Chapter 12

**Odette’s point of view: The exciting journey.**

When I got down stairs mom and dad was already waiting for me by the front door. They both looked very stylish in their new suit and gown. Mom smiled brightly and shed a tear, when she saw me in my gown, while dad just playfully winked his eye at me and smiled.

After we left the cottage, we first gathered in the middle of the village, with every other council member and their loved ones, before we slowly made our way down the mountains together.

When we reached the base of the mountains, we walked through the forest for a while until we came upon a pathway that has been cleared.

In the middle of that path, there were three mystical, pearl white carriages pulled by gorgeous white horses. Standing next to the carriages, fae men in uniforms were waiting patiently for the arrival of the council members and their loved ones.

We have only ever seen drawings of these open top carriages in history books. It is said that the royal fairies made the carriages out of the same magic, the ferries were made of, that is used for traveling through the great rivers between realms.

The carriage ride felt like a dream throughout the rest of the forest. After a few hours the forest suddenly cleared and a majestic castle appeared in the distance over a heal.

As we got closer, I could see it more clearly and study it from up close. Then I recalled what I have read in the history books, that the castle was built out of large sandstone rocks. The walls have a red, brownish texture, that reflects in the sunlight.

In the opening around the castle, are villages with small houses built for farmers and fairies serving in the military. Beyond the villages are fields of beautiful flowers, with wild horses gracing in the large open fields. When the castle disappeared behind a mountain, we entered a new unknown forest with large trees blocking out the sun.

After half a day's journey in the carriages, we finally reached another clearing, at the edge of the forest, were we came to a stop on the rocky river bank. When we got off the carriages, the large river, suddenly appeared right in front of us. It was one of the legendary rivers, that divides the three realms from each other.

On the great ferries, there were guards in uniforms, that were dressed different from the men on the carriages. While standing on the bank of the river, the guards from the ferry reached out and helped us onto the bow platform connected to the deck of the boat. Once on board, I had a better view of further down the riverbed and saw many more fae people getting on board of other ferry boats.

Excitement filled the air, when the ferry started moving deeper into the water. When we reached the middle of the river, a thick layer of fog and heavy mist, suddenly surrounded the ferry and we couldn't see anything in front of us anymore.

My parents each, grabbed hold of my hands and held on tightly. We stood there in that position for what seemed like hours, until finally, light beams from the sun started to evaporate the layers of fog and mist that had enveloped us whole.

After the mist and heavy fog has completely disappeared, we started to feel cold air blowing against our bare skin. I suddenly knew we weren't in the fairy realm anymore! With help from the guards, we got off the ferry boat, but when my feet touched the ground, it started to sink into a soft layer of snow. Coming from a realm where snow doesn’t exist, it was a very strange feeling to experience for the first time.

I immediately lifted up the hem of my gown and then suddenly as if out of nowhere, a hand reached out for my arm, I accepted the help from the stranger and let him assist me though the rest of snowy terrain. This time it was couch men and guards, dressed in royal blue uniforms that lead us the rest of the way.

Waiting for us on a pathway near a snowy white forest, were three raven black carriages, completely enclosed and pulled by beautiful black horses, that were also made with mystical energy. The couch men opened the door of the carriage and help us climb in, before closing the door and taking in their designated positions on the carriage.

When everyone was settled, the carriage suddenly started to move forward. When I looked out of the window, the ferry boat slowly started to disappear into the distance, until there was only trees and snow surrounding us.

In the carriages, were lovely warm blankets, we could use to cover ourselves with, against the cold weather, while we continued our journey to the castle of the Emperor. We didn't speak much during the carriage ride, we just sat close to each other and admired the snowy landscape that passed us by; as we travelled deeper into the unknown kingdom of the vampires...