Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2014 23:22:07 GMT -5
”Will you be certain that Christabel is saddled for me, Martin?” Caterina asked as she made her way down through the winding halls and stairs toward the kitchens. ”I’m eager for exercise.”
“Yes, Lady Caterina,” he said with a bow, carefully masking his surprise.
There was no reason for her to ask why – it was rare for Caterina to be functioning on a normal level at this early hour. The sun was barely peeking over the mountains, turning the sky a dusty orange color so Drakespire Castle, she knew, glimmered as if out of a legend. Curtsies followed her like a wake as she made her way into the kitchens, requesting a bag of apples. Her gown and hat looked out of place in the kitchens, deep, royal blues in the faded sage and browns of service. Head high, cradling the apples in her arms, she ignored the looks that followed her on her way out into the hall and out the door.
It was hot, again. It was beginning to feel as if the oppressive heat of summer might never abate. Tucking a stray lock of hair under her hat, Caterina took a breath, and picked her way down the stairs and across the lawn to the stables. It was tucked into the many long shadows of Drakespire, and was one of the many havens that lay about the castle. Christabel, fully outfitted for a short ride, snuffed and stamped at the sight of her mistress, reaching out her long neck to inspect the sack Caterina had tucked under her arm.She let her horse finish the half-eaten apple before leading her out and accepting the small step to climb into the saddle, her skirts tucked about her legs.
Caterina rode Christabel hard, to the place where the rivers emptied into the ocean. Dropping to the ground, she breathed in the salty air, looking over the crashing waves. The brunette was troubled, that much was clear as she removed the hat to let the wind whip through her curls, tugging at them as if to pull her with them, far away and across the waters to Vasile.
By the time she returned, it was almost time for the afternoon meal, and the ride had done nothing to quell the feeling of missing…something. As one of the stableboys reached to take Christabel’s reigns, Caterina held up one hand, shaking her head scarcely once. ”No,” she told him, determined. ”I will brush her down. At least for a little while.”
The smell of leather and straw was comforting as Caterina brushed down her horse, cooing to her quietly, her hat fallen amongst the dirt and straw, and for the first time that morning, Caterina felt her heartbeat slowing, as time slowed, and she lost track of it.
“Yes, Lady Caterina,” he said with a bow, carefully masking his surprise.
There was no reason for her to ask why – it was rare for Caterina to be functioning on a normal level at this early hour. The sun was barely peeking over the mountains, turning the sky a dusty orange color so Drakespire Castle, she knew, glimmered as if out of a legend. Curtsies followed her like a wake as she made her way into the kitchens, requesting a bag of apples. Her gown and hat looked out of place in the kitchens, deep, royal blues in the faded sage and browns of service. Head high, cradling the apples in her arms, she ignored the looks that followed her on her way out into the hall and out the door.
It was hot, again. It was beginning to feel as if the oppressive heat of summer might never abate. Tucking a stray lock of hair under her hat, Caterina took a breath, and picked her way down the stairs and across the lawn to the stables. It was tucked into the many long shadows of Drakespire, and was one of the many havens that lay about the castle. Christabel, fully outfitted for a short ride, snuffed and stamped at the sight of her mistress, reaching out her long neck to inspect the sack Caterina had tucked under her arm.
Caterina rode Christabel hard, to the place where the rivers emptied into the ocean. Dropping to the ground, she breathed in the salty air, looking over the crashing waves. The brunette was troubled, that much was clear as she removed the hat to let the wind whip through her curls, tugging at them as if to pull her with them, far away and across the waters to Vasile.
By the time she returned, it was almost time for the afternoon meal, and the ride had done nothing to quell the feeling of missing…something. As one of the stableboys reached to take Christabel’s reigns, Caterina held up one hand, shaking her head scarcely once. ”No,” she told him, determined. ”I will brush her down. At least for a little while.”
The smell of leather and straw was comforting as Caterina brushed down her horse, cooing to her quietly, her hat fallen amongst the dirt and straw, and for the first time that morning, Caterina felt her heartbeat slowing, as time slowed, and she lost track of it.