Existence
Chapter 2:
Existence
Miss VanDaufer
AN: I'm a horrific procrastinator. Forgive me R & R guys!
Kelcie ventured back to her room and exchanged her gown for a pair of hunter green riding pants and a white tunic with hunter green trim. She put her hair in its regular restrictive braid, She slipped on her tall, black, riding boots and carefully snuck out of the Castle, wary of her father and sisters. Once outside Kelcie broke into a job and headed for the Royal Stable. Other than its crops, Amiheir was known for its well bred horses. The Castle was settled on the top of one of the highest peaks on Amiheir, overlooking it's capitol city of Zanoras. The Royal Stable consisted of three huge barns in a "U" shape with an indoor arena in the middle Two outdoor arenas flanked them and a round pen was just beyond the barns and arena. Miles and miles of green pastures wound their way down the mountain. Other than the perilous wilderness of Amiheir, the Stable was Kelcie's favorite place to be.
Kelcie entered the middle barn and grabbed her grooming brushes, then she headed for her horse, Mokachee's stall. The handsome, blood bay, stallion stuck his head over the door when he heard Kelcie whistle.
"Hey, handsome." Kelcie greeted, rubbing Mokachee's neck.
Mokachee nickered in response. Mokachee was a purebred Amiherian Mountain Trotter, a breed of horse that had originated in Amiher's often treacherous mountains. Mountains Trotters were known as having a reasonable temperment and once they bonded with their owners, the two were inseparable. Mokachee would usually behave when another person rode him, but she went best for Kelcie. Mokachee was a rich dark red, the color of blood, with four black socks coming up his legs. He had a long wavy black mane and a black, equally wavy tail that dragged the ground, as well as a little bit of black near her nostrils. The only white on him was a star in the shape of a crescent moon of his forehead. Mokachee's body was short and stocky, her legs short and muscular, and his coat gleamed with dapples in the sunlight. He had sensitive skin and a keen mind. His tail was fairly high set and his neck was thick and had a bit of an arch to it. His face was clean cut and equisitely shaped. He had a kind eye and a wise look about him. Kelcie slipped Mokachee's leather halter over her stallion's head and led him down the barn isle. As she walked past the stable office, a familiar voice stopped her.
"Where are you taking that horse?" Rabiah Seminole, the head stable manager, called from inside the office.
Kelcie smiled. Rabiah was also her godmother. "I'm just going to brush him up and take him out for a little hack."
Rabiah gave her a knowing look. Her godmother always seemed to know when something was wrong. "I'll talk with you when you get back then."
"Yes m'am." Kelcie replied, quietly. She didn't feel ready to discuss what was bothering her with Rabiah just yet.
Rabiah made a shooing motion with her hands. "Go on, go have some fun while you can. Mokachee's been dying to get out and stretch his legs all day."
Kelcie smiled, and fondly scratched Mokachee as she led him out of the barn. They walked past the riding arenas where expensive horses were being schooled, and the pastures full of equally pampered horses. Once they got off the Castle grounds and into the woods, Kelcie tied Mokachee to a tree and began to brush his silky coat clean. As she brushed, Kelcie took a deep breath of fresh air. Kelcie had owned Mokachee for three years now. Rishard had gotten the stallion as a two year old from an off planet horse dealer. The stallion had been hard to control and unpredictable at best, it was obvious someone had mistreated him. Rishard had wanted him for his superb blood lines, but Kelcie had admired Mokachee's free and courageous spirit. We're a lot alike I guess. Kelcie mused, flicking a piece of dirt off Mokachee's neck. After Mokachee had thrown one of Rishard's top riders and almost killed him, her father had claimed Mokachee was a "rouge" horse. Nevertheless Rabiah and Kelcie had know better. There were no "rouge" horses. Horses were herd animals, and liked to be in groups, whether it be with other horses or humans. With Rabiah's help, Kelcie had trained Mokachee with old Jedi horse training techniques. They had worked, and Mokachee had gone from and angry, almost violent horse to a confidant, trusting, brave and gentle creature. Mokachee was Kelcie's in body, mind and spirit.
Kelcie picked up a brush and began brushing The gelding exhaled loudly and shut her eyes. Being brushed was one of Mokachee's favorite activities. Once Mokachee was clean, Kelcie checked his feet, then made a bit less bridle out of Mokachee's halter and lead. Grabbing her gelding's mane, Kelcie swung up onto Mokachee's back . Gentle hands guided Mokachee's mouth as Kelcie and her mare made their way down the mountain and into the capitol city of Zanoras.
Zanoras was almost as old as the Castle itself. Vendors walked through the streets, crying out their wears. People and horses bustled through the streets, and Kelcie loved the crazy busyness of it all. The young Princess spent a lot of her time in Zanoras, preferring the common people over the stuck up nobility. To the people of Zanoras, the Princess on her elegant horse was a common sight. Kelcie threaded her way through the crowd to a dark, dank tavern. The loud music and laughter could be heard outside the tavern doors, but it didn't scare Kelcie off. She'd been visiting taverns since she was thirteen. For one thing, it infuriated her father, and she was also an excellent sabacc player. The card game was as addictive as the Amiheirian ale served in the taverns. Opening the door, Kelcie spotted a few two of her village friends in the hazy one room building. She eagerly joined them in their corner booth. Ashleigh and Geoffrey Holricks were brother and sister, and two of Kelcie's closet friends. Ashleigh and Kelcie were the same age, although Ashleigh was a few weeks younger, and Geoffrey was two years older at eighteen.
"Hey, Kelcie." Ashleigh greeted.
"Why the glum face?" Geoffrey questioned.
Kelcie bit her lower lip, and bad habit she had when she was worried or upset. She debated telling her friends what had happened, for a moment, then sighed.
"For my sixteenth birthday, my father has decided to give me to Emperor Plapatine." she answered, bitterly.
"What?!" Geoffrey exclaimed.
"Keep your voice down!" Ashleigh hissed.
Geoffrey glared some at his sister, but lowered his voice. "You can't go to Palpatine, Kelcie."
"I know, I mean . . . what should I do?" Kelcie whispered. "I can hide out in the wilderness, but how long will that last?"
Geoffrey looked from Kelcie to Ashleigh for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Kelcie, you know how I was thinking about joining the Rebellion?"
"Yeah." Kelcie replied, still unsure of what this had to do with her and Palpatine.
"I know you're not eighteen yet, but maybe Rabiah could get you some fake papers or something. How would you feel about joining to Rebellion with me?"
Kelcie just stared for a moment. The thought of joining the Rebellion against the Empire had crossed her mind. She certainly had no love for them Empire, but she'd never had the guts to go behind Rishard's back and join the Alliance. Now . . . Now it might be here only chance of avoiding Palpatine.
"If we could arrange it." Kelcie murmured. "That just might work Geoffrey."
"And once I turn old enough, I'll join the two of you." Ashleigh smiled.
Kelcie smiled as well. "Yeah, the three of us wrecking havoc against the Empire. I'll talk to Rabiah about your idea, Geoffrey. It just might work."
"I hope so." Geoffrey said sincerely. "Just the thought of you having to go to Palpatine . . ."
Kelcie felt herself shudder. "I hope that doesn't happen." She glanced at the chronometer on the wall. "I should get back. Rabiah's probably waiting for me."
"All right, don't stress about this whole Palpatine thing, okay Kelcie?" Geoffrey responded, giving her a hug.
"We'll figure it out." Ashleigh promised her, also giving her friend a hug.
"Thanks guys." Kelcie said. "I appreciate it."
"Don't worry about it." Geoffrey assured her. "What are friends for?"
Kelcie beamed as she walked out of the tavern. Maybe there was hope for her after all.