Below the Peak (Sola)(3)
A weak, small smile stretched on Nara’s mouth, softening the impasse expression she had.
“I am sorry I did not stop them. It doesn’t make me a good friend, only a coward” Helle muttered somberly after a quiet pose.
“Yes, it does not. Good friends stand for each other” Nara shifted her eyes to her face, letting her friend see how much she hurt her the most for just standing there when Bas and Rosa made fun of her.
“I am sorry” Helle mumbled, looking apologetic.
“I forgive you, but this is the last time I do,” Nara replied and meant it. Too many times Helle had disappointed and hurt her in a similar situation. Despite not having that many friends to choose, she’d rather not have one that is ashamed of her in front of others. She was not going to be desperate.
Helle nodded, her freckled face heating in guilt.
“We can ride together today” Helle suggested warily, sounding more like a question.
Riding always calmed her. Nara understood Helle was trying to make up it up to her.
“No, I want to ride alone today” Nara replied curtly, her thoughts already moving to which horse she would ride.
Helle nodded in understanding.
“I’m leaving,” Nara said and left.
****
Chapter Two
Nara
Warm sunshine warmed her face as she hurried home. There was no commotion in the streets inside the King’s Wall except for few nobilities conversing and guards patrolling. It was the usual quietness with the chirping of birds here and there that surrounded the inner city. The king’s palace stood tall over other luxurious houses that scattered around it while pruned gardens and lavish fountains boasted the king’s wealth. Only the king and his royal subjects resided in the inner city and not more than three overpriced merchant stores. The King’s Wall separated the Royals from the middle class and commoners. The middle class lived inside the second inner wall which separated them from the marketplace and other businesses. The city’s military base in the fourth wall protected the capital city.
Her father’s manor was at the far end near the King’s Wall. Nara strolled along a path woven around the front garden of white and red roses and jasmines to the back of the house where Lucky awaited. She found the stable boy carrying a stack of hay to one of the horses’ stalls.
“Lady Nara” Oto stilled and bowed his head lightly. Oto was slightly older than her about three years. He had curly chestnut hair and narrow face with warm blue eyes. He was tall too with a healthy body from lifting, fixing and taking care of things around the stable.
“Oto” Nara acknowledged him as she walked to Lucky’s stall. She stepped in the opened stall. The brown stallion with white spots drew closer to her and nudged her hand with its head. Nara smiled fondly and patted his forehead.
“Has he been fed?” she asked as she continued to stroke the horse. The act both soothed her and the steed she loved to ride.
“Yes. I fed Lucky first” Oto replied.
“Good, I’m going for a ride with him” She informed him while she put the reins on Lucky. Once she was done, she guided Lucky out of the barn.
“You need not accompany me,” Nara told him as she mounted the horse. Her father never liked her walking or riding alone in the city. He made one of the maids or Oto accompany her when she rode if he was not there to do it himself. But when she was in one of her moods, the maid or Oto turned a blind eye and let her be. And looking at the way Oto just stood tentatively without a word, he’d figured what kind of mood she was in. She twisted the reins in her hands, dug in her heels and galloped. She used the open green field behind the manors to her pleasure. The sunlight heated her back, warm air washed over her face down her neck, finding its way into her chest. Nara exhaled.
Adrenaline pumped through her blood. It was exhilarating, feeling the strong muscles of the majestic beast expand and contract beneath her own tightening thighs. She felt Lucky’s excitement too as he picked up speed. She closed her eyes briefly, trusting entirely he would go the right way and enjoyed the intoxicating freedom of riding alone. Pain and worries all seemed to be picked up by the wind, leaving her chest light of hurt and mind blank. She felt serene. She opened her eyes when she felt Lucky slowing and heard voices coming from nearby. She halted a few distances from where three soldiers dressed in cerulean armour stood in front of the gate that divided the higher class from the rest. She looked at them in admiration and respect for their courage to protect them. They stopped talking and turned their gaze toward her.
One of the soldiers greeted. “My lady.”
“Gentlemen” Nara dipped her head, her voice sounding more mature than her age. Fear and excitement rushed through her as a crazy idea entered her mind. “I wish to go to the market, would you let me through?” Nara requested, keeping a calm look despite the jittery going on in her stomach.
“Are you going alone without an escort?” The soldier looked behind her then back at her.
“YE-yes” her voice shook slightly. She cleared her throat and said more confidently. “Clearly I am as you can see.”
The soldier looked at her doubtfully, his eyes narrowing. The soldier was unconvinced, no noble lady or a daughter of one walked without a servant or two hovering their back. He looked her over, noting her white tunic neatly tucked in black trousers and her polished riding boots. Her clothing making him more suspicious.