Darkthorn’s Blog

Outside it was sunny and warm, and Julia had to restrain herself from skipping in happiness. Whatever they were doing, or had been doing didn’t concern her. She was free! The darkness that had been plaguing her was gone. Maybe this time it was gone for good.

She kept walking, out over the surrounding fields, looking at the horses. Perhaps Blackmain had stolen them, but it didn’t seem like he would stoop to that. He may have been shady about his past, but he was better than that. He had likely gotten them as a gift from someone. But who? He didn’t correspond with anyone as far as she knew. He took great care to protect himself from prying eyes, all that going outside only during the night. Julia’s thoughts ran in circles, finally coming back to settle on the fact that they were a gift. A very valuable and important gift. They were beautiful stock, much like the ones that were kept by the King back home.

No, she corrected herself, this was home now, for as long as she could stay. She needed to think about the future, going back to the city wasn’t an option. Julia theorized that she could maybe take up a regular job, just like the common people, but what? She was skilled in regular tasks, such as cleaning animals or mending, but most of these people would know how to do this for themselves. Julia could read, but once again, the townspeople probably didn’t require that either. Perhaps she could bake, that was a good idea. Surely there would be people who didn’t have the time to cook their own midday’s. Blackmain and Ishton didn’t like her going outside, and it would be difficult to explain where the pies and cake were coming from. A bachelor as rugged as Blackmain wouldn’t have time, what with training the horses and all.

Julia wondered if she still remembered how to ride. A nice fast canter would clear the cobwebs from her mind and refresh her. A couple of the horses near her appeared calm and less flighty than the rest. They all were a bit wild, Blackmain liked to have them only partially broken in it seemed. One stallion, black as night, lowered his head to her snorting when she looked him in the eyes. The proud leader of the pack, he was bound to be Blackmain’s chosen mount. It wouldn’t be politic to ride him, yet he was beckoning her towards him, tossing his mane and shivering his glossy coat. Julia approached cautiously. Her cracked ribs were only just healed, it wouldn’t do to ruin all Ishton’s good work.

The stallion flicked his tail and shuddered as Julia placed her hand no his back. She couldn’t believe it was going to be so easy. It was lucky she was used to bareback, the horses she had ridden had never known bridles, nor had she had access to a saddle. Julia swung up onto his back, gasping a little as her pelvis hit his knobby spine. The horse leapt forward suddenly, and Julia scrambled to get a firmer hold on his mane. The stallion’s speed and power shocked her as he suddenly burst into animated motion. She tried hard to merge her body with his to ease their passage though the wind. Julia had forgotten how much she loved riding, the sense of freedom filling her. She gave herself to the moment.

In what felt like moments later, Julia felt the horse slowing. From the position of the sun she could tell that it had actually been hours. Blackmain and Ishton would surely be up by now, and even if they weren’t she needed to prepare their next meal. From the amount they had eaten before, a hearty amount would be required to satisfy them. She dismounted gingerly, it had been ages since she had ridden, and it definitely felt like it. Her fresh-healed bones ached, but not so much to be unbearable. Somehow the horse had known when she couldn’t ride any longer without causing further damage. Julia felt that it would be appropriate to thank the horse, so she turned and offered her hand. Strangely, the horse didn’t seem tired, or barely even sweating. Still, it wouldn’t do to leave him untended for, she would come back later. Blackmain would understand, and surely have the appropriate combs to care for him properly.

Julia walked back to the house slowly and carefully, trying to avoid jarring her ribs. The ride had taken more out of her than she had expected. It was quiet, and she looked out over the green fields. As she had thought earlier, it was getting on autumn, the trees slowly shedding their beautiful red and brown leaves. The trees surrounding their fields would soon be entirely bare, and the house would surely be visible to the outside. Julia doubted that anyone would want to approach anyway, Blackmain would be known for his solitary nature in the village. Inside the house Julia noted that there was no sign of life from the bedroom. Quietly she took the vegetables outside to peel. More time to think about the future.