Chapter 17: KasselMoon
The gentle thumps of hooves stomping the rough, dry dirt had long since faded for a sharp and melodious clatter to take over. The wheels no longer rumbled upon untamed ground but creaked against the cobblestones beneath them, offering a smoother ride.
The frequent rustling of leaves and squeaking of bats had been replaced by distant voices and noises guaranteed to echo from the heart of and through a great town.
The constant jingle of harnesses came to a late halt after, lingering for a second once the carriage had stopped. It was only then that the veil rendering Arabella's gemstone eyes dull had been lifted, breaking out of a daze to earn a sharper stare.
Head snapping from left to right in order to glimpse her surroundings, despite the strong lights penetrating the windows that prevented her from doing so.
"Here we are," Katherine smiled, shifting in her spot.
A single but loud clack rose through the night, followed by softer footsteps that stopped right by the door which swayed open slowly after that.
Katherine stood from her place and took the valet's hand, stepping down the little stairs with much grace.
Arabella copied her actions for both women to stand between the end of a forest and the entrance of an obviously more civilized area.
The clattering of hooves resumed when the carriage took off, leaving the two of them out there.
A sizable, concave stone bridge lay ahead, connecting two sides of the hushed river underneath it. Quiet as a pond on a summer night, only light bounced against its motionless surface.
Katherine took a deep breath, her grin widening, "Welcome to KasselMoon,"