Chapter 11 - Journey For the Moon Pt.2

After sulking about not being able to use buses in the 1800s, she was able to find a service that offered carriage rides for long distances. She checked out the carriages, making sure that they were comfortable enough for the long ride she would have ahead of her. She was sure that there would be a rest stop at some point on the journey but she was sure to be staying in the carriage for more than two hours at a time.

The price for the carriages was good as well. They said that she would be charged ten crone to be carried to Naulis. And so, after agreeing, Lilith made sure to go and buy fruits, pastries, and water so that she would not be hungry. She also made sure to rent a couple of books in a library she found to keep herself occupied. Lilith wished that she could have gone back to the manor to drop off all the money she carried with her. It was dangerous to travel around with it. But if she went she was not sure if Raymond would let her go back out tight after. She could have attempted to sneak in and go back out, but she was not sure who would see her and tell him if he asked.

From her knowledge of the modern times. She knew that it would have taken her five hours to get to Naulis from Kathalé if she used a car and maybe it would have taken six hours by bus. But now that she was going by horse-drawn carriage, she was not sure how much longer it would take.

Raymond gave Lilith the day off, but she would definitely be returning tomorrow. She just hoped that he would be able to control himself and not end up killing her.

"Are you ready for the journey, Miss?" the coachman asked.

"Yes," she nodded to him.

The coachman smiled. He was a man in his sixties and Lilith worried if he would be comfortable sitting for all that time. She made sure to remember to give him a tip once it was all over.

The coachman opened the door for her and Lilith got inside. He closed it behind her before going in front of the carriage and gathering the horses' reins. Lilith placed her bags on the other seat in front of her and settled comfortably on her side. To say that she was excited would be an understatement. Lilith was vibrating with anticipation. She was actually getting an authentic carriage ride in the 1800s. She felt fancy and like she was of the highest class. Although she knew that almost everyone rode carriages.

The carriage set off down the road and Lilith made sure to keep the curtains of the carriage closed until she was sure they were far away from Equiron. Making eye contact with her landlord was not something she desired to do while she set off on her adventure.

After half an hour of the carriage going at a steady pace, Lilith finally opened up the curtains and looked outside on both sides. Studying the people for the few seconds that she was able to see them. Pulling an apple out of her bag, she munched on it in peace as she leaned against the seat and watched the buildings pass by.

The ride was a lot longer than she expected it to be. Lilith had started the journey in the early morning and by the time they had gotten to Naulis, it was the next day, early morning. In the evening the previous day, they had stopped and rested for a couple of hours before they headed out again.

The coachman made sure to stop at an Inn when they reached Naulis. It was obvious that there was a switch in states. They noticed that the style of the buildings was different and that the modes of transport were different. Kathalé used carriages as their main mode of transport but they were already moving from steam cars to the first set of electric cars. It was such a clash, but it was something she always loved about the countries. Everything was kept separate. So that everyone could enjoy a different version of life and they could always move to a different state if they wanted a complete change in scenery.

Lilith tipped the coachman quite generously once she reached the inn and then paid for a room for the day. Going immediately to sleep once she had gotten to it. All thoughts about Raymond left her mind as she slept soundly in the bed. Surprisingly, the room the inn offered was not as nice as her room back in Raymond's manor. She expected that because she was a servant, she would have to sleep in a shoebox, but that was not the case and it was actually a pretty standard room with proper space to move around.

In the morning, she carried all of her things with her, in search of an astronomer. The coachman had taken her to the capital of Creona, PI. It was located in the lower end of Naulis and that was the busiest place in the entire country. It was where all the geniuses gathered to work together and invent all the things they wanted. Lilith never liked the people of Naulis very much because they all had big heads and very low EQ.

After a couple of minutes of asking around, she was able to be pointed in the direction of an astronomer. She was pointed to a shop that was all about astronomy. It was quite big and was filled with books and little trinkets. There was even a big telescope in the shop. There were charts and maps on the walls and staring at them for longer than a minute caused Lilith to get dizzy.

"Hello,"

Whipping around, Lilith came to a woman. She had messy brown hair and glasses that rested on the edge of her nose. She gave Lilith a smile that gave her the vibes that she was maybe a little crazy, but Lilith was sure she was nice.

"Hi," Lilith smiled at her. "I'm hoping to find out some information on the Silver Moon that happened a few weeks ago. Do you think you can help me?"

The woman walked around the counter she was behind and up to Lilith. "Of course, I can help you. I've studied the moon for as long as it would allow me. But there isn't that much to know about it, just so you know. Ask anyone, the moon is a mystery."

"Yes, I know," Lilith said. "I just wanted to know when I would be able to see the moon again. I am quite curious about it and want to know if I'll be able to see it again in my lifetime."

The woman waved her hand dismissively. "Oh yeah for sure, the next moon will be in fifteen years. Sometime in March or April of 1831."

Lilith let out a breath. It was so far away. She would be stuck in the past for another fifteen years. Although the chances of the moon appearing in the following year were low, it was what she had hoped for.

"Fifteen years." her legs shook a bit and she placed her hand on the edge of the counter to stop herself from falling over.

"It's much sooner than I would have thought as well. I guess I'll have to wait fifteen more years until I can get a crack at that beauty again." the astronomer sighed.

Lilith nodded slowly, trying to keep her breathing steady. Fifteen years. She would have to spend fifteen more years here. Fifteen more years.

And then her legs gave out.

Acting fast, the astronomer helped her off of the floor and led her to a chair she had behind the counter. Lilith assured her that she was fine but she was still offered water.

Once she had more or less come to terms with reality, she left the store, thanking the lady for her hospitality. After she left the shop, Lilith went around the town to explore for a bit, still a bit dazed. She bought lunch and entertained herself by watching all of the different inventions being carried about in the streets. She even swore she saw the prototype for a microwave.

Before Lilith went back to Kathalé, she made sure to buy a journal. Fifteen years was a lot of time and wanted to remember all of it if she was being forced to live it in the past. So she would write down as many things she went through and saw so that hopefully she would be able to bring it back with her when she left.