The Son Of Ursula

Chapter 24: Carriage Ride

Lana's POV:

After Zale drank his soup and ate the breakfast I brought to him, we head outside to the stables to get two horses and a carriage to ride to a village outside of castle town.

As I lead Zale down to the stable I couldn't help but be suspicious and curious of how quick his fever broke.

Did he even had a fever? I think to myself, recalling how his forehead was burning up and how sickly he look. Yes, I'm pretty sure he had the fever, but theres no way for it to break in just one morning. Maybe its a merman thing? Would it be weird to ask?

Before I could even ask Zale speaks, "Whoa, what are those?" He points to a pair of horses that were hooked up to a simple carriage, with no top, in front of the wooden stables, chewing on a patch of grass.

I raise my eyebrow, "Horses?" I answer, confuse.

"Horses?" He repeats.

I nod, "Yeah horses, want to meet them?" I ask.

He nods slowly, "Sure," he says staring at the creatures with awe. I smile at his expression and took his hand in mine and lead them to the two horses that we had just gotten two weeks ago.

"Mr. West?" I call out for the caretaker of the stables.

"Yes?" The middle age man answer from the other side of the carriage. He peek from the side one of the horses to see us approach. He smiles warmly, "Why hello Princess, what brings you and your friend here?"

"Well we were hoping to use the carriage and go out riding, if of course Jack and Penny are up for it." I said patting the mix color of white and brown horse, Jack.

Penny neighs and snorts, shaking her head and stumping her hooves on the ground.

"Is that a yes, Penny?" I ask the solid color brown horse.

She neighs again and nods her head as if understanding.

"I'll take that as a yes," I said as I took out an apple and fed it to Penny.

Jack neighs as if wanting to tell me that he wants one too. I smile, "Don't worry Jack I brought one for you as well." I smile as I took out another apple from the apron's pocket I wore around my waist.

I look to Zale who is watching from behind me with his hand behind his back. "Come here Zale," I said.

He frowns, but steps forward, standing next to me in front of Jack. I take his hand and put the red fresh apple in the center of his palm.

"You're going to want to flatten your hand so he doesn't bite it," I instruct. And guide his hand to Jack's mouth.

"He won't bite me will he?" He asks with nervousness in his voice.

I smile reassuring, "Not unless you flatten your hand like I told you to."

He flattens his hand so much I was afraid the apple will roll off, but Jack carefully took the apple away without biting Zale's hand.

Zale breathes in a sigh of relief, "I thought for sure he would've bit my hand." He says with a chuckle.

I give his hand a squeeze, "No Jack is too sweet and careful for that. Now Penny she probably would have."

He laughs half heartily before slipping his hand away from mine and scratches behind his neck.

"Well the horses did have a lazy day yesterday, I think alittle joy ride would be good for them. I was going to do it myself, but I guess you two can handle them for me." Said Mr. West as he gave Penny on pat on the neck.

I smile, "Thank you so much Mr. West, we'll bring them back by noon."

He nods and steps away from the horses as Zale and I climb up into the carriage. I held the reins in my hands since Zale suggest that I steer.

"You sure you don't want to steer?" I ask as I snap the reins and lead the horses to the gates where it leads into castle town.

He nods, "Im sure. I wouldn't want to risk running the horses into a tree or something. And it gives me time to plop my feet up, relax, and take a look at the scenery." He sighs in content as he plops his feet up on the carriage and leans back with his hands behind his head.

"Zale, I want to say that I am so sorry for asking about your mother last night. Its none of my business and I shouldn't have asked." I said taking a glance at him.

He bit his lip as he stay silent, thinking before he finally says. "You aren't the one to apologize, I am sorry for snapping at you like that. I feel so stupid for doing that after all the kindess you and your family have shown me.

"It was very rude of me and I am so sorry. Its just that my mother and I really aren't that close. We don't see eye to eye at times and it was another reason why I left the ocean."

I nod understanding, "Im sure she misses you alot."

He scoffs and shakes his head, "I highly doubt that. Especially after our last meeting." He rubs the side of his cheek and I couldn't help, but have the feeling that she had hit him once.

"What do you mean?" I ask, "Im sure she's worried about you. You are her son after all."

A shadow crosses over his face and his eyes glaze over, unfocus. "I am," he says with no emotion.

"Are you okay Zale?" I ask with concern, "I can turn the carriage around and get you back to bed."

He shakes his head, "No, no, Im fine. I need the fresh air anyway."

"Okay... If you start to feel sick just tell me and we can head back home."

He nods, "I will. Now come on lets go to... Where again?"

"To White Lilypad Orphanage in Thara." I answer with a small smile.

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