Another day had passed, and I felt very at ease as I awoke in the castle for a second time. I had enjoyed myself yesterday, even though my expertise was in leading men, not genteel conversation. The Mindorian lord had been most pleasant company, and the rest were agreeable at least. I had made plans for the lord and his wife to visit our mine in Tarsa once this was all over. I never broke a promise, and I had promised him a drink. Though, as I looked out over the city, perhaps I would have to break this one. He would have to forgive me if I won this contest and couldn’t get away.
It was early again, I was still waking as if I had to get to the mines. Walking to my window, I watched the sun rise over the city, light sliding through the streets and sparkling on the water. It was beautiful, and I thought of the challenge yesterday, of my sunset bouquet. I knew I had not made the most elegant arrangement, so I would do better today. I donned my morning dress, figuring I would have to change again before too long, then left to go walk the grounds a while. It was too early to expect the morning meal to be prepared.
Finding my way back to the garden, I walked through it in the early sun. Dew still touched many of the flowers, adding some sparkle to the leaves and petals and making them even more beautiful. Already, the decorations from the party had been cleared away, not a sign of the many people who had been there for so long. I sat on a bench I found, just drinking in the scent of wet flowers. It was relaxing, much like the tea from the day before. Even so, I missed the sound and motion of the mines, wondering if I could find something to do in the mornings. But I doubted anyone would give me a task similar to those I would find at home.
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Much later, after I had returned to the castle and had breakfast, a footman spoke to us all. We were to go hunting, and I breathed a sigh of relief. That meant trousers, action, and noise, just what I’d been hoping for. This was something I could do, and may well enjoy doing. But as he elaborated, I frowned a bit. We were to go riding, and I had never touched a horse. The mountains were too steep, only pack mules kept their footing, no one kept horses but those who lived in the foothills by the border. This would be a challenge, but I was willing to try.
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Returning to my room, I checked the chest of drawers this time, finding many more tunics and trousers before me. Glancing back to my closet, I wondered if I should wear a dress, but I dismissed the idea quickly. Let other women be trophies, I was here to be a strong woman and queen. I pulled out a simple pair of leather pants, dark and close-fitting, but still loose enough to move. As for the top, a green and grey fabric drew my eye. It was like mossy stone, beautiful and good for moving through the trees. A light fur trim tickled my fingers as I ran them through it, also apt for a hunt. Slipping both of these on, I also drew out some long leather gloves and put on a leather corset, glad to be able to wear clothes so much like what I wore each day at work. It was nicer perhaps, but still functional. But I decided to go for more elegance, adding a golden belt with the Tarsan crest and a hairpiece to my ensemble. I thought it was befitting of a lady, not too extravagant, but more than simple leathers.
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When I was led to the stables with the other women, I noticed many wore merely simple riding gear. I wondered if I was over dressed, but held my head high. If I was, then I would own it. A queen in Bascalin would be expected to be above the rest. A stable boy asked how well I could ride, and I considered the options. “Do you have any who respond to the spoken voice?” He bowed, leading me to a tall mare, a buttery yellow with a snow white mane that complimented my clothes. Had that been intentional? I looked to the young man, who merely bowed. After giving me the list of commands, he helped me to climb on to the horse, then led us out of the stables.
“Walk on,” I commanded once we were out, and the horse moved at a brisk walk. Then I needed to stop her, saying, “Ho.” The mare slowed to a halt, and this was seeming easier than I thought. It was the same as leading men in the mines, a strong voice was all I needed. But as I called to her again, I noticed some of the hunters smirking, leading their horses without a sound. Feeling as if they were looking down on me, I tried matching their movements. The horse began to speed up, going much faster than I intended. When I pulled back on the reins, she stopped abruptly, throwing me forward into the horse’s neck. I heard audible chuckles behind me, and I fought the embarrassment growing on my face.
From then on, I stayed a bit back, speaking quietly to keep from drawing attention but still with a firm tone. I could follow the hunters easily, giving the mare directions with pats on the sides of her neck. Though I may not be as quiet, I was just as agile on my horse, able to match the hunters when they caught a trail no matter how overgrown the path. Some seemed to respect my skill, but I still felt looked down upon for using my voice.
Several times I tried shooting from horseback, but it was more difficult than doing so on foot and I regularly missed. I had practiced archery at home, but not enough for trying to hit a moving target in these trees. It was not my favorite sport, I found it too quiet and isolated in general. Here though, it was similar to the team sports I played at home with my men: Noisy, exciting, and fun. Eventually I did hit something, helping to bring down a large deer. Several of the hunters congratulated me, though I wondered if they would have done so for a man. My shot had done little, just another stray arrow in its flank. But a smile grew on my face nonetheless, and I didn’t notice the prince ride up behind me until he spoke.
“So, Lady Marishka of Tarsa,” Prince Delt’s laughing voice rang out behind me, making me jump a little, “You can smile, I wondered about that.” He wore his own smile, a tricky one but still friendly enough. He looked over my horse, tack lying loose while my hands rested on her neck. “I see you’re too good for reins.”
“What a surprise, Lady Marishka,” Prince Delt called out. “So you can smile. I wondered about that.” His grin was wide. It was teasing, but friendly. He glanced down at the slack tack and arched an eyebrow high. “Are you so proficient at riding that you don’t need the aid of reins?”
I turned to the prince with a slight bow, my smile turning to a light grin more benefiting of a lady, “I have never ridden a horse, so I’m not familiar with using reins no. But I have led men, my voice is enough for me.” I could have sworn he snickered, and something sparked in his eyes as my smile waned, but instead of chasing after the next target he rode next to me for a while. “You’ve no need to act differently just because I’m here. Tell me, are you enjoying the hunt?”
His answering smile was definitely a smirk. The slight laughter that accompanied it was somehow reminiscent of a school boy, albeit much more refined and reserved. But then he noticed Marishka’s smile fade, and his soured slightly. “Are you monitoring your reactions to me as a prince, as a man, or as a stranger?” he didn’t give the proper intonation for a question, and he didn’t give her a chance to answer. Rather, his smile returned and he let his voice glide into the next friendly question. “Are you enjoying the hunt?”
With a curt nod, I watched the hounds chase a rabbit from its hole. The girl from Elgra shot it swiftly, drawing raucous hollers from the hunters. “It’s energetic, far more interesting than a tea party.” That got a laugh out of the prince, and I had to chuckle myself. Prince Delt’s answering smile was quick and bright. “I couldn’t agree more, my lady.” His eyes seemed to twinkle when I smiled, though I wasn’t sure if it was anything more than him celebrating his victory. He continued to talk with me, and I found it a nice change of pace from my previous isolation. “So, what do you normally do for fun?”
“So, tea parties are not your idea of a good time. I respect that. What do you consider to be fun, then?”
“After work, I often played sports with my men, or went for drinks. Are you familiar with Valdirbal?” Prince Delt shook his head, as I expected. “It’s a Tarsan sport. Three teams try to knock a ball into the other teams’ goals. It is a rowdy game, we can hit the ball with our hands, feet, even heads,” my explanation slowly got more energetic, a smile growing on my face, “So long as we don’t hold the ball, near anything goes. I have ended up in the mud on many occasions!” I laughed, but stopped quickly when I realized how loud it was. But the Prince didn’t seem to mind, chuckling to himself. “So you’re fond of games? I hadn’t expected that from you.”
But Prince Delt was grinning. “A lady in the mud.” He tisked his tongue in mock disgrace. “How dare you have such fun at the expense of propriety. I would be hard pressed myself to get away with such a display. So you like sport. I must admit that I did not expect that from you.”
“I carry myself as a leader should, but that doesn’t mean I can’t let loose when my job is done. You certainly seem to know how to do that. In the mines I am the boss, but after work I am just Marie.” I realized I had revealed my nickname unintentionally, and a dusting of red touched my tan skin. A shrug accompanied up my response, and I looked away, not seeing his reaction to my blush. Eventually he asked another question, “Clearly you like Tarsa. Where is your favorite place then?”
“I doubt there is any such thing as ‘just Marie,’” he said lightly. They continued riding in silence for some time before he spoke again. “Clearly you like Tarsa. Where is your favorite place then?”
I considered the question quietly for a few moments before turning to the prince again. “As silly as it is, I’d have to say the mines. They may not be the most beautiful to most people, but for me, I can trace the lines of stone and ore. It’s as if the earth is painted, and I find that beautiful,” I grinned a bit, thinking back to memories of home. “Plus, in the mines, I am surrounded by my crew. I know I can trust them with my life, and they trust me with theirs,” Looking around at the large hunting party, I had to wonder what they would do if something happened to one of the riders. The prince nodded at my response, thanking me for the conversation before returning to the hunt. I gave a polite farewell, then returned my focus to leading my horse and doing my best to participate in the event.
Prince Delt’s expression was strange and distant, and entirely unreadable to Marishka. But he shook his head and the expression dissolved. “It must be nice, to have such a mutual trust. Well, I must rejoin the hunt. It has been a delight speaking with you. I hope you continue to enjoy the hunt.” |
