Page 31 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens
My brows furrowed.
If my calculations were correct, winter should’ve been upon us with full force. There was no trace of snow yet.
I’d been bitten right after the autumn harvest, at the beginning of the ninth moon. The season had been changing with drastic speed even then, making everyone believe the winter would be long and cold this year. If Francis hadn’t lied about me being here for months it should’ve been at least the eleventh moon right now: which always meant a lot of snow.
“What month is it?” I called after Florence.
“We have not yet entered the twelfth full moon,” she replied quietly. “The weather is funny this year.” She shrugged, the smile still on her face.
“Funny, indeed.”
Though, something told me Florence knew a lot more about this anomaly than she showed me.
We continued the rest of our trip in silence until the forest surrounding us thinned.
Florence halted her mare, slowing Annabelle to a stop. She stared into the distance, her eyes lit up in excitement.
Gorgeous castles and estates settled down the hill, decorating the space with its astonishing architecture, inviting wandering souls into its mystery.
Chapter 12
Wandering Souls
Firelight illuminated every corner of the street. The stone roads overflowed with ravishing architecture and castle-like estates. Various shops occupied every corner, overwhelming me with their diversity.
Some sold clothes, some jewelry; some even sold poison potions. My eyes wandered, trying to catch a glimpse of every single part of this peculiar place.
“This way!” Florence tugged on my sleeve, leading me toward a shop she insisted we visit.
Hours later—and four new dresses—I still hadn’t seen every street of this magical village.
The square was filled with laughter, loud conversations, and music. I watched the musicians skilfully play their instruments; their music traveled through the crowd, enticing people to dance.
“I promised the children at the orphanage I would pay them a visit tonight. They will be so excited to meet you,” Florence interrupted my observation. “It is not far from here.”
“Orphanage?” My eyebrows flew up.
“Yes, the children who haven't found their permanent houses yet live there.” Florence held my hand as she pulled me down the street in the opposite direction of the musicians. “They are the sweetest! Let’s go!”
Were the children at this orphanage bitten?I wanted to ask her, yet something told me I did not wish to know the answer.
The orphanage was a glorious castle located at the end of the main street, each window was rainbow colored stained glass. Children’s laughter was heard even from outside the castle.
I did not know what I expected to witness, yet my imagination could’ve never done a justice to what was presented in front of me.
