Search for the Crystal Key (A Continuation of Dark Escape)

Chapter 11

Tara fidgeted with the waist of her corduroy walking suit. It was such a tedious outfit to put on and she dreaded doing it all over again, especially since the events of the last few days caught up with her and she felt abnormally tired. Keeping on the underskirt and pantalets, she positioned herself as comfortably as she could on the thick, feather mattress and did her best to sleep. Unable to accomplish total relaxation, her sleep was restless and fitful, leaving her attire in tussled disarray.

Without the assistance of an attendant, she was unable to rectify the damage done to the alignment of her clothing before Joshua offered her a quick breakfast of coffee and cold biscuits to be eaten while they walked to the stables. She did her best to tug and adjust with her free hand, while she balanced the biscuit and coffee in the other hand and followed him to the stables. Noticing her dilemma, Joshua smiled to himself, but made no offer to assist. When they reached the stable, their horses were tacked up and waiting for them. Joshua looked long and hard at her.

"You should really be wearing a riding habit, not a walking suit," he said with a scowl, "What happened to the one you were wearing when I found you?"

"It was too heavy and hot. I didn't have help getting out of this and into that even if I wanted to wear it," she stated flatly as she pulled at her bodice. "This suit feels tight."

Joshua chuckled as he said, "Give it time. It's new. Soon you'll feel so comfortable in your clothing you'll consider them second skin."

"Humph," she puffed. "I hope so."

"Well, do your best my dearest," he replied.

Tara smiled at the handsome man's reference of familiarity. It slid across his tongue freely and because of this she grew more and more at ease with its usage.

Grateful that he'd at least heeded her request to have a gentleman's saddle placed on her mount instead of a clumsy side saddle he argued a respectable woman like herself should use she threw herself onto the horses back with minimal effort, taking in Joshua's surprised appraisal from the corner of her eye. It felt good to be riding, even if the mare she rode wasn't Sugar.

They moved carefully while Tara adjusted herself to the horse's gait and determined the most comfortable method of draping her skirts, so they didn't interfere with her seat on the younger and more spirited horse Joshua provided.

Joshua was right. A riding habit would be the better choice of attire. Once satisfied she was comfortable and secure with her mount, Joshua kicked his gelding into motion and they made haste toward the western skyline. It would take them a few hours to reach the wizard's place, which wasn't far from the boundary of Shadow Land. They'd have to expend time for the traditional pleasantries Joshua explained were expected of all guests in the wizard's domain until the opportunity arose for him to state the purpose of their visit.

He felt her health needed inspection and care and then he'd request the spell to get them into Shadow Land be created. Even with them leaving at dawn, if they were fortunate enough to have everything go as planned he anticipated they wouldn't be ready to head to the portal to Shadow Land until early afternoon. With a comfortable distance between their mounts and the house, he slowed their pace to let the horses regain their stamina.

Tara took as much of the clean air into her lungs as they'd hold. It was marvelous how pure and free from pollution the atmosphere was. In her time, even the most remote location still hinted at the toxic waste that accumulated from the abuse and misuse of its population over the years.

She scowled. It was clear she'd stepped back in time to the very same geographical area that she was in when she spoke the traveling spell. After chewing on the disappointment that flooded her when she realized she and Brandon failed to place themselves into the bowels of Shadow Land she allowed herself to contemplate her conversation with the old man. Although a lot of it still didn't make sense, she believed there was validity to his story which meant her doppelganger was somewhere nearby.