Chapter Three
I awoke to the sound of the palace bells ringing fourth green. I sat up and moaned. I was sore! I rode at least an hour every day, but my body was not used to spending three candles in the saddle. My maid, Annalise entered the room with a tray of food and coffee.
"Good evening." She said cheerfully, "It's about time you got up. Will you be wanting a bath?"
"Please." I replied, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I was not as sore as I expected. I could walk at least. I inched to the table, babying my poor legs. After my bath I would stretch them properly and take the horses out because they were probably sore also. I drank my coffee and ate the rolls and fruit Annalise had set out.
After I had bathed and seen to my horses, Annalise reminded me that Senaric's celebration ball for her brother's impending wedding was to be tonight. It would be an awful slight if I failed to go so I gritted my teeth and tried not to think of how my legs would feel tomorrow.
Annalise dressed me in a lovely dark violet gown that I did not remember I had. "Where did this come from?" I asked.
"It was meant as a going-away present, but your parents decided to give it to you early because of your efforts with the Hillfolk." Annalise replied.
"Oh, I'd best give them my thanks then." I said.
Dragging myself to the ball was almost as difficult as dragging myself to the Throne Room had been.
I usually loved dancing and was considered a graceful dancer, but that night I could barely manage to get through the measures without tripping over myself. I longed to sit down, but as a princess it was my duty to dance with every man who asked at least once.
After two hours, I finally sat down. I hoped that if I could remain in the background no one else would ask me to dance.
I thought my wishes were to be answered until the most handsome and the most odd-looking young man I had ever seen approached. When he caught me staring at him, his lips curved into an enigmatic half-smile. It was Flauvic Merindar, the man in the tree!
He bowed gracefully and gestured at the cushion beside me. "May I be so presumptuous as to occupy this cushion?"
"Certainly," I said, forcing a polite smile, "be my guest." As long as you do not make me dance, I thought crankily. I did not feel like talking.
"They tell me you are the one who discovered that I was changing." His voice contained a slight drawl that disguised any slight emotion that may have otherwise been expressed.
"That is correct. I noticed that you were shrinking." I replied. I was unnerved. This man, once a tree was talking to me! What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to act?
"You speak to me like you would one of your professors." He commented, using that annoying lack of tone.
"Well," I said, feeling flustered, "I do not know what to make of you. Yesterday you were a goldenwood, now you are a man. Your manner is impossible to read and frankly, I barely know you."
His mouth curved slightly further up, "Then allow me to introduce myself. I am Flauvic Merindar."
"I am Nimiar Shevraeth. It is nice to meet you."
"It is nice to meet you too," his mouth returned to its half smile, "but you already know my name. In fact you probably know more about my history than anyone in Remalna."
"What makes you sat that?" I replied, trying to foresee where this conversation was going.
"You are writing a paper about the Hillfolk for the university are you not?"
I nodded.
"Well it only stands to reason that you would research my period in history because there are two major touches between Hillfolk and humans in two years." He said.
"Would it trouble you if I asked you about your time as tree?" I asked.
"Not in the least, though I was initially distressed, I am now glad of the change. I view life differently now." He replied.
"How have your views changed?" I asked. I shifted my legs to relieve my stiff muscles.
"You have been moving stiffly all night. You were wearing riding clothes when I first saw you." He did not ask a question, but I knew he wanted an answer.
"I rode all day and night to reach the Hillfolk to make sure no harm had come to them and that they knew what was happening. Please tell me how your views have changed." I said.
"When I was young, all I wanted was political power but I was not strong of character or mature enough to handle it. My time as a tree, listening to Remalna conduct its business and the Hillfolk whispering wisdom to rebuild my mind taught me that there is more than one kind of power and the one I had considered the most important was the least. There is power in love, friendship, learning and a thousand other things. I learned only to arm myself against my enemies, not for the joy of it. I spent many years happily observing from the tree. I was learning how to live. Now it is time for me to start." He said then smiled. A full, real smile that stretched across his face and crinkled the skin around his eyes.
His face reddened and he confessed in a whisper, "I think that was my first real smile in public."
I could not keep myself from smiling in reply. Oh, he was a charmer all right. "It grows easier with practice." I said.
Just then a cluster of courtiers with Olaric in the middle approached. Judging from his flushed face and meandering walk, he had indulged in more wine than was wise. He bowed, forcing me to rise and curtsy. "Nimiar, you are neglecting your suitors."
Flauvic had risen to his feet and bowed. Olaric stood too close to him and stage whispered into his ear, "You had better watch her. One day she is enamored of you and the next she won't give you the time of day."
Flauvic's half-smile twitched slightly before he replied, "I will take your advice for what it is worth."
Olaric did not know how to reply to Flauvic's subtle insult so he reverted to his usual retort. "I challenge you to a duel, sunrise tomorrow."
"I decline." He replied.
"Coward. You are perfect for each other, a sneak and a coward!" Olaric said contemptuously.
"You are right Olaric, Flauvic is more perfect than you. Come Flauvic, I must introduce you to Harauld's latest dish. It is chicken in this most exquisite sauce." I said, smoothly navigating us away from Olaric and his cronies.
"Baron Emeric is waving to me. I had better see what he needs." I said when we were safely away. I felt embarrassed that he had publicly defended me, as though I could not have handled the matter myself. At the same time I felt flattered that such a handsome man as he might speak in my defense. I needed to think things through.
"I should check in with the king. He is keeping me under a close watch." Flauvic said. He bowed with a slight flourish, then left.
I happily approached Prince Emeric of Renselaeus, who had in fact been waving. Despite his age, a shade past forty, Prince Emeric and I were close friends. I found that I could discuss serious subjects ranging from hypothetical moral dilemmas to literature and politics with him.
He bowed. I curtsied. "I am glad you showed up, Princess Nimiar, I now have someone with whom I can carry out an intelligent conversation."
"Am I not intelligent, darling?" His wife, Princess Arian arrived bearing two full wineglasses, one of which she gave to her husband and offered the other to me.
"No, thank you. I am not thirsty." I said.
"You know that I consider you perfectly intelligent, but I have heard all of your conversation. I have yet to hear all of Nimiar's." Her husband replied good-naturedly.
"Oh, I see how it is." Princess Arian said with mock resignation, "Why don't you just take me out behind the barn and put me out of my misery like an old horse."
"Who would take care of me in my old age?" he retorted.
"You are so ornery." She scolded and slapped him lightly on the arm.
"Nimiar, never marry an ornery man. They are more trouble than they are worth." She said.
"Actually," Emeric said, "I wanted to ask you what you think of our tree- boy."
"I am not sure what to think of him. He appears sincere in his wish to do good in Remalna, but according to the histories, he is an excellent liar." I replied.
"What would you do with him if you had the choice?" he asked.
"I would probably need to give it more thought, but the idea that comes into my head first is to send him away as far as we can so that he will make trouble somewhere else." I said.
"What if he is sincere?" He said.
"Are you willing to bet a kingdom on that?" I countered.
"Point well taken, but if he is far away, could he not take over that country then use its army to conquer ours?"
"Not if the country is on the other side of the world. He would have to fight several countries that have magic. Besides, history shows that he is not very keen on armies. He prefers to sneak around and attack when no one expects it."
"Good girl, I see your mind has not atrophied during all the time you spent languishing at the university." He said.
"So, when will you visit us in Renselaeus?" his wife asked.
"I leave for the university in three weeks, so probably in a month. I did not know you were leaving Court."
"Yes, we will return there for the winter in two weeks." She replied.
"I will miss you and Emeric at Court."
"We will miss you also." She said.
The bell rang second white, which was the earliest time I could politely leave. "I must be going." I said.
"We will go with you. I am exhausted." Emeric said.
We bid the host good night and congratulated her on the ball before we left.
I fell asleep in the carriage to Athanarel. Arian woke me up and made sure I arrived in my rooms where my maid helped me out of my clothes and into bed.
After that first social engagement, Flauvic never sought me out when I was alone. My parents and I arranged a time when I could question him closely about his being a tree and the Hillfolk. Until that time, he treated me like everyone else did, polite and slightly distant. We danced on occasion, but he danced with many ladies, in fact, he was becoming the Court pet. Women adored his looks and manners and men respected him because he was both a formidable card player and sword-fighter.
I spent the next week stealing moments with my horses and books then dragging myself to various functions and entertainments. I had to plan our time in the library a week in advance because of my grueling social schedule.
I arrived early so that I could scan my notes and prepare my materials. I wore an old shirt whose cuffs were spotted black from old ink stains. I had placed a nice sleeveless dress over it so that hopefully visitors would not notice my shirt.
Flauvic entered the library just as the bell was ringing second gold. Two Ladies who were presumably looking for a book entered with him and lingered in the room, staring at him and whispering.
"Good morning, did you sleep well?" I asked.
"Yes, I did." He said.
I did my best to ask questions and take notes as though there were not gaggles of ladies walking in every few minutes, whispering and giggling at us before leaving.
Finally, after what seemed like the twentieth bunch of ladies had left I proposed to Flauvic, "Why don't we move to the archive room?"
"Sounds like a good idea. We might get a bit more privacy." He said.
I packed up my quills, papers, and an inkstand and moved into an archive room that held memoirs and Court diaries.
It was much easier to talk now that we were not under the microscope of the Court ladies and I gathered much valuable information. I was surprised when the bell rang for first green. I had not covered even half of the information I intended to discuss. "Oh no!" I said when I heard the bell, "I have so much more I need to ask."
Flauvic gave me a full, real smile and said, "We could arrange another meeting."
"Do you have a free morning three days from now?"
"Yes." He replied.
"Good, I will meet you at second gold."
Flauvic and I met in the archive room. I knew that not even the boldest of the court ladies could fabricate an excuse to enter the cramped archive room, so I wore my usual university attire, a shirt, tunic, and breeches in muted, practical colors. Again I was a few minutes early so that I could prepare for my interview.
He strolled into the room a minute and a half early. He began to bow. I did not feel like getting up after I had just perfectly arranged my nest of papers, books, and quills. "No need for such courtesy right now. Sit down."
He straightened in mid-bow and sat down in the chair across from me. I had just opened my mouth to ask my first question when I heard the bell ring for second gold.
I raised one eyebrow, silently indicating that I knew he was early and I wanted to know why. He smiled and stared directly into my eyes for one second, replying I was the reason he was early. He enjoyed my company. This knowledge made me feel more confident. I asked questions I had not dared to ask before and our conversation often strayed far from the subject of the Hillfolk.
I admit that I was much charmed by Flauvic. He was so much more open in private. His shy display of a smile or a grimace won my affection much more quickly than the most elaborate Court manners could have. I found that he was actually much like me. He hid his shyness behind impeccable manners, something that I often did. He only showed his true personality around people he was comfortable with.
At least that was what I thought.
I had not asked half of the questions I had needed to during this meeting. We agreed to meet again in a few days, same place and time.
I felt slightly giddy and my stomach twisted pleasantly every time I thought of our next meeting. I imagined us having conversations during which I impressed him with my intellect.
I was feeding Red the evening before our meeting when I noticed that Lily had not touched a bite of the feed that the grooms had given her. Her behavior was abnormal. She usually gobbled down every single morsel of food that was in her stall and often fed on her bedding when nothing better was in sight.
She had her rear to the door, another discrepancy in her behavior. I watched her for half a time measure. During that time measure she lay down and got up again, a sign that she was uncomfortable. Then she pooped. I entered the stall and inspected it. It was much mushier than it was supposed to be. I had deduced from her previous behavior that she was colicing, but her pooping had given me useful information. She was suffering from one of two possible ailments. The worst was twisted gut. Twisted gut occurred when a horse's intestine got twisted. The prognosis was almost always a slow painful death. It was also possible that she was suffering from a stomach flu that would pass through her system relatively quickly. The only worry I had from the stomach flu was that if she began to have diarrhea, she might become dehydrated and since water was vital to a horse's digestive system, her intestines would become blocked which would create a new batch of problems.
I calmly told the stable master her symptoms and returned to my rooms to fetch the animal-doctoring supplies I had bought and been taught to use while at the university.
The stable master gave me an odd look when I began mixing crushed charcoal and water in a bucket. He gave me an even odder look when I fitted the special lid to the top that would allow me to pump the mixture out of a tube. I suppose I should not mention the look he gave when I asked him if he would hold the horse's head while I shoved a tube up her nose then down into her stomach.
I hand pumped the charcoal into her stomach. I hoped it would solidify her poop and make the disease pass through her stomach more quickly. There was nothing more I could do for her other than offer her water and food and keep her comfortable. Despite the charcoal her poop grew runnier until it was almost all liquid. I offered Lily water, but she only splashed at it irritably with her nose.
I spent the night with Lily, keeping an eye on her to make sure that she would not lie down and thrash about. Thrashing usually happened towards the end of colic. Once a horse started thrashing, it was going to die, whether it be shortened by the sharp knife of a loving owner or the horse's system was poisoned because there was no water to flush it out.
I did not cry during that long miserable night, though every time Lily lay down my own stomach gnashed its teeth on my abdomen and I waited for her to start thrashing.
At mid-morning the next day my brother found me hugging Lily and admiring a mostly solid black horse turd in her stall. Lily was too busy sucking down water to notice me. She only had the stomach flu after all. A night of stress and no sleep made me feel light-headed and emotional at the same time. I could laugh or cry or both at any moment.
"Mother and Father sent me out here to check on you." He said.
"How kind of them. Would you tell them that I am fine and I am going to bed now." I replied.
"Certainly." He said, "Could you send me a message when you are awake? There is a serious matter I need to discuss with you."
"If it is important, we can talk right now." I blinked my heavy eyelids did my best not to yawn.
"It can keep. You are too tired to be rational anyway. Here, I will help you to your rooms."
For the second time that month, I staggered into my room. I undressed with the help of a maid. It was not until I crawled into bed that I realized I had missed my meeting with Flauvic. For some inexplicable reason I burst into tears and cried myself to sleep.
I awoke to the sound of the palace bells ringing fourth green. I sat up and moaned. I was sore! I rode at least an hour every day, but my body was not used to spending three candles in the saddle. My maid, Annalise entered the room with a tray of food and coffee.
"Good evening." She said cheerfully, "It's about time you got up. Will you be wanting a bath?"
"Please." I replied, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I was not as sore as I expected. I could walk at least. I inched to the table, babying my poor legs. After my bath I would stretch them properly and take the horses out because they were probably sore also. I drank my coffee and ate the rolls and fruit Annalise had set out.
After I had bathed and seen to my horses, Annalise reminded me that Senaric's celebration ball for her brother's impending wedding was to be tonight. It would be an awful slight if I failed to go so I gritted my teeth and tried not to think of how my legs would feel tomorrow.
Annalise dressed me in a lovely dark violet gown that I did not remember I had. "Where did this come from?" I asked.
"It was meant as a going-away present, but your parents decided to give it to you early because of your efforts with the Hillfolk." Annalise replied.
"Oh, I'd best give them my thanks then." I said.
Dragging myself to the ball was almost as difficult as dragging myself to the Throne Room had been.
I usually loved dancing and was considered a graceful dancer, but that night I could barely manage to get through the measures without tripping over myself. I longed to sit down, but as a princess it was my duty to dance with every man who asked at least once.
After two hours, I finally sat down. I hoped that if I could remain in the background no one else would ask me to dance.
I thought my wishes were to be answered until the most handsome and the most odd-looking young man I had ever seen approached. When he caught me staring at him, his lips curved into an enigmatic half-smile. It was Flauvic Merindar, the man in the tree!
He bowed gracefully and gestured at the cushion beside me. "May I be so presumptuous as to occupy this cushion?"
"Certainly," I said, forcing a polite smile, "be my guest." As long as you do not make me dance, I thought crankily. I did not feel like talking.
"They tell me you are the one who discovered that I was changing." His voice contained a slight drawl that disguised any slight emotion that may have otherwise been expressed.
"That is correct. I noticed that you were shrinking." I replied. I was unnerved. This man, once a tree was talking to me! What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to act?
"You speak to me like you would one of your professors." He commented, using that annoying lack of tone.
"Well," I said, feeling flustered, "I do not know what to make of you. Yesterday you were a goldenwood, now you are a man. Your manner is impossible to read and frankly, I barely know you."
His mouth curved slightly further up, "Then allow me to introduce myself. I am Flauvic Merindar."
"I am Nimiar Shevraeth. It is nice to meet you."
"It is nice to meet you too," his mouth returned to its half smile, "but you already know my name. In fact you probably know more about my history than anyone in Remalna."
"What makes you sat that?" I replied, trying to foresee where this conversation was going.
"You are writing a paper about the Hillfolk for the university are you not?"
I nodded.
"Well it only stands to reason that you would research my period in history because there are two major touches between Hillfolk and humans in two years." He said.
"Would it trouble you if I asked you about your time as tree?" I asked.
"Not in the least, though I was initially distressed, I am now glad of the change. I view life differently now." He replied.
"How have your views changed?" I asked. I shifted my legs to relieve my stiff muscles.
"You have been moving stiffly all night. You were wearing riding clothes when I first saw you." He did not ask a question, but I knew he wanted an answer.
"I rode all day and night to reach the Hillfolk to make sure no harm had come to them and that they knew what was happening. Please tell me how your views have changed." I said.
"When I was young, all I wanted was political power but I was not strong of character or mature enough to handle it. My time as a tree, listening to Remalna conduct its business and the Hillfolk whispering wisdom to rebuild my mind taught me that there is more than one kind of power and the one I had considered the most important was the least. There is power in love, friendship, learning and a thousand other things. I learned only to arm myself against my enemies, not for the joy of it. I spent many years happily observing from the tree. I was learning how to live. Now it is time for me to start." He said then smiled. A full, real smile that stretched across his face and crinkled the skin around his eyes.
His face reddened and he confessed in a whisper, "I think that was my first real smile in public."
I could not keep myself from smiling in reply. Oh, he was a charmer all right. "It grows easier with practice." I said.
Just then a cluster of courtiers with Olaric in the middle approached. Judging from his flushed face and meandering walk, he had indulged in more wine than was wise. He bowed, forcing me to rise and curtsy. "Nimiar, you are neglecting your suitors."
Flauvic had risen to his feet and bowed. Olaric stood too close to him and stage whispered into his ear, "You had better watch her. One day she is enamored of you and the next she won't give you the time of day."
Flauvic's half-smile twitched slightly before he replied, "I will take your advice for what it is worth."
Olaric did not know how to reply to Flauvic's subtle insult so he reverted to his usual retort. "I challenge you to a duel, sunrise tomorrow."
"I decline." He replied.
"Coward. You are perfect for each other, a sneak and a coward!" Olaric said contemptuously.
"You are right Olaric, Flauvic is more perfect than you. Come Flauvic, I must introduce you to Harauld's latest dish. It is chicken in this most exquisite sauce." I said, smoothly navigating us away from Olaric and his cronies.
"Baron Emeric is waving to me. I had better see what he needs." I said when we were safely away. I felt embarrassed that he had publicly defended me, as though I could not have handled the matter myself. At the same time I felt flattered that such a handsome man as he might speak in my defense. I needed to think things through.
"I should check in with the king. He is keeping me under a close watch." Flauvic said. He bowed with a slight flourish, then left.
I happily approached Prince Emeric of Renselaeus, who had in fact been waving. Despite his age, a shade past forty, Prince Emeric and I were close friends. I found that I could discuss serious subjects ranging from hypothetical moral dilemmas to literature and politics with him.
He bowed. I curtsied. "I am glad you showed up, Princess Nimiar, I now have someone with whom I can carry out an intelligent conversation."
"Am I not intelligent, darling?" His wife, Princess Arian arrived bearing two full wineglasses, one of which she gave to her husband and offered the other to me.
"No, thank you. I am not thirsty." I said.
"You know that I consider you perfectly intelligent, but I have heard all of your conversation. I have yet to hear all of Nimiar's." Her husband replied good-naturedly.
"Oh, I see how it is." Princess Arian said with mock resignation, "Why don't you just take me out behind the barn and put me out of my misery like an old horse."
"Who would take care of me in my old age?" he retorted.
"You are so ornery." She scolded and slapped him lightly on the arm.
"Nimiar, never marry an ornery man. They are more trouble than they are worth." She said.
"Actually," Emeric said, "I wanted to ask you what you think of our tree- boy."
"I am not sure what to think of him. He appears sincere in his wish to do good in Remalna, but according to the histories, he is an excellent liar." I replied.
"What would you do with him if you had the choice?" he asked.
"I would probably need to give it more thought, but the idea that comes into my head first is to send him away as far as we can so that he will make trouble somewhere else." I said.
"What if he is sincere?" He said.
"Are you willing to bet a kingdom on that?" I countered.
"Point well taken, but if he is far away, could he not take over that country then use its army to conquer ours?"
"Not if the country is on the other side of the world. He would have to fight several countries that have magic. Besides, history shows that he is not very keen on armies. He prefers to sneak around and attack when no one expects it."
"Good girl, I see your mind has not atrophied during all the time you spent languishing at the university." He said.
"So, when will you visit us in Renselaeus?" his wife asked.
"I leave for the university in three weeks, so probably in a month. I did not know you were leaving Court."
"Yes, we will return there for the winter in two weeks." She replied.
"I will miss you and Emeric at Court."
"We will miss you also." She said.
The bell rang second white, which was the earliest time I could politely leave. "I must be going." I said.
"We will go with you. I am exhausted." Emeric said.
We bid the host good night and congratulated her on the ball before we left.
I fell asleep in the carriage to Athanarel. Arian woke me up and made sure I arrived in my rooms where my maid helped me out of my clothes and into bed.
After that first social engagement, Flauvic never sought me out when I was alone. My parents and I arranged a time when I could question him closely about his being a tree and the Hillfolk. Until that time, he treated me like everyone else did, polite and slightly distant. We danced on occasion, but he danced with many ladies, in fact, he was becoming the Court pet. Women adored his looks and manners and men respected him because he was both a formidable card player and sword-fighter.
I spent the next week stealing moments with my horses and books then dragging myself to various functions and entertainments. I had to plan our time in the library a week in advance because of my grueling social schedule.
I arrived early so that I could scan my notes and prepare my materials. I wore an old shirt whose cuffs were spotted black from old ink stains. I had placed a nice sleeveless dress over it so that hopefully visitors would not notice my shirt.
Flauvic entered the library just as the bell was ringing second gold. Two Ladies who were presumably looking for a book entered with him and lingered in the room, staring at him and whispering.
"Good morning, did you sleep well?" I asked.
"Yes, I did." He said.
I did my best to ask questions and take notes as though there were not gaggles of ladies walking in every few minutes, whispering and giggling at us before leaving.
Finally, after what seemed like the twentieth bunch of ladies had left I proposed to Flauvic, "Why don't we move to the archive room?"
"Sounds like a good idea. We might get a bit more privacy." He said.
I packed up my quills, papers, and an inkstand and moved into an archive room that held memoirs and Court diaries.
It was much easier to talk now that we were not under the microscope of the Court ladies and I gathered much valuable information. I was surprised when the bell rang for first green. I had not covered even half of the information I intended to discuss. "Oh no!" I said when I heard the bell, "I have so much more I need to ask."
Flauvic gave me a full, real smile and said, "We could arrange another meeting."
"Do you have a free morning three days from now?"
"Yes." He replied.
"Good, I will meet you at second gold."
Flauvic and I met in the archive room. I knew that not even the boldest of the court ladies could fabricate an excuse to enter the cramped archive room, so I wore my usual university attire, a shirt, tunic, and breeches in muted, practical colors. Again I was a few minutes early so that I could prepare for my interview.
He strolled into the room a minute and a half early. He began to bow. I did not feel like getting up after I had just perfectly arranged my nest of papers, books, and quills. "No need for such courtesy right now. Sit down."
He straightened in mid-bow and sat down in the chair across from me. I had just opened my mouth to ask my first question when I heard the bell ring for second gold.
I raised one eyebrow, silently indicating that I knew he was early and I wanted to know why. He smiled and stared directly into my eyes for one second, replying I was the reason he was early. He enjoyed my company. This knowledge made me feel more confident. I asked questions I had not dared to ask before and our conversation often strayed far from the subject of the Hillfolk.
I admit that I was much charmed by Flauvic. He was so much more open in private. His shy display of a smile or a grimace won my affection much more quickly than the most elaborate Court manners could have. I found that he was actually much like me. He hid his shyness behind impeccable manners, something that I often did. He only showed his true personality around people he was comfortable with.
At least that was what I thought.
I had not asked half of the questions I had needed to during this meeting. We agreed to meet again in a few days, same place and time.
I felt slightly giddy and my stomach twisted pleasantly every time I thought of our next meeting. I imagined us having conversations during which I impressed him with my intellect.
I was feeding Red the evening before our meeting when I noticed that Lily had not touched a bite of the feed that the grooms had given her. Her behavior was abnormal. She usually gobbled down every single morsel of food that was in her stall and often fed on her bedding when nothing better was in sight.
She had her rear to the door, another discrepancy in her behavior. I watched her for half a time measure. During that time measure she lay down and got up again, a sign that she was uncomfortable. Then she pooped. I entered the stall and inspected it. It was much mushier than it was supposed to be. I had deduced from her previous behavior that she was colicing, but her pooping had given me useful information. She was suffering from one of two possible ailments. The worst was twisted gut. Twisted gut occurred when a horse's intestine got twisted. The prognosis was almost always a slow painful death. It was also possible that she was suffering from a stomach flu that would pass through her system relatively quickly. The only worry I had from the stomach flu was that if she began to have diarrhea, she might become dehydrated and since water was vital to a horse's digestive system, her intestines would become blocked which would create a new batch of problems.
I calmly told the stable master her symptoms and returned to my rooms to fetch the animal-doctoring supplies I had bought and been taught to use while at the university.
The stable master gave me an odd look when I began mixing crushed charcoal and water in a bucket. He gave me an even odder look when I fitted the special lid to the top that would allow me to pump the mixture out of a tube. I suppose I should not mention the look he gave when I asked him if he would hold the horse's head while I shoved a tube up her nose then down into her stomach.
I hand pumped the charcoal into her stomach. I hoped it would solidify her poop and make the disease pass through her stomach more quickly. There was nothing more I could do for her other than offer her water and food and keep her comfortable. Despite the charcoal her poop grew runnier until it was almost all liquid. I offered Lily water, but she only splashed at it irritably with her nose.
I spent the night with Lily, keeping an eye on her to make sure that she would not lie down and thrash about. Thrashing usually happened towards the end of colic. Once a horse started thrashing, it was going to die, whether it be shortened by the sharp knife of a loving owner or the horse's system was poisoned because there was no water to flush it out.
I did not cry during that long miserable night, though every time Lily lay down my own stomach gnashed its teeth on my abdomen and I waited for her to start thrashing.
At mid-morning the next day my brother found me hugging Lily and admiring a mostly solid black horse turd in her stall. Lily was too busy sucking down water to notice me. She only had the stomach flu after all. A night of stress and no sleep made me feel light-headed and emotional at the same time. I could laugh or cry or both at any moment.
"Mother and Father sent me out here to check on you." He said.
"How kind of them. Would you tell them that I am fine and I am going to bed now." I replied.
"Certainly." He said, "Could you send me a message when you are awake? There is a serious matter I need to discuss with you."
"If it is important, we can talk right now." I blinked my heavy eyelids did my best not to yawn.
"It can keep. You are too tired to be rational anyway. Here, I will help you to your rooms."
For the second time that month, I staggered into my room. I undressed with the help of a maid. It was not until I crawled into bed that I realized I had missed my meeting with Flauvic. For some inexplicable reason I burst into tears and cried myself to sleep.