So I know I haven't been on recently. I went through Summer School, which was a waste of time seeing as the paper I took I barely passed, which depressed me because I worked so hard. Then uni has just started so that's work in itself. Anyway, here's another chapter. Not really sure what else I have to say, so sit back and enjoy :)

It was soothing, needlepoint. All I had to do was sit there and make sure the needle went the through the right place. It was nice, to see a pattern slowly forming underneath my careful fingers.

Best of all, it gave me an excuse to hide from everyone. I knew that I was a coward, but after my latest encounter with a certain man of Stone Mountain I had no desire to jump back into the shark-infested waters that was the Court and swim with said sharks. Hence me, sitting in my room, the sun in my hair, my fingers busy with a needle and thread.

A knock startled me out of the quiet space I had reached. I looked up as Lyssa crossed to open the door slightly, speaking through the crack to whoever was on the other side. At last she closed the door and looked over at me.
I completed a difficult stitch before looking up. "Yes Lyssa?"

"It's a man from the stables. Says he would speak to you, Your Highness," she replied, dropping a quick curtsy.

Now curious, I set my things aside and roe, crossing to answer the door. What I saw surprised me.

"Stefan, hello."

The young man smiled and bowed to me shyly. I returned the smile, saying, "What can I do for you?"
"Tis a message for you, Highness," Stefan replied, not meeting my eyes – Stefan was more comfortable around his horses than people, and rarely left the stables to venture into the castle hence my surprise. "I was to give it to you right away."

I looked at the proffered envelope. It was a blank white, dusty and travel-worn.
Messenger birds, I thought. There's only one person who would send me correspondence via this method. "Why, thank you Stefan," I said aloud, taking it from him. "Pass my thanks onto the courier."

"I will milady," he replied softly, looking at me for the first time. There was an almost imperceptible glint in his eye – he knew exactly who I was referring to.

Normally, I would've tipped any message runner who came my way, but Stefan wouldn't accept anything of the sort. Then again, considering he practically lived in the stables, he had no need for money anyway. Instead, he said I repaid him often enough by visiting Star and spending time with her. As I thought about my horse I felt a small pang – Star was getting old and my father had been making noises about getting a replacement. I was still looking at the ones that came through the palace, but the only real person I trusted for help and good horseflesh was George – he was quick to the point, and didn't bother with the pleasantries associated with conversing with royalty. It was probably because he was royalty himself – at least in the Lower City of Corus.

I shook myself out of my contemplation and looked back at Stefan. "Has any new stock come in?"

Stefan met my gaze again. "On that matter, yes, Highness," he replied, his face lighting up a little – if you wanted to find the man behind the shyness all you had to do was mention horses. "That's also why I was comin' up to see yon. T'would be good if you would see them."

I nodded. "That would be excellent. May I come down now?"

Stefan nodded, his expression brightening further. I smiled. "Give me a moment to be prepared, and then I shall accompany you to the stables."

A quick dash to my room resulted in me emerging, clad in a shirt and breeches that were worn and aged from use, something that a noble like Delia would never be caught dead in. I paused to leave a message with the Lyssa, asking her to only say that I was out and make no mention of my whereabouts. That errand done, I happily followed Stefan down the hall.

Once at the stables, I met the owner of the horses, and the reason for my anticipation: the one and only George Cooper. The man slid his hood back from his head as Stefan and I approached. Stefan only nodded at George before disappearing into the stables. I stopped in front of the Rogue, smiling. "Now, Master Horseman, I hear you've got new stock."

"Your ears would be correct, Your Highness," George answered, his eyes twinkling. "I have a few who may be suitable for you." Smiling politely he led me into the stables.

Once inside I turned to face him. "Isn't this a bit risky?" I asked, keeping my voice down – though I didn't really need to, considering there was only us two, and Stefan here, and Stefan was George's man.

George shrugged. "Maybe, but the safety of a friend is worth more than any risk."

I sighed in surrender. I knew he would've said something like that – all my friends, and Jon also, were pretty much the same in that respect.

George changed subjects pretty quickly, sweeping an arm to encompass the horses he had brought. "Now, if we can get onto business."

I followed his arm, and blinked. Only two horses stood before me, in opposite stalls. "I would've had more, but a few were bought, and another is being looked at," George explained apologetically.

"Oh," I replied absently as I turned my attention to the first one. It was a grey stallion. I turned to glare at George. Is this some sort of joke? You want me to ride a stallion? Goddess, I'm not stupid!"

George grinned. "Actually, that one hasn't been bought yet, so I brought him up to the palace to see if the King's Own was interested." His eyes twinkled. "I was meaning this one." Taking my arm, he turned me to face the second horse.

I pulled out of his grasp, still glaring at him. "You're trying to sell to the King's Own? Are you trying to set up a meeting with the Lord Provost?"

"Keep your voice down," George chuckled in reply. "No, I am not. I've already sold the horse to the palace, they can do what they like with it, as long as he doesn't become dog food – I paid good money for the beast. I just brought him up with her."

At his words, I turned to look the other horse over. It was a mare, with a light brown coat and night black hair. Stepping into the stall, I looked her over briskly as Jon had taught me. "She looks good," I finally said, glancing up at George, "though, I should did expect that to be the case," I added, smiling slightly at him. "What's her name?"

"It's the custom of the buyer to name the horse," George replied.

I studied her again, looking her over once more. "Copperglow," I finally replied, running one hand over my new horse. "For the coat."

George nodded in reply. "It's a good name." He paused, then added, "She's well trained in case anything like a riot happens to break out, and is quite lively, but also controllable and calm. She'll be well suited to your personality."

"Okay," I replied softly, peering the horse in the eyes and blowing at the horse's nose.

George chuckled. "You're getting acquainted already? You haven't bought her yet, Mistress," he said teasingly.

I laughed softly as I took a step back, allowing Copperglow to return to her oats. "As if I'd ever be able to successfully steal from you, George," I retorted. "Where's the papers?"

George produced them from a packet, and we got down to business. Under the watchful eye of Stefan and every four-legged occupant in the stables, we bargained until reaching a suitable price. George would've given me the horse outright, but I had pointed out that the palace – namely my parents – would've never let me near such a gift – I was, after all, a princess, and plots to take the throne weren't unheard of. All we had to do for proof was look at my deceased cousin Roger. At last after handing over the money, we signed the papers here and there, then finally wrapped up.

At the back stable doors, George turned to me. "Don't be a stranger," he said, pulling his hood back over his face. "Come down and visit us sometimes."

I smiled. "I'll try to George. I'm getting older now – it's harder for me to sneak out without being missed."

George favoured my answer with a quick nod, then a bow, then strode out, clasping his things – he now looked like just another trader who'd entered the palace, which, in a way, he was. I smiled, watching him leave, then returned to greet my new horse again. I was lucky in a way – she was about the same size as Star, meaning I didn't have to get new tack. As I reached for my brush, Stefan appeared in the entrance to the stall. "T'was nice t'see you two get along again," he remarked.

I smiled. "It was nice," I agreed, running the brush gently through Copperglow's coat. Whether she appreciated it or not I couldn't tell – she was still engrossed in her oats. We were silent for a while, enjoying the smells and sounds of the stables in the afternoon. At last I lay my brush aside and exited the stall, looking at Stefan. "How's Star?" I asked him softly.

Stefan shrugged. "As well as can be expected, milady. She's getting on a bit."

"I know," I replied sadly. "I shall have to introduce her and Copperglow sometime. I hope it will be alright."

Stefan surprised me by laying a hand on my shoulder. "Star loves you," he said simply. "T'will be okay."

I nodded, then walked down the aisles to say hello to my first, and possibly best, equine friend.

Sorry if the speech makes no sense or has errors. I wasn't really sure how to get Stefan to talk, and well, George is even harder seeing as he keeps different personas depending on where he is and what company he was in, so I just let him speak Common English (I think that's what its called in the Tortallan universe)

I hope you guys liked it. I'll see you around :)

Love MagicalLeaves