Chapter 30: A Charming Carriage Ride, Part 4

A few minutes later, Serendipity realized the night sky grew rapidly lighter. The stars began to fade, and looking below, she could see nothing but fields of ice and snow.
"We're almost to the dome," Corey explained. "When we go through, you'll notice a sort of an odd sensation, like you're sliding through a thin layer of jam."
That didn't sound particularly pleasant to Serendipity, but she supposed she could handle it in order to get Pozzletot back. "All right. Is there anything in particular I need to do?" she asked.
"No," he replied, "Only make sure you keep your whole self inside of the carriage.?The magic knows what belongs and what doesn't. It recognizes the carriage but not you. So, stay inside of the carriage."
Serendipity nodded and promptly removed her hand from the railing, just in case her fingers would somehow be severed from her body. Corey laughed and wrapped his arm around her as they flew into the outer edge of the dome.?Serendipity closed her eyes tightly as the strange sensation of being covered with a thin layer of slime came over her body. And just as soon as the feeling was there, it was gone, and they had entered back into nighttime.
Corey pulled his arm from around her, and she looked him in the eyes, waiting for his assurance that they were safe. He nodded, and she pulled herself to the side of the sleigh, looking intently over the edge as they flew over the outer mountain range. She saw what appeared to be a sparkling palace high atop a mountainous peak. There were waterfalls, icebergs floating down winding rivers, and as they drew closer to the ground, she could see groups of polar bears and penguins playing together in the snow. She gasped in delight and giggled with glee as she watched two baby polar bears play catch with a snowball. "Is this real?" she asked in amazement.
"Yes, quite real," Corey assured her, "with a touch of magic."
"How wonderful!" Serendipity exclaimed. Then, before her eyes rose a towering structure made solidly of wood. It appeared to be a giant snow lodge of some sort with animals carved into the logs--polar bears, penguins, and of course, reindeer. Through the windows, she could see hundreds of elves in brightly colored costumes of red and green working.?The other buildings were smaller but of similar design. Corey circled around so she could see each of them, all adorned with thousands of twinkling lights. "How do they work?" she asked, pointing to the dazzling display.
"Magic," he replied, "and electricity."
"Elect--what?" she asked having never heard of such a thing.
He laughed. "You'll see. Now come on; it's time to land."
The reindeer instinctively slowed down as the runway came into view.?The stop was not at all jarring and before she knew it, Serendipity was back on solid ground, or at least what seemed to be solid ground. For all she knew, she was perched atop a floating iceberg. There were two jolly looking, stocky men, one with a long gray beard and the other with a shorter brown one, there to greet them, and Serendipity couldn't help but giggle with glee as they made their way to the sleigh. One of them waved hello and went directly to the reindeer. The other, the gray bearded gentleman, stopped next to Corey as if he were awaiting direction.
Corey stepped lithely out of the carriage and presented his hand for Serendipity, who was now jumping up and down with excitement. She grabbed a hold of his hand and swung herself out of the carriage, landing in the snow in front of him.?"Hello there!" she called to the elf who was standing nearby.
"Ms. Serendipity," he said, bowing, "it's quite wonderful to make your acquaintance. We have heard much about you--though not all of it is true," he added under his breath.
If she understood this last part, she did not let on. "I'm delighted to be here," she squealed, momentarily forgetting her disdain at the thought only hours ago.
Corey did catch the last part of the elf's comment, however, and he was not amused. "Castleberry," he said sharply, "please help Hillstent take care of the reindeer. The sleigh is in perfect order and is in no need of repairs at this time."
Serendipity looked at Corey in wonder. Why had he, the second they landed, become that gruff matter-of-fact person she didn't quite like once again? "Is everything all right?" she asked, looking at him suspiciously.
"Fine," he replied, forcing a smile. "Now come along. We have one stop to make before we can collect Pozzletot and have you on your way."
"A stop?" Serendipity repeated. "But I thought"
"It shall only take a moment," Corey assured her, offering his arm.
Serendipity did not take it, the questioning expression still on her face. Instead, she turned back to Castleberry and said, "It was wonderful to meet you. Thank you ever so much for your help."
He smiled in return, peering at her beneath his thick glasses, and she offered a wave to Hillstent as he unhooked the reindeer and led them toward the barn, returning the gesture as he did so.
She followed Corey through the snow, which covered most of her boots with each step. His pace was quicker than she was used to, having only walked to and fro in her own living room most of the last several years, and she struggled to keep up. As they passed the barn, however, she stopped altogether, and it took him several seconds to realize he had lost her. With an audible sigh, he turned back around to see she was captivated by the dozens of large brown eyes that watched her from various pens.?"Can I go in?" she asked that look of wonder causing her eyes to sparkle.
"All right then," Corey finally acquiesced. She bounded off through the open barn door, and he begrudgingly followed, not sure why he was in such a hurry anyway; the longer she stayed on her own, the more likely she was to stay permanently without any interference on is part. Still, he was in a rush to get this over with. If he was going to have to force her to stay, he'd rather get it done with.