Midnight's Song by Keely Victoria Read Free Book Online

things. It was of little use. Riding in the cabin alone
was such a monotonous and dreadful thing that it only caused my
burdens to creep back up from within me. The fact that the cabin
was so luxurious wasn’t of much comfort, either. All of the luxury
in the world couldn’t have satisfied my need for human
companionship. After an hour of unbearable silence, I needed
someone…even something that I could talk to in order to ease my
discomfort.
    I was suddenly reminded of
the young man who had accompanied Archie. Jackoby – wasn’t it? I
looked around the cabin in sudden confusion. He had come with us,
hadn’t he? I wondered why I hadn’t noticed it before, but it was
apparent to me now that the young man was nowhere in sight. I
thought again and quickly remembered seeing him climb on top of the
carriage earlier. Curious and wanting an escape, I called out to
Archie.
    “Archie,” I called.
The clinking and clanking of hooves drowned me out at first,
rendering Archie completely deaf to my words. I decided to speak up
again – this time a little louder – but perhaps a little too loud: “ ARCHIE! ”
    “Yes miss!” Archie jumped up in alarm.
“I do apologize! I couldn’t hear ya over the horses! Is anything
the matter?” He kept his eyes on the road, but leaned back just
enough to playfully show me his ear. “You have my full ear this
time!”
    “I was just wondering when we’ll be
stopping to rest.”
    “Well, the Northern Country is a good
day’s drive. If we want to make it by sundown we mustn’t stop much.
Just enough to make sure that the horses are rested and fed.” He
glanced over at me and then out at the road. “If you would like, we
can stop now for an early lunch.”
    My stomach suddenly
grumbled. I nodded, and the driver pulled on his reins to bring his
horses to a halt. Archie came down from his place and pulled out a
wedge of cheese, a loaf of bread and a few apples for us all, along
with some carrots for the horses. The man went to each of his
animals and made a careful check on them before announcing that he
would be taking a short stroll to stretch his legs. As soon as
Archie left, I poked my head out the window to see the
12 th caste servant climbing out of a small compartment on the
outside of the cart.
    “What are you doing
up there?” I called out the side of the window, curving my neck to
see him climb out of a small compartment at the back of the cart.
It was small and cramped, probably 3 feet wide at most. Both sides
of the compartment were open to the elements. There was an
uncomfortable looking bench wedged between the two walls on which
the 12 th caste boy took a seat.
    “This is where I ride, Miss.” He
answered back.
    “But why?” I took note of the fact
that the space was both incredibly small and partially exposed to
the elements. “It seems awfully cramped and probably
cold.”
    “It’s better than
walking!” He told me casually, climbing down the side of the
vehicle. “At least Lady Abilene allows me to ride with her. Some
3 rd castes don’t approve of letting their servants ride with them
at all.”
    The explanation
didn’t surprise me in the least. I would always be a
10 th caste at heart, and those stuffy-nosed aristocrats weren’t
going to change it. The boy came around the buggy and opened the
door as if to motion for me to step out. I refused and motioned for
him to come and sit with me instead. I didn’t care about his caste
– I needed someone to talk to!
    “Accompany me in the cabin?” I then
proceeded to ask. A look of cautionary but pleasant surprise
overcame his expression.
    “The family may not
approve…”
    “I’m sure they
wouldn’t approve of letting a 10 th caste ride in here,
either.” I let a small grin roll across my face. “Call me
Elissa.”
    His look of cautionary
surprise turned to one of happiness as I watched the same smile
which had rolled across my face in turn roll across his. He came
and took a seat next to me. “You