Two days later
"Hmmmmmmm hmmm hmmmmmm hm hm"
I should really stop humming… I am even getting on my own nerves.
I stick the shovel onto the hay that is covering floor and pull out the horse droppings. I swear these horses should lay off the carrots. I grimace as I dump the sticky goo into the wooden manure bucket.
It slowly slides down the shovel before landing with a disgusting plop. I hate horses.
Wait, that's not true, or, at least it wasn't always true.
Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I could actually ride again. The way that horses run is like art. One thin graceful leg leaps after another; so easy to break if I cared to, yet so strong and majestic.
I close my eyes and I try to remember what it was like with the wind in my hair, flying over the hills. Feeling the horse's steps echo through out my body. The smell of wet grass nipping at my nose…
But I am here.
I slowly let the memory fade as I open my eyes, only to see the prince's horse eating another carrot.
"Robert, what did I tell you about the carrots!" I briskly walk over to the horse, I swear it is almost as if these horses don't speak English.
Oh, wait, never mind.
I grab the carrot half dangling out of the horse's mouth. The beast pulls back.
This tug of war game is on!
I pull
He pulls
"You are pooping orange, you need a break!" I scream as I pull again.
"What if I give you a nice head of lettuce instead?" I beg in between pulls.
"I will turn you to glue if you don't drop it now!" I am running out of ideas…
I pull
He pulls
I put my weight behind it
He lets go
"Shit!" I cry as I fall backwards. Wait, where's the poop bucket? I see a glimpse of brown in the corner of my right eye. I twist left and barely miss the rim.
Ouch, I land hard. Luckily I only smacked my hip into the cold, hard stone floor and not my head. I lay there for a moment. It is so peaceful; never mind the throbbing in my leg. I let my head rest against a random wooden post. So peaceful. My eyes slowly drift shut. Peace. Before I know it, I fall asleep…
Unknown
I feel a lot better today! I think I am finally over the long winter traveling I just did.
"Lance, I think I will go out riding today." I mumble as I look out over the foggy plane that surrounds the castle's walls through the tinted window of my room. "Who knows what evil spirit lurks there that I might vanquish…" I turn around to face him; he obviously didn't get the joke.
He just stands there. Straight faced.
"Tell my Father that I will be late for lunch."
"Yes, your grace." Lance says firmly before he stiffly bows and marches out of the room.
Today will be a fun day. I can tell that much.