Unspoken

Chapter 32 Heart of Winter

Emily stared out of the window. It had been three days since Harun had left and it hadn't stopped snowing. She bit her lip. She hoped he was alright.

Emily turned her chair and looked at the little shape in front of the fire place. The small puppy was fast asleep.

A smile passed over Emily's face. Harun had brought in the animal just before he left.

"He needs someone to look after him, Miss Emily."

Her mother had thrown a fit when she first saw the dog. She had given a long lecture about animals in the house and how he would walk his dirty paws all over the carpet, but Emily had begged and pleaded until her mother had finally given in.

Even her grandmother had told her mother it would be good for Emily to take care of the dog. I would teach her responsibility.

So, she was allowed to keep the pup, if she took care of it herself.

She had named him Rowdy. For now the pup slept a lot, he was still young, Harun had already stated training him.

Emily smiled when Rowdy yawned and opened his eyes sleepily. "Hello Rowdy," Emily cooed, "did you finally wake up?"

The little dog rolled over and wagged his tail.

Emily giggled. "Come then. Let's find you a treat."

Rowdy barked happily and crawled clumsily to his feet, following his new boss towards the kitchen.

"Agnes," Emily called, "can you get Rowdy's bowl for me?"

Agnes turned with her hands on her hips. "No Miss Emily, you know what your mother said. He has to eat outside."

"But it's cold," Emily protested.

"He was raised in the stables, Miss. He can handle a little snow. You shouldn't be pampering him. He needs to run around on his own. It will help him grow strong." When she saw Emily's crestfallen face, she sighed. "I'll be right here, Miss. He'll scratch the door when he wants to come back inside. That young lad asked you to take care of the creature. That means you have to give it what it needs. You want him to grow strong, don't you?"

Emily nodded. "Yes," she said softly.

"Good," Agnes said, "I'll place his bowl at the door for you. You should go back inside Miss. Isn't it almost time for your lessons? I'll have your pup back inside by the time you finish." She put her words into action and held the door open for the dog to go through.

"Go on Rowdy," Emily told the animal, "go outside."

The dog slowly padded over to the door and started chowing down his food. The snow didn't seem to bother him in the slightest.

Emily sighed. She knew Agnes was right. Rowdy needed to run outside too. She knew Harun let him run around the garden every day. But she liked having Rowdy close. He had been a gift from Harun. She missed her friend.

Her grandmother was calling her from the hallway and reluctantly Emily turned her chair.

"Don't worry, Miss," Agnes assured her, "I'll keep an eye on the little thing. Go to your lessons."

Emily sighed. "Coming grandmamma!" she called.

***

He became vaguely aware of sounds nearby, but they sounded muffled, like he was somewhere under water or covered with many blankets.

There was a fog clouding his mind and he struggled to clear his head.

Slowly, the noises became more solid. Someone was throwing wood on a fire, then there was steering in a kettle, the raking sound of a chair against the floor. In the distance there was clinging of metal and he heard horses. A blacksmith?