Douce Dépendouce

Chapter 16

The next few days I spent mostly at home. When I had woken up, I had felt exhausted more than ever. The effects of the slight cold I had gotten were starting to work their way in, along with slight stress. I found myself thinking back to the weekend every moment possible. I had thought one night if I should have gone back to the Druids and be upfront with them; after all, what Linda had said was in the back of my mind.

Now a few days after the weekend, New Years was now tonight. We had now decided that Linda, Lisa, Anne, and I would all go while Alex went with Maya and a few others. Slight fear was in my chest as I had no clue if Maya knew, or would find out somehow. She was sweet and never judged, and was the first person I had met when I came to Jorvik, but I still feared her opinion. I let that thought drift away as I pulled myself up, turning off my phone as I laid against my bed rest, laying my head back as I tried to let my thoughts wander. I soon gave up, looking at the time on my phone. It was only a few minutes after seven and still left an hour before I had to go and meet the others. I sighed, sitting up and letting out a cough and a small groan as I forced myself up. I pulled out a few tops and layers to wear as I was unsure on how late I would be out. Once I had gotten dressed in thermal clothes, I pulled on a jacket and riding boots, grabbing my phone and heading out. As soon as I stepped out, I contemplated getting another jacket. The temperature was cold enough for snow and the slightest signs of frost on the ground brought to my attention. I breathed into my hands as I headed towards the bus stop, my breath showing in the air as I worked my way through busy crowds. Jorvik was a big island, everyone from anywhere came for any celebrations; I often wondered where about all the people lived. Even the buses were full as I stepped on, indistinctive chatter filling the space as I tried to distract myself, looking at the scenery as we drove.

When I reached the stable, I got Hu taked up. He had been sleeping soundly in his stall and showed no signs of energy as I plopped my saddle onto his back. I made sure to use a thermal saddle pad and warm up the bit before I finished up with the tack. I snapped on my helmet and led him out to the mounting block, giving him a pat on the neck as I mounted, seeing him let out a snort. We then walked on, walking most of the way as every part of me was frozen, along with the grounds being hard and slightly frozen.

When we headed up the hill to Nilmers, the temperature seemed to drop. I let out a breath as I gave him more leg, asking him to continue on as we got closer and closer to the Circus. I brought him back to a walk, and guided him up the path as we got near, soon walking past the wagon and halting him. I had no true idea why I had felt the need to venture up here, but something nagged at me to do so.

I looked around, the grounds unnaturally quiet. I looked around, knowing something was up, soon hearing the sound of thudding footsteps. I turned, seeing Xin appear from around the corner, walking alongside the Circus tent with a box full of supplies. He looked at me, seeming to struggle with the weight he was carrying. I looked at the box, seeing it packed to the rim as the jester struggled to open the tent flap, soon heading in. I started after him, looking around for any other signs of movement. The only thing that moved was the flags above from the loose, cold breeze that blew them. I swallowed, now getting a slight chill as I felt the gaze of someone. I turned, Xin now walking out the tent, his step slower than it was before. As he always did, his gaze was turned towards me, soon wondering off again and back around the tent. Just as I was about to dismount, I stopped myself, a now strong feeling of someone present clear. I turned, jumping by surprise as Ydris stood against the wagon, his eyes locking on mine as I turned. I let out a slow breath, feeling my heart pump as he smirked, un-corssing his arms and dusting off his coat.

"Did I catch you off guard my dove? I see you've returned as I suspected you would," he said, his eyes locking on mine.

As my heart slowed, I felt it increase again, hearing the sounds of Xin near once more. "What do you mean?" I asked, slightly intrigued.