The Arrow of Fate

2 THE RIDE

As she opened her eyes morning sun was already filtering in through the small window. Sophie stretched and lay for a while breathing in the crisp autumn air getting in through the cracks in the window. She turned her head looking at Jenny but her cousin was still asleep. That was another difference between them: while Jenny was fragile and preferred comforts of bed and table, taking joy in simple quiet pastime, Sophie always itched to be on the move, to do things no matter if she had to get sweaty and dirty in the process. So now she tossed the quilt away impatiently, she dressed quickly, washed herself and left the room closing the door behind her carefully.

The stable boy was not very happy when she demanded he bring her horse.

'I shouldn't do that really, my lady. Sir Lochsley won't be pleased if I let you go alone.'

The boy was torn between the loyalty to Sophie's brother and the want to get away from the situation without offending her.

'Joseph, I'm not going far. I'll be just around the castle grounds and Richard is used to my morning rides anyway.'

'I just don't want to get into trouble, lady Sophie.'

'And you won't, I assure you. I'll take it on myself if Richard gets angry, which he won't in the first place.' Sophie tried to use her most persuasive tone.

'Lady Sophie is not going alone so you may stop worrying and bring our horses, please.'She heard a decisive voice behind her and she turned abruptly.

'Sir Dragan! Good morning.' She said surprised.

'Lady Sophie...' He gave a welcoming nod. 'You are up early.'

'There's nothing like an early morning ride.' She said feeling like an idiot and she forced a smile to cover her embarrassment.

The stable boy brought their horses just then so Dragan helped her up on the saddle and they set off.

'Thank you for saving me the nuisance of persuading Joseph to let me go.' Sophie said gratefully.

'My pleasure.' Dragan grinned. 'So where are we going?'

'Well, now that we've gotten away from Joseph you are free to take your own direction,sir.' She said hesitantly. She didn't want to sound impolite but she didn't want to drag him around with her either.

'Well, you don't think I saved you from Joseph to let you ride alone, do you? What would Richard say? I wouldn't want to get in trouble myself, you know.'

She wasn't sure whether he was serious or was teasing her.

'Besides I fully agree with the fact that it's not safe to ride on your own.'

'I can take perfectly good care of myself.' She said with dignity. 'As you saw yesterday I can fight.'

'You are an incrediblefighter lady, no question about it.' He agreed. 'But if you encounter more than one opponent? And as far as I can see you've left your bow in the room.' He pointed out.

'Oh, well.' She laughed disarmed. 'We've barely left the yard and I've already been defeated.I was going to the woods.'

Dragan raised his eyebrows but he didn't have time to comment on her choice of destination because Sophie spurred her mare and set into gallop. He shook his head smiling and bewildered and after a while he followed her trying to catch up. Once in the woods they had to slow down so he resumed conversation.

'That's quite brave, going on a ride when only yesterday you were through such an adventure.'

'I'm not easily scared.'