The
iron wheels trundled along a gravel pathway, crushing freshly fallen leaves and
dislodging loose stones. A granite faced figure sat upon the driver’s seat, his
eyes hidden underneath a low hanging cowl. From within the drapes of his heavy
cloak two waxen yellow hands gripped tightly to worn leather reins, which
snaked along to two imperious stallions that pulled the carriage forward with
graceful ease. Flanking this grim procession was a dense forest, overgrown with
ancient trunks and innumerable shrubs. Faintly glowing eyes tracked the
carriage’s progress before their owners scuttled and scurried away. Inside the
plain box of stained oak and frosted glass sat a scrawny child, hugging himself
close and shrinking away from the chilling air.
