Coreopsis 11 – c1

   Orion gently woke Sarah up. “One hour.” He lifted the blinds to allow the sunlight to pour into the car.

   She shielded her eyes. “That wasn’t nice.”

   “Sorry.”

   They packed in silence. Not saying a word about the Motietoian’s. The guard. Or blocked tracks. 

   At the train station two porters where waiting on the platform. As soon as the train stopped the porters entered the car, collecting their bags. 

   Okay, she thought. 

   Orion led her to a horse drawn carriage. It looked like something out of the pages of a child’s story, four huge Clydesdales pulling a round carriage. It took her breath away. She froze just marveling at it. It was amazing. Sarah had never been in a carriage before. Whoever he had commissioned to build it had worked hard. She couldn’t help but admire the metallurgy before she ever thought about getting in. It was covered with scenes.

   “What do all these mean?” She asked rubbing her hands over the designs. Her lungs filled with the smell of hot iron. Sweat beaded across her brow. Sparks flew through the air as a hammer fell on the glowing metal. Her arm vibrated when the blow landed. 

   “They are scenes from our nations past.”  The sound of Orion’s voice pulled her from the vision. “Father had this commissioned to remind us where we came from.”

   “A carriage?”

   “Father is a tad bit romantic.” 

   She couldn’t help but study Orion’s reaction to that comment. It was almost as if he was saying that about himself as well. She continued gliding her hands over the iron. 

   Orion slid his hand over hers. It took her by surprise. He opened the door allowing her in. “Milady,” he bowed.

   She couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you kind sir.” 

   The inside of the carriage was red. Sitting down on the seat was like sitting on a cloud. There was no artwork inside. When he was in, he reached around her pulling the shade over the window. 

   “How am I supposed to see your home through blinds?”

   “These are for me.” He smiled. “Once we are out of the city, there is much to see.”

   “Why are they for you?”

   “People talk. I can’t stop that. But I can slow its malice.”

   “I see.” 

   The carriage stopped after what seemed like forty-five minutes of a silent ride. A porter opened Orion’s door. Orion came around and opened hers. “Welcome to the Morian Estate.”

   She blushed, “thank you, kind sir.”