The White Carriage

The evening sky dominated the countryside on the evening when it came. It's gradient of night-time colours was cut off at the point where the royal blue faded to cyan by a rippling bank of warm grey clouds. Their subtle golden lining slowly faded with the setting sun. Beneath, in the valley which this sky lorded over, a carriage clattered over a rough, lichen-festooned road. It's ornate wheels ground on the cobbles, and it's delicately carved and gilded woodwork groaned and protested with every step the grey horses took. Before it, the winding path, hemmed in by low stone walls, sloped down a hill towards a village not far away.
In said village, people had already noticed the carriage's journey down from the mountains. A small crowd had already gathered in the town square. The townsfolk wore what fine clothes they had, and their children's faces were cleaned of dirt and grime, their hair neatly combed back. As the carriage trundled into the village, cheers erupted from the people. The carriage was indeed a magnificent sight, and well worthy of the villagers' applause. It was adorned in golden carvings of ivy and woodland creatures, with panels painted white. Velvet curtains hid the interior, and lanterns, held up by flamboyant and outlandish ironwork illuminated the exterior.
Of their own accord, the horses suddenly stopped, and at the exact same moment, a lock clicked and the door flew open. Out of the carriage, stepped a woman, who's outlandish clothing and wig seemed far too bulky to fit within her vehicle. Her face was pale, her eyes glassy and her powdered wig towered above her, festooned in bows and ribbons. Turning her head from right to left, with a look of strange delight upon her face, she surveyed the townsfolk, who were apparently unphased by her peculiar appearance, still joyful at her arrival.
The White Carriage is a strange and outlandish vehicle which travels primarily between poor, rural communities in search of children with unusual magical potential. This provides a once in a lifetime escape from poverty for gifted children. Because of this, The White Carriage and the mysterious lady who travels within it, is welcomed by almost all who she visits, bringing joy to those with almost nothing. She is not, however, welcome in larger towns and cities, for in these places, rumours which take months to travel from isolated village to village are already old news. These folk know of the strange occurrences with this carriage, and the possibly sinister purpose behind her journeys...

Rarity

Unique

Speed

Whilst when it is seen, the White Carriage travels at about 15 mph, however, it has been known to be seen hundreds of miles from where it started, just hours after it left

Sinister Purpose

While the carriage brings joy wherever it goes, it's true purpose could be much more sinister.

The Prodigies

The first suspicious part of the White Carriage is what happens to the children after they are taken away. It has been recognised that very few children who go with the white carriage are seen again in society, whether as spellcasters or otherwise. Those few who do become successful seem to have no recollection of their origins or the White carriage at all. Furthermore, no magic school in Archaria has ever reported having students delivered to them via a White Carriage such as this.

Travel

Some trackers and investigators have tried to follow the vehicle, but without success. About half an hour into each journey, the carriage is enveloped in thick fog. When the fog clears, it has disappeared.

The Glass Eyes

On one visit to a village, an audacious youth tried successfully pick-pocketed the lady of the carriage for a dare. Inside her pockets, he found two glass eyes, identical to her own. It is well known that her eyes look particularly glassy, so perhaps, she has no eyes at all?