Stonegrim

Somewhere in Linsea

Maisy

Cold October mornings were a sight to behold every day for me. It was one of the advantages of living in the mountains.

The early settlers of the village were travelers who saw the mountains as a great place to stay and even hide from their enemies.

It's been years now and we still resided here. I watched the foggy splendor taking in the cold air and feeling satisfied.

"Maisy, where are you?" I heard my father call and instantly woke up from my daydream.

I had this habit of imagining to be somewhere else and tended to drift far off.

"Coming Dad, " I said and closed my windows.

The sight was ruined after all.

The wooden floorboard creaked as I rushed downstairs clothed in one of my mother's old gowns.

"Yes father", I politely acknowledged when I got to him.

My father was a middle-aged man strong for his age. Being the village' Chief, he mostly had nothing to do so he spent his life on his rocking chair, sipping a cup of palm wine and watching over the horizon.

"Maisy..." Her father said, sounding husky due to having much to drink at such an early time of the day.

"Yes, father." I bowed, praying he would send me to the ranch to pick up something.

Only then did I have some alone time, to meet friends and to ride the stallions.

After my mother's death, Father had been struct with where I should be and when I should be there.

Punctuality had become a part of me and although sometimes u broke the rules, the little I received was a slap and a warning not to do it again.

"I want you to go the ranch and remind Ewan to saddle up Ria for the big match." My father said.

Ria was his best horse and he mostly used her to win bets ranging from money to landed properties. Father hadn't lost a bet ever but Ria just put to bed recently and he was afraid she might not be up for the challenge tomorrow so she had to check up on her.

"Ok father." I gleefully replied, earning his glare.

"And those mess with the horses this time." My father warned.

I ignored his last statement and dashed outside.

I picked up a basket and raced for our orchard to pluck some apples.

Ria needed a treat if I was going to riding her this afternoon.

It was forbidden for women to ride horses but I had secretly taught myself and went on a joyride with Ria each time father sent me and Today was going to be no different.

"It's just like testing how far she can go, " I told myself before running for the plains.

***

"You are here early, " Ewan commented, brushing Ria.

Ria had chestnut coat as fluid as water, stocky limbs. The soft spring soil was no match for her hooves and in their wake sods would be sent flying in an arcing spray. Her head was extended forwards but the ears flat back, puffs of moisture escaped her nostrils with each breath she took. She wasn't exceptionally tall, fifteen hands at the most; but she was an impressive sight.

Ria reminded her of her mother who originally owned the stallion.

Ria whinnied me seeing me approach her. She then delightfully trot toward me.

I picked out an apple from my basket and fed her. She nibbled it away quick as lightning and licked at my fingers for more.

"Father said I should ask how she's faring, " I told Ewan who got Ria all saddled up.

"She's still sore but good to go."Ewan said, "and I assume you want to take her out for a test drive."