January

As the new year began, I became increasingly content with my life at Davenport manor. Achilles gave me free reign of the house. I organized everything the way I thought it would be best. Functionality was my main concern, but appearance was also important to me. I always asked Achilles before I made the decision to change a room or move things around, but he usually consented with indifference. He said it didn't matter to him how the house was set up, so long as I stayed clear of his room. However, when I approached him about moving the study upstairs and having a sitting room on the lower floor, he refused.

"Why?" I asked.

Achilles gave me his look of exasperation that I was beginning to realize served as his form of passive aggressiveness. I had no doubt he could become angry when pushed, but he had a long fuse. Connor, on the other hand, lost his temper often and didn't care to show it.

"Why do you want a couch downstairs, Faith?"

"So I won't have to walk all the way upstairs just to take a damned break."

Achilles turned to me in his desk chair. "And I don't want to have to walk all the way upstairs just to look at the damned log book."

I crossed my arms and gazed at him with defiance. Achilles sighed loudly and stood up. He walked toward the kitchen, throwing his words over his shoulder. "Pouting is pointless. I can be just as stubborn as you. And I've had many years more practice at it."

I stomped my foot and gave up. "Fine. Can I at least move it around enough to get a love seat in there?"

Achilles was pouring hot water into a cup with a tea bag. He glanced at me. "I suppose."

I smiled at having won one battle. "Great. I'll get Connor to help me."

Achilles turned to me. "Connor is busy," he said. "If you want to move the furniture, you will have to do it yourself."

Of course there was a catch. There so often was with him. I had done all the work on my own so far. Assistance was never asked for or offered. I was independent and preferred to work alone. But I doubted I could transport a sofa from the upper floor to the lower without help. Achilles was giving me the choice to either attempt it or to give up. I refused to do the latter. But I was clever enough to form another option.

"I'll ask Lance to help me."

Achilles frowned as I grinned. I waited for him to argue. He didn't. He only set down his cup and went back to his bedroom. "Don't be late with supper."

"I never am," I reminded him.

"Which is the only reason I keep you in my employ," Achilles muttered.

I knew it wasn't true. Achilles could say what he liked, but he enjoyed having me around. Even Connor had noticed his more pleasant attitude and commented on it to me.

I put on my coat and went to the stable. I hadn't ridden a horse by myself yet. But it couldn't be that difficult. I unhitched Connor's mare, as I was familiar with her, and secured the saddle on her back. She was content to let me as I gave her frequent attention. I then mounted and held the reigns. I pushed my feet deeper into the stirrups.

"Please don't throw me," I begged in her ear. "Oco...Ahco-sah-dus. Is that right? I think that's what Connor called you." The animal gave me no response. She flicked her head indifferently. "I'll just call you Horse. It's the same word, just a different language."

She stamped her foot and I made a skeeting noise to get her moving. I was timid at first, but after a while I became more relaxed. I enjoyed riding. I kept her at a steady trot, and she was gentle and compliant. There weren't many paths through the woods, so I stayed on the one that was widest. It felt like the right way. But after a while, I began to wonder. I didn't think it took that long to reach the bridge. I halted Horse and looked around. Everything looked the same in all directions. I decided to keep going forward. I flicked the reigns and she let out a loud nicker. I thought I'd done something wrong. Horse began to back up and act startled. That's when I hear the howls from nearby. They sounded like dogs growling, only more ferocious.

"Shit," I cursed.

Horse began to buck. I leaned forward and stroked her mane in an attempt to calm her.

"It's okay," I spoke soothingly. "They're not close." At least, I hoped not. "Let's just keep going."

I urged her forward. She didn't want to go, but I insisted. Finally, Horse began to move at a hectic pace. She jerked her head in protest, but did as I wanted. There was another growl and she stopped abruptly and refused to move anymore.

"It's alright, girl. It's okay."

She bucked fervently.

"Okay," I said. "Let's just go home."

I tried to get her to turn around and go back the other way, but she wouldn't do anything. She was fidgeting so much that I was afraid she would throw me off, so I dismounted and attempted to lead her. She moved a few steps. Then there was a loud, closer howl. Horse reared up and I let go of the reigns. She ran off in the direction toward home. I cursed loudly. I had no choice but to walk. I wondered if I should go home or on to Lance's. Before I could make a decision, I heard low growls and movement to my left. I looked toward them. The snow and dense forest made the wolves impossible to see. I decided to just go back home and moved a few steps that way. The next growls stilled me. They were really close. I wondered what it would be like to be attacked by wolves. Would it be painful?

I didn't get to find out. I heard a canine whine of pain, then another. There was a loud startled bark and more movement. A moment later, Connor emerged form the woods. He looked at me with concern as he walked over to where I was standing.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Connor gazed at me with confusion. "Did you not see the wolves?"

I shook my head. I was surprised by the lack of fear I felt. I'm not sure why I was so calm. "I heard them."

Connor walked to the edge of the trees, knelt and moved some thick brush aside enough to reveal a wolf with an arrow in it's side. He watched me as he walked back to where I stood. "You could have been hurt."

"Oh," I muttered. "Well, thanks for protecting me, then"

Connor said nothing for a moment. He gazed at me as if expecting me to go into shock at any moment. "I told you that the wilderness was dangerous. You should not be out alone or unarmed."

I didn't hear concern in his voice, only warning. I really didn't feel that my life had been in that much peril, so his lecture struck me as unsolicited advice. It irritated me that he felt he had a right to scold me. I was older than him.

"You're out here," I stated in defense.

"I know how to protect myself," Connor stated. "You do not. Come on. I will take you back home."

I straitened my posture and stared at him. "No. I'm going to Lance's."

Connor sighed loudly. "That is a far walk, Faith."

I shrugged. "So?"

He looked down at me. There was a icy glint in his gaze. "Fine. Then I will take you to Lance's house."

"No, you won't," I told him. That he felt obligated to dictate what I could do angered me. "I'm going alone."

Connor took a step closer to me. "I did not ask your permission. I will accompany you, no matter the direction you choose. Make your decision, so that I can go find my horse."

I crossed my arms and watched him. It was almost funny how he thought he was my boss. I tried to hold back a laugh, but it escaped my pursed lips despite my resistance. Connor narrowed his eyes at me.

"What about this do you find amusing?"

His words were harsh, yet another attempt to relay his seriousness. But it's intended purpose failed and I grinned at him.

"You don't scare me," I said.

Connor's eyes flickered momentarily and his expression softened. "I was not trying to scare you."

We watched each other with similar expressions until I turned and began to walk back toward the house. Connor kept pace next to me. He said nothing, but I could tell by his strut that he was irritated.

When the manor was in sight, I abandoned the path and trekked through the uncleared hills at the south. I glanced toward the stables and notice Horse grazing in the snow near a hay pile.

"She was smart enough to come back home," I told Connor, getting only a mild stare in return.

I went over and began to pet the mare. She had calmed down and liked the attention. I removed her harness and saddle, laying them on the ground, as I talked to her in a sweet voice.

"I'm sorry you got scared, sweetie. The big bad wolves are gone now, and you don't have to worry about anything. Let's get you back in your stall and I'll give you some fresh hay and brush you. How does that sound? Would you like that?"

She nickered and waved her mane. Connor gazed at me with arched brow as I put Horse back in her cell and combed her as I promised. As I did, he put up the saddle and gave her some hay.

"Ioianere', Akohsa:tens," he said.

I smiled. "I did say it right, didn't I, sweetie?"

I was talking to the horse, but Connor was the one who looked at me. "What?"

"Akohsa:tens," I told him. "I remembered how to say it."

He stared at me for a minute, the beginnings of a smile on his lips. He said something else.

"What does that mean?"

"Not bad," he told me.

We went in the house and Achilles looked at me. "Back so soon? Did you change your mind?"

"No," I said. "But now that Connor's not busy, I thought he could help me."

"Help you with what?" Connor asked.

"It's time for training, boy," Achilles said. "Go to the basement."

Connor moved his eyes between his mentor and me a few times then nodded. As he left the room, I glared at Achilles.

"You're mean," I stated.

The old man smiled at me. "I was wondering when you would think that."