Chapter 164: A Night at the Opera
The carriage that awaited them wasn’t Nyrielle’s usual, heavy carriage meant to be pulled by a team of six horses on cross-country journeys with windows that could be shuttered against the threat of sunlight. Instead, it was a brilliant white and gold carriage with large panels of glass set in large windows that covered nearly a third of the carriage’s height.
Emblazoned on the doors was a glyph that represented the High Lady of the High Fen, and the two white horses waiting patiently for a command from the driver had been draped in tabards bearing the same glyph.
"My ladies," a Glass Eyed footman said, stepping down from the rear of the carriage to open the doors for them. "The ride shouldn’t be longer than ten minutes. Would you prefer refreshments for the ride?"
"No," Nyrielle said, stepping into the carriage and offering Ashlynn a hand up. "The only drink I require is this beauty."
"Charmer," Ashlynn said softly, her face heating at the compliment.
Despite the impressive scenery and the company of both Zedya and Heila, Ashlynn and Nyrielle only had eyes for each other. No words were required as Nyrielle laid her head on Ashlynn’s chest, listening to the heartbeat that echoed within her own chest while they held each other for the ride.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at a grand theater, taller than any Ashlynn had ever seen. Marble statues depicting musicians with their instruments or singers posed as though they were serenading the heavens lined the entrance to the glamorous building.
At the sight of a carriage bearing the glyph of High Lady Erna, the crowds of people approaching the theater parted, giving way to Ashlynn and Nyrielle. Many in the crowd whispered, wondering which visiting dignitary had earned the High Lady’s favor to arrive in her personal carriage.
"I do not know their clan," one woman said softly as she strained to get a better look. "Could they be Western Simians?"