The Knight's Charge

Friday January 18

I woke up frozen, the man was in a panic shaking me and babbling about how we had to get out of here.

"Why? Who are you?" I yawned as I started to stretch getting stabbed in the back by bits of hay in the process. Why was i lying on bales of hay?

"Toby and somebody is going to show up here anytime now there's animals in this barn that need feeding." a sheep gave a long loud call and our surroundings were lit up from below.

"what in" the girl in the doorway continued to mouth words but no sound came out. she shook herself and stated clearly "You'd better stand up and state your business sir." as she approached the ladder. that's when i recognized her. of all the places to lodge for the night did it have to be Adia's barn?Toby motioned for me to stay down, Aida hadn't noticed me yet. at the same moment Aida reached the ladder and knocked it to the floor. Toby was outraged.

"Put that ladder back!" he yelled.

"i might after i feed the sheep goats and rabbits and receive your explanation as to why you're here." she replied in an almost sweet fashion that made me think of snakes. She walked under the hayloft apparently busily tending her goats.

"Well" Toby said apparently defeated "it's cold out and i was too tired to keep walking to my friends and there was no one to how do you put it ride a hitch from? so this little barn was a godsend." i wanted to see her reaction but that was impossible. Anxiously Toby and i waited for a reply.

"you should have come to the house,  i'm sure my dad could have given you a ride." so Aida had swallowed it hook line and sinker.

"so you'll let me down?" Toby asked hopefully.

"yes and i'll get you some breakfast and a ride......"

"that won't be necessary" Toby interrupted her. My stomach growled in protest, i know it was Aida but I've already missed one meal on account of Toby i couldn't bear to miss a second one. 

"that would be lovely thank you Aida" i said as she returned the ladder. she was so surprised she nearly dropped the ladder onto her grey knit cap. fortunately Toby sieged it and firmly pulled it into place.

"R-rowan?"

"yes it's me don't ask" i answered, following Toby down the ladder. 

quickly she shed her old denim coat and gave it to me "you must be absolutely frozen, it's a wonder if you haven't been frostbitten." she said. Toby's look of horror was comical as he repeated 'frostbitten' to himself. we were shepherded inside, Aida made us oatmeal. it was so good to be semi warm again, though the house was barely warmer than the barn. we ate huddled close to the wood stove in her living room while Aida tried to rouse her father in vain. she came back shaking her head. "it's a good thing it's a snow day, he's not going to wake up till ten crazy string-man" she said then made a face "sorry guitar man no offence rowan''

"a snow day in Fremont?" i asked astounded our snow day calling person was from the up he never gave snow days. Aida laughed too.

"crazy i know, would you like a shower?"

"ohhh yes please"

the shower was heaven right up until the hot water ran out.