The Gilded Carriage
By Shavira
A year after the founding of Aranor, an odd sight began to appear around the city. Oh yes, we were all used to seeing the carriages of nobles. We looked on in envy as they rolled by in the rain, splashing through a puddle and soaking our skirts while those inside reclined and nibbled on biscuits. And then came the emancipation of the common class – carriages for rent.
Although a few individuals have attempted to start their own carriage-ride services, no one has succeeded like the Gilded Carriage. With over thirty carriages to disperse throughout the city, a fine and healthy fleet of horses, and a secret and efficient system for making sure that major thoroughfares are regularly patrolled by their drivers, Aranor has become the first city in history to provide a reliable means of transport-for-hire for the common class.
But just how reliable are they? After hearing a story about how wonderful they are, and a story not a few hours later about how terrible they are, I decided to find out myself. To do so, I decided to take three rides. Here’s what I found.
Ride One-- Driver: Matthew. Three moons with the company. Eighteen years old, blonde, and cute. Ride: Flagged him down near the Adventurer in the Merchant District. Asked him to take me to the Dragon in the Thieves’ District. Result: To prepare for the mission, I downed a Maya’s Cream and brandy at the Adventurer, then stepped out to see how long it would take to get a ride. He was across the street, flirting with a group of girls. But when I approached, he immediately excused himself, hopped down, and opened the carriage door for me, lowering the stairs. In I went, sliding open the window to tell him where I wanted to go.
He proved a humorous ride, striking up a lively conversation about the current state of the orange trade and the storms that had recently affected Moraithe. He responded nicely to flirting, too.
It was a long ride, however, and he seemed to run out of things to talk about half way through, leaving me to either sit in silence or think up the next thing to say.
And then we came to the Dragon. Or the drive leading up to the Dragon, to be exact. He stopped on the roadway and jumped down to let me out. Of course, as soon as I saw his face, I pointedly asked him why he was making me walk to the Dragon’s steps, some hundred paces away up the drive.
He shifted a little uncomfortably, mumbled something about having trouble turning around in there, and offered an apology. Then he told me the price, which seemed ridiculously low. It seemed that he just wanted me to get out, as soon as possible. Politely, I offered that there was a turnaround at the Dragon, and that I would greatly appreciate being taken up to the door. Looking a little panicked, he waived the drive fee and told me that he had an appointment that he was already late to. Wise at last to what was going on, I stepped out, thanked him, and walked up the drive. Apparently, the Gilded Carriage doesn’t check their drivers’ history too well. Matthew obviously was afraid of the Dragon for some reason or another – probably because he had crossed someone who frequented the place. I was surprised that he even took me to the Thieves’ District.
Price for the ride: Free!!!
Ride Two – Driver: Kirjinai, an older Jeddan man dressed exquisitely. Ride: From near the Delta in the Dock District up to Spectacle in the River District. Result: I needed only walk from the Aurora to the Delta before I got my ride. His eyes sparkled as he let me in, and then he hesitated and offered to have me ride up front with him. Taken by his friendly manners, I agreed, and he helped me up to the seat next to his place. He was fascinating, telling me much about Jeddan culture and the history of the Jeddan slave trade in the New World. By the time we were in the middle of the Merchant District, I felt like I was sitting next to an old acquaintance, and it was then that he offered to let me drive! Excited to learn something new, I took his place and received an impromptu lesson in driving. I halted the horses outside of Spectacle and shook his hand fervently. What a delightful man!
Price for the ride: 10 silver. I also left him a gold piece for a tip.
Ride Three – Driver: Mirkasha, a dark-haired beauty who had been driving for a moon. Ride: From Spectacle to my home in the Merchant District. Result: Mirkasha is an awe-inspiring driver. Her large eyes are bright behind her dark curls, and her wonderfully expressive face makes her a delight to talk to. She did, however, linger overly long on how she had made more gold in her first moon than any other previous driver hired by the Gilded Carriage, and made sure to inform me of various other achievements she had attained, most having to do with achieving popularity. Still, she told wonderful jokes, traded gossip, and told stories about having met numerous famous figures who she may or may not have actually known. She obviously has many regular riders, for she was flagged down often, mostly by young men, but also by a few older gentlemen who seemed quite disappointed that her carriage was taken. She told me that people have actually followed her carriage just to get a ride. Makes one wonder.
Price for the ride: 10 silver. I left a tip of two silver.
My mission taught me a few things – the Gilded Carriage has a standard price for a single rider – 10 silver. They charge 6 each for two, 5 each for three, and 4 each for four riders. That price will get you across the city, if you want. Pleasure rides, without a specific destination, cost a little more. All the carriages are painted black with a gold ‘GC’ emblem on the sides and back, and their carriages come in both open and closed styles.
The biggest thing, though, that will affect your ride is your driver, and unfortunately it seems like there are a wide variety of people hired for the job. Don’t hesitate, though, to get yourself a carriage if you want an interesting time and are tired of walking.