climbed into carriage, continuing their journey to Matoha at the twinkling of the first star in the sky.
        ***********           **********
What do you think of the world building in the story so far? Are you pulled in or are the descriptions lacking? What are your thoughts about the characters? Have any favorites? Love to hear more about your reading experience of Harbingers in the comments.