Sir Larg

THE MORNING

The morning dawns bright but cool. Larg is up early and outside taking care of his horse and gear, his boots wet from the dew. He stops and watches the white mare at the other end of the glen. She seems to be watching him, as well. Seeing that every thing is in order, he pats his horse on the neck and returns inside the cottage.
Larg sees Spel coming out of the door on the other side of the main room. She is still in her night gown, her hair dishevled. Alluring is the word that pops into his mind.
"Good Morning, Lady Spel. I trust you slept well. We can leave as soon as you are ready. If you need help, I would be happy to volunteer my services."
"Well enough M'Lord, I had some strange dreams. I will have to give them some thought though. I hope thy slumber was well."
She notices the dew on his boots. "I see you have been out already."
Suddenly she realizes her attire, "Oh, I'm sorry M'Lord" she smoothes her gown down with her hands. Her face goes flush slightly. "Allow me to change."
Returning to her room, Spel slips off her gown. She pulls on a pink blouse with long sleeves, and a maroon skirt over a slip. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she pulls on a pair of black leather boots, coming above her ankles. She walks to the mirror, brush in hand, and brushes out her hair, pulling the top up and tieing it with a ribbon. She pours some water in a basin and washes her face. Refreshed she returns to the main room.
"If you would help me saddle Camy?" Spel picks up a pack with provisions, another with clothing and a small roll with bedding. Her arms are loaded.
"The saddle is there in the room behind you. And my cloak please." Spel tilts her head in the direction of a hook on the wall and stands at the door waiting.
Larg strides over and takes her cloak off the hook by the door. He steps behind her and drapes the cloak over her shoulders. As his hands come to rest on her shoulders, he feels the electricity pass between them again, just as it had the night before.
"Of course, I will saddle your horse for you. There is no need to rush. Make what ever preparations are necessary."
Larg picks up her saddle and walks out the door. The mare is standing quietly just outside the door, as if waiting for him. He walks up and strokes the mares neck.
"Well, good lady, you seem to be an intelligent animal. That will make this trip easier, I'd wager."
Larg adjusts the blanket on the mares back and sets the saddle gently on the blanket. He shifts it back and forth looking for the most comfortable spot for the horse. He throws the belt over the side and catches it as it swings under the mares belly, deftly running the end through the buckle and cinching it down.
"Now, my fine girl, suck in your belly so I may make this tight. We don't want your mistress falling into the muck because the strap comes loose, do we?"
Amazingly the horse sucks in her stomach and he pulls the cinch tighter.
"Good girl."
"M'Lady," he shouts, "your horse is saddled. Would you like to store your gear now?"
From the cottage, she watches and listens as he saddles Cammy. She knows this journey will be long, and interesting with him.
Spel exits the cottage. She smiles at Camy, stroking the mares neck.She hands Larg her gear. "Yes, you may take the gear now."
Spel watches as he straps all into place behind the saddle.
"If you are ready to depart, I am as well.
Spel turns to the cottage, with the slightest gesture of her hand, the cottage can no longer be seen by the untrained eye. Sudden movement in the forest glen catches her eye. She sees Sampson stalking a small animal for his breakfast.
Spel stands to Cammy's side about to mount the tall horse. Larg moves up behind her and places his hands on her waist. He grips her firmly and lifts her slowly and gently into the saddle. The feel of her body lingers on his hands as he turns to his own horse and mounts.
"We go north, Lady Spel."
He wheels his horse around and starts towards the northern border of the glen. He makes no mention that the cottage seems to be gone. He is sure there will be many other strange things happening on this trip.
"Will your guardian in the forest join us or will he be keeping his distance during our trek?"
Quickly, Spel looks at the forest again, seeing Sampson as he pounced on his prey.
"Yes M'Lord, he will be on our journey. But keeping his distance."
Spel lightly kicks Camy, and they start slowly out of the glen. She adjusts herself in the saddle, her body flows smoothly and in rythym with the mares stride.
They move side by side at a slow pace as they pass over the soft ground of the glen. Larg rides easy and lightly and notices that Spel appears to be very comfortable in the saddle as well.
They ride out of the glen and into the forest. The day becomes cooler and darker.
Spel has never been to the north, so the area is unfamiliar to her.
The forest sounds are pleasing to listen to. The air fresh and vigerating.
"It is beautiful, is it not, M'Lord?" she calls forward as he got ahead of her slightly.
She gallops forward to ride next to him.
"Your land, is it much the same as we see here?" Spel looks up at the trees towering over them.
"Yes, the green living things are indeed beautiful, M'Lady. And they can be good friends. My land is not like this. Oh, we have trees, large, tall conifers that drop cones all over the forest floor and a few small bushes, but for the most part my land is rocky, moutainous terrain."
As they talk, they come to a hedgerow in the middle of the forest. It is tall and appears to stretch for miles in both directions.
"It appears we may have to make a detour. If M'Lady would ride a little to the right and see if there might be an opening, I will do the same to the left." Larg turns his horse to the left and rides a few feet. Spel rides off in the direction Sir Larg indicated.
"Camy," Spel speaks in a whisper to the mare. "Do you find it odd that this hedge be here and so perfectly?" Camy whinnies in agreement.
Larg looks back over his shoulder and sees that Spel is concentrating on the hedgerow in front of her. He turns to the hedge, bows slightly, extends his arms together in front of him and then spreads them to the sides. An opening appears in the hedge and continues to grow until it's large enough for two horses to pass through.
"M'Lady." Larg calls. "I have found an opening in the hedge. We can pass through here."
Spel looks around for Sampson and spies him in front of her, his fur on his back standing up. As she begins to speak to him, Sir Larg calls out.
Spel pulls Camy's to turn back in his direction.
"Sampson, stay close. Something is amiss here." Sampson follows at Camy's heels.
Riding up to him, Spel looks at the opening.
"Well. We did not have to go far to find a way past." Spel has a strange feeling come over her. She nervously rubs the amulet hanging at her breast.
Spel can hear a low growl from Sampson and Camy shifts her weight nervously.
"What is it boy?" Spel looks down at her protector.
"M'Lord, Is this the path that brought you to me? My gaurdian and mare seem to think there is danger within."
Spel studies him, straining to see his handsome features that intigues her so. The darkness moving in quickly. She shivers, but is it from the chill in the air?
Larg smiles warmly.
"If your puppy is a bit nervous about traversing here, wait and I will scout ahead."
Larg rides through the opening and disappears for a short time. Suddenly he reappears in the breach.
"It is perfectly safe, M'Lady. Just some farmers field and more woods. Obviously, this barrier was put here to keep wild foragers from the crops."
Spel leads Camy through, not completely comfortable, but trusting this knight to keep her safe.
Larg turns his horse and moves out of the way for her to pass.
"As to this being the way I came, no it is not. My path lead me a bit to the west before I found myself in that little village."
They ride on accross the field. Unseen behind them, the hedge resumes it's unbroken appearance. Larg glances over his shoulder, smiles and nods.
"Lady Spel, you do have some interesting friends here with you. Tell me about the hound? Have you had him long? I assume he is a capable guardian or he would not still be with you."
They ride along at a moderate pace, comfortable and easy as they talk.
"The hound?" Spel looks down at Sampson who is walking right next to them now.
"He has always been with me. For as long as I can remember. As a young child, I remember him being there."
Spel looks at Sampson lovingly, "And I suspect he will be with me until I leave this world."
Spel shifts in the saddle, pulling her cloak around her tighter to keep out the chill.
"I did not pick him, he chose me."
They have traveled a good distance, she takes in the terrain. Making a mental note of the paths they have been on.
"Tell me of thyself, M'Lord. What is thy position for the king aside being his best fighter. Is there someone waiting for your return?"
Spel turns away from his direction, so he might not see her face for she is afraid to hear is response, fearing he has.
"No M'Lady, There is no one that waits for my return. Only the king."
Larg avoids her other question for the moment.
Noticing the sun setting and the woods growing darker, Larg searches the woods for a place to make camp for the night. He spots a perfect place
"I think we should stop for the evening M'Lady. The woods might not fair well in the darkness."
Larg approaches a grouping of small sapplings, and laying his hands on the trees, he appears to be talking to them. Suddenly, they shift to each side, revealing a clearing in side of them. The trees surround the clearing creating a wall of sorts.
Spel watches with surprise the goings on he is performing. Obviously he is more than a common knight as she thought.
"Well, M'Lord....It appears you also possess some magic.
They approach the clearing."
"Yes, this seems to be a very pleasant place to spend the eve'." Spel agrees.
Spel dismounts from Camy, letting the reigns fall loosely. She reaches behind the saddle, untieing her supplies and bedding.
Spel turns to Larg, studying him in a different view.
"We can set up camp M'Lord, then maybe I might learn more of you this eve'."
"Camy, don't wonder far. I'll remove thy saddle in a moment."
Camy grazes at the edge of the clearing.
Spel watches as Sampson scouts around the forest for danger, and prey.

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