The King's Court

Chapter:1

I sat under a tree painting the big dark bay stallion grazing. He looked up at me before he took off at a run. I took a picture of him running and started on a sketch for a painting. He's the king's first horse. He is about to turn twenty. While the king is about to turn twenty five. The stallion finally came over to me.

He nudged my shoulder before scratching on the tree. I got up and went into the stables. He followed me. I went over the fence and inside. "Good morning Gen." Adam said. "Morning Adam." I said as I set my stuff down. I got a brush and brushed one of the horses down.

"Good morning Master Philip." Adam said as Philip came in. "Morning. Could you bring my horse up?" Adam immediately did so. I finished brushing the colt and tied him to the side. I got a saddle and put it on him. Then put a bridle on him. "Be careful with him Gen. He's spirited and could still kick you off." Adam warned.

"I will be." I told him as I led the colt out. I walked him a ways before taking him into the outdoor arena. I then mounted onto his back and rode him around at a walk. Then a trot. The colt listened willingly. We got to a formal lope before deciding to go down the path. The colt stayed with me until we got to the tree grove. He jumped, bucked and tried to get me off.

I quickly spun him around and got back onto the path. He bolted running for the stables. "Genevieve!" I took my feet out of the stirrups and took to the grass. I rolled for a second before looking up. The path is an enclosed run used for riding and parade prep. That colt can't escape without jumping. I caught my breath before sitting up. Adam stood me up.

"Are you ok?" He asked. "I'm fine. That colt needs more training before he's ready." I said brushing myself off. "Jacques needs to be exercised." He said. "I'm on it." I said. "Are you sure?" He asked. "Yes. I'm sure. I'm usually the one that exercises him daily." I said as we entered the stables.

I got Jac's lead and got him out. He bobbed his head before standing still. I clipped it on and led him out. We went down the path and back passing the stables and to where the colt and I went first. On our way back the king and Joshua were coming out of the stables. "He's looking better every day Alex." Josh said.

"Has he been ridden today?" The king asked. "He has not sir. Just a walk down the path." I said. "Make sure he stays fit." The king said. I lightly bowed with a nod before taking Jac into the stables. I put him in his stall just before Adam brushed him down.

I gathered my stuff and went to find a place to draw. "Hello sweetheart." I looked up seeing a man. He sat down next to me. "Mind if I share the view with you?" He asked. "Not at all." I said as I sketched the garden. I flipped the page and was deciding what to draw. "You could draw the garden and whatever is behind it." He suggested.

I moved to the other side of the pathway. I started sketching what was directly in front of me and kept moving back and back more until I had the skyline. His phone dinged. "I'll see you around sweetheart. May I get your name?" He asked. "Genevieve." I said. "Christian." He said. I smiled. He held his hand out.

I took it. He pulled me to my feet. He glanced at the drawing. "It's beautiful." He said. "Mind if I take it to show someone else?" He asked. "I would rather you not." I said. "Ok. Maybe some other time." He said. I nodded. "Maybe." I said. He gave a light smile.

I started walking to the apartments that the royal guards stay in. My brother is one of the royal guards. I went to our apartment and put my art stuff away. I then grabbed my arm guard and went back out. One of the guards was out with archery. I picked up a bow knowing it was my brother's by the weight and the engraving.

I shot a few rounds before my brother came up behind me. "I'd say you are better than me." He said. "Thank you." I said. He stood back until he said to lower the bow. I looked back as a group of five came around the corner. "Your majesty." My brother said. I did the same. Josh, Philip, Christian and another guy was with him. "Gen could you take this inside?" My brother asked. I nodded before taking what he wanted inside, in. He's off duty at the moment.

I fixed some food and ate just before he came up for a quick nap.