la douleur exquise

5

"I got it !!!" She held the fish close to her chest making sure it's slipper body wouldnt jump out .She ran to the river bank. "Look tobby i caught it." she showed the fish to the unphased horse.

"Finally she caught it" the hidden individual laughed .

"I am going to enjoy eating you big boy." the sound of her growling stomach made her realize how hungry she was . "How long did i waste here?" she put the fish carefully and the fish jumped around . She looked around seeing all the foxes are now gone. 

Her undergarments was wet and now reeked of fish ."well i need to change as well , i cant walk into town smelling like fish." she took out another pairs of undergarments. 

"Dumb girl what is she doing ?'' 

"i should change before i leave ."  She started a fire again and placed the fish on the fire waiting for it cook. "While that cooks ill change . stay here boy , ill change behind you." she snuck in the space between Tobby and a tree and slipped of her wet clothing .

the pair of brown eyes looks away into the sky . She quickly slipped in her new fresh garments and wore her dress on top .The dress is still wet but she didnt care .She took out her map and read it as the fish cooked and checked everything for leaving .

"Klaus , What are you doing?" the brown eyed boy looked at his friend .

"come here ill show you something." he called for his friend. He pointed to the girl in the distance . "she that girl reading a map.She spent almost 30 minutes trying to catch that big fish with her hands."

"A woman? catching a fish with her bare hands?" said the friend in disbelief.

"yeah , i was watching her . it was funny watching her weak arms hold on to a fish ."

"so you are sitting on this tree watching  a girl catch instead keeping guard ,''

"i was just taking a rest ." he defended 

"For 30 minutes?" they laughed .

Meanwhile Harmonia was impatiently waiting for the fish to cook. "how long do i wait? i am hungry ." she fell back on to the grass and pulled the astrology book .

"She is reading a book." Kalus called his friend again .

"That a awfully big book for a woman to read .I am impressed." pharaoh said looking at Kalus with a impressed look.

"Do you think she can read?"

"Well what else can she do with a big book," They both looked at her while she read the book.

" her fish is burning -" the 2 boys laughed silently as the girl smelled the burning fish  and jumped up and ran too the fish ,frantically trying to get it out .

"Tobby , my fish almost burned , thank the lord.hmm this looks good , shall i take a bite and tell u how it tastes ." the horse stayed silent "oh boy your a horse you cant eat this "

"She is talking to her horse" kalus looked at her confused.

"What a girl , First he read a book and then she almost burned her fish and now she is talking to her horse."

"Dont forget she caught the fish with her bare hands."

"Maybe she is a witch ." their conversation was cut short by the sound of a horn, a signal for them to assemble  .They jumped off the tree and left thinking about the girl they just saw.

Harmonia took a bite of the fish . "HMM its good ." before she knew it she finished the whole thing . " ahh that was a good meal ." she looked at the sun which is now shining brightly ."we should start moving now tobby ." she packed all the things she has bought and got on her horse and looked for a path that will let her cross the river .

"the water seems shallow here , we can cross." Tobby slowly walked over the shallow water and reached the other side . "we have to get back on track before noon ." 

.

The sun was exactly on top of them . It was getting hotter .  "ok we are  on track . By night fall we would reach a village , we can rest there until morning ." Tobby picked up speed .

The sun was almost setting and they reached the village . The smell of charcoal filled the air. "what a lively village." she examined the place taking note of the people and their lives .She got off Tobby and walked around guiding Tobby behind her .She walked up to a shop with a chubby old woman selling food. 

"Well hello there young lady." the woman greeted with a smile .Harmonia greeted her shyly ."I havent seen you before . Your travelling aren't you?"

"Yes , i am heading to north town ."

"Ahhh i see ,Would you like something to eat , I'll give u discount since you are a pretty girl." Harmonia  blushed to that comment . She nodded her head .

"a piece of Roast chicken seems good right now." she payed for it and held the food in her hands. She munched on the food while she walked around hearing about the lives of other people . She enjoyed the village at its beauty .Taking a bite on the last piece of chicken she brushed her hands against her dressed .

"is that who i think it is?" she heard before feeling a hand on her shoulder . "If i am not wrong you must be doctor Stephens daughter .". asked a lady who seemed  to know her father . 

"Yes i am , who are you?" she questioned . The lady laughed . "Your father treated my husband last year , i could never forget that man and his daughter for saving my husband," she claimed .However having no memory of meeting her . " Aren't you a little far from your town?"

"yes i am travelling for herbs my father asked me to get .North town is my main destination ."

"Oh , i understand but where are you staying to night . North town is not far but travelling at night seems to  be troublesome ." Harmonia realized she didn't think about a place to stay.

"i haven't thought of that yet."

"Well if u would like you can stay with us for the night . It is the least i could for doctor after he saved my husband ." It didnt seems like bad idea.

" Wouldn't that be a burden for you?"

"Oh never , please i insist ." And so she walked with the woman to her house . She tied the horse near the house giving 2 apples and patted his head . Tobby still moves his head . "good night boy"

She entered the small cottage . She saw a man writing something . On hearing their foot steps he lifted his head off his book . "Doctors stephen's daughter ?" he asked . At that moment Harmonia recognised the mans face . "What a lovely surprise. What brings you to my humble home ,"

"She was travelling and she is staying here for the night ." 

"Very well then , Let's make you feel at home ." Harmonia got a bed and they even offered warm soup and bread which she gladly accepted .

"I was very sick last year that i couldnt go to work and then i went to meet your father who cured me in just 3 days!" the man praised her father . "He is my life saver."

"Im glad to hear that." she smiled proud of her fathers works.

"Well it has been a long night , you must be tired . Please get some sleep tell me if you need something." The woman said and left along with her husband leaving her alone.Harmonia opened her bag and looked into it . Her eyes landed on the leather book her father gave  . She took out the book and took out her pen and started writing about her day . From the fish catching to meet her father's old patients . It has sure been adventure but she had fun , along with her grumpy horse that is .

She fell back into the bed and the soft warm bed put her mind at ease and before she knew it her eyes shut themselves and she drifted to sleep.