After getting Jackson and Dylan settled into one of the servants quarters knowing that they would not be noticed among the countless quarters and even more numerous servants, Isabelle swiftly made her way back to the castle and her bed before her parents could see that she had once again skipped her duties in order to go down to the stables.
That morning Isabelle's parents came to check on her and, once she had assured them that she had rested all evening and was again well, they left to spend a few days visiting the various villages in their kingdom and showing the people that they care. Before they left however, they made Isabelle swear to at least try to behave while they were gone.
Isabelle saw them to their carriage and spent the next couple of hours trying to escape the various lady’s maid, butlers, and assorted servants that seemed to be permanently attached to her ankles like dozens of high pitched talking balls and chains that never paused, even to breath. Eventually she was able to remove the chains, dodging into a crowded hallway and disappearing into a passageway hidden away behind one of the many suits of armor.
“I thought my mind would surely explode. With my parents away, I became the only target for their incessant fawning,” Isabelle irately bellowed as she seated herself atop a hay stack opposite the hay stack Daniel was situated upon.
“You oughtn’t to complain. Especially in the future when you are granted with more responsibilities, both in number and importance, their aid will be sorely need. I must also remind you that for now it shall only last for a short while.”
“True, but what shall become of me in the meantime, and in the future when there is no one else around for them to aid. If they could find a way they would do my breathing for me, and I fear that someday soon they may indeed discover a way to do so. However, this is neither the time nor the place for such matters. I hope your room was to your liking.” Isabelle gestured for Jackson and Dylan to seat themselves, but instead they bowed.
“Please, stand up. I believe I told you when first we met that in such informal company you need not bow, and I would much rather prefer you do not. Also, I understand it to be quite inconvenient not to mention uncomfortable for the back to bow so often. Now please sit.” Jackson complied while somehow managing to miraculously looking both a little uneasy and relieved at the same time, but Dylan opted to run around the stables petting all of the horses managing to frighten all but one.
“What kind of positions would you and Dylan be interested in?” Daniel inquired of Jackson as Isabelle, smiling went to join Dylan in petting the pure white stallion in the last stall.
“His name is Elias.”
“He didn’t get scared like the others.”
“I would imagine not. There is nothing to my knowledge that has ever frightened Elias, not even the men who took him from the wild and tried to break his spirit before offering him as a gift to my father.”
“He was taken from the wild?”
“Yes, and at a very young age I’ve been told. I was not much older when he came to us, but I have heard that he never lost his wild spirit even though many believed him too young to remember ever living in the wild. Just look into his eyes, however, and its plain as day that wild spirit still lives on within him.” She looked at the stallion and Dylan witnessed Elias bow his head to Isabelle, who bowed her head in turn, in a mutual display of respect. Looking into Elias’s eyes, Dylan saw that Isabelle was talking about, within those big eyes he saw pride, the same kind of look a beloved king would give to his subjects. “Daniel was the first Elias would let near him and the first to ride him. I was soon allowed the privilege as well. None others have been given the honor of riding him, Daniel and I very rarely ride him, out of respect. He has allowed some more people to get near him, but mostly only other stable hands who must care for him. Elias must like you.”
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