Douce Dépendouce

Chapter 3

- Warning -

• The following story contains mature language •

As I came closer to the stable after a long, and wet journey back, I felt my mind linger again. All throughout the way back, my mind hadn't been able to erase last night's encounter. It was stuck in my head. I kept repeating everything that had happened, my heart still pounding. As I thought about it, my theory on him using me as a way to gather information so he could put that against us, left my mind. He wouldn't have done any of the things that he had done last night if he was using me. Everything felt passionate and like he meant it. Now that thought was out of my mind, I went back to my own. If this was going to be a thing between us, I had no way of telling anyone. Opposite sides of the battle of Jorvik and with an un-trusty, crafty gentlemen that we were supposed to be against, wasn't something I fancied telling everyone about. It was going to be difficult in our public encounters. If I ever had to go back to him with someone else, things could, and probably would get problematic. Knowing Yidris, he was capable of doing anything, or saying anything for that matter.

I left my thoughts when I felt our pace slow. I blinked, seeing that Hu had slowed to a walk, now the stables only a few miles ahead of us. I re-gathered my reins and pulled him to a halt, quickly dismounting and casting the reins over his head, giving him a firm scratch on his neck. I then walked forward, leading him to the stables. As I entered through the stable hall, the sensor lights turned on, horses letting out a few neighs and snorts.

Once we got to Hu's stall, I let him wander in, seeing a fresh flake of hay and pellets of grain already in his bucket. I undid his bridal and let him go as he shook his neck, happy that the bit was gone. I then pulled the reins over his head and grabbed his halter which was buried under his hay. I clasped it on and walked out of his stall, hanging his bridle on the hook. I then entered again and undid his girth, now noticing the silence. Only the sound of the rain and the horses eating was all I could hear, no voices. As I put the girth on top of the saddle, I reached for my jacket pocket, remembering I had left my phone at home. I mumbled in dismay as I lifted the saddle off of Hu's back, the only part of him that wasn't wet. I then took off his saddle pad, placing that on his stall. I then quickly went to get the brushes, catching a glimpse at the calendar.

Saturday.

The barn's day off, that's why it was quiet.

I headed back towards Hu's stall, giving him a good scrub with the curry comb, watching as he ate his grain. I felt myself rub his neck with my other hand as I finished up with the final brush a few minutes later. His coat was still wet, but had been well cared for. I then picked out his hooves and found a spare treat in my jacket pocket. I fed it to him and smiled when he ate it. I then gave him one final pat before I pulled on his blanket, doing the claps and finishing up with my tack. Once I was done, I quickly headed out back into the rain, catching a bus for my way home.

Once I was home I headed to my room. I shut the door and soon locked it before I headed over to my closet, pulling out a fresh pair of black riding pants along with a new sweater. I had my afternoon help out at the barn in only four hours, giving me a while to have a break. Once I was dressed, I redid my hair once more before I headed to my bed, sighing as I let my body sink into the mattress. I watched the downpour from my window, my thoughts swirling in my head. I shut my eyes, trying to calm them as the numerous questions and memories flooded in my mind, soon being broken by a buzz. I opened my eyes, reaching over to grab my phone which was on my nightstand. I turned it on, seeing missed calls and numerous texts from friends, one standing out to me. I clicked on it, seeing as it took me to voicemail. I played it, hearing Linda's voice escalate from my speaker. I rubbed my temples as she rambled how she needed me, and where I was, and to call her back once I got this. When her voice went silent, I moved to texts, seeing one from only an hour ago.