The Stable Boys Secret

[Angeltears]

(Closed for Elvenoff1)

"Stable boy, see to my horse" one of the noble men call out from the doors of the stable. "Coming Sir," Ash replied rushing to take the nobleman's horse from him. Ash had been working in the Lords stables for a while now. The stable master seemed happy with his work and he did very well with the horses, plus he was a hard worker. But Ash had a secret that he could let none find out, Ash was in fact a girl.

Ash was short for Ashley. She had no family and had needed to earn money to survive, there had been few jobs girls could get and she had no protection from family so she had decided to disguise herself as a boy. She had found the job of stable boy, so at an age where she should be seeking a man to be married she was instead wearing men's clothes. Her hair was cut short and she wore a hat most of the time, her breasts bound, her body with slender so she could be pass as a skinny youth working amongst men who had no idea who she really was.

Mostly she kept to herself and worked hard, not drawing attention to herself. For if she was to be caught she feared what would happen to her. So she kept her head down and did work that other did not wish to do, she slept in the loft of the stables watching over the horses so she was ready to be of service if the Lord of this manor or the other Nobel's needed a horse readied.

(Looking for a someone to play the Lord or another noble who discovers Ash's secret. I don't really want a blackmail story, more that the other is willing to let her play out her pretence but watches over her. At first thinking it amusing and then developing into more)

 

[Elvenoff1]

Lord Galron Shanara stood upon the terrace of his manor. The news of the wolves up north angered him for it was costing him in the loss of taxes and making the common folk lives even harder than what they were. He had been sending some of the better-trained knights to deal with these wolves but so far, it was a difficult issue. Galron raked thick fingers threw his Raven colored hair at a false attempt to relieve the stress of daily life and the hardships that keep mounting.

“Lord Galron.” spoke a strong voice crossing the distance between them. One of the northern Nobles have arrived his demeanor is one of anger sir.” Galron’s sapphire orbs shot him a strong glance. “Yes, well he has the right to be. I will talk with him as we walk I have been confound to this room most of the morning.” Galron responded while moving across the room to fetch his walking dagger from the night table.

“As you wish, May I remind you that you’re meeting with the lords of the ninth circle shall be here this noon.” Galron stopped and looked at him. “Tis this day?” His face hung heavy for there will be more angered noblemen to deal with. “Very well, who said this was my land to rule.” He had his own gruff to deal with. The first hand only nodded to him.

Galron belted his dagger and walked past his first hand. The man followed closely behind him. He moved down into the foyer of his Manor and there was Eric Winston an ass of an ass of the northland. “We need to talk!” was his bark the moment Galron nodded to him. “Yes we do but not here outside and keep your manner about you.” Galron slight angered with the tone in the man’s voice.

The both walked out into the grounds, where Eric went at him about the wolves and the slaughter of the livestock. Galron nodded but he was making his way toward the stables. “I am working on the wolves; we have our hunters out there now looking for them. It will take time.” Galron looked sternly at the noble. “I know your fear and I am working on it. Now if you will excuse me I must inform the stable of the meeting this noon.”

Galron watched Eric storm off to the manor more than likely to bark the master huntsmen. Turning his attention back to the stables he walked inside looking for anyone whom could relay the information to the Stable master. “Hello, Do you know here I can find the stable master?” he asked the figure sweeping one of the stalls out…

 

[Angeltears]

Ash stood by the stables looking up at the manor and the people rushing around. Even though she had been working here for awhile she was still amazed at how busy it would get. The noble man that had just dropped his horse off seemed so angry. She wondered if the stories she had been hearing about the troubles to the north were getting worse. The horse she was holding the reins for neighed and her attention was brought back to the present. She couldn't be seen daydreaming or she would lose her job.

"Come on in we go," she whispered to the horse, tugging slightly they headed into the stables. Opening one of the empty stalls she led him in. Gathering the grooming tools she proceeded to brush down the horse removing the dirt and de-tangling his mane. One that was done she filled the horses water trough. Looking at her reflection in the water she considered her brown hair, it was getting longer and would need to be cut again soon. Her blue eyes looked back at her as she tucked a small section of her hair back under her hat.

At the moment she was alone in the stables so she didn't need to worry to worry about being caught. The horse nudged her and she smiled at him, stroking his nose. She liked horses and they seemed to get along with her as well. When she had been younger her father had taught her everything she needed to know about horses.

Unlike the horses, nobody ever really looked closely at her and for that she was thankful. Slipping from the stall she continued with her work and was sweeping out one of the stalls when she heard a voice coming from behind her. Turning she saw that it was Lord Galron. Quickly she bowed her head. "My Lord, the Stable Master has gone to the blacksmiths, he said he would be back shortly," raising her head slightly she looked at him. "Is there something I can help you with My Lord?"

 

[Elvenoff1]

The bow, how he hated the bow, the bowing was for the King, all Galron wanted was the slight nodding of the head saying its silent greeting between the two parsons, however other noblemen enjoyed that bowing for it inflated their much needed, hungry egos. Galron looked at the young man when he was informed of the stable master’s location. He took a moment to gander down that direction and then around the area for a moment looking to see if Eric or any of his escorts were around.

He brought his troubled gaze back to the stable boy. “Yes there is young lad.” He once again to a quick look toward the Huntsmen cages for Eric. “Yes, we will be having the noble’s of the Ninth Circle coming this noon of day. I want the stables to take extra care of their mounts this day for many will be not in the best of moods and I do not want babble coming from them about their mounts not being tendered to correctly.” but it seemed there was more on his mind than stating that of which he did.

He was eyeing the mounts in the stable closely, completely ignoring the stable hand as he took a few steps deeper into the stable. Galron’s eyes looked down at the hooves of the mounts, and then allowed his gaze to travel up to and over the fine hair of the mounts mane. He bit his lip as they have all been already groomed well. He stood there looking at the horses. He bent down pulled up a hoof and checked the shoe. Taking his dagger he scrapped around the metal again, he was impressed but displeased of how well the stable hand groomed the mounts.

He moved forward to the stable hand. “Tell me are you the one that took care of the Noblemen’s Winston and Escorts mounts? If so did you groom them like this mount?” his head gestured to the one that he checked. “Did you find any ebony mud on their hooves or anywhere on them?” he asked the hand quizzically while he was looking back toward the stable door. He came back to him quickly “Have you?” he asked softly but somewhat rushed.

 

[Angeltears]

Watching Lord Galron, it seemed to Ash that he was watching out for someone. Maybe he thought that she was lying and that the stable master was here somewhere. It wasn't the first time a noble had thought that she was lying especially when you told them something they didn't want to hear. But when he turned back towards her he looked troubled, making her raise her head more.

Her eyes went wide at the mention of the Ninth Circle coming, they were going to be busy, she would have to work hard there would be many horses to see too. Hopefully the Stable Master will come back with the other stableboy, who has yet to turn up for work. This was another reason for his absence, the blacksmith had a very pretty daughter who the other stableboy was interested in. The Stable Master was quite happy with the fact that Ash didn't seem interested in the girls in town.

Nodding her head, "Yes my Lord, I will prepare the stalls and have everything ready for their arrival and inform the Stable Master of their coming." With his message given she expected him to leave but he seemed hesitant to leave. This made her curious as she watched him approach the horses. She started to worry that she had missed something in when grooming the horse he was looking at. Watching him in silence her hand gripped the brush in her hands.

Almost dropping the brush she fought hard not to take a step back when he approached her. "Yes My Lord, I saw to their horses" she said lowering her face. Not wanting him to get a close look at her, "Ebony mud" she whispered under her breath as she thought back to the horses she had groomed. Shaking her head quickly when he asked 'have you', "No Sir I don't remember there being any but I must admit that I wasn't paying attention to what I was removing. I was only focusing on getting the horse groomed, watered and fed."

He seemed very intent on this and the way he looked back it seemed as if he was worried that someone was going to walk in and catch him out. He was the lord of this manor who would he be worried about catching him. Then she realised she might be able answer him. "I have yet to sweep out the grooming stall, I think if there was any ebony mud it would still be there amongst the straw." Hoping she could help him she turned and headed to the large stall that was used for grooming the horses when they weren't busy. Using her brush she moved around the straw and the bits of mud and grit that had come of the horses she had just groomed.

 

[Elvenoff1]

A moment of pause came to him upon the answer he received from the stable boy. Surely this one knew what ebony mud was; ebony mud is not a common mud down here it comes from the northern black bogs. He wanted to see if Nobleman Winston was out also hunting for these wolves that he is so damned worried is going to ruin his estate. Which Galron had to admit using the livestock would endanger his estate but if he thinks he is going to sit by the fireplace while Galron’s limited number of hunters are doing all the work for him, well that was a different story.

He turned toward the door once more and was about to walk out when the young man spoke out. His brow arched, curious in what the man had to say. A small smile appeared when he spoke of an idea and moved to the grooming stall. Galron followed and watched the young man moving straw and hay around until he stopped and picked up some mud. Black Mud!

“Very impressive young man. You just saved me a lot of face!” This still did not mean that Eric was out there it just means some of his horses’ were. He still had to find out but that shouldn’t be too hard for over taxed men always complained to others about nobility needed to get their asses out there just like their were. He just had to find someone to hang about the taverns listening for this. He looked at the stable boy… Perfect…

“Tell me Lad. Would you like to earn a gold piece? The work I have in mind will not be a pleasant one but it is something I need done that I can not do.” He looked over at the boy, he was rather small but it is not as if he was going in and starts a tavern fight. He was just going into hear the northern men’s complaints.” He waited for the young boy to answer. He would be surprised if he did not take the coin but that would only give him six hours to complete the Ninth circle glooming and bedding them for the night.

“So do we have a deal?” he pulled out the gold coin and offered it

 

[Angeltears]

Ash’s eyes lit up when she spotted the mud Lord Galron had been asking about. She had only seen mud this color a few times, now that she thought of it was usually on the horses from the north. Never really paying attention before to what came off the horse’s maybe she should start, especially if the lord was going to come and ask her about it. This made her wonder why he was so interested in the mud; sometime she did not understand the nobles.

Happy with the praise she received from him she dropped the mud. Lord Galron seemed to sink into thought and not one to want to be seen being idle she started tiding up the piles of straw she had moved around looking for the mud. If they were going to be receiving the Ninth Circles later there was no point in replacing the straw until tomorrow, she would ask the stable master what he wanted to do when he returned.

Surprised when he asked if she wanted to earn a gold piece she paused and looked up at him. A gold piece, how could she refuse? She would be silly to refuse but still she hesitated when he offered it to her. Not pleasant work could mean many things, some saw being a stable boy not a very pleasant work. Also what the Lord asked her to do might interfere with her work at the stable and that would make the stable master angry. Yet it was the Lord asking her to do it so she was sure that the stable master might not be so anger of he knew that.

Finally she held out her hand and took the offered coin. “What is it that you wish of me, My Lord?”

 

[Elvenoff1]

Galron looked at the young man hoping that he was as good listener than he was a stable hand. But he had no choice he had to know if the Noble was out in the black marsh as well. “Do you remember what the Noblemen’s escort look like? If not they have his banner on their tunics.” He looked over to the door again, “I want you to go to the tavern and listen in on their conversations and see if they talk about the Noblemen. Listen to see if he was up there anytime in he past weeks. That is all I want you to do is just eavesdrop on their talks.” He looked at the young man once more can you do that?

He smiled when he heard the answer and nodded to the young man. When you find out anything come to the manor and tell them you need to speak with me. Now this is very important so don’t let me down.” he gave the man a slight tab to the shoulder and head back to the manor. He hoped his suspicion was wrong but that small inner voice told him other wise.

He had plans and for if that noble hasn’t been going into the bogs he was going to make a little trip to see the king. Galron had ambitions to grow but not for him but for the people of this area. If he could get control of the northland. He would gain a seafaring port and that would bring so much commerce to this land there would be any hungry mouths here. The northerners would get the skilled blacksmiths trade here and the blacksmiths would get the northern ore. It was a grand dream but this Eric has made trade so strenuous that trade was almost has come to a complete stop.

He would come back this evening and speak with the young man after the meeting is over and he has the rest of he evening to get the details from the stable boy at that time unless he is finished sooner. He entered into the manor and proceeded to help get things done and ready.

 

[Angeltears]

Nodding her head as she listened to Lord Galron, yes she remembered the faces of the Noble's escort. Noticing people was one thing she did do, because she did not want to get herself in trouble for handing over a horse to the wrong person. What he was asking her to do did not seem so bad, she was good at not bringing attention to herself, but he was asking her to go to the tavern. It might be crowded, this would help her not be noticed but it also meant there was a chance someone might get too close.

She could not refuse him now after she had already agreed to do this for him. "Yes My Lord, I can do this for you." she told him which seemed to make him happy. Nodding she agreed that she would go to him with anything she hears. Though she go very still when he touched her. Even though a touch to the shoulder would not give her away she couldn't help it. Watching Lord Galron leave the stable she wondered what she should do. She knew she couldn't leave the stable with no one here, so she went back to her work waiting for the stable master to return.

The stable master hadn't been to please after she told him about the Ninth Circle coming and that Lord Galron had asked her to do something for him. She had not explained exactly what she was doing or about the gold coin, because she did not know if Lord Galron had wanted her to. He had finally let her go when she promised she would be back as soon as she could to help with the horses.

Finally Ash walked into the tavern and ordered a drink, the man behind the bar watched her closely as if she was up to no good. "My Lord asked me to wait for him here," she lied hoping that she was convincing enough. He seemed happy with her answer and she moved away from the bar. Slowly making her way to a table off to the side that was close to the where she had seen the Noble's men that she had been asked to listen too. So she settled in slowly drinking her drink and listening to the escorts talk of things in the north. The more Ash listened the more she didn't like the sound of the noble Eric Winston.

Staying as long as she could, she was starting to draw attention with the fact that she was sitting alone. So she left and headed back to the stables thinking on what she heard. Reaching the stables the Stable master was already in a fine fit of temper with the other stable boy so, Ash quickly slipped into working. She would speak to Lord Galron later, sure he would understand the need to help getting things organise for the arrival of the Ninth Circle.

 

[Elvenoff1]

The ninth circle came to the town of Brandywine, Lords of the region filed in with their nobles was a sight that brought calm to people hearts. The power came to this town this evening with each lord bringing their nobles and some horsemen soldiers as their escorts. When the eight Lords filtered into the town there was an army here of the Kings Guard but this was just a small fraction of the Kings Guard, but yet it was more power than the people of this town normally sees.

The Lords made their way to the stables for their mounts to be look for while their stay here in Brandywine. There was one that seemed to capture everyone eyes for he was a she! There has never been a Lady among the ninth circle until now. The rumors spread like wildfire as she bought her mount to the stable. Her auburn hair is slight tousled by the wind of the riding. She was alluring to most as she made her way in with the other Lords there talk was about the north.

Galron greeted the lords with a firm handshake; his attention fell to the lady for this was his first meeting with her since he heard of her taking over the providence she was from. Upon the completion of the initial meeting, they all adjourned inside to conduct the emergency called meeting. The meeting lasted for hours so by the time the lords were put up for the evening it was late when Galron made his way to the stable. The meeting set things at a worse state than Galron realized and now there was no time to find out what Eric Winston was up too. It was more than wolves that endangered the north.

The stables were locked, but Galron needed to see the stable boy and find out what he had heard. He moved about the building trying to find away to either get in or find someone he could wake and let him it. He was not familiar with the lay out of the grounds so when he stumped over some tact and harnesses his attempt to stop himself from falling was adventures to say for he brought the entire racking down upon him. If that was all that happened he would have been happy, but upon his getting up and clear of the mangle mess of belts and chains he took three steps and tripped upon the feed bin with a shout he manage to keep his balance for a few more steps before losing it and the result was a unplanned bath!

Stinking in the drink trough, he sat there curing to how clumsy he was, but it just wasn’t meant for him to get up for the first two attempts were utterly failures. Angrily he attempted the third one…

 

[Angeltears]

They were almost ready when the ninth circle rode in and the stable master had calmed down quite a bit, now that that things seemed to be turning out okay. Ash watched the group coming towards the stables and knew she would not be able to speak to the Lord until later. The stable master barked at her and she jumped to do what he asked her do. Soon she was busy accepting the reins of the horses and getting them into a stall.

Ash almost stopped in her tracks when she saw that one of the ninth circle was a woman. Watching as she dismounted, Ash could only admire the woman that seemed to have been accepted amongst men in such a high position. Her eyes met the woman's and she quickly lowered her eyes. She had always tried to avoid contact but she had been so stunned. "I shall take care of you horse My Lady," she bowed and accepted the reins from the lady how thanked her. Once the Lords and Lady left they all set to grooming and feeding the horses. "Did you see her it is hard to believe that that beautiful woman is a member of the Ninth Circle?" Nicholas the other stable boy said from the stall next to the one she was in. Before Ash could respond the stable master told them to stop gossiping and focus on work.

Finally all the horses groomed and fed, and all was cleaned up. The stable master and Nicholas left as the sun started to set, leaving Ash to watch over the horses for the night. Locking up and doing one more check on the horses she climbed into the stable loft and collapsed onto the small mattress that had been placed up there for those that watched the horses. She was so tired, she almost drifted off to sleep without changing. Pulling herself from the mattress she removed her clothes and removed the binding around her chest. She could not sleep in the binds they itched and she got too hot. Pulling on a tunic she laid back down and drifted off to sleep.

Waking to the sound of someone outside of the stables, Ash sat up quickly. Who would be out there so late, did they need a horse. Hearing more noise and then a shout, she quickly pulled on her pants and climbed down the ladder. Worried she forgot her bindings, heading towards the stable door and unlocking it. What she saw in the moonlight was someone who seemed to have fallen into the water through. Though she couldn't see his face she could guess from the way he moved he was anger. It would be best to help him, as news of a accident happening at the stables getting back to the manor could reflect bad on her. "Let me help," she rushed forward and went to take his hand as he attempted to get out again.

She didn't know how it happened, but as she reached him she tripped over something that should not have been there and found herself falling against the man and they both ended up in the water through. The water splashed up around them and she found herself laying on top of him. "I am sorry, so sorry. I don't know what happened. I.......," all wet she started apologising as she lifted her head she went very still she realised that it was Lord Galron, for now she could see who it was. "Oh no," she gasped, slipping and squirming as she fought to get herself out of the trough. It took her a bit but she managed to get up, her tunic sticking to her body as she started stammering apologies. "My lord I am so sorry, I think I tripped over something," as she said this she looked at the ground and saw in the moonlight all the stuff on the ground. "What happened here?" she said without thinking.

 

[Elvenoff1]

Galron managed to come up enough that a helping hand would have brought him up to his knee, even embarrassed, angered he was thankful to hear a familiar voice ring out to let them help get out of this demonized water trough. What he didn’t expect was the helping hand to became an airborne projectile that got an “UMmmph!” and a “SHIT!” to escape over already angrily abused lips of Galron as he and his hero fall back into the water trough. With the added weight of the hero, he was complete submerged into the water and the stable boy lying on top of him.

The sounds of gasping for air and spitting and coughing of water off to the side was added to by a voice from the stable boy issuing his apologies, but as the young man started to wiggle up, slipping back, then pushing up was causing Galron to gulp, huff, gulp , ahhh shit! His hands falling to his tender his pulsating nut sacks. His ears now ringing once more of apologetic words from the stable boy when all Galron wanted was a hand that could help him get out of this water trough.

He looked up “Would you be kind enough to …” He froze, closed his eyes for a moment and then reopened them and looked to see if the image had change, but to his dismay the images before him did not change. No this could not be he must be seeing things. Once again, he closed his eyes and waited for a little longer span of time and opened them once more, dismayed at what his eyes was still gazing at, a tunic hugging a firm, round form of a woman’s bosom.

He managed to squirm his way to his side then up to one knee, which he pushed up and rolled over the edge of the trough. He pushed himself up quickly and whipped around at the woman but said nothing yet. “I fear that was my doing, I tripped over something that was in the middle of the pathway, I managed to grab a hold of the tack shelving which isn’t mounted by the way, came down spinning me around till I hit the edge of the water trough. And the rest you know Madam.”

“So Madam, I believe we do have some things to talk about this evening after we go inside and get out of these wet clothes and wrap up with a blanket, before we catch the demon cold this night. Galron was still trying to figure out how he and everyone else could have missed this boy being a woman with her umm ampleness. He cleared his throat and blushed as he was looking at her hard nipples poking through the tunic… Madam your ummm…” He gestured to her chest…

 

[Angeltears]

Looking around at the mess and that was what she could see, the stable master was going to be very angry if he saw this mess in the morning. Ash was going to have to clean it up after she spoke with Lord Galron and dried off. She was focused on the mess wondering if she was going to get any sleep tonight. Hearing movement in water she focused back in Lord Galron remembering that she had come out to help him, but he was already up and looking at her and explaining he had caused the mess.

She didn't think that there had been anything in the path unless Nicholas had left something instead of putting it away properly. Then there was the tack shelving that she would have to mention to the stable master. Not noticing it the first time he said it she caught it the second time. Why was he calling her madam, maybe she had miss heard him and had some water in her ears. He was looking at her strangely as well. Unsure of why he was saying this she nodded in agreement that they needed to warm up, she would get blankets for the both of them

Then he called her madam again, and she watched him gesture at her. Wondering what was wrong she looked down at herself and went very still. Her tunic was clinging to her body and the blood drained from her face as she realised in her rush she had forgotten her bindings. "Oh no," she swore and quickly covered her chest. Slowly she looked up at Lord Galron and her teeth started to chatter slightly, from both fear and the cold. She had been careless now Lord Galron knew the truth and her fate was now in his hands. Not knowing what to say, she quickly turned and hurried into the stables.

What should she say to him, should she beg for him to not reveal her secret and not to dismiss her from her work. Or should she just accept it and hope she can find some other work. As she was thinking of what she should do she found a lamp and set about lighting it, so that there would be no more tripping over anything. Then she found blankets for the both of them, still unsure of what to do she turned and handed the blanket to Lord Galron before quickly retreating away from him.

Heading to one of the empty stalls she moved into the darkness so he would not see her change. Stripping her clothes off she wrapped the blanket around herself. Staying inside the stall she took a deep breath, "I did as you asked Lord Galron," she spoke up finally, maybe she could give herself more time to think. "I went down to the tavern and listened to the men as you asked. They spoke of many things, a lot of it seemed to be a bragging and boasting. Though they did speak of Nobleman Eric Winston."

When she spoke the name her voice took on a tone of disgust, but then she remembered who she was talking to and bit her lip. "He does not seem like a nice man, the men talked of his temper and how he treats people that he believes below him. Though this is not what you wanted to know was it. They spoke of the troubles with the wolves but said even though Lord Eric was making a fuss of how much he was losing to them, he wasn't sending out his best men which surprised them. Also there was the fact that Lord Eric had been seen heading off into the black bogs with only few of his personal guard. At first they thought he was out hunting the wolves himself, but the men he rode out with were not hunters nor were they armed as such and were considered his most loyal men. The men did not say any more as they got distracted ordering another round of drinks"

Stepping slightly forward so that she was in the lamp light. She had given her report so now it was time to see what he thought of it and what he had to say on the matter of her being a girl

 

[Elvenoff1]

Her arms crossed her chest. She looked at him with eyes that would be set to someone whom has seen a ghost and her face was pale as the color of a full moon. Then she spoke words of worry before turning away from him and scurried off into the stable. Galron lowered his head after watching her scuttle off. He was confused how all this time he has never noticed. He then wondered if the stable master knew of this and was forcing her to stay under his thumb for her trickery. Even though she was going against the law of that a woman cannot hold a job that was meant for a man, and her place was at the taverns or bathhouses he was not the one to bestow this punishment. He would have words with the stable master.

He pushed himself up and shook the water from his clothing. The night air was chilling to his body as he began to shiver. Now he knew why she scurried off to the stables. He wondered if he even should fall her but he had to know what she learned in the tavern and to ask her why she was doing this. Well he knew why here she didn’t have men groping her, filling her ears with sexual innuendo that she had to bare her teeth and take it or lose her job. Even the bathhouses this would occur. There were other things she could be doing, so he went with… Of course… Love of horses. He lowered his head… This was a problem.

He moved forward and took a moment to look at the tack shelving that was scattered about. He would help her clean this mess up once morning came. He made his way back into the stable as she was putting life into a lamp. It fluttered to a bright orange glow he looked at her not in a sexual glare but in a wonderment of how she was able to get herself hired in the first place. Again, his mind went to the stable master. His thoughts went dark about the situation and he got slightly upset. This was most assuredly will be dealt with.

He nodded to her when she handed him his blanket. Relieved that he was able to wrap himself up he went to follow her to ask questions but when she went into the darkness he knew what she was doing and instantly turned around and took a few steps away toward another stall. He looked around the place and now just realized that this place had a woman’s touch. For this was the case in the manor if it wasn’t for his servants it would be a mess.

When she spoke, he moved closer to hear her tone of words. His anger of Eric Winston grew with each syllable she spoke. Shaking his head, he wondered what this man was up too. Then he realized that he sent her in there and this was the work she can do quite well. He could use her but that would be another talking this was about Winston. He sat down ground leaning up against the stall his mind in deep thought. What was in the black bogs? This might require a ride up north.

He looked up from his thoughts to the woman whom fooled many. She was a gorgeous lady, much better to look at than the stable boy was. He pushes himself up and walks to her. “I will have’th your name Madam.” He looked deep into her eyes before continuing. “And you shall tell me why you are masking as a male in this stable; does the stable master know of your true identity? Is he forcing you to work for him does to your trickery. Or what compels you to work in the stable.” He bombed her with questions for he was upset figuring the stable was taking advantage of this woman under his rule.

 

[Angeltears]

Watching him stand she held the blanket tight around her as if to shield herself from what might come or was it to deny what had already been revealed. As he moved towards her she met his eyes holding his gaze. Standing there she wanted to look to the ground out of habit and as he started asking her questions and his anger seemed to grow, she found it harder not to do. Though she was surprised that he thought that the stable master would force her to do such a thing.

Maybe he would understand if she explained. Maybe he would understand her need to deceive everyone. "The stable master knows not of this, he thinks I am a boy just as everyone else." She liked the stable master, through he was strict and could be grumpy he was a nice man and she did not want him getting in trouble because of her. "I will accept whatever my punishment is but do not punish him for something many did not notice," with this said she finally looked to her feet.

"My name is Ashley Reinfred and what compels me to do what I do Sir, is safety. It is safer to be a boy when you are alone." She glanced at him as she said this. "I have no family, I lost my father to an accident and my mother to illness. We did not have a lot but what we had we were happy with, father was a horse breeder but when he had his accident, mother and I tried to do what we could. Then mother got sick and I tried to get her medicines to make her better, yet no matter what she took she would not recover. So I was the only one left" She did not look at him as she said this, could not look at him for she was trying to control her voice. This was the first time telling anyone about what had happened and she would not let herself cry.

Moving away from him she headed to the horses pretending to see if they had been disturbed by the noise from before. In truth she needed to move, "I know what work there is for women and I was scared for I had no protection of family from what can happen at those places. Buying boys clothes, I used them as a shield to hide the truth and sort out work, to pay for food and shelter." One of the horses moved close to its stall gate and she stroked its nose smiling at the creature and taking comfort from it.

"One day when seeking out work a horse got loose, some boys had been flicking rocks at it causing trouble. The horse was distressed and panicked only wanting to get away from its tormentors. It bolted scaring people no one could calm it. I remembered what my father had taught me when dealing with horses and I used it, calming the horse I returned it to its' owner. The stable master had seen what I had done and told me that if I wished and if my parents agreed I could work at the stables as a stable boy. I told him that I was an orphan and he offered me food and shelter in return for working hard and looking after the horses at night."

"Bindings, boys clothes, working hard and not bringing attention to myself, were all ways I used to hide the truth. Nobody seems to pay match attention to you when you are a stable boy and you are doing your job correctly." There was a small smile on her lips as she thought of all those that passed by but did not truly see her. "That is how I came to be deceiving all who meet me." Finally she turned to him, "Now my lord you know my tale what will you do?" she asked awaiting her fate.

 

[Elvenoff1]

Galron’s anger seemed to drain from his face while her words seemed to calm the burning beast inside of him. “What you have claimed about him, he has nothing to fear from me.” He told her noting how she was holding her blanket in a way that showed her fear that he would do something to her. This made him come to a stop. He took a deep breath while changing the demeanor of his face along with the stance of this body. He didn’t want her to fear him, but than again, he didn’t look at the status difference between them that would obviously affect her.

She went on giving her name to him and her hardship-filled history. It made his heart soften to a point that he would have done anything she asked of him but she went on with her story that was filled with gloom and despair. He couldn’t even comprehend what she went trough to survive. It did force him to look at himself and the way he ruled. If this was the way she had to live under his rule, he wondered how many others were out there was just like her. He lowered his head in shame even if he never knew he felt responsible. “I’m sorry for your loss Ashley. “

He watched her walk away from him toward one of the stalls. He could tell she was hurting by reveling the hardship she had and the pain of loss she had relive by telling him this. He wanted to walk up to her, take her into her arms and tell her that all would be okay but he didn’t think that would be appropriate. She had so such pain for a child to deal with at a young age and then be smart enough to figure out how to get ahead and do what she wanted. One day she will be a Queen he thought.

He walked forward to where she was and looked at her with eyes riddled with sorrow. She continued to tell him of her history that landed her here in this stable under the stable master. He reached over and petted the horse while his mind took all that she had said. He still felt like he was responsible for all that happened to her. He closed his eyes trying to get that guilt feeling out of his chest for it was suffocating him. “I’m sorry."He said again, showing the pain that he was in.

“I was my fathers’ grief, which I was. I was supposed to be the woman that was to marry the prince and bring my father into the realm of the High king. He made sure I understood what a worthless child I was and would never mount to anything but a failure. I was my brothers Squire of loyalty. “He chuckled lightly at the memory. “ I actually was trained in a warrior’s way by my mother. She was a lady from the south that put her sword down to marry my father to bring the south lands under the Shanara domain.” He looked down as if he was in a memory dream of her.

“I lost my parents and brother in that the night of the Orken raid in Hightower. I was still an inspiring squire made Baron over night and had no idea how to run a domain. Look who had to pay the price of my uninspiring rule!” He looked at her with that same apologetic look… “Forgive my weakness in which you had to pay with your hardship.” He turned away from him and began to walk toward the door. “I suggest you get some sleep stable boy… You have a mess to clean up in the morning. “He looked at her … “I will not take you way of life away from you. Fear not I will not hurt you again.” He bow to her and walked out…

 

[Angeltears]

Waiting silently she watched him pat the horse and she accepted his sympathy with a small nod of her head when he offered it again but this time it seemed different, his voice seemed heavy and there was pain in his eyes. Then she listened as he told her of his own tale. When he laughed she felt that it was filled with sadness. Though it surprised her that his life had not been an easy one either. This was something they had in common and for the first time she did not see him as a nobleman but as someone who had suffered as well because of fate.

It intrigued her that it had been his mother that had trained him. Yet again she had learned of another woman in a position of power. The lands of the south really allowed there woman to fight, how different it seemed from these lands. Then his words shocked her, what did he mean by who had to pay the price. As she took in his words, she slowly started to realise that he was blaming himself for all that she had been through. Watching as he headed towards the door she could just stare at him. Even when he told her he would not take this life away from her, she could still not respond. It was only when he bowed and turn to leave she knew she couldn't let him leave still thinking he was responsible.

Running to him, she grabbed his arm as he passed through the stable doors. Before this night she would never have dared to approach a nobleman this way, but this was a night of firsts. "Wait Lord Galron," she called his name, holding onto his arm she looked up at him. "You are not to be blamed for the hardships that have befallen me, nor for those that have befallen yourself" her hand tightened on his arm as if trying to get him to understand. "It was fate that took our families from us and it was not weakness on our part for the way woman are treated here. It is the way it is and has always been." Then a small smile appeared on her lips, "Though that seems to be changing if a Lady can be one of the Ninth Circle."

Hoping she had gotten through to him she released his arm and stepped away. "Thank you my Lord for keeping my secret, I am at your service. If you ever require another job to be done like today or any job, I am yours to command," she told him bowing.

 

[Elvenoff1]

When Ashley grabbed his arm, he stopped and looked at her with a smile and a raised brow. He was about to say something, when she instantly began to tell him that what had happened to them was not his nor really anybody’s fault for it was fate that brings things to people. Her eyes gleamed as the gazed into his. His heart skipped a beat for the first time he realized how beautiful she was being this close to her. He put his hand upon hers that was grasping his arm. “I do thank you for your kind word.” He wanted to debate but that would only appear even weaker than what he has shown already. No he would leave this talk at its end and move on with the grudging way of life that only the King could change.

“Yes, the ladies name is Rebecca Norcroft Lady of the Southern Dawn.” He looked down to ground as if there was more going on with that even. Things were happening in this domain and Galron was unable to stop it. Even if he was the ruler of the Shanara Forest domain, the king also ruled his power. He wanted her to keep that gleam this night so he didn’t comment on anything but the changing of times, which would be more than she or he knew. He padded her arm just before she released her grip on his forearm.

He smiled when she offered to be in his service if he was in need of her again. He nodded with a smile. “I shall keep you in mind. If such an opportunity arises I will consider you.” He took a few steps away and turned toward her… “Good Night Lady Ashley Reinfred of the Brandwine Manor” He smiled and moved out into the darkness. His task of this evening has only begun as he made his way toward the manor. “It was time to talk to Eric.”

He stopped again about half way away from the stables and turned to watch. “How did he miss such a wonderful woman that was right under his nose? Litterly!” he wanted to offer her a position in the manor but he felt like she found a job she loved and wanted to do. Therefore, he would leave it at that. He chuckled when he viewed her after she got out of the water… It was these times that he has being missing all this time.

He made his way to the manor when he hand written a note to Ashley if she would join him in picnic in the forest at the waterfalls. That is where his mother always took them to swim and have fun sliding down the water rock into the pond. He would take the note to her in the morning hours..

 

[Angeltears]

A small smile played over her lips when he used her name full name. It had been a long time since someone had used her name, it sounded strange and yet sounded right coming from him. Bowing her head slightly as he left, "Good night Lord Galron." Moving to the stepping up to the stable doors she watched as the darkness claimed him as he headed towards the manor. When she could no longer see him, she spared a glance at the mess that he had made. Sighing she headed back into the stables and to the loft to retrieve some dry clothes.

Feeling too awake to return to her bed she dressed and then headed out of the stables. Taking the lamp she set it to the side as she started collecting the scattered items that had caused an interesting afternoon. Working she righted the tack racking and filled it telling herself she would let the stable master that she had accidently knocked it over. She was unsure if she should mention Lord Galron's visit to him. The fact he had ended up in the water trough, was something she was not going to tell anyone.

Working until everything was where it should be she, she made her way into the stable. Finally feeling tired she collected her wet clothes and blanket, hanging them over the railings in her loft out of sight. Back down the ladder she locking the stables glancing once more at the manor as she did and wondering if Lord Galron had made it back alright. Yawning she slowly made her way to where she had hung the lamp, looking around once more, the horses seemed settled so she blew out the lamp. Making her way in the dark she found the ladder and then her mattress which she curled up on just pulling the blanket over before she fell asleep.

Waking to the sound of the stable master unlocking the stable doors, Ash sat up and rubbed her face. Feeling still a little tired it took her awhile properly wake up. When the stable master called to her she called back that she was coming, Standing she looked at her drying tunic, she remembered what had happened the night before. She would not forget her bindings or her hat this time, she thought as she dressed disguising herself as a boy once again. Joining the stable master down in the stable she thanked him for the food he brought for the both of them. After they ate she told him about the tack, saying she had heard a noise and tripped over something when having a look at what it had been. He scolded her for not using her brains, well in his words his brains to use a lamp.

As the he set about making the tack rack secure she started her work by leading some of the horses out to the yard were they could roam the fenced off field. Nicholas arrived and was given his own work to do.

 

[Elvenoff1]

The chilled morning breeze swept across Galron’s body bringing him quickly awake and to an upright sitting position with chills running down his back. His eyes shifting over to the heavy balcony doors that he forgot to shut, along with pulling the heavy wind curtain across the opening. Shivering, he jumped up and made his way over to him and unexpectedly he just realized it would be warm soon. What was up with him he asked several times while walking toward the armoire? His unexpected surprise caught him complete off guard last night and still had him a bit feeling awkward. Upon getting dressed, a low knock came to his door. His brow arched as he turned toward the Door, his mind wondering who it could be this early. He pulled his shirt over his head and stuffed the end into his pants

When the door upon, His eyes fell upon the Lady Norcroft. His eyes narrowed, “Milady, What can I do for you?” His eyes locking to hers with questions, “I must ask a favor of you” She came quickly with her reply. Her tone was low as if wanting no one to hear her. “Come in and we shall see what I can do for you.” he watched her enter with a growing concern. “What may I do for you?” again Galron asked, not liking this whole deal one bit. He moved over to where she was standing, some good ways from the door. “Have you been approach?” Galron tilted his head slightly looking at her. “No, I have not.” He replied with wonderment, “What does this have to do with? Approached with what?” He was now curious with this surprise visit.

She looked confused and then as if she done something that she shouldn’t have done. “I’m sorry I must be going. Sorry to have bothered you.” She walked quickly to the door, took one look back over at him then left his room. He stood in the middle of his bedchamber at a loss. Was he approached? He tried to think of what she could possibly be talking about but nothing came to him. Shaking his head, it appeared that once again he would have to call on Ashley for assistance.

He moved over and looked at his note and laughed a note? Am I that shocked where I have to write her a letter instead of asking her in person? He took the note and put it into his pocket; she might get a kick out of this. Then he stopped and wondered what he was doing. What did he want from her? Why would he want to take her to the waterfalls was he that taken with her? No, it was just the late of the night and the events that happened making him feel as if they made a connection.

He made his way to the stables to ask her once more to go to the bathhouses and the taverns to see if she can hear anyone talking about this approaching or listening to what is happening around the other domains. He had to know what was going on for a fact. He had a very bad feeling but didn’t want to act upon it until he knew forsure what it was. Arriving at the stables, he noticed her moving horse out to the Yard. He walked up to the fence and just watched her until she noticed him watching her. Once she did, he gave the noting for her to come over to him.

“I have to ask you another favor. I need to go to the bathhouses and the pubs and Listen for any information about Lady Norcroft. There is something going on that puts fear in me. The information I also want to know is if any Domains are really tired of being under our King.” His look wasn’t a pleasant one he was still debating about asking but after a long moment of silence he spoke to her.. “Would like to go in a picnic with me this afternoon. He felt his face turn a few shades of red…

 

[Angeltears]

She loved letting the horses out into the yard, freeing them from their stalls. Though the stalls were quite big, she felt it was better them being out in the open. Maybe when all the stalls were cleaned the stable master would let her exercise the manors horses and take them for a ride. While she was working she remembered the days of her youth were she used to ride her father's horses. The wind in her hair, her father had called her a wild child. Patting the horse she sent it on its way into the yard to join the others.

It was just as she was about to head back into the stables that she noticed someone watching her from the fence, Lord Galron. She felt herself smile as she headed towards him, she hadn't expected to see him again so soon. Mid step she paused as she realised she was happy to see him, but why? She had never let anyone close enough to be happy to see them other than the horses. Being scared of someone finding out the truth had kept her alone, maybe because he knew the truth she finally felt like she could be herself. With this in mind she continued headed over to him.

Listening as he told her about the favour he needed of her, her smile vanished. What he was asking her had her worried, not for what he was asking but for why he was asking and she thought back to what she had learned about Lord Eric. Did the this favour have anything to do with the other and what did Lady Norcroft have to do with it. Though she had promised her service to him she would do this not because of the promise but because of the look on his face, he seemed worried about what was happening. Nodding her head agreeing to do what he asked she was caught by surprise by his next question.

She didn't know what to say, a picnic with Lord Galron. "My Lord...... I ......." she looked at him and she thought he was blushing. Her own cheeks went a little red. A picnic were she wouldn't have to pretend to be a boy and she felt it would be nice to spend time with someone other than the horses. "I would like that very much Lord Galron" she told him. Then she saw the stable master watching them she lowered her head. "Also I will do the favour for you, but the stable master might need to be told something so that he doesn't get angry with me and accuse me of dodging work."

As if he knew they were talking about him the stable master approached them. "Lord Galron, is my stable boy bothering you. Ash, are all the horses out in the yard?" he asked both of them. Shaking her, "No Sir," she said softly and bowed quickly to Lord Galron. Sparing him a glance she quickly headed towards the stables to finish getting the horses out. The stable master watched her leave and then turned to Lord Galron. "Sorry about that my Lord, he is a good lad and a hard worker and seems to have a knack with the horses. Is there anything I can do for you my lord?"

 

[Elvenoff1]

Galron couldn’t believe the blooming sensation that was spreading across his face when he blurted out half awkwardly for her to have a picnic with him. The response he got was also unexpected for her face turned a few shades of red as well. He lowered his head and chuckled for here he was acting like a very young man asking a girl to a banquet dance. He felt mused by the situation for it made him feel alive, a feeling he hasn’t felt in sometime now. He caught her glare to the side and followed it to the approaching Stable master. He felt an itch to tell the man to go do the work himself but he bit his tongue for this was his hireling and she did have work that needed to be done.

Galron turned toward him with a flare, was about to say something but stopped abruptly. He wasn’t going to cut the stable master down in front of his help. He only gave a head shaking no to the question that was directed to him about his stable boy disturbing him. “Actually Albert it was I that is disturbing him. He would have had his duties done if it wasn’t for me asking him about ebony mud.” He turned toward the stable master. “I hope that I don’t get him into to much trouble.” Galron was calm and showed no emotion of what he really wanted to say.

He turned and watched her walk away trying hard not to show the small drop in his gut. He felt alive when she was near him and he wanted that feeling, he ached for that feeling. He swallowed hard trying not to express any displeasure about him. “I will need Ash’s help today. You do have another Stable boy correct.” The question was rhetorical for he knew that there was another. He reached to his coin purse and pulled out a gold piece. “Will this cover his missing work for this day.” He handed Albert the gold piece and knew this would get Ash off for the day. He really needed to know what the hell was going on in his domain and the Kingdom.

He gave Albert a small tab on the shoulder as he walked past him getting the answer he knew he would get for the gold was about a month’s worth of pay. He looked over at Ash for a few moments then looked aback at Albert. “I will take him now if that is okay.” he walked back up to her when Albert nodded and waved him to do so. He nodded to the man, then turned to face her. “I need to you come with me this day. I have permission from the stable master to use you this day at the manor.”

He turned and walked away toward the manor, he wanted to sidestep gesture for her to walk before him as a gentlemen would do but he had to keep her secret and treat her like a him and walk before the hireling. He slowed so she could walk with him as if he called him to approach. “I want you to be careful. I have a bad feeling about what is happening. I think Lady Norcroft’s life maybe in jeopardy. I will talk more of this on the way to our picnic.” he smiled at her and then quickly removed it with a oh crap look on his face as if he was caught doing something bad.

“Only spend a few hours at the bathhouse I wish to have a good day at the waterfall.” He added to where they were going on this picnic. It was a secluded place and marked as the Lord’s grounds do no one will be snooping around. A safe place for them and her to be the she that she is. He once again felt that a live feeling and he could feel the refreshed bounce in his walk. He hoped she didn’t feel pressured into do this, or even the picnic what if she was just doing this because her lord asked .. He looked at her with that worried look. He had to ask her. “I have to know if you said yes to our picnic because I’m your lord, Please the man that asked you to his Picnic was Galron Shanara, not your lord. So do you still wish to go on this Picnic?” he asked in a low tone …

 

[Angeltears]

As Ash walked off she knew she shouldn't look back but she couldn't help it, wondering what Lord Galron and the stable master would say to each other. She caught Lord Galron telling the stable master that it was in fact his fault, for that she was grateful, she doubted that the stable master would get angry with Lord Galron. So she made her way to stable. She was looking forward to the picnic, it had made her happy when he had asked her. She would get her work done and then the favour for him and then she could go on a picnic.

Albert was curious about the interested Lord Galron was showing in Ash, this was the second time he was using the boy. Nodding his head when Lord Galron asked about another stable boy. Covering his shock when Lord Galron handed him a gold piece, he nodded once again. "This will certainly cover it," Albert said taking the gold, he watched as Galron watched the stable boy back. Nodding, Albert watched him head to the boy and the two of them head off towards the manor. 'What is it about Ash that has the Lord handing out gold pieces for his service? I will just have to keep an eye on the situation,' Albert thought to himself.

Ash was surprised when Lord Galron caught up to her. Still aware that they were being watched she simply nodded her head and followed behind him heading toward the manor. When they were away from the stable she noticed that he slowed down so they could walk side by side. The concern in his voice made her almost pause in her step, when he told her to be careful and her heart seemed to swell but it soon seemed to sink when he said that Lady Norcroft might be in jeopardy. So the concern was for the Lady and if she wasn't carful she might not be of any use to him. "I will," she whispered, she didn't know why this upset her, it wasn't as if he should care for her.

She forced away the feeling that come out of no were and smiled at him when he said they were going to a waterfall. She had never been to a waterfall before. She wondered what it would be like, she couldn't wait. His question this time did make her pause she looked at him had she heard him wrong, staring at him she didn't know what to say. Then realising that they were out in the open that they could still be being watched. Quickly she fell back into step with him as she considered what to say. What could she say to him , especially when she didn't understand everything herself. "It wasn't because you are my lord," she finally replied after a while. "The reason I accepted was because I ........ um ....... how to I put this," she bit her lip as she thought and then sighed. "You are the only one I feel close to, not the title but the ma...... person" she quickly corrected the last word, unable to call him a man, not when she was feeling so strange when she was around him.

Looking at the path as they walked, she couldn't look at him especially with what she was about to say. "I still want to go on this picnic with you, Galron." Her words were soft as she told him.

 

[Elvenoff1]

Galron did not mean to put the candle light upon her in the darkened room that they were about to walk into. He has been here before at this very same door some years ago where he did in fact misread the actions and the words of the one he though would become his lady. It was a friendship that started out as with most couples, she was one of his housemaids whom always seemed to do more for him, was nicer to him than the others were and they even shared that sneaking eye exchanges when in a room filled with others.

That night he made his way down to the rooms of service that spanned down under the town itself. These rooms were his fathers and were always off limits to the family and some staff. He did not understand when he first discovered them but soon he realized what they were used for when he found some of the passages that lead to secret entrances in most of the taverns and bathhouses. Galron himself never used them but when he took this woman, whom he thought would enjoy the privacy of the rooms and the ways she could leave from the manor to protect and hide their relationship until that day of announcement, he was wrong. When he told her that he was trying to protect her by the pruning of his other staff members, she was angered by this. She wanted everyone to know that she and he were seeing each other so she would be at their awe for she would be titled as the Lord’s mistress and reap the power that came with it. She did not care of him but his title.

Now here he was doing the samething getting feelings for a servant of the house. Her kind words, her smiles, even the secretive lifestyle of hers seemed to draw him into her orb of essence. That night when he found out her secret, he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Was it his loneliness that drew him? On the other hand, was it the fact that she was so cute, so open with him after that embarrassing event. She was still nice with him, told him her life and when he told her of his, she reached out to him. Told him things were not his fault made him feel more like a man than anyone has done in a while.

Was this a ruse by her, no she never came looking for him, it was he that was going to her. It was he that asked her on this picnic and now when he put the candle light upon her she froze as if she did not even expect him to approach her. This was not the actions of a woman whom sought a title within his Barony. It was a woman taken in my the show of interest to her and then she even balked at that thought as she looked away from him and searched for words to say and when she said them he believed her. Her shy persona just seemed to glow about her when she spoke to him. It was as if he was nursing the womanhood out of her boyish identity.

When she flatly spoke to him as if he was a common man and told him that she still wanted to go with him on this picnic his happiness swelled to where he felt it in his throat. He swallowed hard trying to rid himself of the awkwardness of the moment. Even this was a sign of true feelings for it was not it would have been very easy to just say yes, but this was pure emotions that were bubbling between them. His worries of her wanting title and position disappeared this very minute. He found a new feeling for this umm stable boy girl….

He snapped out of his deep thoughts upon hearing her soft words repeating in his mind. “I am honored that you have accepted my invitation.” He kept that high class attitude when he really wanted to go running through the streets yelling to all that she accepted his first step toward a promising relationship. This wanting to jump and down was very obvious to her but his meek attempt to keep it classy was a failure for his eyes lit up and he was antsy.

It hit him, like a stone brick that he was sending her to the bathhouses and taverns again unprotected, what if they were keeping a close eye on the ears of the people that was about them. What would a stable boy be doing in a bathhouse that cost more than a days work to be there. He looked over at Ashley with a very concerned look. “Maybe the bathhouse is too dangerous for you to be there.” Now he was being overprotecting of her. He simple sighed with the turmoil he just put himself into.

He had to let her know what he thought was going on and that way she knew what to listen for and that would limit her time being at these places. He looked at her for a moment then motioned her to follow. He took her into the Barony walled garden of his estate before turning to her and letting her know that he feared that a civil war was brewing. He believes that some of the eight lords and lady were planning to overthrow the king and Lady Norcroft was the head of this rebellion for that is why she asked if he was approached for she wanted to tell him but when he asked about what, it pushed her away. “I need you to listen for any talk about this gloom of war about the air or any talk about Lady Norcroft acting strange and who thinks this of her.. I Know I ask a lot of you but I have no one else that I trust as I do you.” He whispered to her. Once you are done come to the north side pasture I will be there waiting for you to take you to the waterfall.” He added with a smile upon his face. “Thank you for all that you are doing. This Barony stands in your debt, I stand in your Debt Ashley.” He looked into her eyes with a deep state of emotional and political upheaval about him. However, in his eyes was a flame that was burning while he looked at into her eyes..

 

[Angeltears]

Peaking up at him from under her eyelashes after calling him by name and not title she was unsure how he would react. He seemed to be thinking hard on something as he looked at her and she slowly raised her head to look at him properly. Was there a change in the way he looked at her, there had appeared to be worry in his eyes before but that was now replaced by a smile and there seemed to be a happiness in his eyes that had not been there before. Watching as he pulled himself from his thoughts she smiled at him when he responded to her acceptance of his invitation. To add to the new happiness he also seemed to fidget on the spot, which puzzled and amused her as she had never seen a grown man act this way before.

Though the look she was enjoying seeing on him soon was gone once again replaced by worry or was it concern. Then she understood the concern when he spoke of the bathhouse being dangerous. To this she shook her head, "All will be fine," she told him trying to reassure him, "Not many people notice a stable boy, especially when I keep my head down and make it look like I am busy doing something for my master. Those that notice me will think that I am working for another, I will get you the information you require, My lord"

Following him, she could only stare for a moment at the garden, but when he turned to her she dragged her eyes from her surrounds to focus on what he was going to tell her. Taking in all he told her she could not believe that this might be a concern of his. Was there really a chance of war? She feared what that would mean. It surprised and touched her when he told her she was the only one he could trust. Nodding her head as she was lost for words at this. Had he not told anyone else of his concerns, she understood him using her to gather information as she wouldn't bring attention to herself or him and his manor. Though she had thought he would have spoken to her own men, to be on watch. This made her for the moment feel very important, which she quickly pushed aside as it would not help her in bathhouse to be over confidant that was how one got oneself in trouble.

When his smile returned and he looked into her eyes she could only give him a small smile in return as her cheeks grew red. Her heart seemed to race as their eyes held, she held it for a little longer before she looked away. Why was it that when he looked at her and he really did look at her, unlike anyone had looked at her before. It made her feel strange, there was a happiness that she seemed to get when being near him as well as a fluttering as if she wanted to run but she was unsure if that was away or closer to his side.

"Then if it pleases you Lord Galron, I will take my leave so I might soon return for our picnic," she could not stand there under his gaze for long, not while she could not understand her own emotions. Bowing she left him hurrying off to do the job he asked of her.