Eric led me by hand into a stall of the stable. He personally dusted off an old bucket then bowed politely while I sat. Before I even had a chance to adress him about my questions he went onto another subject.
"My dear Josefine (this was very abrput and stunning to me never having been called such) I now see what a beautiful young woman you have become (since when?) and would like to discuss further betterment of our relationship (whaaa?) with your fath-"
"Eric! I am not here to discuss courtship! I am here to inquire on account of my mother's death.." I rudely cut him off.
"Ahh princess that is a very sober subject and umm.. ah best be discussed with another... of..ahh.. more knowledge and consequence than I.."
"Eric as your princess I command you tell me what you know at once!"
"Well..ah.. let's..um.. discuss this elswhere shall we?"
As if on que a stable hand sauntered in. Just to get on my nerves more Eric left in a hurry. There goes any chance of my commandments actually working. Glaring at the stable boy, I swept out of the stable.
Oh men! Who did Eric think he was?! What was he about ten years older than I? Well I'd show him. Plus I planned on marrying a prince not a knight! Quite forgetting my quest at the moment i went to sulk in the garden.
I walked alone as attendents rushed past me to help prepare for some king and his son that were to arrive later. I started running a little then got to the terrace steps and tripped. I fell down three steps tore my dress, ruinned my hair, and bruised my hands. Before if I had ever done that I would've cried just to have Rachel rush to me; today, however, I was too confused and frustrated to cry.
I ran all the way to the very back of the garden. I hadn't been here in a while, I use to practice with a spare blade I had found, but lately had abandoned my efforts. As far as I knew the knife lay at the bottom of deep spring.
I had been spinning and diving, jabbing at trees when it had flown out of my hand. This wasn't unusal but today I was too close to the spring. My blade hit a rock and landed percariously on the edge of the spring. Foolishly, I dove for it. I tipped the end and the knife skittered into the abyss. So there at the bottom of the water now lay the poor rusted blade.
I stopped to stare into the deep dark pool. I could see my reflection in the water. Light colored wavy brown hair, dark brown eyes, shorter stature, with nicely rounded features. A turtle slidding into the water caused my face to become distorted in the ripples.
Stepping back from the pool I wandered over to the shady oak. I sat gratefully in it's shade. Sitting there gave me the chance to renew my quest. Why had my mother just left?
