Dancing with Deception

Dancing with Deception (16 Part II)

Pushing out of the castle doors, I took a deep breath of the pre dawn air, heavy with the scent of spiced cider and freshly baking bread that drifted up from the village as shop keepers prepared for the morning ahead.

I stood watch as the first rays of sunlight spilled over the horizon, flooding the grounds with its rosy hue as it crept up on the sleeping townsfolk, stirring them into wakefulness.

Before my eyes the quiet peace of the night transformed to a humming buzz of activity as the castle and village came to life around me, of doors slamming and children crying, and chatter bouncing across the streets.

In minutes the soft glow of dawn had swept over the land, chasing shadows and raising a light mist as the heat of the sun warmed the earth.

And finally, as the soft murmurs of sleepy conversation turned to the loud roar of a hundred voices starting their day, I moved.

Stepping into the stables, I nearly ran into Sir Mason, his arms laden with supplies for the trip. Despite his obvious preoccupation, he stopped to smile warmly at me.

"Ah, Talia, you're already here, excellent, I was just about to send for you."

Laying his burden on the ground he clapped the dust from his hands and gestured for me to walk with him. "If you'll come with me there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Following Sir Mason to the back of the stable, I noticed a row of horses lined up, feeding contentedly as groomsmen hustled about saddling them up and filling their packs with supplies.

Leading me to the back of the line, he stopped in front of a lovely ebony mare.

"I'd like you to meet Nightshade," He said cheerfully, running his hand down her sleek neck.

"She's beautiful," I said in response, offering my hand out palm up for her to nuzzle.

Though I didn't know as much of horses as some, I knew enough to recognize that she would be steady and fast.

"A more sweet tempered girl I've never met," He said fondly before turning to me with a smile, "And she's all yours."

"What?" I asked in surprise; the past few days had inspired a startling lack of eloquence in me.

"For the time being of course. The castle always loans our mounts to those students who arrive without their own, or without the means to purchase one. The privilege is generally reserved for second year students, though under the circumstances an exception has been made."

"Thank you, I hardly know what to say," I murmured.

He waved the thanks off, making me smile as I noticed how similar he and the Queen were in mannerisms.

"No need to thank me Talia, you have as much right to these mounts as any of the students, though if you must thank someone, it was Prince Nicholas who picked her out for you."

"Of course he would," I murmured softly, overwhelmed with gratitude. It didn't surprise me in the least that Nicholas would know and take care of exactly what I required before I even knew it myself.

How was it possible that these people whom I'd known for so short a time had become more my family then my own mother? I knew they were not so ignorant of my mother's character as I liked to believe, and yet they embraced my presence here without hesitation or suspicion.

Treatment I hardly deserved.

Lost in my thoughts as I was, I didn't notice Sir Mason wander away, no doubt to see to the rest of the preparations for the trip, and I was grateful for the moment alone.