4. On My Way

The next morning was bittersweet. I bid farewell to all of the menservants and maids, and Dame Eloise gave me a beautiful music box as a gift for all my hard work. I gave her and Franklin a hug and Anna helped me bring all my things downstairs. At a quarter to one, there was a knock on the door and Aaron came in, dressed in traveling clothes. He helped load my things into the rather plain carriage he had come in and introduced me to the driver.

"Briden, this is Albert," he said, and the man bowed to me. I smiled warmly at him, not wanting to try a curtsy and embarrass myself. After giving Anna a big hug, Aaron took my hand and helped me up into the carriage and then followed right after. I looked out the small window and waved to Anna and everyone else I was leaving behind. Then Aaron signaled to the driver and we headed off down the lane.

I leaned back in the seat across from Aaron, sighing and looking out at the dusty road. I couldn't believe it, I was on my way to Bast. I was leaving Draeden and headed to my new life, though I couldn't say how long it would last...

"So, you're moving to Gala." Aaron spoke casually as we past the town square and made our way down a more secluded road lined with trees. "Did you know that the Royal Castle is in Gala?"

"Yes, I was told about the royal family," I said, gazing calmly at Aaron, wondering about what Anna had said last night.

"You were? Like what?" Aaron sat up in his seat eagerly.

"Well, just that they have balls all the time, and that they are supposed to be magnificent occasions."

"Yes they are." Aaron nodded.

"So you've been to one?" I asked curiously.

"Yes. I've been to...a few." Aaron's eagerness seemed to dissolve.

"Well? What are they like?" I pressed. "I really haven't heard much, and half the stuff the maids told me was probably just rumors..."

"Well," Aaron said thoughtfully. "They are held in the Grand Hall of the castle. Everything is red, gold, and white—the royal colors of Bast. There is always a massive dance floor and a thirty-piece chamber orchestra. They do every dance in the book—the waltz, the gavotte, the samba. My favorite is the waltz."

"That sounds fun. I've never been to a ball."

"I'm sure you'll be attending several."

I smiled. "I'd like that." He smiled too and I watch him as he looked out the window. His gaze came back to mine and I cleared my throat. "So, what else can you tell me of Bast?"

The trip was spent with Aaron telling me stories of living in Bast. He especially enjoyed talking about the many plays that took place at what he called the 'green theater'. I realized this was the most I'd ever heard him speak. I also realized how careful he was to not say anything too specific about himself. I wished he would stop feeling as if he had to keep things from me, but I guessed that maybe his family had problems and I decided it was okay if he didn't want to share them. And besides, this was the most open he had ever been with me­­—now that I knew where he was from. I decided not to push it.

Somewhere along the way I fell asleep. I had barely been able to sleep last night for being so excited. I felt someone poke my shoulder and I reluctantly opened my eyes. Aaron was standing over me, wearing a foreign hat that shadowed his face.

"Wake up, Briden," he said softly. "You're almost to your new home." I sat up from the seat I'd been laying on, rubbing my eyes.

"What?" I said, forgetting where I was for a moment.

"Gala is just up ahead. Albert will take you there." He looked out the window. "This is my stop."

I felt the carriage come to a halt. "Oh, okay," I yawned, regaining my senses.

Aaron chuckled as the door to the carriage opened. "I'll come visit you later, to make sure you're all settled in."

"Okay, bye." I waved as he stepped from the carriage and nodded to Albert, who closed the door. Then he headed off down a dirt path lined by walls of grapes leaves. I watched as he disappeared around a corner. Then Albert signaled the horses and we headed off once more.

I gazed out at the beautiful gardens and houses as we passed. The houses here were made of smooth gray stone, but the foliage made them look warm and welcoming. I spotted horses grazing in a pasture, and ducks swimming in a pond. Carolyn had been right—Bast was beautiful.

After a few minutes, the carriage slowed in front of a house. Six-foot tall hedges grew around the front yard, providing privacy for a garden. A gap in the hedges displayed a small gate and a stone path leading up to the house. There were pink rose bushes lining the house and white shutters around each window. I smiled.

As Albert helped me down from the carriage, I heard a familiar squeal and looked up to see Carolyn emerge from the house and move quickly down the pebbled walkway to greet me with a bone-crushing hug.

"Briden! So glad to see you made it here safely!" she squeaked.

I laughed. "Yes, my friend Aaron was kind of enough to give me a ride."

"Oh dear you're going to love it here!" Carolyn gushed, not able to hear me over her own excitement. Albert unloaded my things as an elderly manservant came out of the house.

"Oh here, Brant will take your things inside." Carolyn gestured to the man beside her who nodded in greeting and took my bags from Albert. He reminded me of Franklin. My smile grew.

After thanking Albert and bidding him farewell, Carolyn led me inside and gave me a tour of the house. It was similar in size to Eloise's manor but considerably homier. When Carolyn showed me the room that I would be staying in I was speechless. It was twice the size of my old one and had colorful rugs and poufs everywhere and two large windows. I thanked her with a hug and she left me alone to unpack my bags, which I realized were already there. I made a mental note to thank Brant later. I wasn't used to having servants wait on me. Usually I was the one making the guests' lives easier. Now it was my turn to bask in my good fortune.