A Holiday by Decree
Sorry I was little late with this chapter this week! Hoping to get one more post up in a few days before I'm on the run again for 1-2 weeks~
~~Day 11~~
The wheelhouse they rode in was designed with the privacy and security of its riders in mind, but owing to its design, it was as breezy inside as it could be in the island heat. Staggered, double-layered, thick wood panels were carved with a motif of small sunbursts that let in the light in interesting patterns.
Because of the double-paneled design, it was not possible to look out well through the sunburst cut outs. Rather, long, narrow horizontal windows that could be easily shut with lowering, latching wooden doors from inside and out provided the view for Sansa and Tyrion on either side of the wheelhouse.
Upon leaving the thick wet vegetal air of the jungle, they felt the humidity fall away almost instantly. Out of the jungle, the cacophony of birdsong fell away, and the happy tune of a flute wafted over them. Enjoying the tune, Sansa and Tyrion wondered which of the staff played.
Their party began a steady, gentle upward grade for some minutes. Sansa and Tyrion were soon treated to the sights of wide open plains. They passed stands of ranging, scrubby looking trees; several goats and beasts of burden that were reminiscent of cattle but were not; a few rudimentary, red clay structures Tyrion guessed were shade shelters as they did not look inhabitable; and the occasional watering hole.
All around in the passing plains, pale grass unsurprisingly grew only patchily. Therefore, the vivid, reddish clay colored earth (the same that both Sansa and Tyrion had noted upon their initial sights of the island cliffs and used to make the shade shelters) was ever-visible, except where small yellow flowers grew in thick fields as far as the eye could see. However, they agreed all this was made more dramatic by the enormous, hazy-purple hued mountains. In the distance, their tall peaks disappeared into the low, misty morning clouds that had yet to fully burn off with the coming afternoon sun.
:
Aside from a brief stop they took to relieve themselves in an outbuilding that was clearly conveniently kept up along this route for the express use of those traveling between the royal properties, they passed one more bumpy hour on the road before the wheelhouse rolled to a gentle stop. The face of Adil, the young male servant who had taught them how to use the pipe and play the shell game appeared at the wheel house's right side window once he dismounted from his horse.
"My lord, my lady, the grounds staff indicate that the fruit of the orchards just inside the gate of the royal compound should be ripe. Will you be interested in stopping to pick fresh fruits from the trees?" Adil asked.
Sansa could hardly stop herself. Growing fruits in the North in greenhouses was something she was interested in one day. "Oh, yes please!" she said enthusiastically, before the servant indicated he would ride ahead so the staff could prepare accordingly.