Closer to the city walls
As the wooden carriage came closer, Harriet greeted postman and the whinnying horse with wide smile.
"Good day Gilbertie and Pablo! How are you today?" Harriet ran and kissed horse's nose
"Hello Harriet! As always it is quiet, not many knows how to write in these lands" replied Gilbertie, while Pablo snorted at her for more attention
While she was petting horse, Gilbertie was lost in his mind. He loved the girl as his own daughter. Every three days she would wait for him at the old, tall oak tree awaiting for a letter from her father. Harriet was not upset when there was nothing for her. She simply would cheer him up with a smile, good word or a snack. It was heart breaking to deliver the news about her father's death a year ago.
"Are you feeling excited? It is going be your first time in a city. Working in a castle?"
"I am Gilbertie! City needs some warmth and a great reminder of how life can be beyond the walls!" Harriet excitement was overflowing
" It is true city needs some sunshine, just remember that people in a city can be tough to break through and cold" Gilbertie pointed out
"It can be true," she smiled "But let me see it all and then I know what the city people are like" she laughed at his seriousness
"All the best for you, Harriet. As your spirit is strong there is no doubt that you going melt all the ices" old man agreed
"How long is to travel to the capital? she asked while climbing into carriage
"We going reach capital wall when the great North star going be just above the road. In clock time it would be around 23.30 at night. Also, there is a blanket for you to cover up if you fall asleep." Gilbertie pointed to folded blanket on the side of the carriage
"Thank you Gilbertie! Is it true that city has lights even during the night time? Harriet's curiosity was over the roof
"The lights are magnificent you can see them from a distance, we are lucky to get there in a night time!" postman explained
"Please Gilbertie can you wake me up if I fall asleep?" Harriet asked
"Of course, as soon as I see the lights, I am going wake you up." joyful reply came out of old man
"Thank you Gilbertie! Would you like now to have a snack? Some bread and cheese?" Harriet offered her humble meal
"Thank you, just a little piece of bread and little piece of cheese, please. I always enjoyed your treats when you would come to see me at the old, tall oak tree." He smiled as he remembered "Especially your mums herbs, they are gift from earth. Those herbs kept me healthy during the winter."
"Always welcome Gilbertie!" She gave him a good piece of bread and good piece of cheese, "Mamma gave me plenty for my travel, so let's enjoy our meal abundantly!" she smiled
"Thank you for being generous Harriet." Postman smiled back
While both eating in silence, Harriet looked around, everywhere was fields, tall grass, insects, birds... All was filled with life. Sometimes she would see lonely house, a cow, a horse. In these lands only the loners were living in peace with all living, far from city walls and rules. Out of touch and unbound from clock time. Those still households were same as hers. Mamma, Dadda and Harriet live in peace with all living, until her daddy was called to serve a Royal army... Luckily it was not for war. Daddy was good at everything and he served well, yet he died just before coming back home from unknown disease in nearby town. Mamma and Harriet cried their eyes out. All the pain and all the sorrows stayed in a past after a while and once again their life was full of serenity with the one flow of the light...
As the sun was coming close to horizon the girl felt sleepy. She took the blanked and winked and postman. As if he read her mind, he assured her.
"I am going wake you up as soon as I see the capital lights"
With a one sunny smile Harriet closed her eyes and drifted back to source. As always in her sleep it was dark yet the darkness was filled with light. For her surprise she heard a song in her dream. Harriet listened for it with all her being. The girl memorised the song and afterwards it was over she drifted back into enlighten darkness...
Post man looked at sleeping girl with a garland of the flowers on her head. Such a delicate creature going to capital. He silently sent her blessings.
As the Northern star was close in line with a road, his eyesight caught a light in a far distance. Gilbertie gently touched girls' shoulder.
Harriet opened her green eyes wide as if she never closed them.
"Thank you Gilbertie! Are we close? girl was so excited while drinking water she followed pointing postman's finger in far distance.
Harriet looked sharp as eagle. In between the dark wood land just straight following the line of the road she saw the gleaming lights of the city. It seemed like the part of land was separate from the night by the shining dome.
"It is going be brighter and clearer when we cross the wood land" he pulled the reins, giving a command for Pablo to gallop faster.
While galloping through the dark wood land, Harriet felt something that brought her to high alertness. Woods looked dull and unwelcoming. She observed and sensed that this land is used for hiding. She gazed into stars and took one deep breath. Suddenly Pablo stood still and nervously start shaking his head by digging the ground with his hoof. Less than in a minute the postman's carriage was surrounded by the three dark figures.