Chapter 8 – Reacquainted

The boy turned and faced me. His face lit up, "Dee it's you, what are you doing here?"

I smiled and explained my duty to stay in Ayortha for half a year. "But I might ask you the same question."

"I couldn't stand the innkeeper I worked for anymore. I want to do something else. I heard from a travelling merchant that the royal family of Ayortha was hiring for a stable boy. Since I like working with horses, I packed up my stuff and came here."

He walked over to the well to get a bucket of water, I followed him.

"So why did you run off when I was about to introduce you to my family?"

John suddenly looked uncomfortable "I um, had things to do."

I really wanted to know, but didn't press him. So I changed the subject, "Do you like it here?"

"Sure," he said while drawing water from the well "Ayortha's a nice place, the people are nice, like my colleagues and my boss. I especially like their voices, they sing while they work." He looked at me "Don't you?"

"Well I like the place well enough. But the nobles are SO boring." I went on to describe how boring and quiet the Ayorthaian court was. "Father once said the noisiest being here is a fly, and he's right."

John laughed while I told the story, "I've felt that too. Not only are the nobles silent, the workers are too. The first days here I've made a fool of myself by talking to them."

"Me too." For the first time since coming here I laughed. I finally found someone to talk to.

But our conversation was ended when I spied my mistress in my room. Luckily she did not see me, but I had to get bad before she knew what I've been doing. I was hoping to ride today, but it'll have to wait, and until I could find a way to smuggle out of the castle.

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So it went on like this for many days. I'd sneak out of my room when I have time and talk to John, I'd even help out. Every time I'd wear trousers just in case I find a way to ride.

Everyday I liked him more and more. He never commented on the fact that I wear men's clothes or rode differently. I found out that John was very kind and gentle with horses and that he knew what he's doing. He told me that he'd like to have a horse of his own someday.

Every time I go to the stable I'd try to think up a plan to get out and ride. I envied John, even though he didn't own a horse, he could still ride when he exercised the horses. One day I finally decide to ask him to help.

"So do you have any idea what I could do, because staying inside the castle is not an option." I asked him after explaining my situation.

"Why don't you sneak out at night?"

"I've thought of that already, the only way out is through the drawbridge, and they've got guards guarding there at night as well. In fact, there are more guards at night than daytime. Besides, the sound of Lightning's hooves on the wooden planks would surely attract attention."

"You can wrap Lightning's hooves with cloth just for that moment, so that she would not make a sound."

"Then what about me? In case you've forgotten, I'm still a princess and am not allow to be outside without guards." I made a face at the word "princess" which made John laugh.

"Hmm, I'll think about it and tell you the next time you visit."

I had to go, I'm sure people were looking for me by now. But before I climbed up the pole on the way to my room (which impressed John very much), he shouted after me "Don't worry Dee, you'll get to ride someday, I promise."

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I hope that's more interesting, and yes, Dee does get to ride, later (I'm spoiling my story, Gaah!)
Reviews would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!