Song of Wind

Chapter 7

   The smell of horse and hay calmed Ashton as he and Gregory entered the barn. Stalls on either side of them housed well bred geldings and mares. They snorted and stared as they passed by each stall the horses watching them go. Ashton didn't stop until he got to the end of the isle, the stall held a red overo paint mare. She nickered in greeting, pressing her nose through the bars of the stall begging for a carrot. Ashton stuck his hand through the bars and stroked her soft velvet nose.

"It's like you've never missed a day out there." Gregory said, the munching of hay became a white noise in the background.

"It felt so natural you know?" Ashton replied still stroking the mare's nose who nipped at his fingers affectionately. "When I hold a sword It's like i'm a different person." Gregory watched him silently for a moment.

   Finally he spoke, "they say a man's life is his sword." Ashton removed his hand from the horse and rubbed the back of his neck uneasily.

"Greg.."

"Don't, I have found something to keep me sane" Ashton watched as Gregory lifted up a book that was in his lap. Ashton choked when he saw it was the same one he had been looking at in the library just last night. He shifted on his feet uncomfortably, he searched his friends face for any hidden emotion. But Gregory just kept beaming at him with hazel eyes. Ashton hoped that Gregory hadn't found his name absent from that book. What would he say if he did? Would he say anything at all?

"There is a festival in town today" Gregory mused wheeling his way through a pile of bedding and manure. "You want to go?"

  Ashton did want to go. The last time he had been to a festival he got his hands on a few nice looking whores. He could certainly use the distraction, no doubt Gregory did as well.

"Yes, I'd like that."

   The festival was just outside of the castle limits on a grassy open area underneath thick grey clouds. The sun was not needed here as thousands of colors were displayed on tents, and stands. The smell of spiced meats, and numerous sweets filled the air making Ashton's stomach grumble in response.

   Gregory wheeled beside him as they made their way along the narrow paths between vendors. So many people milled about yelling or advertising their venor. They past a stand with a rather wrinkled dirty man sitting behind out. On the stand were jars of preserved animals and organs.

"That makes me sick" Gregory said, as an old lady wrapped in a blanket went to the stand pointing at the jar that held what looked like fingers. Ashton silently agreed with him as they left continued both he and Gregory were given free sausages.

"The most I can do for the future king" The sausage seller had said bowing low. His white apron stained yellow from meat juice. They both thanked him politely, but Ashton gave him a few gold coins anyway. A trailer pulled by two clydesdales was set up at the edge of the cluster of vendors. Outside of the trailer were whores dressed in high boots, tights, and short dresses.

   A lovely blond woman with thick thighs caught his eye. She gave him a small wave of her hand, her lips painted red was twisted in a smirk on her face. He was about to turn to Gregory to announce his findings when a woman cut in front of his line of view. A guy was trailing after her. She wasn't anything spectacular, she wore a loose white shirt and tan pants. But what really set her apart was her fiery red hair and sharp green eyes. He was knocked out of breath for a moment.

   Never had he seen a woman with that kind of hair before. She looked to be about his age, and the guy a bit older than them both. The guy was a good few feet taller than her with a rather large nose. He watched them walk right past without so much as a second glance their way. It seemed they were in a rather intent conversation heads bent in close together, lips moving fast.