Black Tide Rising

12th Century Part 18

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Emily ran into Edith's shop, almost stumbling over a load of feed for the pigeons.

            "Emily!" Jake had a startled expression.

            "Hi Jake! Where's your mother?"

            "Well it's nice to see you too," he laughed.

            "I'm so sorry; I must be losing my mind! I'm in a bit of a hurry, I was going to see if I could use Pinelli to go and see Albert before dark."

            "The whole town seems to be in a hurry lately. I really don't see a problem with you borrowing him, mom has gone on some errands, and she'll be back later tonight, so you'll have to deal with me," he said with the biggest grin.

           Her heart melted a little. "Okay great. I'll bring him home tonight; I just desperately need to see Albert."

            "Pinelli is out back, I'll walk you to him. So what's it about this outfit that the town is talking about?" He was talking with his hands, "Although, I must say that I like this look too."

            Emily blushed the brightest shad of red as he led the way to through the back door of the shop.

            "It's nothing,"she replied hoping that he'd let it go.

            "Emily? Blushing for the first time ever? That's funny," he said poking her.

            His words made her turn a darker shade of red, she pushed him, "Oh shoosh you, you'll get yours."

"Promises, promises," Jake said smirking big.

What has gotten into him? He was acting different. "Horse now," she demanded.

            He chuckled, "Yes ma'am."

            Pinelli stood lazily gnawing on some hay, taking as much sun as his sleek black skin could. His muscles firmed a bit when he sensed them coming.

            "Hey boy," Emily said, as he snuffed his nose and looked at her, slowly walking up to her. She pet his nape, slowly moving to his side to get on.

            "Let me help you, I don't think that leather will stretch any further."

            "You'd be surprised," she said, as she hopped on him with ease and slyness. He was bare back, meant for a bumpier ride. Jake looked impressed and a little flustered too,

             "Alright, I'll see you later, thanks again!" Emily yelled, as Jake slapped his rear and Pinelli bolted to the trail that led from town. The cool breeze felt magnificent on Emily's face. The sun bored into her skin, and the scent of pine filled her nostrils as she licked her dry lips. Her hair flew back, and she could feel Pinelli's muscles tense with every step. The pass out of town was not too far ahead, maybe an hour tops; although Albert’s place was about another two hours or so at the very least.

            They'd have to go through the forest to get out of town, after that, it would stretch out into a huge valley. Albert's town liked to see who was coming; anyone unwelcome would get warned once, and then killed the next time. They didn't mess around.

            The hour seemed to pass quickly, Emily forgot how much she enjoyed horseback, she was often too busy with work to miss anything really. And what was with Jake? It was almost like he was.... Flirting or something.

            A man stood in the middle of the trail, completely covered in armor, a sword stuck out, his hand raised upwards, he was yelling. "Halt! Halt! HHHAAAALLT!"

            "Whoah whoah whoah," Emily told Pinelli, and hugged onto his neck and griping his sides with her strong legs. Pinelli stopped abruptly, almost throwing Emily off, and he kicked his front feet off the ground, neighing into the air. He was confused. "It's okay Pinelli, there there," Emily said, and repeated, stroking Pinelli's cheek and neck to soothe him. Pinelli almost instantly calmed with Emily's touch.

            Emily jumped off of the horse, and began to walk up to the man. She looked to his left, seven more men stood all in armor, tensing with her presence. She looked to his right, eight more men. What on earth was going on? Were they about to be invaded?

            She walked straight up to the man who had halted her, "I'd like to pass, please."

            "I can't let you do that ma'am."

            "Why not?"

            "The entire town is sealed, no one is allowed to leave."

            Frustrated, feeling like she would get nowhere with this man, "Who gave you these commands? Who is your leader?"

            "Lord Gaube."

            She kicked the ground and turned to head back, there had to be a hole in that line of men somewhere.

            "Men are completely surrounded and circled you will not be able to get past anywhere. Our orders are to kill anyone who defies us," the man smiled. He actually smiled at the thought! What an evil man.

            Frustrated, Emily hopped back on Pinelli to ride home. There was one more thing she could think of to do in order get word out to Albert, she had to be creative.