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Sara admittedly did not spend a lot of time in the stables, save for a couple of scenarios. The first was sneaking away to visit Alastor, and the second -- which was the case currently -- was when she wanted to come visit the horses and sneak them special treats. The stablehands knew better than to try to dissuade her, but at the very least they had given the young woman access to the proper kinds of treats for the horses. Today, too, was a first in that she could not recall ever having been to the stables near the palati and thus many of these horses were unfamiliar to her.
She had been at the palati for a few days now, returned on the invitation of her brother Emilios. She was happy to be back among things that were familiar to her -- in some way. She had never even lived in the palati, but the servants of the house were much the same and she knew her brother of course. Certainly she missed her mother and sister, but it was less so than she expected, and it made her feel a bit guilty.
Her lack of time in these stables did not deter her from visiting each stall, holding out her hands for curious equine noses to snuffle. She felt a soar of joy at finding old friends in the horses that had been brought over from the archontikos, having not truly been sure what had happened to them once she had left. She assumed that nothing would really change for them, but it was apparent by their greetings of her -- she had been sorely missed by them at the very least. Sara smiled, rubbing her palm up the face of an older gelding of pale gold. He was one of her favorites, and he had nickered upon seeing her -- pawing the ground and tossing his head of nearly white hair.
”You must have missed me.” She teased the gelding, and he pressed his nose into her chest and then down, looking for the treats he was sure she must be carrying. She did manage to produce one, and he quickly took it from her hands. It warmed her heart a little that he came right back, and stayed even though she did not offer him anything else. She was distracted, and thus did not hear the approach of another -- not until the gelding’s head lifted and his ears swiveled forward to pay attention.
Her gaze shifted, and she immediately dropped it -- dropping into a curtsy as no one other than Queen Theodora was there.
”Your majesty.” She said, hoping her tone reverent enough for her brother’s wife. Sara thought Theodora was a beautiful woman, but in truth -- they’d not spent a lot of time together. Sara mostly spent time with young Imma, who was close in age and in habits. Sara straightened up from her show of respect, laying a hand against the gelding’s neck. He seemed happy to see her too, which made Sara wonder if Theo spent much time around the horses.
”Ah...shall I fetch a stablehand for you?” She asked. She would be of absolutely no use if Theodora wanted anything related to the horses. Sara only knew how to ride -- if only just so.
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Sara admittedly did not spend a lot of time in the stables, save for a couple of scenarios. The first was sneaking away to visit Alastor, and the second -- which was the case currently -- was when she wanted to come visit the horses and sneak them special treats. The stablehands knew better than to try to dissuade her, but at the very least they had given the young woman access to the proper kinds of treats for the horses. Today, too, was a first in that she could not recall ever having been to the stables near the palati and thus many of these horses were unfamiliar to her.
She had been at the palati for a few days now, returned on the invitation of her brother Emilios. She was happy to be back among things that were familiar to her -- in some way. She had never even lived in the palati, but the servants of the house were much the same and she knew her brother of course. Certainly she missed her mother and sister, but it was less so than she expected, and it made her feel a bit guilty.
Her lack of time in these stables did not deter her from visiting each stall, holding out her hands for curious equine noses to snuffle. She felt a soar of joy at finding old friends in the horses that had been brought over from the archontikos, having not truly been sure what had happened to them once she had left. She assumed that nothing would really change for them, but it was apparent by their greetings of her -- she had been sorely missed by them at the very least. Sara smiled, rubbing her palm up the face of an older gelding of pale gold. He was one of her favorites, and he had nickered upon seeing her -- pawing the ground and tossing his head of nearly white hair.
”You must have missed me.” She teased the gelding, and he pressed his nose into her chest and then down, looking for the treats he was sure she must be carrying. She did manage to produce one, and he quickly took it from her hands. It warmed her heart a little that he came right back, and stayed even though she did not offer him anything else. She was distracted, and thus did not hear the approach of another -- not until the gelding’s head lifted and his ears swiveled forward to pay attention.
Her gaze shifted, and she immediately dropped it -- dropping into a curtsy as no one other than Queen Theodora was there.
”Your majesty.” She said, hoping her tone reverent enough for her brother’s wife. Sara thought Theodora was a beautiful woman, but in truth -- they’d not spent a lot of time together. Sara mostly spent time with young Imma, who was close in age and in habits. Sara straightened up from her show of respect, laying a hand against the gelding’s neck. He seemed happy to see her too, which made Sara wonder if Theo spent much time around the horses.
”Ah...shall I fetch a stablehand for you?” She asked. She would be of absolutely no use if Theodora wanted anything related to the horses. Sara only knew how to ride -- if only just so.
Sara admittedly did not spend a lot of time in the stables, save for a couple of scenarios. The first was sneaking away to visit Alastor, and the second -- which was the case currently -- was when she wanted to come visit the horses and sneak them special treats. The stablehands knew better than to try to dissuade her, but at the very least they had given the young woman access to the proper kinds of treats for the horses. Today, too, was a first in that she could not recall ever having been to the stables near the palati and thus many of these horses were unfamiliar to her.
She had been at the palati for a few days now, returned on the invitation of her brother Emilios. She was happy to be back among things that were familiar to her -- in some way. She had never even lived in the palati, but the servants of the house were much the same and she knew her brother of course. Certainly she missed her mother and sister, but it was less so than she expected, and it made her feel a bit guilty.
Her lack of time in these stables did not deter her from visiting each stall, holding out her hands for curious equine noses to snuffle. She felt a soar of joy at finding old friends in the horses that had been brought over from the archontikos, having not truly been sure what had happened to them once she had left. She assumed that nothing would really change for them, but it was apparent by their greetings of her -- she had been sorely missed by them at the very least. Sara smiled, rubbing her palm up the face of an older gelding of pale gold. He was one of her favorites, and he had nickered upon seeing her -- pawing the ground and tossing his head of nearly white hair.
”You must have missed me.” She teased the gelding, and he pressed his nose into her chest and then down, looking for the treats he was sure she must be carrying. She did manage to produce one, and he quickly took it from her hands. It warmed her heart a little that he came right back, and stayed even though she did not offer him anything else. She was distracted, and thus did not hear the approach of another -- not until the gelding’s head lifted and his ears swiveled forward to pay attention.
Her gaze shifted, and she immediately dropped it -- dropping into a curtsy as no one other than Queen Theodora was there.
”Your majesty.” She said, hoping her tone reverent enough for her brother’s wife. Sara thought Theodora was a beautiful woman, but in truth -- they’d not spent a lot of time together. Sara mostly spent time with young Imma, who was close in age and in habits. Sara straightened up from her show of respect, laying a hand against the gelding’s neck. He seemed happy to see her too, which made Sara wonder if Theo spent much time around the horses.
”Ah...shall I fetch a stablehand for you?” She asked. She would be of absolutely no use if Theodora wanted anything related to the horses. Sara only knew how to ride -- if only just so.
Much as they were for young Sara, the stables were a sorely needed place of reprieve for Theodora, the comforting sound of horses nickering and swishing their tails intermingling with the scent of hay and horseflesh. While the scent of the stables was too much for some, it soothed her, the woman born of Leventi and raised to the saddle hardly before she could even walk. As she stepped inside the barn, she took a deep breath and smiled, stepping up to her mare Calista’s stall and offering a chunk of carrot she’d hidden in a fold of her cloak.
Gods knew she needed the comfort now like she never had. Unexpectedly thrust into the role of Queen practically the day she was married, and her husband departed barely two weeks later, Theo was floundering. So often separated from her family, surrounded by a Court that still seemed undecided on her presence, overseeing a country in wartime, and now living under the same roof with a man she had called lover for so long… These stolen moments alone were precious to her, and some of the only times she felt she could let down the constant guard she had to maintain through the day. The horses accepted her and didn’t judge her or spread rumors behind her back. They didn’t ask questions she didn’t know how to answer or expect anything more from her than a treat and a head scratch. Why couldn’t everyone be like that?
Except today, it seemed, she was not quite alone. A soft voice nearby alerted the Queen to another’s presence, looking around curiously for its source. She figured it was a groom or a stable boy, but to her surprise, it was her husband’s youngest half-sister, apparently seeking some of the same solace she did. Smiling, she made to unobtrusively join the girl, acknowledging her greeting and curtsy with a nod and dismissive wave of her hand. Even if she had dreamed of being Queen one day, she was still having a hard time getting used to people falling all over themselves in front of her.
“Hello, Sara,” she greeted her sister by marriage, though she was sure Achilleas would be loath to ever call her that. At her question on the stable hand, Theodora shook her head with another smile. “No, I don’t think that will be necessary, but thank you. Frankly, I’m surprised a dozen of them haven’t found their way in here by now, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.”
Another piece of carrot was offered to the gelding who snorted at her arrival, snuffling through her clothing as if he knew exactly what she had hidden. Chuckling, she rubbed her hand down his face as she fed him his little tidbit, then scratched gently behind his ears. “Kronos, I think this one’s name is,” she remarked as she ran her fingers through his pale mane. “Though, I suppose you’d know that better than I would. One of the grooms told me he came over from the archontiko when Achilleas and I moved into the palati.”
Smiling tilting her lips again, she stepped back from the gelding to face Sara more fully. Several of the other horses seemed happy to see the girl, heads hanging over stalls as they tried to get her attention. “It seems we’ve at least one thing in common, eh? Before I was married, I used to sneak off to the stables as often I could. I still do, but it’s not nearly as much as I’d like.”
Regarding the girl curiously, she was silent for a moment as she thought. Theo had another hour or two before she really needed to be anywhere, and she hadn’t ever had much opportunity to spend time with Sara. She could imagine how out of sorts the girl must feel after Irakles’s death and her family’s all but forced relocation—probably about as out of sorts as Theo herself felt in the situation in which she found herself. Perhaps some time spent away from the prying eyes of the palace denizens would serve them both some good.
“Fancy a ride?” she asked, gesturing to the patient gelding who looked between them as if expecting more treats. “That was honestly why I came down here to start with, and I’d be delighted to have some company.”
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Much as they were for young Sara, the stables were a sorely needed place of reprieve for Theodora, the comforting sound of horses nickering and swishing their tails intermingling with the scent of hay and horseflesh. While the scent of the stables was too much for some, it soothed her, the woman born of Leventi and raised to the saddle hardly before she could even walk. As she stepped inside the barn, she took a deep breath and smiled, stepping up to her mare Calista’s stall and offering a chunk of carrot she’d hidden in a fold of her cloak.
Gods knew she needed the comfort now like she never had. Unexpectedly thrust into the role of Queen practically the day she was married, and her husband departed barely two weeks later, Theo was floundering. So often separated from her family, surrounded by a Court that still seemed undecided on her presence, overseeing a country in wartime, and now living under the same roof with a man she had called lover for so long… These stolen moments alone were precious to her, and some of the only times she felt she could let down the constant guard she had to maintain through the day. The horses accepted her and didn’t judge her or spread rumors behind her back. They didn’t ask questions she didn’t know how to answer or expect anything more from her than a treat and a head scratch. Why couldn’t everyone be like that?
Except today, it seemed, she was not quite alone. A soft voice nearby alerted the Queen to another’s presence, looking around curiously for its source. She figured it was a groom or a stable boy, but to her surprise, it was her husband’s youngest half-sister, apparently seeking some of the same solace she did. Smiling, she made to unobtrusively join the girl, acknowledging her greeting and curtsy with a nod and dismissive wave of her hand. Even if she had dreamed of being Queen one day, she was still having a hard time getting used to people falling all over themselves in front of her.
“Hello, Sara,” she greeted her sister by marriage, though she was sure Achilleas would be loath to ever call her that. At her question on the stable hand, Theodora shook her head with another smile. “No, I don’t think that will be necessary, but thank you. Frankly, I’m surprised a dozen of them haven’t found their way in here by now, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.”
Another piece of carrot was offered to the gelding who snorted at her arrival, snuffling through her clothing as if he knew exactly what she had hidden. Chuckling, she rubbed her hand down his face as she fed him his little tidbit, then scratched gently behind his ears. “Kronos, I think this one’s name is,” she remarked as she ran her fingers through his pale mane. “Though, I suppose you’d know that better than I would. One of the grooms told me he came over from the archontiko when Achilleas and I moved into the palati.”
Smiling tilting her lips again, she stepped back from the gelding to face Sara more fully. Several of the other horses seemed happy to see the girl, heads hanging over stalls as they tried to get her attention. “It seems we’ve at least one thing in common, eh? Before I was married, I used to sneak off to the stables as often I could. I still do, but it’s not nearly as much as I’d like.”
Regarding the girl curiously, she was silent for a moment as she thought. Theo had another hour or two before she really needed to be anywhere, and she hadn’t ever had much opportunity to spend time with Sara. She could imagine how out of sorts the girl must feel after Irakles’s death and her family’s all but forced relocation—probably about as out of sorts as Theo herself felt in the situation in which she found herself. Perhaps some time spent away from the prying eyes of the palace denizens would serve them both some good.
“Fancy a ride?” she asked, gesturing to the patient gelding who looked between them as if expecting more treats. “That was honestly why I came down here to start with, and I’d be delighted to have some company.”
Much as they were for young Sara, the stables were a sorely needed place of reprieve for Theodora, the comforting sound of horses nickering and swishing their tails intermingling with the scent of hay and horseflesh. While the scent of the stables was too much for some, it soothed her, the woman born of Leventi and raised to the saddle hardly before she could even walk. As she stepped inside the barn, she took a deep breath and smiled, stepping up to her mare Calista’s stall and offering a chunk of carrot she’d hidden in a fold of her cloak.
Gods knew she needed the comfort now like she never had. Unexpectedly thrust into the role of Queen practically the day she was married, and her husband departed barely two weeks later, Theo was floundering. So often separated from her family, surrounded by a Court that still seemed undecided on her presence, overseeing a country in wartime, and now living under the same roof with a man she had called lover for so long… These stolen moments alone were precious to her, and some of the only times she felt she could let down the constant guard she had to maintain through the day. The horses accepted her and didn’t judge her or spread rumors behind her back. They didn’t ask questions she didn’t know how to answer or expect anything more from her than a treat and a head scratch. Why couldn’t everyone be like that?
Except today, it seemed, she was not quite alone. A soft voice nearby alerted the Queen to another’s presence, looking around curiously for its source. She figured it was a groom or a stable boy, but to her surprise, it was her husband’s youngest half-sister, apparently seeking some of the same solace she did. Smiling, she made to unobtrusively join the girl, acknowledging her greeting and curtsy with a nod and dismissive wave of her hand. Even if she had dreamed of being Queen one day, she was still having a hard time getting used to people falling all over themselves in front of her.
“Hello, Sara,” she greeted her sister by marriage, though she was sure Achilleas would be loath to ever call her that. At her question on the stable hand, Theodora shook her head with another smile. “No, I don’t think that will be necessary, but thank you. Frankly, I’m surprised a dozen of them haven’t found their way in here by now, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.”
Another piece of carrot was offered to the gelding who snorted at her arrival, snuffling through her clothing as if he knew exactly what she had hidden. Chuckling, she rubbed her hand down his face as she fed him his little tidbit, then scratched gently behind his ears. “Kronos, I think this one’s name is,” she remarked as she ran her fingers through his pale mane. “Though, I suppose you’d know that better than I would. One of the grooms told me he came over from the archontiko when Achilleas and I moved into the palati.”
Smiling tilting her lips again, she stepped back from the gelding to face Sara more fully. Several of the other horses seemed happy to see the girl, heads hanging over stalls as they tried to get her attention. “It seems we’ve at least one thing in common, eh? Before I was married, I used to sneak off to the stables as often I could. I still do, but it’s not nearly as much as I’d like.”
Regarding the girl curiously, she was silent for a moment as she thought. Theo had another hour or two before she really needed to be anywhere, and she hadn’t ever had much opportunity to spend time with Sara. She could imagine how out of sorts the girl must feel after Irakles’s death and her family’s all but forced relocation—probably about as out of sorts as Theo herself felt in the situation in which she found herself. Perhaps some time spent away from the prying eyes of the palace denizens would serve them both some good.
“Fancy a ride?” she asked, gesturing to the patient gelding who looked between them as if expecting more treats. “That was honestly why I came down here to start with, and I’d be delighted to have some company.”
Sometimes it was easy to forget that someone as beautiful as Theodora did not necessarily mean that she was haughty or vicious. Sara was understandably wary, having witnessed the gossip and drama that could ensue or the rumors that could spread like wildfire. Once, she’d witnessed another lady become absolutely destroyed over a lie that had spread about her in the courts -- ruining her reputation and ultimately forcing her from the courts entirely.
The young woman felt a taut smile pulling itself across her lips as her brother’s wife came closer still, unable to help the way that she shied closer to the gelding’s stall door. Her friend was traitorous though, extending his neck to search the queen just as greedily for treats. Sara’s hands lingered against his neck, using the horse as a barrier between them. ”It must be bothersome to be watched so closely all the time.” Sara said, sounding sympathetic. ”I would hate that.” And that was true, for she enjoyed her freedom to play in her garden or work on her herbal medicines and remedies.
The gelding had found his prize with the young queen, happily crunching the treat that she offered him as her hands went up to thread through his mane. Sara was surprised that she knew his name, given that he had come from the archontiko, or at least that she would remember it. ”Yes, Kronos.” Sara agreed, sounding a little more relaxed. ”He was always the big baby of the stable at home. He is a beautiful boy, but he does not like to work unless there is something in it for him.” Sara was grinning now, remembering just how much trouble this boy could be. He needed a more firm hand than most, which Sara did not have.
Her thoughts drifted to Achilleas at the mention of his name, and the girl shuffled a little nervously. Did she dare ask Theodora about her brother? Her mouth went undeniably dry, as if she had swallowed a whole desert’s worth of sand. Her blue gaze flicked down, then up again. ”Have you heard anything?” She asked, deciding that she needed to know. And perhaps, if she refused to share -- that would also tell her what she needed to know about Theodora of Leventi. ”About my brother, I mean? Any word from him at all?”
She brightened a little as Theo shared a little piece of her soul, and found herself obligated to do the same. ”I like the horses, but I prefer my gardens.” She admitted, patting Kronos. ”But, I don’t have those with me here...obviously.” She laughed, the sound nervous as she had to confront the realities of her life once more. A bastard born to a man who was flamboyantly unfaithful to his proper wife, even going as far to openly favor his mistress and ostracizing the one who deserved his affections.
”A ride? She asked, sounding a little surprised to be offered a chance to ride with the new queen. She hesitated, unsure that she could ride any of the horses currently in the stable, although perhaps Theo could suggest one for her. She opened her mouth to ask her if that would be possible when she froze.
An impatient whinny came somewhere behind her followed by the thud of a hoof against the stall door, the sound so unexpectedly familiar that Sara spun. An unmistakable head was hanging out into the aisle, ears pricked forward as the mare blew a snort in her direction. ”Jaidee! She said, startling Kronos with the volume of her voice. The Queen momentarily forgotten, the girl hurried towards the mare who bobbed her head to be acknowledged. Jaidee was Sara’s personal horse, but the last place that she had expected to see the dark bay was here.
Her hands immediately took the mare’s muzzle, smoothing it up to scratch her face gently as she pressed their faces together. Tears crowded the corners of her vision and spilled over, though she quickly wiped them away. Looking back at Theo, who must be confused by Sara’s reaction to the horse, she smiled. ”This is Jaidee. She was mine.” She said, her voice breaking as emotion filled her. ”My mother sold her after we were told to leave the house.”
The mare was sleek and dark, with a thin irregular blaze. She nosed Sara, seeming to be annoyed that it had taken her so long to notice her. Her mother had sold quite a lot of their things after they’d been forced to leave home, including Sara’s favorite horse. She had been a gift, when she was twelve, and it had absolutely broken her heart to say goodbye to her. Her fingers reached up to scrub her forelock, unable to hide her joy at seeing the faithful mare once more. ”I didn’t know who bought her. I thought I would never see her again.”
She had no idea that it was Emilios who had bought her in secret, using a proxy to secure the mare from Meena’s grasp. Her excitement was uncontainable.
”Yes, let’s go riding. Right now!” Sara chirped happily, then flushed with embarrassment. ”I’m sorry, your majesty...I mean...I would love to take you up on your offer.”
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Sometimes it was easy to forget that someone as beautiful as Theodora did not necessarily mean that she was haughty or vicious. Sara was understandably wary, having witnessed the gossip and drama that could ensue or the rumors that could spread like wildfire. Once, she’d witnessed another lady become absolutely destroyed over a lie that had spread about her in the courts -- ruining her reputation and ultimately forcing her from the courts entirely.
The young woman felt a taut smile pulling itself across her lips as her brother’s wife came closer still, unable to help the way that she shied closer to the gelding’s stall door. Her friend was traitorous though, extending his neck to search the queen just as greedily for treats. Sara’s hands lingered against his neck, using the horse as a barrier between them. ”It must be bothersome to be watched so closely all the time.” Sara said, sounding sympathetic. ”I would hate that.” And that was true, for she enjoyed her freedom to play in her garden or work on her herbal medicines and remedies.
The gelding had found his prize with the young queen, happily crunching the treat that she offered him as her hands went up to thread through his mane. Sara was surprised that she knew his name, given that he had come from the archontiko, or at least that she would remember it. ”Yes, Kronos.” Sara agreed, sounding a little more relaxed. ”He was always the big baby of the stable at home. He is a beautiful boy, but he does not like to work unless there is something in it for him.” Sara was grinning now, remembering just how much trouble this boy could be. He needed a more firm hand than most, which Sara did not have.
Her thoughts drifted to Achilleas at the mention of his name, and the girl shuffled a little nervously. Did she dare ask Theodora about her brother? Her mouth went undeniably dry, as if she had swallowed a whole desert’s worth of sand. Her blue gaze flicked down, then up again. ”Have you heard anything?” She asked, deciding that she needed to know. And perhaps, if she refused to share -- that would also tell her what she needed to know about Theodora of Leventi. ”About my brother, I mean? Any word from him at all?”
She brightened a little as Theo shared a little piece of her soul, and found herself obligated to do the same. ”I like the horses, but I prefer my gardens.” She admitted, patting Kronos. ”But, I don’t have those with me here...obviously.” She laughed, the sound nervous as she had to confront the realities of her life once more. A bastard born to a man who was flamboyantly unfaithful to his proper wife, even going as far to openly favor his mistress and ostracizing the one who deserved his affections.
”A ride? She asked, sounding a little surprised to be offered a chance to ride with the new queen. She hesitated, unsure that she could ride any of the horses currently in the stable, although perhaps Theo could suggest one for her. She opened her mouth to ask her if that would be possible when she froze.
An impatient whinny came somewhere behind her followed by the thud of a hoof against the stall door, the sound so unexpectedly familiar that Sara spun. An unmistakable head was hanging out into the aisle, ears pricked forward as the mare blew a snort in her direction. ”Jaidee! She said, startling Kronos with the volume of her voice. The Queen momentarily forgotten, the girl hurried towards the mare who bobbed her head to be acknowledged. Jaidee was Sara’s personal horse, but the last place that she had expected to see the dark bay was here.
Her hands immediately took the mare’s muzzle, smoothing it up to scratch her face gently as she pressed their faces together. Tears crowded the corners of her vision and spilled over, though she quickly wiped them away. Looking back at Theo, who must be confused by Sara’s reaction to the horse, she smiled. ”This is Jaidee. She was mine.” She said, her voice breaking as emotion filled her. ”My mother sold her after we were told to leave the house.”
The mare was sleek and dark, with a thin irregular blaze. She nosed Sara, seeming to be annoyed that it had taken her so long to notice her. Her mother had sold quite a lot of their things after they’d been forced to leave home, including Sara’s favorite horse. She had been a gift, when she was twelve, and it had absolutely broken her heart to say goodbye to her. Her fingers reached up to scrub her forelock, unable to hide her joy at seeing the faithful mare once more. ”I didn’t know who bought her. I thought I would never see her again.”
She had no idea that it was Emilios who had bought her in secret, using a proxy to secure the mare from Meena’s grasp. Her excitement was uncontainable.
”Yes, let’s go riding. Right now!” Sara chirped happily, then flushed with embarrassment. ”I’m sorry, your majesty...I mean...I would love to take you up on your offer.”
Sometimes it was easy to forget that someone as beautiful as Theodora did not necessarily mean that she was haughty or vicious. Sara was understandably wary, having witnessed the gossip and drama that could ensue or the rumors that could spread like wildfire. Once, she’d witnessed another lady become absolutely destroyed over a lie that had spread about her in the courts -- ruining her reputation and ultimately forcing her from the courts entirely.
The young woman felt a taut smile pulling itself across her lips as her brother’s wife came closer still, unable to help the way that she shied closer to the gelding’s stall door. Her friend was traitorous though, extending his neck to search the queen just as greedily for treats. Sara’s hands lingered against his neck, using the horse as a barrier between them. ”It must be bothersome to be watched so closely all the time.” Sara said, sounding sympathetic. ”I would hate that.” And that was true, for she enjoyed her freedom to play in her garden or work on her herbal medicines and remedies.
The gelding had found his prize with the young queen, happily crunching the treat that she offered him as her hands went up to thread through his mane. Sara was surprised that she knew his name, given that he had come from the archontiko, or at least that she would remember it. ”Yes, Kronos.” Sara agreed, sounding a little more relaxed. ”He was always the big baby of the stable at home. He is a beautiful boy, but he does not like to work unless there is something in it for him.” Sara was grinning now, remembering just how much trouble this boy could be. He needed a more firm hand than most, which Sara did not have.
Her thoughts drifted to Achilleas at the mention of his name, and the girl shuffled a little nervously. Did she dare ask Theodora about her brother? Her mouth went undeniably dry, as if she had swallowed a whole desert’s worth of sand. Her blue gaze flicked down, then up again. ”Have you heard anything?” She asked, deciding that she needed to know. And perhaps, if she refused to share -- that would also tell her what she needed to know about Theodora of Leventi. ”About my brother, I mean? Any word from him at all?”
She brightened a little as Theo shared a little piece of her soul, and found herself obligated to do the same. ”I like the horses, but I prefer my gardens.” She admitted, patting Kronos. ”But, I don’t have those with me here...obviously.” She laughed, the sound nervous as she had to confront the realities of her life once more. A bastard born to a man who was flamboyantly unfaithful to his proper wife, even going as far to openly favor his mistress and ostracizing the one who deserved his affections.
”A ride? She asked, sounding a little surprised to be offered a chance to ride with the new queen. She hesitated, unsure that she could ride any of the horses currently in the stable, although perhaps Theo could suggest one for her. She opened her mouth to ask her if that would be possible when she froze.
An impatient whinny came somewhere behind her followed by the thud of a hoof against the stall door, the sound so unexpectedly familiar that Sara spun. An unmistakable head was hanging out into the aisle, ears pricked forward as the mare blew a snort in her direction. ”Jaidee! She said, startling Kronos with the volume of her voice. The Queen momentarily forgotten, the girl hurried towards the mare who bobbed her head to be acknowledged. Jaidee was Sara’s personal horse, but the last place that she had expected to see the dark bay was here.
Her hands immediately took the mare’s muzzle, smoothing it up to scratch her face gently as she pressed their faces together. Tears crowded the corners of her vision and spilled over, though she quickly wiped them away. Looking back at Theo, who must be confused by Sara’s reaction to the horse, she smiled. ”This is Jaidee. She was mine.” She said, her voice breaking as emotion filled her. ”My mother sold her after we were told to leave the house.”
The mare was sleek and dark, with a thin irregular blaze. She nosed Sara, seeming to be annoyed that it had taken her so long to notice her. Her mother had sold quite a lot of their things after they’d been forced to leave home, including Sara’s favorite horse. She had been a gift, when she was twelve, and it had absolutely broken her heart to say goodbye to her. Her fingers reached up to scrub her forelock, unable to hide her joy at seeing the faithful mare once more. ”I didn’t know who bought her. I thought I would never see her again.”
She had no idea that it was Emilios who had bought her in secret, using a proxy to secure the mare from Meena’s grasp. Her excitement was uncontainable.
”Yes, let’s go riding. Right now!” Sara chirped happily, then flushed with embarrassment. ”I’m sorry, your majesty...I mean...I would love to take you up on your offer.”
It must be bothersome to be watched so closely all the time.
“I always thought I would enjoy it,” Theo mused, her hand idly tracing through the gelding’s mane before looking back to Sara. “But it does get… tiresome, yes. Privacy is a thing of the past.” As if on cue, one of her regular guards halted in the doorway with a watchful eye, though out of respect, he did not come any closer. Sighing, she offered the man a sheepish smile; she had purposely evaded his presence, but it didn’t surprise her that he had discovered her location so quickly. To his credit, he didn’t look annoyed or put out, simply returning her smile and turning unobtrusively away.
An indulgent smile softened the Queen’s face as she listened to Sara speak of Kronos and his place in the stables back at the archontiko, an animation in the girl’s face that hadn’t been there even a moment ago. “My mare is much like that,” she sympathized, looking back toward where Calista impatiently glared at her. “But it was precisely that spirit that made me fall in love with her. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Suddenly, her companion sobered at Theo’s mention of Achilleas, hesitant questions upon the younger woman’s lips. Would that she had something to tell her, but unfortunately, she was left in the dark, as well. “I have not heard anything,” she said softly, shaking her head. “I keep telling myself no news is good news. Achilleas is a fierce warrior, and he has weathered many battles in the past. All we can do now is pray and have faith that his ability will pull him through again.” Truthfully, she did not want to think what would happen if it didn’t—far too many of her nights were spent worrying about the King’s fate, unable to learn aught of his whereabouts, his condition, anything. Hopefully, they would receive word soon, or she feared she’d go mad in the waiting. “If I hear anything, I will tell you,” she promised, her gaze catching and holding Sara’s. “Or Emilios will. I know there are those who would…” She cut herself off before she said anything inadvertently hurtful; Sara’s position wasn’t exactly a good one right now, and she was sure she would be one of the last ones to know anything if it were up to anyone else. Bastard or not, she was still Achilleas’s sister, and Theo thought she had a right to hear whatever news came of him. “You will know, I swear.”
Much to her relief, the conversation lightened again, the girl going on to enthuse about her gardens. A smile was brought back to Theo’s lips. “Perhaps we can convince the palace gardeners to give you your own little spot,” she offered. “Emilios can charm anyone into anything. If I can’t convince them, I’m sure he can.” Gods knew how well she knew it.
Talk of gardens was soon abandoned as Sara ran off to the other side of the barn, Theo laughing at her sudden departure. The Queen followed her at a more sedate pace, her smile deepening as she saw the look of joy on the girl’s face. “She’s beautiful,” Theo complimented the horse, holding out a hand for the bay mare to sniff. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jaidee.” She offered another bit of carrot before grinning at Sara’s abrupt enthusiasm.
“No need for apologies,” she said with a laugh, shaking her head. She hesitated for a moment before she added a little shyly, “And you may call me Theodora if you like. We’re sisters now, after all. ‘Your Majesty’ seems a little cumbersome, don’t you think?” Smiling, she went back to Calista’s stall, opening it to lead the dappled mare out.
Tying her off, she disappeared for a moment to fetch her tack, and by the time she returned, two grooms were already standing by, prepared to help her. While she would have liked to just do it herself, she sighed in resignation and handed off the saddle; one of these days, she would get it through all their heads that she was perfectly capable of doing all this herself.
“Perhaps one of you might help Mistress Sara, instead?” she suggested gently, gesturing to where the girl happily communed with her horse. “I don’t think I need two of you.” Lifting a brow until one of them complied, the man cleared his throat and bobbed in a quick bow before heeding her suggestion and fetching a saddle and bridle for Sara. Theo simply stood back with another sigh as the remaining groom finished cinching everything in place, stepping forward when he was done. She did wave off his help in mounting, however, vaulting onto the horse’s back like one born to it. Which she essentially was.
“Ready when you are,” she called to her sister-in-law, walking Calista over to where she stood and waiting patiently.
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It must be bothersome to be watched so closely all the time.
“I always thought I would enjoy it,” Theo mused, her hand idly tracing through the gelding’s mane before looking back to Sara. “But it does get… tiresome, yes. Privacy is a thing of the past.” As if on cue, one of her regular guards halted in the doorway with a watchful eye, though out of respect, he did not come any closer. Sighing, she offered the man a sheepish smile; she had purposely evaded his presence, but it didn’t surprise her that he had discovered her location so quickly. To his credit, he didn’t look annoyed or put out, simply returning her smile and turning unobtrusively away.
An indulgent smile softened the Queen’s face as she listened to Sara speak of Kronos and his place in the stables back at the archontiko, an animation in the girl’s face that hadn’t been there even a moment ago. “My mare is much like that,” she sympathized, looking back toward where Calista impatiently glared at her. “But it was precisely that spirit that made me fall in love with her. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Suddenly, her companion sobered at Theo’s mention of Achilleas, hesitant questions upon the younger woman’s lips. Would that she had something to tell her, but unfortunately, she was left in the dark, as well. “I have not heard anything,” she said softly, shaking her head. “I keep telling myself no news is good news. Achilleas is a fierce warrior, and he has weathered many battles in the past. All we can do now is pray and have faith that his ability will pull him through again.” Truthfully, she did not want to think what would happen if it didn’t—far too many of her nights were spent worrying about the King’s fate, unable to learn aught of his whereabouts, his condition, anything. Hopefully, they would receive word soon, or she feared she’d go mad in the waiting. “If I hear anything, I will tell you,” she promised, her gaze catching and holding Sara’s. “Or Emilios will. I know there are those who would…” She cut herself off before she said anything inadvertently hurtful; Sara’s position wasn’t exactly a good one right now, and she was sure she would be one of the last ones to know anything if it were up to anyone else. Bastard or not, she was still Achilleas’s sister, and Theo thought she had a right to hear whatever news came of him. “You will know, I swear.”
Much to her relief, the conversation lightened again, the girl going on to enthuse about her gardens. A smile was brought back to Theo’s lips. “Perhaps we can convince the palace gardeners to give you your own little spot,” she offered. “Emilios can charm anyone into anything. If I can’t convince them, I’m sure he can.” Gods knew how well she knew it.
Talk of gardens was soon abandoned as Sara ran off to the other side of the barn, Theo laughing at her sudden departure. The Queen followed her at a more sedate pace, her smile deepening as she saw the look of joy on the girl’s face. “She’s beautiful,” Theo complimented the horse, holding out a hand for the bay mare to sniff. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jaidee.” She offered another bit of carrot before grinning at Sara’s abrupt enthusiasm.
“No need for apologies,” she said with a laugh, shaking her head. She hesitated for a moment before she added a little shyly, “And you may call me Theodora if you like. We’re sisters now, after all. ‘Your Majesty’ seems a little cumbersome, don’t you think?” Smiling, she went back to Calista’s stall, opening it to lead the dappled mare out.
Tying her off, she disappeared for a moment to fetch her tack, and by the time she returned, two grooms were already standing by, prepared to help her. While she would have liked to just do it herself, she sighed in resignation and handed off the saddle; one of these days, she would get it through all their heads that she was perfectly capable of doing all this herself.
“Perhaps one of you might help Mistress Sara, instead?” she suggested gently, gesturing to where the girl happily communed with her horse. “I don’t think I need two of you.” Lifting a brow until one of them complied, the man cleared his throat and bobbed in a quick bow before heeding her suggestion and fetching a saddle and bridle for Sara. Theo simply stood back with another sigh as the remaining groom finished cinching everything in place, stepping forward when he was done. She did wave off his help in mounting, however, vaulting onto the horse’s back like one born to it. Which she essentially was.
“Ready when you are,” she called to her sister-in-law, walking Calista over to where she stood and waiting patiently.
It must be bothersome to be watched so closely all the time.
“I always thought I would enjoy it,” Theo mused, her hand idly tracing through the gelding’s mane before looking back to Sara. “But it does get… tiresome, yes. Privacy is a thing of the past.” As if on cue, one of her regular guards halted in the doorway with a watchful eye, though out of respect, he did not come any closer. Sighing, she offered the man a sheepish smile; she had purposely evaded his presence, but it didn’t surprise her that he had discovered her location so quickly. To his credit, he didn’t look annoyed or put out, simply returning her smile and turning unobtrusively away.
An indulgent smile softened the Queen’s face as she listened to Sara speak of Kronos and his place in the stables back at the archontiko, an animation in the girl’s face that hadn’t been there even a moment ago. “My mare is much like that,” she sympathized, looking back toward where Calista impatiently glared at her. “But it was precisely that spirit that made me fall in love with her. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Suddenly, her companion sobered at Theo’s mention of Achilleas, hesitant questions upon the younger woman’s lips. Would that she had something to tell her, but unfortunately, she was left in the dark, as well. “I have not heard anything,” she said softly, shaking her head. “I keep telling myself no news is good news. Achilleas is a fierce warrior, and he has weathered many battles in the past. All we can do now is pray and have faith that his ability will pull him through again.” Truthfully, she did not want to think what would happen if it didn’t—far too many of her nights were spent worrying about the King’s fate, unable to learn aught of his whereabouts, his condition, anything. Hopefully, they would receive word soon, or she feared she’d go mad in the waiting. “If I hear anything, I will tell you,” she promised, her gaze catching and holding Sara’s. “Or Emilios will. I know there are those who would…” She cut herself off before she said anything inadvertently hurtful; Sara’s position wasn’t exactly a good one right now, and she was sure she would be one of the last ones to know anything if it were up to anyone else. Bastard or not, she was still Achilleas’s sister, and Theo thought she had a right to hear whatever news came of him. “You will know, I swear.”
Much to her relief, the conversation lightened again, the girl going on to enthuse about her gardens. A smile was brought back to Theo’s lips. “Perhaps we can convince the palace gardeners to give you your own little spot,” she offered. “Emilios can charm anyone into anything. If I can’t convince them, I’m sure he can.” Gods knew how well she knew it.
Talk of gardens was soon abandoned as Sara ran off to the other side of the barn, Theo laughing at her sudden departure. The Queen followed her at a more sedate pace, her smile deepening as she saw the look of joy on the girl’s face. “She’s beautiful,” Theo complimented the horse, holding out a hand for the bay mare to sniff. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jaidee.” She offered another bit of carrot before grinning at Sara’s abrupt enthusiasm.
“No need for apologies,” she said with a laugh, shaking her head. She hesitated for a moment before she added a little shyly, “And you may call me Theodora if you like. We’re sisters now, after all. ‘Your Majesty’ seems a little cumbersome, don’t you think?” Smiling, she went back to Calista’s stall, opening it to lead the dappled mare out.
Tying her off, she disappeared for a moment to fetch her tack, and by the time she returned, two grooms were already standing by, prepared to help her. While she would have liked to just do it herself, she sighed in resignation and handed off the saddle; one of these days, she would get it through all their heads that she was perfectly capable of doing all this herself.
“Perhaps one of you might help Mistress Sara, instead?” she suggested gently, gesturing to where the girl happily communed with her horse. “I don’t think I need two of you.” Lifting a brow until one of them complied, the man cleared his throat and bobbed in a quick bow before heeding her suggestion and fetching a saddle and bridle for Sara. Theo simply stood back with another sigh as the remaining groom finished cinching everything in place, stepping forward when he was done. She did wave off his help in mounting, however, vaulting onto the horse’s back like one born to it. Which she essentially was.
“Ready when you are,” she called to her sister-in-law, walking Calista over to where she stood and waiting patiently.
Theo’s lament of the loss of her privacy earned her a sympathetic nod from the young woman. Things like privacy were certainly taken for granted. Sara had not missed the quiet approach of a guard, although he had been thoroughly ignored beyond a cursory glance. It probably had been bad enough before the royals had started dying off like flies, death coming for them like the swift flick of a horse’s tail. She thought briefly of Stephanos, something that she had not done lately and felt a wave of guilt. She missed his antics. A brief prayer of safety departed her thoughts, sent heavenward on his behalf. She had no idea where he was or how he was doing. Much like she did not know much about Achilleas.
Despite the lack of news that caused her young face to fall, she decided that she could cling to the hope that she truly would be kept in the loop regarding any news related to Achilleas. ”Thank you. I would appreciate that.” She said softly, her eyes pinching in the corners in worry. ”Our relationship is...different but I can’t help but worry about him.” She smiled ruefully, thinking of the strange encounters she had had with her half-brother over the last couple of years, the last couple of months. Perhaps he could never love her as she wanted to be loved, but maybe the tolerance would be enough.
Sara found that she liked talking to Theodora. She had always been a little intimidated by the older woman, but she was beginning to wonder if those fears had been unfounded. She seemed kind, taking time out of her day to speak to one as lowly as she was. Her tone was neither hurried nor short, and she seemed genuinely interested in what Sara had to say too, even if a tangle of anxiety kept her words brief.
She found that she wanted very much to be permitted a place in the palace to grow things again. Sara liked to dabble in medicines and remedies, and was actively seeking a mentor to teach her more about them. However, the young woman did not have the heart to tell the young Queen that it was unlikely that she would be here for more than a couple of weeks at most. Her stay in the palati was very, very temporary. Soon enough, she would be required to go home by social rules. She thought of the small house that she lived in with her mother and sister, still large by any comparison but it lacked the gardens and grounds that the archontikos had. She had certainly taken those things for granted before.
Sara’s happiness at seeing Jaidee again had swept all of those worries right out of her head -- her face animated as she babbled excitedly at Theo now, all fears forgotten. ”Jaidee means well-behaved.” She said with a small laugh. “She takes good care of me, but I’m not sure I would call her well-behaved.”
Her face slackened in shock at Theo’s laugh and words. We’re sisters now, after all. It was the kindest thing that the queen could have said to a girl who wanted nothing more than to be accepted for who she was, to be welcomed into a family that would never see her as more than a pawn when it was convenient and a distraction when it wasn't. She blinked, hoping that she had not looked too stupid, averting her gaze even as she smiled again. ”Okay, Theodora.” She said, the name shy coming from her lips. It did not take long for the two of them to have the horses readied for a ride. Sara had never learned to do more than brush her own horse, although now if she wanted to ride any of the horses left at home then she probably should. So she watched carefully at how it was done, inserting herself here or there to ask questions of the groom who was assisting her when she had one.
Theodora was already mounted when Sara was helped up, reaching to adjust her clothes to make herself comfortable. It was strange and familiar to be on Jaidee’s back again, the mare seeming to think the same thing with a shake of her head that went all the way down her back. Sara laughed, reaching down to pat her friend’s neck affectionately before asking her to go forward to join the queen.
She waited until they were clear of the gardens before speaking again, the reins loose in her hands because of the easy pace they were taking at the moment. Sara was a proficient rider, but she was not among the best. She was certain to be outclassed if Theodora wanted to do more than trot across the grounds.
”Do you ride often?” She asked, glancing towards the dark-haired woman. ”I’ve heard that you are an excellent rider.” She felt a little odd to bring up rumors and hear-say about the queen, but at least it was positive she supposed? It wasn’t as if she had asked her about something scandalous. ”I think Imma and I went riding once, but it was only so she could find a new spot to paint.” Sara had not minded that at all, simply happy to spend time with one of her very best friends.
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Theo’s lament of the loss of her privacy earned her a sympathetic nod from the young woman. Things like privacy were certainly taken for granted. Sara had not missed the quiet approach of a guard, although he had been thoroughly ignored beyond a cursory glance. It probably had been bad enough before the royals had started dying off like flies, death coming for them like the swift flick of a horse’s tail. She thought briefly of Stephanos, something that she had not done lately and felt a wave of guilt. She missed his antics. A brief prayer of safety departed her thoughts, sent heavenward on his behalf. She had no idea where he was or how he was doing. Much like she did not know much about Achilleas.
Despite the lack of news that caused her young face to fall, she decided that she could cling to the hope that she truly would be kept in the loop regarding any news related to Achilleas. ”Thank you. I would appreciate that.” She said softly, her eyes pinching in the corners in worry. ”Our relationship is...different but I can’t help but worry about him.” She smiled ruefully, thinking of the strange encounters she had had with her half-brother over the last couple of years, the last couple of months. Perhaps he could never love her as she wanted to be loved, but maybe the tolerance would be enough.
Sara found that she liked talking to Theodora. She had always been a little intimidated by the older woman, but she was beginning to wonder if those fears had been unfounded. She seemed kind, taking time out of her day to speak to one as lowly as she was. Her tone was neither hurried nor short, and she seemed genuinely interested in what Sara had to say too, even if a tangle of anxiety kept her words brief.
She found that she wanted very much to be permitted a place in the palace to grow things again. Sara liked to dabble in medicines and remedies, and was actively seeking a mentor to teach her more about them. However, the young woman did not have the heart to tell the young Queen that it was unlikely that she would be here for more than a couple of weeks at most. Her stay in the palati was very, very temporary. Soon enough, she would be required to go home by social rules. She thought of the small house that she lived in with her mother and sister, still large by any comparison but it lacked the gardens and grounds that the archontikos had. She had certainly taken those things for granted before.
Sara’s happiness at seeing Jaidee again had swept all of those worries right out of her head -- her face animated as she babbled excitedly at Theo now, all fears forgotten. ”Jaidee means well-behaved.” She said with a small laugh. “She takes good care of me, but I’m not sure I would call her well-behaved.”
Her face slackened in shock at Theo’s laugh and words. We’re sisters now, after all. It was the kindest thing that the queen could have said to a girl who wanted nothing more than to be accepted for who she was, to be welcomed into a family that would never see her as more than a pawn when it was convenient and a distraction when it wasn't. She blinked, hoping that she had not looked too stupid, averting her gaze even as she smiled again. ”Okay, Theodora.” She said, the name shy coming from her lips. It did not take long for the two of them to have the horses readied for a ride. Sara had never learned to do more than brush her own horse, although now if she wanted to ride any of the horses left at home then she probably should. So she watched carefully at how it was done, inserting herself here or there to ask questions of the groom who was assisting her when she had one.
Theodora was already mounted when Sara was helped up, reaching to adjust her clothes to make herself comfortable. It was strange and familiar to be on Jaidee’s back again, the mare seeming to think the same thing with a shake of her head that went all the way down her back. Sara laughed, reaching down to pat her friend’s neck affectionately before asking her to go forward to join the queen.
She waited until they were clear of the gardens before speaking again, the reins loose in her hands because of the easy pace they were taking at the moment. Sara was a proficient rider, but she was not among the best. She was certain to be outclassed if Theodora wanted to do more than trot across the grounds.
”Do you ride often?” She asked, glancing towards the dark-haired woman. ”I’ve heard that you are an excellent rider.” She felt a little odd to bring up rumors and hear-say about the queen, but at least it was positive she supposed? It wasn’t as if she had asked her about something scandalous. ”I think Imma and I went riding once, but it was only so she could find a new spot to paint.” Sara had not minded that at all, simply happy to spend time with one of her very best friends.
Theo’s lament of the loss of her privacy earned her a sympathetic nod from the young woman. Things like privacy were certainly taken for granted. Sara had not missed the quiet approach of a guard, although he had been thoroughly ignored beyond a cursory glance. It probably had been bad enough before the royals had started dying off like flies, death coming for them like the swift flick of a horse’s tail. She thought briefly of Stephanos, something that she had not done lately and felt a wave of guilt. She missed his antics. A brief prayer of safety departed her thoughts, sent heavenward on his behalf. She had no idea where he was or how he was doing. Much like she did not know much about Achilleas.
Despite the lack of news that caused her young face to fall, she decided that she could cling to the hope that she truly would be kept in the loop regarding any news related to Achilleas. ”Thank you. I would appreciate that.” She said softly, her eyes pinching in the corners in worry. ”Our relationship is...different but I can’t help but worry about him.” She smiled ruefully, thinking of the strange encounters she had had with her half-brother over the last couple of years, the last couple of months. Perhaps he could never love her as she wanted to be loved, but maybe the tolerance would be enough.
Sara found that she liked talking to Theodora. She had always been a little intimidated by the older woman, but she was beginning to wonder if those fears had been unfounded. She seemed kind, taking time out of her day to speak to one as lowly as she was. Her tone was neither hurried nor short, and she seemed genuinely interested in what Sara had to say too, even if a tangle of anxiety kept her words brief.
She found that she wanted very much to be permitted a place in the palace to grow things again. Sara liked to dabble in medicines and remedies, and was actively seeking a mentor to teach her more about them. However, the young woman did not have the heart to tell the young Queen that it was unlikely that she would be here for more than a couple of weeks at most. Her stay in the palati was very, very temporary. Soon enough, she would be required to go home by social rules. She thought of the small house that she lived in with her mother and sister, still large by any comparison but it lacked the gardens and grounds that the archontikos had. She had certainly taken those things for granted before.
Sara’s happiness at seeing Jaidee again had swept all of those worries right out of her head -- her face animated as she babbled excitedly at Theo now, all fears forgotten. ”Jaidee means well-behaved.” She said with a small laugh. “She takes good care of me, but I’m not sure I would call her well-behaved.”
Her face slackened in shock at Theo’s laugh and words. We’re sisters now, after all. It was the kindest thing that the queen could have said to a girl who wanted nothing more than to be accepted for who she was, to be welcomed into a family that would never see her as more than a pawn when it was convenient and a distraction when it wasn't. She blinked, hoping that she had not looked too stupid, averting her gaze even as she smiled again. ”Okay, Theodora.” She said, the name shy coming from her lips. It did not take long for the two of them to have the horses readied for a ride. Sara had never learned to do more than brush her own horse, although now if she wanted to ride any of the horses left at home then she probably should. So she watched carefully at how it was done, inserting herself here or there to ask questions of the groom who was assisting her when she had one.
Theodora was already mounted when Sara was helped up, reaching to adjust her clothes to make herself comfortable. It was strange and familiar to be on Jaidee’s back again, the mare seeming to think the same thing with a shake of her head that went all the way down her back. Sara laughed, reaching down to pat her friend’s neck affectionately before asking her to go forward to join the queen.
She waited until they were clear of the gardens before speaking again, the reins loose in her hands because of the easy pace they were taking at the moment. Sara was a proficient rider, but she was not among the best. She was certain to be outclassed if Theodora wanted to do more than trot across the grounds.
”Do you ride often?” She asked, glancing towards the dark-haired woman. ”I’ve heard that you are an excellent rider.” She felt a little odd to bring up rumors and hear-say about the queen, but at least it was positive she supposed? It wasn’t as if she had asked her about something scandalous. ”I think Imma and I went riding once, but it was only so she could find a new spot to paint.” Sara had not minded that at all, simply happy to spend time with one of her very best friends.
She takes good care of me, but I’m not sure I would call her well-behaved.
Theodora laughed, her voice dry as she flicked her gaze toward her own mare. “She and Calista ought to get along swimmingly then,” she commented with a shake of her head. “But then, what fun would it be if they always behaved? About as much fun as we would be, I imagine.” Her freckled nose crinkled with her conspiratorial giggle. Even if she held the position of Queen now, Theodora had often been a wild one in her youth, traipsing off whenever she could at the first scent of mischief. Of course, she doubted Sara would know any of that; Theo was careful to keep such a reputation contained only to those involved. But she knew it was at least partially why she didn’t mind her horse’s feisty temperament. She could definitely relate.
The shock on Sara’s face when Theo suggested she could call her by her name rather than a title was almost laughable, the girl obviously unprepared for such a statement. Her shock quickly softened into gratitude, the shy utterance of her name bringing a pleased smile to the Queen’s face. Rather than draw any more attention to it, she simply nodded and reached out to gently squeeze her shoulder before they began readying their horses.
The Queen was relaxed atop her horse when they finally set out, a gentle breeze ruffling the dark locks of her hair. Another horse trailed them at a discreet distance, her guard following respectfully behind. She knew it was unlikely they would leave the stables without some sort of escort, so she was merely grateful it was just him, rather than an entire retinue. Regardless, she knew it meant they couldn’t go too far from the palati before he would be insisting they head back. Ah, well. At least they could enjoy the beauty of the day without too much interruption.
“I ride as often as I can,” she answered Sara’s question with a smile, turning to look at her with a soft laugh at her next comment. “I suppose I’m good enough,” was her mirthful response, though truthfully, she was better than most. Selene could probably outride her, and possibly her father, but she doubted there were many others. One did not grow up a Leventi without at least a passable knowledge of horses.
“Yes, Imma has mentioned how much she enjoys spending time with you,” she commented, her gaze idly following a butterfly’s lazy trail across their path. “She visits the Palati quite often, and I imagine she’ll continue to do so with most of my family’s return to Macendia. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to see you the next time she comes.”
Imma was a darling girl, another jewel among the treasure trove of her siblings. Even if she wasn’t whispered to be blessed like Theodora and Selene were, she too possessed a fair beauty that would only deepen with age. And, unlike some of her sisters, she also possessed a kind heart and a gentle innocence that Theo prayed wouldn’t be sullied as time went on. She dearly loved when her youngest sister came to visit, even if they were a decade apart. She was a breath of fresh air on some of her most exhausting days.
“How long have you had Jaidee?” she asked her companion, nodding to the mare she rode. “She seems to bear you well, misbehaver or not,” she added with a chuckle. “Do you know where your family got her? She’s certainly fine enough to have been one of ours along the line.” Chances were, even if she hadn’t been bought directly from the Leventi that she at least had some relation. There was no bigger exporter of horseflesh in Greece than her family.
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She takes good care of me, but I’m not sure I would call her well-behaved.
Theodora laughed, her voice dry as she flicked her gaze toward her own mare. “She and Calista ought to get along swimmingly then,” she commented with a shake of her head. “But then, what fun would it be if they always behaved? About as much fun as we would be, I imagine.” Her freckled nose crinkled with her conspiratorial giggle. Even if she held the position of Queen now, Theodora had often been a wild one in her youth, traipsing off whenever she could at the first scent of mischief. Of course, she doubted Sara would know any of that; Theo was careful to keep such a reputation contained only to those involved. But she knew it was at least partially why she didn’t mind her horse’s feisty temperament. She could definitely relate.
The shock on Sara’s face when Theo suggested she could call her by her name rather than a title was almost laughable, the girl obviously unprepared for such a statement. Her shock quickly softened into gratitude, the shy utterance of her name bringing a pleased smile to the Queen’s face. Rather than draw any more attention to it, she simply nodded and reached out to gently squeeze her shoulder before they began readying their horses.
The Queen was relaxed atop her horse when they finally set out, a gentle breeze ruffling the dark locks of her hair. Another horse trailed them at a discreet distance, her guard following respectfully behind. She knew it was unlikely they would leave the stables without some sort of escort, so she was merely grateful it was just him, rather than an entire retinue. Regardless, she knew it meant they couldn’t go too far from the palati before he would be insisting they head back. Ah, well. At least they could enjoy the beauty of the day without too much interruption.
“I ride as often as I can,” she answered Sara’s question with a smile, turning to look at her with a soft laugh at her next comment. “I suppose I’m good enough,” was her mirthful response, though truthfully, she was better than most. Selene could probably outride her, and possibly her father, but she doubted there were many others. One did not grow up a Leventi without at least a passable knowledge of horses.
“Yes, Imma has mentioned how much she enjoys spending time with you,” she commented, her gaze idly following a butterfly’s lazy trail across their path. “She visits the Palati quite often, and I imagine she’ll continue to do so with most of my family’s return to Macendia. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to see you the next time she comes.”
Imma was a darling girl, another jewel among the treasure trove of her siblings. Even if she wasn’t whispered to be blessed like Theodora and Selene were, she too possessed a fair beauty that would only deepen with age. And, unlike some of her sisters, she also possessed a kind heart and a gentle innocence that Theo prayed wouldn’t be sullied as time went on. She dearly loved when her youngest sister came to visit, even if they were a decade apart. She was a breath of fresh air on some of her most exhausting days.
“How long have you had Jaidee?” she asked her companion, nodding to the mare she rode. “She seems to bear you well, misbehaver or not,” she added with a chuckle. “Do you know where your family got her? She’s certainly fine enough to have been one of ours along the line.” Chances were, even if she hadn’t been bought directly from the Leventi that she at least had some relation. There was no bigger exporter of horseflesh in Greece than her family.
She takes good care of me, but I’m not sure I would call her well-behaved.
Theodora laughed, her voice dry as she flicked her gaze toward her own mare. “She and Calista ought to get along swimmingly then,” she commented with a shake of her head. “But then, what fun would it be if they always behaved? About as much fun as we would be, I imagine.” Her freckled nose crinkled with her conspiratorial giggle. Even if she held the position of Queen now, Theodora had often been a wild one in her youth, traipsing off whenever she could at the first scent of mischief. Of course, she doubted Sara would know any of that; Theo was careful to keep such a reputation contained only to those involved. But she knew it was at least partially why she didn’t mind her horse’s feisty temperament. She could definitely relate.
The shock on Sara’s face when Theo suggested she could call her by her name rather than a title was almost laughable, the girl obviously unprepared for such a statement. Her shock quickly softened into gratitude, the shy utterance of her name bringing a pleased smile to the Queen’s face. Rather than draw any more attention to it, she simply nodded and reached out to gently squeeze her shoulder before they began readying their horses.
The Queen was relaxed atop her horse when they finally set out, a gentle breeze ruffling the dark locks of her hair. Another horse trailed them at a discreet distance, her guard following respectfully behind. She knew it was unlikely they would leave the stables without some sort of escort, so she was merely grateful it was just him, rather than an entire retinue. Regardless, she knew it meant they couldn’t go too far from the palati before he would be insisting they head back. Ah, well. At least they could enjoy the beauty of the day without too much interruption.
“I ride as often as I can,” she answered Sara’s question with a smile, turning to look at her with a soft laugh at her next comment. “I suppose I’m good enough,” was her mirthful response, though truthfully, she was better than most. Selene could probably outride her, and possibly her father, but she doubted there were many others. One did not grow up a Leventi without at least a passable knowledge of horses.
“Yes, Imma has mentioned how much she enjoys spending time with you,” she commented, her gaze idly following a butterfly’s lazy trail across their path. “She visits the Palati quite often, and I imagine she’ll continue to do so with most of my family’s return to Macendia. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to see you the next time she comes.”
Imma was a darling girl, another jewel among the treasure trove of her siblings. Even if she wasn’t whispered to be blessed like Theodora and Selene were, she too possessed a fair beauty that would only deepen with age. And, unlike some of her sisters, she also possessed a kind heart and a gentle innocence that Theo prayed wouldn’t be sullied as time went on. She dearly loved when her youngest sister came to visit, even if they were a decade apart. She was a breath of fresh air on some of her most exhausting days.
“How long have you had Jaidee?” she asked her companion, nodding to the mare she rode. “She seems to bear you well, misbehaver or not,” she added with a chuckle. “Do you know where your family got her? She’s certainly fine enough to have been one of ours along the line.” Chances were, even if she hadn’t been bought directly from the Leventi that she at least had some relation. There was no bigger exporter of horseflesh in Greece than her family.
”I hope that Imma will come visit soon…” Sara said, leaving the before I have to go silently hanging in the air.
How long have you had Jaidee? The question drew the girl away from thoughts of her friend, and she smiled -- leaning down to pat the mare on the neck affectionately. The dark bay shook her head, snorting as if she could understand that she was being spoken about. ”My father gave her to me when I was twelve.” She said, smiling at the memory. He’d been so stern about it, acting as if it were less than nothing. ”I had been on lesson horses up to that point. But...I kept trying to get on Aeneus, and I’m pretty sure that he thought I’d kill myself.” She laughed, shaking her head. She tucked a stray strand of her dark hair behind her ear.
”Aeneus is…was my father’s war horse. Very grumpy. But he lets me pet him sometimes, and I can leave sweet cubes on his stall door.” She said, shrugging her shoulders. She was not sure what had happened to him since her father’s death, but surely Achilleas had him taken care of. ”Anyway…” She murmured, shaking her head again. ”Jaidee and I...have an understanding. It took a few rides to come to that understanding, but now I would not trade her for anything. I...can’t believe she’s here. I thought she was gone forever.” She gave the mare another affectionate pat, scrubbing her fingernails into the mare’s neck.
Sara honestly was not sure where her father had gotten her from. It wouldn’t have surprised her at all to know that the mare had come from Leventi lines. They were quite renowned for their dealings in horses. Almost anyone worth their salt knew the horses that came from their stables. They were built for speed and power, and certainly Jaidee was that. Sara often found herself feeling a little guilty that she could not offer Jaidee the riding ability that she deserved. The bay loved to run, but Sara could do little more than canter without losing her seat.
”I would not be surprised, your High--I mean Theodora.” She said, turning to smile at the Queen. ”The Leventi horses are among the finest in Greece.” And her father had always had the best of everything.
She turned a little in her saddle, looking over the queen and finding her beautiful all over again. She remembered saying as much to Achilleas at the dinner table, the night before their wedding. ”What else do you love? Besides horses, I mean?” She asked, tilting her head. She suddenly felt nervous having asked the question, although she could not say why. But she had chattered on so long that she felt that she was taking up too much of the conversation.
”What was your life like before all of this?” She waved a hand vaguely at the world around them. ”If that’s not...too personal.” She blushed again, surprised by her own boldness in wanting to get to know her new sister-in-law.
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”I hope that Imma will come visit soon…” Sara said, leaving the before I have to go silently hanging in the air.
How long have you had Jaidee? The question drew the girl away from thoughts of her friend, and she smiled -- leaning down to pat the mare on the neck affectionately. The dark bay shook her head, snorting as if she could understand that she was being spoken about. ”My father gave her to me when I was twelve.” She said, smiling at the memory. He’d been so stern about it, acting as if it were less than nothing. ”I had been on lesson horses up to that point. But...I kept trying to get on Aeneus, and I’m pretty sure that he thought I’d kill myself.” She laughed, shaking her head. She tucked a stray strand of her dark hair behind her ear.
”Aeneus is…was my father’s war horse. Very grumpy. But he lets me pet him sometimes, and I can leave sweet cubes on his stall door.” She said, shrugging her shoulders. She was not sure what had happened to him since her father’s death, but surely Achilleas had him taken care of. ”Anyway…” She murmured, shaking her head again. ”Jaidee and I...have an understanding. It took a few rides to come to that understanding, but now I would not trade her for anything. I...can’t believe she’s here. I thought she was gone forever.” She gave the mare another affectionate pat, scrubbing her fingernails into the mare’s neck.
Sara honestly was not sure where her father had gotten her from. It wouldn’t have surprised her at all to know that the mare had come from Leventi lines. They were quite renowned for their dealings in horses. Almost anyone worth their salt knew the horses that came from their stables. They were built for speed and power, and certainly Jaidee was that. Sara often found herself feeling a little guilty that she could not offer Jaidee the riding ability that she deserved. The bay loved to run, but Sara could do little more than canter without losing her seat.
”I would not be surprised, your High--I mean Theodora.” She said, turning to smile at the Queen. ”The Leventi horses are among the finest in Greece.” And her father had always had the best of everything.
She turned a little in her saddle, looking over the queen and finding her beautiful all over again. She remembered saying as much to Achilleas at the dinner table, the night before their wedding. ”What else do you love? Besides horses, I mean?” She asked, tilting her head. She suddenly felt nervous having asked the question, although she could not say why. But she had chattered on so long that she felt that she was taking up too much of the conversation.
”What was your life like before all of this?” She waved a hand vaguely at the world around them. ”If that’s not...too personal.” She blushed again, surprised by her own boldness in wanting to get to know her new sister-in-law.
”I hope that Imma will come visit soon…” Sara said, leaving the before I have to go silently hanging in the air.
How long have you had Jaidee? The question drew the girl away from thoughts of her friend, and she smiled -- leaning down to pat the mare on the neck affectionately. The dark bay shook her head, snorting as if she could understand that she was being spoken about. ”My father gave her to me when I was twelve.” She said, smiling at the memory. He’d been so stern about it, acting as if it were less than nothing. ”I had been on lesson horses up to that point. But...I kept trying to get on Aeneus, and I’m pretty sure that he thought I’d kill myself.” She laughed, shaking her head. She tucked a stray strand of her dark hair behind her ear.
”Aeneus is…was my father’s war horse. Very grumpy. But he lets me pet him sometimes, and I can leave sweet cubes on his stall door.” She said, shrugging her shoulders. She was not sure what had happened to him since her father’s death, but surely Achilleas had him taken care of. ”Anyway…” She murmured, shaking her head again. ”Jaidee and I...have an understanding. It took a few rides to come to that understanding, but now I would not trade her for anything. I...can’t believe she’s here. I thought she was gone forever.” She gave the mare another affectionate pat, scrubbing her fingernails into the mare’s neck.
Sara honestly was not sure where her father had gotten her from. It wouldn’t have surprised her at all to know that the mare had come from Leventi lines. They were quite renowned for their dealings in horses. Almost anyone worth their salt knew the horses that came from their stables. They were built for speed and power, and certainly Jaidee was that. Sara often found herself feeling a little guilty that she could not offer Jaidee the riding ability that she deserved. The bay loved to run, but Sara could do little more than canter without losing her seat.
”I would not be surprised, your High--I mean Theodora.” She said, turning to smile at the Queen. ”The Leventi horses are among the finest in Greece.” And her father had always had the best of everything.
She turned a little in her saddle, looking over the queen and finding her beautiful all over again. She remembered saying as much to Achilleas at the dinner table, the night before their wedding. ”What else do you love? Besides horses, I mean?” She asked, tilting her head. She suddenly felt nervous having asked the question, although she could not say why. But she had chattered on so long that she felt that she was taking up too much of the conversation.
”What was your life like before all of this?” She waved a hand vaguely at the world around them. ”If that’s not...too personal.” She blushed again, surprised by her own boldness in wanting to get to know her new sister-in-law.
I hope that Imma will come visit soon…
“I’m sure she will,” Theodora reassured her companion with a smile. “You can go to visit her too, if you’d like. She’s staying with my uncle for the time being, and I don’t think he’d mind. It’s only a short ride from the Palati.” Truthfully, she wasn’t sure how Fotios would feel about the Mikaelidas bastard hanging around with Imma, not when she knew he was trying to refine her for Court. But would he really keep her from her friends? Sara was a sweet girl and did not deserve the reputation of her mother. There were far worse influences Imma could find. Their own sister was among them, and she didn’t see anyone trying to keep her away from Nana.
Their conversation moved on to Sara’s horse, Theo’s smile only growing. It was obvious the affection she held for Jaidee, recounting her memory of how she had acquired the mare in the first place and the struggle to get where they were now. When she spoke of the late king’s horse, Aeneus, the Queen’s attention was further piqued, an idea forming in her mind. So, the stallion was somewhat friendly to her? Interesting…
“It is very fortunate you were reunited with her, then,” she added when the girl finished speaking. “I’m sure she missed you as much as you missed her.” Thoughtfully, she looked over at her younger companion, wondering how her blossoming notion would be received. “Your father’s horse is here, too. Achilleas and I spoke of him before he left, and he said how difficult the stallion was being for him and the stable hands.” She had offered to try to help and her husband forbade it, but he never said anything about his sister… “Would you like to help me with something, Sara? Your brother doesn’t want me to do it, but I want to surprise him when he returns. How well would you say that you and Aeneus get along?” Perhaps she and Sara both could gentle the stallion, at least enough that he wouldn’t bite and kick at everyone that came near.
After Sara responded, the conversation turned back to her, smiling at the gentle blush that overtook the girl’s cheeks. “What else do I love?” she repeated with a thoughtful hum. “Why, a lot of things, I suppose. I love to read and to shoot my bow. I love nature and flowers and the woods, being outside in the sun with a cool breeze. The smell of dirt after the rain. A few rather unqueenly things, I guess, but who can stop me from doing them now?” There was a quiet amusement in her words, along with a simple pleasure that Sara even thought to ask. Now, so many spent their time falling over themselves in front of her that it was rare she actually got to have a real conversation with anyone, and it was… lonely. It was nice to talk to someone without any expectation of anything further than an ordinary conversation.
“It’s not too personal at all,” she assured Sara, waving off her worry. “I don’t mind. My life was much… simpler before. I was a Leventi, so nothing has ever really been simple, but in comparison, anyway. I had a lot more time for myself and far fewer responsibilities. It wasn’t… peaceful, exactly, but a lot less hectic than it is now.” Even if she had harbored childhood dreams of one day being Queen, now that she was, it wasn’t at all what she’d expected. If she could hand the crown back to Olympia, she would, but this wasn’t exactly something she could say to her young sister-in-law.
“I suppose I can’t really complain, though. Even with the stress, I have everything I could have ever wanted. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for the life I have now, it’s just… not what I thought it would be, I guess.”
Turning back to Sara, she nodded to her. “What about you? Are things quieter now that you’ve left Court? How fare your mother and sister?” She doubted many would have the nerve to ask; it was no secret how quickly Meena, Sara, and Tasia had been sent away after Irakles’s demise. But Theodora didn’t think it fair that her companion should have to suffer for it. She shouldn’t have to be afraid to speak of her mother and sister, as if they didn’t exist.
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I hope that Imma will come visit soon…
“I’m sure she will,” Theodora reassured her companion with a smile. “You can go to visit her too, if you’d like. She’s staying with my uncle for the time being, and I don’t think he’d mind. It’s only a short ride from the Palati.” Truthfully, she wasn’t sure how Fotios would feel about the Mikaelidas bastard hanging around with Imma, not when she knew he was trying to refine her for Court. But would he really keep her from her friends? Sara was a sweet girl and did not deserve the reputation of her mother. There were far worse influences Imma could find. Their own sister was among them, and she didn’t see anyone trying to keep her away from Nana.
Their conversation moved on to Sara’s horse, Theo’s smile only growing. It was obvious the affection she held for Jaidee, recounting her memory of how she had acquired the mare in the first place and the struggle to get where they were now. When she spoke of the late king’s horse, Aeneus, the Queen’s attention was further piqued, an idea forming in her mind. So, the stallion was somewhat friendly to her? Interesting…
“It is very fortunate you were reunited with her, then,” she added when the girl finished speaking. “I’m sure she missed you as much as you missed her.” Thoughtfully, she looked over at her younger companion, wondering how her blossoming notion would be received. “Your father’s horse is here, too. Achilleas and I spoke of him before he left, and he said how difficult the stallion was being for him and the stable hands.” She had offered to try to help and her husband forbade it, but he never said anything about his sister… “Would you like to help me with something, Sara? Your brother doesn’t want me to do it, but I want to surprise him when he returns. How well would you say that you and Aeneus get along?” Perhaps she and Sara both could gentle the stallion, at least enough that he wouldn’t bite and kick at everyone that came near.
After Sara responded, the conversation turned back to her, smiling at the gentle blush that overtook the girl’s cheeks. “What else do I love?” she repeated with a thoughtful hum. “Why, a lot of things, I suppose. I love to read and to shoot my bow. I love nature and flowers and the woods, being outside in the sun with a cool breeze. The smell of dirt after the rain. A few rather unqueenly things, I guess, but who can stop me from doing them now?” There was a quiet amusement in her words, along with a simple pleasure that Sara even thought to ask. Now, so many spent their time falling over themselves in front of her that it was rare she actually got to have a real conversation with anyone, and it was… lonely. It was nice to talk to someone without any expectation of anything further than an ordinary conversation.
“It’s not too personal at all,” she assured Sara, waving off her worry. “I don’t mind. My life was much… simpler before. I was a Leventi, so nothing has ever really been simple, but in comparison, anyway. I had a lot more time for myself and far fewer responsibilities. It wasn’t… peaceful, exactly, but a lot less hectic than it is now.” Even if she had harbored childhood dreams of one day being Queen, now that she was, it wasn’t at all what she’d expected. If she could hand the crown back to Olympia, she would, but this wasn’t exactly something she could say to her young sister-in-law.
“I suppose I can’t really complain, though. Even with the stress, I have everything I could have ever wanted. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for the life I have now, it’s just… not what I thought it would be, I guess.”
Turning back to Sara, she nodded to her. “What about you? Are things quieter now that you’ve left Court? How fare your mother and sister?” She doubted many would have the nerve to ask; it was no secret how quickly Meena, Sara, and Tasia had been sent away after Irakles’s demise. But Theodora didn’t think it fair that her companion should have to suffer for it. She shouldn’t have to be afraid to speak of her mother and sister, as if they didn’t exist.
I hope that Imma will come visit soon…
“I’m sure she will,” Theodora reassured her companion with a smile. “You can go to visit her too, if you’d like. She’s staying with my uncle for the time being, and I don’t think he’d mind. It’s only a short ride from the Palati.” Truthfully, she wasn’t sure how Fotios would feel about the Mikaelidas bastard hanging around with Imma, not when she knew he was trying to refine her for Court. But would he really keep her from her friends? Sara was a sweet girl and did not deserve the reputation of her mother. There were far worse influences Imma could find. Their own sister was among them, and she didn’t see anyone trying to keep her away from Nana.
Their conversation moved on to Sara’s horse, Theo’s smile only growing. It was obvious the affection she held for Jaidee, recounting her memory of how she had acquired the mare in the first place and the struggle to get where they were now. When she spoke of the late king’s horse, Aeneus, the Queen’s attention was further piqued, an idea forming in her mind. So, the stallion was somewhat friendly to her? Interesting…
“It is very fortunate you were reunited with her, then,” she added when the girl finished speaking. “I’m sure she missed you as much as you missed her.” Thoughtfully, she looked over at her younger companion, wondering how her blossoming notion would be received. “Your father’s horse is here, too. Achilleas and I spoke of him before he left, and he said how difficult the stallion was being for him and the stable hands.” She had offered to try to help and her husband forbade it, but he never said anything about his sister… “Would you like to help me with something, Sara? Your brother doesn’t want me to do it, but I want to surprise him when he returns. How well would you say that you and Aeneus get along?” Perhaps she and Sara both could gentle the stallion, at least enough that he wouldn’t bite and kick at everyone that came near.
After Sara responded, the conversation turned back to her, smiling at the gentle blush that overtook the girl’s cheeks. “What else do I love?” she repeated with a thoughtful hum. “Why, a lot of things, I suppose. I love to read and to shoot my bow. I love nature and flowers and the woods, being outside in the sun with a cool breeze. The smell of dirt after the rain. A few rather unqueenly things, I guess, but who can stop me from doing them now?” There was a quiet amusement in her words, along with a simple pleasure that Sara even thought to ask. Now, so many spent their time falling over themselves in front of her that it was rare she actually got to have a real conversation with anyone, and it was… lonely. It was nice to talk to someone without any expectation of anything further than an ordinary conversation.
“It’s not too personal at all,” she assured Sara, waving off her worry. “I don’t mind. My life was much… simpler before. I was a Leventi, so nothing has ever really been simple, but in comparison, anyway. I had a lot more time for myself and far fewer responsibilities. It wasn’t… peaceful, exactly, but a lot less hectic than it is now.” Even if she had harbored childhood dreams of one day being Queen, now that she was, it wasn’t at all what she’d expected. If she could hand the crown back to Olympia, she would, but this wasn’t exactly something she could say to her young sister-in-law.
“I suppose I can’t really complain, though. Even with the stress, I have everything I could have ever wanted. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful for the life I have now, it’s just… not what I thought it would be, I guess.”
Turning back to Sara, she nodded to her. “What about you? Are things quieter now that you’ve left Court? How fare your mother and sister?” She doubted many would have the nerve to ask; it was no secret how quickly Meena, Sara, and Tasia had been sent away after Irakles’s demise. But Theodora didn’t think it fair that her companion should have to suffer for it. She shouldn’t have to be afraid to speak of her mother and sister, as if they didn’t exist.
She smiled at the queen, a woman that she had secretly admired for as long as she could remember. Theodora was everything that Sara could not be. Beautiful, kind, adored. And yet the girl found that she was never jealous of the older woman, only an admirer of what she had -- of what she could be. It would change nothing to covet the things that Theodora possessed.
“It is very fortunate you were reunited with her, then,”
Yes, but for how long? Sara was not sure how long her reprieve at the palati would last, and she felt a little guilty about abandoning her mother and Tasia just for the comforts that she had grown up with. No, she supposed it was not the comforts that she had missed but rather it had been the people that she had known her whole life. Her brothers. Her friends. Everything was different now, and surprisingly -- the girl was not adjusting well to the change.
Her smile did not waiver. She could be sad about having to leave when it was time to go and not a moment before. Her eyebrows rose in surprise at the mention of Aeneus actually still being around, wondering where he was being kept in the stables. He tended to hate change, so moving to palati had probably been rather stressful on the grumpy, old man of a horse.
”Is that right?” Sara murmured, adjusting her weight in the saddle. Her gaze went up, taking in the surroundings as she considered it. ”Well, I suppose we could certainly try.” She said with a nervous sounding laugh. ”He may be too much for us, honestly. He has always danced to the beat of his own drum, even with my father. He just knew how to dance to that beat too. Have you met Aeneus yet?”
Her expression was wry, as the queen asked about her relationship with the war horse. ”I would say it is...fair enough. I’m smarter now than I was at twelve. I’m happy to offer him sugar cubes on his stall door, and maybe risk a pat or two if he looks particularly friendly but I would not dare try to climb on him now.” She smiled wryly with a shake of her head.
Admittedly, the girl was happy to have the conversation turn away from Aeneus -- if only because she did not wish to be responsible for the queen’s untimely demise should things to awry while they tried to tame him. If Achilleas could not draw him to heel, then she doubted that anyone could.
”You can shoot a bow?” She asked, her brows disappearing beneath her hair as they rose in surprise. She turned in the saddle, looking quite adamant. ”You’ll have to teach me!” She said, quickly embarrassed by her own over-enthusiasm. Warmth colored the tips of her ears, as she ducked her head. ”I-I mean, if you have the time...of course. I have been trying to get Emilios to teach me how to do it, but he’s always been so busy.” The last word of her lament was drawn out.
”Achi taught me to use a dagger once...sort of.” That wry smile was back as she thought of one of the many awkward encounters she’d had with Achilleas over the years. ”But I never could get Emilios to teach me anything like that.” Perhaps it was because the younger Mikaelidas son liked to think of his baby sister as a soft flower, someone to protect rather than to teach her how to protect herself. She’d always be the duckling to him, in need of him to show her the way forward.
The conversation flowed on, and Sara was quite surprised by how easy it was to talk to Theo. She couldn’t say that any conversations that they’d had before had been particularly long, but now that they were alone -- now that they had only each other, it was easy. It was like she had known her for much longer than a few weeks. It was not particularly hard for Sara to make friends in most cases, and she tended to find friendships easily but she had not been sure if being friends with Theo would be possible.
”I can’t imagine.” Sara admitted, when Theodora spoke of the different kind of simplicity that her life had held before. Even as a noblewoman, it had to have been very different being a Lady and being a Queen. She’d been handed quite a mess, right from day one. ”It seemed like..” She hesitated, wondering if what she wanted to say was inappropriate. She shook her head, deciding to change it. ”Well...it was...chaotic.” She offered a sympathetic look. The death of her new father-in-law on her wedding day, being elevated to Queen, her husband being sent off to war in just a matter of weeks. It was like something out of a book.
When the conversation turned to her, Sara looked away. Her answer would be subtle, through the slight tightening of her shoulders and the forced wideness of her smile. ”It’s...different.” She said diplomatically. Her mother had practically locked Sara up once they’d left court, trying to control the things that she could. ”We’re all adjusting the best that we can.”
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She smiled at the queen, a woman that she had secretly admired for as long as she could remember. Theodora was everything that Sara could not be. Beautiful, kind, adored. And yet the girl found that she was never jealous of the older woman, only an admirer of what she had -- of what she could be. It would change nothing to covet the things that Theodora possessed.
“It is very fortunate you were reunited with her, then,”
Yes, but for how long? Sara was not sure how long her reprieve at the palati would last, and she felt a little guilty about abandoning her mother and Tasia just for the comforts that she had grown up with. No, she supposed it was not the comforts that she had missed but rather it had been the people that she had known her whole life. Her brothers. Her friends. Everything was different now, and surprisingly -- the girl was not adjusting well to the change.
Her smile did not waiver. She could be sad about having to leave when it was time to go and not a moment before. Her eyebrows rose in surprise at the mention of Aeneus actually still being around, wondering where he was being kept in the stables. He tended to hate change, so moving to palati had probably been rather stressful on the grumpy, old man of a horse.
”Is that right?” Sara murmured, adjusting her weight in the saddle. Her gaze went up, taking in the surroundings as she considered it. ”Well, I suppose we could certainly try.” She said with a nervous sounding laugh. ”He may be too much for us, honestly. He has always danced to the beat of his own drum, even with my father. He just knew how to dance to that beat too. Have you met Aeneus yet?”
Her expression was wry, as the queen asked about her relationship with the war horse. ”I would say it is...fair enough. I’m smarter now than I was at twelve. I’m happy to offer him sugar cubes on his stall door, and maybe risk a pat or two if he looks particularly friendly but I would not dare try to climb on him now.” She smiled wryly with a shake of her head.
Admittedly, the girl was happy to have the conversation turn away from Aeneus -- if only because she did not wish to be responsible for the queen’s untimely demise should things to awry while they tried to tame him. If Achilleas could not draw him to heel, then she doubted that anyone could.
”You can shoot a bow?” She asked, her brows disappearing beneath her hair as they rose in surprise. She turned in the saddle, looking quite adamant. ”You’ll have to teach me!” She said, quickly embarrassed by her own over-enthusiasm. Warmth colored the tips of her ears, as she ducked her head. ”I-I mean, if you have the time...of course. I have been trying to get Emilios to teach me how to do it, but he’s always been so busy.” The last word of her lament was drawn out.
”Achi taught me to use a dagger once...sort of.” That wry smile was back as she thought of one of the many awkward encounters she’d had with Achilleas over the years. ”But I never could get Emilios to teach me anything like that.” Perhaps it was because the younger Mikaelidas son liked to think of his baby sister as a soft flower, someone to protect rather than to teach her how to protect herself. She’d always be the duckling to him, in need of him to show her the way forward.
The conversation flowed on, and Sara was quite surprised by how easy it was to talk to Theo. She couldn’t say that any conversations that they’d had before had been particularly long, but now that they were alone -- now that they had only each other, it was easy. It was like she had known her for much longer than a few weeks. It was not particularly hard for Sara to make friends in most cases, and she tended to find friendships easily but she had not been sure if being friends with Theo would be possible.
”I can’t imagine.” Sara admitted, when Theodora spoke of the different kind of simplicity that her life had held before. Even as a noblewoman, it had to have been very different being a Lady and being a Queen. She’d been handed quite a mess, right from day one. ”It seemed like..” She hesitated, wondering if what she wanted to say was inappropriate. She shook her head, deciding to change it. ”Well...it was...chaotic.” She offered a sympathetic look. The death of her new father-in-law on her wedding day, being elevated to Queen, her husband being sent off to war in just a matter of weeks. It was like something out of a book.
When the conversation turned to her, Sara looked away. Her answer would be subtle, through the slight tightening of her shoulders and the forced wideness of her smile. ”It’s...different.” She said diplomatically. Her mother had practically locked Sara up once they’d left court, trying to control the things that she could. ”We’re all adjusting the best that we can.”
She smiled at the queen, a woman that she had secretly admired for as long as she could remember. Theodora was everything that Sara could not be. Beautiful, kind, adored. And yet the girl found that she was never jealous of the older woman, only an admirer of what she had -- of what she could be. It would change nothing to covet the things that Theodora possessed.
“It is very fortunate you were reunited with her, then,”
Yes, but for how long? Sara was not sure how long her reprieve at the palati would last, and she felt a little guilty about abandoning her mother and Tasia just for the comforts that she had grown up with. No, she supposed it was not the comforts that she had missed but rather it had been the people that she had known her whole life. Her brothers. Her friends. Everything was different now, and surprisingly -- the girl was not adjusting well to the change.
Her smile did not waiver. She could be sad about having to leave when it was time to go and not a moment before. Her eyebrows rose in surprise at the mention of Aeneus actually still being around, wondering where he was being kept in the stables. He tended to hate change, so moving to palati had probably been rather stressful on the grumpy, old man of a horse.
”Is that right?” Sara murmured, adjusting her weight in the saddle. Her gaze went up, taking in the surroundings as she considered it. ”Well, I suppose we could certainly try.” She said with a nervous sounding laugh. ”He may be too much for us, honestly. He has always danced to the beat of his own drum, even with my father. He just knew how to dance to that beat too. Have you met Aeneus yet?”
Her expression was wry, as the queen asked about her relationship with the war horse. ”I would say it is...fair enough. I’m smarter now than I was at twelve. I’m happy to offer him sugar cubes on his stall door, and maybe risk a pat or two if he looks particularly friendly but I would not dare try to climb on him now.” She smiled wryly with a shake of her head.
Admittedly, the girl was happy to have the conversation turn away from Aeneus -- if only because she did not wish to be responsible for the queen’s untimely demise should things to awry while they tried to tame him. If Achilleas could not draw him to heel, then she doubted that anyone could.
”You can shoot a bow?” She asked, her brows disappearing beneath her hair as they rose in surprise. She turned in the saddle, looking quite adamant. ”You’ll have to teach me!” She said, quickly embarrassed by her own over-enthusiasm. Warmth colored the tips of her ears, as she ducked her head. ”I-I mean, if you have the time...of course. I have been trying to get Emilios to teach me how to do it, but he’s always been so busy.” The last word of her lament was drawn out.
”Achi taught me to use a dagger once...sort of.” That wry smile was back as she thought of one of the many awkward encounters she’d had with Achilleas over the years. ”But I never could get Emilios to teach me anything like that.” Perhaps it was because the younger Mikaelidas son liked to think of his baby sister as a soft flower, someone to protect rather than to teach her how to protect herself. She’d always be the duckling to him, in need of him to show her the way forward.
The conversation flowed on, and Sara was quite surprised by how easy it was to talk to Theo. She couldn’t say that any conversations that they’d had before had been particularly long, but now that they were alone -- now that they had only each other, it was easy. It was like she had known her for much longer than a few weeks. It was not particularly hard for Sara to make friends in most cases, and she tended to find friendships easily but she had not been sure if being friends with Theo would be possible.
”I can’t imagine.” Sara admitted, when Theodora spoke of the different kind of simplicity that her life had held before. Even as a noblewoman, it had to have been very different being a Lady and being a Queen. She’d been handed quite a mess, right from day one. ”It seemed like..” She hesitated, wondering if what she wanted to say was inappropriate. She shook her head, deciding to change it. ”Well...it was...chaotic.” She offered a sympathetic look. The death of her new father-in-law on her wedding day, being elevated to Queen, her husband being sent off to war in just a matter of weeks. It was like something out of a book.
When the conversation turned to her, Sara looked away. Her answer would be subtle, through the slight tightening of her shoulders and the forced wideness of her smile. ”It’s...different.” She said diplomatically. Her mother had practically locked Sara up once they’d left court, trying to control the things that she could. ”We’re all adjusting the best that we can.”
Sara seemed to warily agree with Theodora’s suggestion that they might try to work some sense into Aeneus, though it was clear she did not think their chances were very good. However, the queen was nothing if not stubborn, and if she knew anything, it was horses. Stubborn as she was, she knew when enough was enough. If she couldn’t tame the stallion, so be it, but she’d be damned if she didn’t at least try.
“Excellent,” she replied with a smile in her young sister-in-law’s direction. “I have not met him yet, no, but my hope is if he meets me along with someone he already knows that he might be a little more kindly inclined toward me. If not, well… I suppose we’ll deal with that when it comes to it.”
The queen couldn’t help but laugh at Sara’s shocked exclamation of her using a bow, insisting that Theodora must teach her. Quickly, she blushed and relented, stumbling over her words as she amended her statement to qualify if she had the time. “I’d be happy to teach you,” the older woman was quick to assure her, her smile deepening. At her mention of Emilios, Theodora thoughtlessly continued, “Emilios actually taught me a lot of what I know. I had some knowledge before, but he helped refine it.”
Her eyes widened for a moment as she realized what she’d said, hoping Sara wouldn’t look too hard into it. After all, Emilios was her brother-in-law now; why shouldn’t he give her a few pointers on archery? That was a brotherly thing to do, right? Then again, she and Achilleas hadn’t been married very long, and they were all so busy—when would he have had the time to teach her in all the tumult since the wedding? But she hadn’t said when he taught her, so how suspicious could Sara really be? Regardless, her jaw tightened ever so slightly, releasing a long breath once their conversation continued onto something else.
After realizing her blunder, Theo was happy for the subject change, going on to explain the differences in her life before her marriage and now. It seemed like… Well... it was... chaotic. Her smile faded a touch at that, nodding somberly in response. “That’s one way of putting it,” she murmured with a wry shake of her head. Everything had happened so quickly, and she was still rushing to keep up with it all. The chaos had never stopped, but even now, nothing could compare to her wedding day. So many upheavals, all in such quick succession; gods, she wouldn’t wish such a fate on anyone. “I keep hoping things will calm down, but it seems they never do. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” She sighed. “I just wish Achilleas were here. I did not go into this expecting to be queen… much less a queen without a king.”
Biting her lip, she looked over at Sara and swallowed. “Forgive me, I ought not to complain. I know as hard as things are, they could be much worse. I have so much else to be thankful for, despite the… less than ideal things.”
Sara’s face changed slightly at the mention of her family, her response neutral at best. She only served to exemplify Theodora’s statement perfectly—indeed, things could be worse, and poor Sara could testify to it. Perhaps she ought not to have even brought it up, a twinge of guilt fluttering in her belly.
“Yes, I imagine such adjustment is not… easy,” she replied with a sympathetic look. “I am glad Emilios invited you to stay here with us for a while. Hopefully, it can take your mind off of things, yes?” Theodora forced her smile to return before she continued, “As peaceful as it can be without them, I’ve missed my sisters since moving into the palati. Your brother is lovely company, of course, but it will be nice to have another woman around for a while.”
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Sara seemed to warily agree with Theodora’s suggestion that they might try to work some sense into Aeneus, though it was clear she did not think their chances were very good. However, the queen was nothing if not stubborn, and if she knew anything, it was horses. Stubborn as she was, she knew when enough was enough. If she couldn’t tame the stallion, so be it, but she’d be damned if she didn’t at least try.
“Excellent,” she replied with a smile in her young sister-in-law’s direction. “I have not met him yet, no, but my hope is if he meets me along with someone he already knows that he might be a little more kindly inclined toward me. If not, well… I suppose we’ll deal with that when it comes to it.”
The queen couldn’t help but laugh at Sara’s shocked exclamation of her using a bow, insisting that Theodora must teach her. Quickly, she blushed and relented, stumbling over her words as she amended her statement to qualify if she had the time. “I’d be happy to teach you,” the older woman was quick to assure her, her smile deepening. At her mention of Emilios, Theodora thoughtlessly continued, “Emilios actually taught me a lot of what I know. I had some knowledge before, but he helped refine it.”
Her eyes widened for a moment as she realized what she’d said, hoping Sara wouldn’t look too hard into it. After all, Emilios was her brother-in-law now; why shouldn’t he give her a few pointers on archery? That was a brotherly thing to do, right? Then again, she and Achilleas hadn’t been married very long, and they were all so busy—when would he have had the time to teach her in all the tumult since the wedding? But she hadn’t said when he taught her, so how suspicious could Sara really be? Regardless, her jaw tightened ever so slightly, releasing a long breath once their conversation continued onto something else.
After realizing her blunder, Theo was happy for the subject change, going on to explain the differences in her life before her marriage and now. It seemed like… Well... it was... chaotic. Her smile faded a touch at that, nodding somberly in response. “That’s one way of putting it,” she murmured with a wry shake of her head. Everything had happened so quickly, and she was still rushing to keep up with it all. The chaos had never stopped, but even now, nothing could compare to her wedding day. So many upheavals, all in such quick succession; gods, she wouldn’t wish such a fate on anyone. “I keep hoping things will calm down, but it seems they never do. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” She sighed. “I just wish Achilleas were here. I did not go into this expecting to be queen… much less a queen without a king.”
Biting her lip, she looked over at Sara and swallowed. “Forgive me, I ought not to complain. I know as hard as things are, they could be much worse. I have so much else to be thankful for, despite the… less than ideal things.”
Sara’s face changed slightly at the mention of her family, her response neutral at best. She only served to exemplify Theodora’s statement perfectly—indeed, things could be worse, and poor Sara could testify to it. Perhaps she ought not to have even brought it up, a twinge of guilt fluttering in her belly.
“Yes, I imagine such adjustment is not… easy,” she replied with a sympathetic look. “I am glad Emilios invited you to stay here with us for a while. Hopefully, it can take your mind off of things, yes?” Theodora forced her smile to return before she continued, “As peaceful as it can be without them, I’ve missed my sisters since moving into the palati. Your brother is lovely company, of course, but it will be nice to have another woman around for a while.”
Sara seemed to warily agree with Theodora’s suggestion that they might try to work some sense into Aeneus, though it was clear she did not think their chances were very good. However, the queen was nothing if not stubborn, and if she knew anything, it was horses. Stubborn as she was, she knew when enough was enough. If she couldn’t tame the stallion, so be it, but she’d be damned if she didn’t at least try.
“Excellent,” she replied with a smile in her young sister-in-law’s direction. “I have not met him yet, no, but my hope is if he meets me along with someone he already knows that he might be a little more kindly inclined toward me. If not, well… I suppose we’ll deal with that when it comes to it.”
The queen couldn’t help but laugh at Sara’s shocked exclamation of her using a bow, insisting that Theodora must teach her. Quickly, she blushed and relented, stumbling over her words as she amended her statement to qualify if she had the time. “I’d be happy to teach you,” the older woman was quick to assure her, her smile deepening. At her mention of Emilios, Theodora thoughtlessly continued, “Emilios actually taught me a lot of what I know. I had some knowledge before, but he helped refine it.”
Her eyes widened for a moment as she realized what she’d said, hoping Sara wouldn’t look too hard into it. After all, Emilios was her brother-in-law now; why shouldn’t he give her a few pointers on archery? That was a brotherly thing to do, right? Then again, she and Achilleas hadn’t been married very long, and they were all so busy—when would he have had the time to teach her in all the tumult since the wedding? But she hadn’t said when he taught her, so how suspicious could Sara really be? Regardless, her jaw tightened ever so slightly, releasing a long breath once their conversation continued onto something else.
After realizing her blunder, Theo was happy for the subject change, going on to explain the differences in her life before her marriage and now. It seemed like… Well... it was... chaotic. Her smile faded a touch at that, nodding somberly in response. “That’s one way of putting it,” she murmured with a wry shake of her head. Everything had happened so quickly, and she was still rushing to keep up with it all. The chaos had never stopped, but even now, nothing could compare to her wedding day. So many upheavals, all in such quick succession; gods, she wouldn’t wish such a fate on anyone. “I keep hoping things will calm down, but it seems they never do. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” She sighed. “I just wish Achilleas were here. I did not go into this expecting to be queen… much less a queen without a king.”
Biting her lip, she looked over at Sara and swallowed. “Forgive me, I ought not to complain. I know as hard as things are, they could be much worse. I have so much else to be thankful for, despite the… less than ideal things.”
Sara’s face changed slightly at the mention of her family, her response neutral at best. She only served to exemplify Theodora’s statement perfectly—indeed, things could be worse, and poor Sara could testify to it. Perhaps she ought not to have even brought it up, a twinge of guilt fluttering in her belly.
“Yes, I imagine such adjustment is not… easy,” she replied with a sympathetic look. “I am glad Emilios invited you to stay here with us for a while. Hopefully, it can take your mind off of things, yes?” Theodora forced her smile to return before she continued, “As peaceful as it can be without them, I’ve missed my sisters since moving into the palati. Your brother is lovely company, of course, but it will be nice to have another woman around for a while.”
It was not hard to delight Sara. She could take her pleasures from the simplest of things, anything directed toward her with a glimmer of thoughtfulness would keep her glowing for days and days. Such was the same now, as the new queen offered to teach her how to use a bow. She was not sure of the practicalities of knowing such things, whether or not she’d ever have the need to know how to do something like that but it was exciting all the same. If only for her to be able to say that she could do it. At the mention of Emilios, the girl did raise an eyebrow -- surprised to hear his name.
”Is that so?” Sara asked, looking thoughtful as she considered it. She’d never put Emilios and Theo together. ”I don’t think he would teach me even if I asked! He can’t see me as anything but his baby sister.” She sighed as she spoke, the lament clear as she tilted her head back to look at the sky. It truly was a beautiful day, the sun high and warm but not too hot. Jaidee snorted and shook her head, edging into a faster gait before Sara slowed her.
”We probably shouldn’t tell Emilios.” Sara said with a sideways glance. ”He probably wouldn’t let us...so now we have two secrets to keep.” She grinned at the idea, both Aeneus and the archery lesson. It was like having Tasia around again, which Sara dearly missed keeping secrets with her sister. She was content to let the subject slide since she had the queen’s promise to teach her anyway.
If they had not been riding, Sara would have reached for the queen’s hand when she spoke about being alone. Concern flickered across her young face. ”It’s alright.” She murmured, nodding. ”You can speak freely with me, I would keep your confidence.” She did reach, her hand coming to rest on Theo's arm for a moment. ”Everyone needs someone to listen to them sometimes, without worry or need for apology.” She said, smiling before pulling back.
”I think Achilleas will be home soon, the war won and the gods smiling upon us. Everything is going to be fine.” She turned forward again, nodding in firm affirmation as if that alone could make it true. In truth, the youngest daughter of Irakles had no idea what would come next. She felt just as afraid as the rest of the country, the unrest and upheaval enough to make her uneasy. But there was nothing to do but worry or have hope, and Sara in all things chose hope.
”I am glad to be with Emilios again.” She agreed, nodding. ”I’m a little worried that my mother won’t be too pleased, but I hope she and Tasia can forgive me. I’ve never been very good at choosing a side.” She smiled, though it was a little painful. ”I would be glad to keep you company any time you like, of course. Just call on me.” The smile was a little less painful in the end, because she thought that truly she could see herself in good company with Theodora. She wanted that very much.
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It was not hard to delight Sara. She could take her pleasures from the simplest of things, anything directed toward her with a glimmer of thoughtfulness would keep her glowing for days and days. Such was the same now, as the new queen offered to teach her how to use a bow. She was not sure of the practicalities of knowing such things, whether or not she’d ever have the need to know how to do something like that but it was exciting all the same. If only for her to be able to say that she could do it. At the mention of Emilios, the girl did raise an eyebrow -- surprised to hear his name.
”Is that so?” Sara asked, looking thoughtful as she considered it. She’d never put Emilios and Theo together. ”I don’t think he would teach me even if I asked! He can’t see me as anything but his baby sister.” She sighed as she spoke, the lament clear as she tilted her head back to look at the sky. It truly was a beautiful day, the sun high and warm but not too hot. Jaidee snorted and shook her head, edging into a faster gait before Sara slowed her.
”We probably shouldn’t tell Emilios.” Sara said with a sideways glance. ”He probably wouldn’t let us...so now we have two secrets to keep.” She grinned at the idea, both Aeneus and the archery lesson. It was like having Tasia around again, which Sara dearly missed keeping secrets with her sister. She was content to let the subject slide since she had the queen’s promise to teach her anyway.
If they had not been riding, Sara would have reached for the queen’s hand when she spoke about being alone. Concern flickered across her young face. ”It’s alright.” She murmured, nodding. ”You can speak freely with me, I would keep your confidence.” She did reach, her hand coming to rest on Theo's arm for a moment. ”Everyone needs someone to listen to them sometimes, without worry or need for apology.” She said, smiling before pulling back.
”I think Achilleas will be home soon, the war won and the gods smiling upon us. Everything is going to be fine.” She turned forward again, nodding in firm affirmation as if that alone could make it true. In truth, the youngest daughter of Irakles had no idea what would come next. She felt just as afraid as the rest of the country, the unrest and upheaval enough to make her uneasy. But there was nothing to do but worry or have hope, and Sara in all things chose hope.
”I am glad to be with Emilios again.” She agreed, nodding. ”I’m a little worried that my mother won’t be too pleased, but I hope she and Tasia can forgive me. I’ve never been very good at choosing a side.” She smiled, though it was a little painful. ”I would be glad to keep you company any time you like, of course. Just call on me.” The smile was a little less painful in the end, because she thought that truly she could see herself in good company with Theodora. She wanted that very much.
It was not hard to delight Sara. She could take her pleasures from the simplest of things, anything directed toward her with a glimmer of thoughtfulness would keep her glowing for days and days. Such was the same now, as the new queen offered to teach her how to use a bow. She was not sure of the practicalities of knowing such things, whether or not she’d ever have the need to know how to do something like that but it was exciting all the same. If only for her to be able to say that she could do it. At the mention of Emilios, the girl did raise an eyebrow -- surprised to hear his name.
”Is that so?” Sara asked, looking thoughtful as she considered it. She’d never put Emilios and Theo together. ”I don’t think he would teach me even if I asked! He can’t see me as anything but his baby sister.” She sighed as she spoke, the lament clear as she tilted her head back to look at the sky. It truly was a beautiful day, the sun high and warm but not too hot. Jaidee snorted and shook her head, edging into a faster gait before Sara slowed her.
”We probably shouldn’t tell Emilios.” Sara said with a sideways glance. ”He probably wouldn’t let us...so now we have two secrets to keep.” She grinned at the idea, both Aeneus and the archery lesson. It was like having Tasia around again, which Sara dearly missed keeping secrets with her sister. She was content to let the subject slide since she had the queen’s promise to teach her anyway.
If they had not been riding, Sara would have reached for the queen’s hand when she spoke about being alone. Concern flickered across her young face. ”It’s alright.” She murmured, nodding. ”You can speak freely with me, I would keep your confidence.” She did reach, her hand coming to rest on Theo's arm for a moment. ”Everyone needs someone to listen to them sometimes, without worry or need for apology.” She said, smiling before pulling back.
”I think Achilleas will be home soon, the war won and the gods smiling upon us. Everything is going to be fine.” She turned forward again, nodding in firm affirmation as if that alone could make it true. In truth, the youngest daughter of Irakles had no idea what would come next. She felt just as afraid as the rest of the country, the unrest and upheaval enough to make her uneasy. But there was nothing to do but worry or have hope, and Sara in all things chose hope.
”I am glad to be with Emilios again.” She agreed, nodding. ”I’m a little worried that my mother won’t be too pleased, but I hope she and Tasia can forgive me. I’ve never been very good at choosing a side.” She smiled, though it was a little painful. ”I would be glad to keep you company any time you like, of course. Just call on me.” The smile was a little less painful in the end, because she thought that truly she could see herself in good company with Theodora. She wanted that very much.
Theodora was happy to share a few secrets with Sara, a sisterly camaraderie she so dearly missed with her own siblings. Offering a conspiratorial smile, she held her finger over her lips and winked. “I’d like to see him stop me from trying to do anything, anyway,” she teased. “I outrank him now. If he were to try to say you couldn’t, all I’d have to do is say the Queen commands it, and that’s that.” She didn’t really know if that was true, since the stewardship of the kingdom technically rested in his hands now, not hers, but it still sounded good. Besides, she couldn’t see Emilios denying her much of anything, particularly if she insisted.
Her face softened as Sara continued to speak, touched beyond words at the sentiment behind her speech. The Queen’s hand covered the younger woman’s for a moment where it came to rest on her arm, gently squeezing before Sara let go. It was very thoughtful of her to offer a sympathetic ear, especially with so much on her own plate. Knowing what she knew of Sara’s parents, it surprised her that she should possess such a tender heart, and she could only hope the coming years wouldn’t tarnish it. Theodora thought she would do what she could to try to shield her from some of the more venomous snakes of the Court.
“Thank you, Sara,” she murmured in response. “That’s very kind of you. You’re right—everyone does need someone they can speak freely with. You may feel free to do the same with me, if you’d like. I’ve had three youngers sisters; I like to think I can offer a piece or two of good advice, now and then.”
The Queen’s smile turned a little more wistful at Sara’s somewhat naïve confidence that everything would turn out all right; Theodora wished she could share in that feeling. With the way things had gone over the past several weeks, it was hard to believe Taengea was anything but cursed, and she could only fear that the worst was still yet to come. She’d much rather believe what Sara was saying, but with each new disaster, it became harder and harder to do so.
“I hope you’re right, I really do,” was all she said on that before the subject was changing again, Sara wishing aloud that her family wouldn’t be angry with her for coming to stay with Emilios instead. “I’m sure they’ll forgive you, even if it takes a little time,” she replied, her smile returning as she glanced over at her sister-in-law. “After all, Emilios and Achilleas are your family too. You shouldn’t have to pick a side.”
If only it really was that simple, but the messy situation Irakles had placed his family in by opening favoring his mistress over his wife blurred a lot of lines. Though the Leventi had their own share of secrets and baggage, she was only just starting to see she had married into a family with just as much, if not more. Sometimes she envied commoners, that they shouldn’t have to deal with such pettiness and drama, but there was little that could be done for it now beyond offering what condolence and comfort she could.
“I would also be happy for that too,” she responded with a gentle warmth in her tone. “You are welcome in the palati whenever you’d like. My days are often very busy now, but whenever I’m not running around like crazy, I would be happy for more time spent together.”
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Theodora was happy to share a few secrets with Sara, a sisterly camaraderie she so dearly missed with her own siblings. Offering a conspiratorial smile, she held her finger over her lips and winked. “I’d like to see him stop me from trying to do anything, anyway,” she teased. “I outrank him now. If he were to try to say you couldn’t, all I’d have to do is say the Queen commands it, and that’s that.” She didn’t really know if that was true, since the stewardship of the kingdom technically rested in his hands now, not hers, but it still sounded good. Besides, she couldn’t see Emilios denying her much of anything, particularly if she insisted.
Her face softened as Sara continued to speak, touched beyond words at the sentiment behind her speech. The Queen’s hand covered the younger woman’s for a moment where it came to rest on her arm, gently squeezing before Sara let go. It was very thoughtful of her to offer a sympathetic ear, especially with so much on her own plate. Knowing what she knew of Sara’s parents, it surprised her that she should possess such a tender heart, and she could only hope the coming years wouldn’t tarnish it. Theodora thought she would do what she could to try to shield her from some of the more venomous snakes of the Court.
“Thank you, Sara,” she murmured in response. “That’s very kind of you. You’re right—everyone does need someone they can speak freely with. You may feel free to do the same with me, if you’d like. I’ve had three youngers sisters; I like to think I can offer a piece or two of good advice, now and then.”
The Queen’s smile turned a little more wistful at Sara’s somewhat naïve confidence that everything would turn out all right; Theodora wished she could share in that feeling. With the way things had gone over the past several weeks, it was hard to believe Taengea was anything but cursed, and she could only fear that the worst was still yet to come. She’d much rather believe what Sara was saying, but with each new disaster, it became harder and harder to do so.
“I hope you’re right, I really do,” was all she said on that before the subject was changing again, Sara wishing aloud that her family wouldn’t be angry with her for coming to stay with Emilios instead. “I’m sure they’ll forgive you, even if it takes a little time,” she replied, her smile returning as she glanced over at her sister-in-law. “After all, Emilios and Achilleas are your family too. You shouldn’t have to pick a side.”
If only it really was that simple, but the messy situation Irakles had placed his family in by opening favoring his mistress over his wife blurred a lot of lines. Though the Leventi had their own share of secrets and baggage, she was only just starting to see she had married into a family with just as much, if not more. Sometimes she envied commoners, that they shouldn’t have to deal with such pettiness and drama, but there was little that could be done for it now beyond offering what condolence and comfort she could.
“I would also be happy for that too,” she responded with a gentle warmth in her tone. “You are welcome in the palati whenever you’d like. My days are often very busy now, but whenever I’m not running around like crazy, I would be happy for more time spent together.”
Theodora was happy to share a few secrets with Sara, a sisterly camaraderie she so dearly missed with her own siblings. Offering a conspiratorial smile, she held her finger over her lips and winked. “I’d like to see him stop me from trying to do anything, anyway,” she teased. “I outrank him now. If he were to try to say you couldn’t, all I’d have to do is say the Queen commands it, and that’s that.” She didn’t really know if that was true, since the stewardship of the kingdom technically rested in his hands now, not hers, but it still sounded good. Besides, she couldn’t see Emilios denying her much of anything, particularly if she insisted.
Her face softened as Sara continued to speak, touched beyond words at the sentiment behind her speech. The Queen’s hand covered the younger woman’s for a moment where it came to rest on her arm, gently squeezing before Sara let go. It was very thoughtful of her to offer a sympathetic ear, especially with so much on her own plate. Knowing what she knew of Sara’s parents, it surprised her that she should possess such a tender heart, and she could only hope the coming years wouldn’t tarnish it. Theodora thought she would do what she could to try to shield her from some of the more venomous snakes of the Court.
“Thank you, Sara,” she murmured in response. “That’s very kind of you. You’re right—everyone does need someone they can speak freely with. You may feel free to do the same with me, if you’d like. I’ve had three youngers sisters; I like to think I can offer a piece or two of good advice, now and then.”
The Queen’s smile turned a little more wistful at Sara’s somewhat naïve confidence that everything would turn out all right; Theodora wished she could share in that feeling. With the way things had gone over the past several weeks, it was hard to believe Taengea was anything but cursed, and she could only fear that the worst was still yet to come. She’d much rather believe what Sara was saying, but with each new disaster, it became harder and harder to do so.
“I hope you’re right, I really do,” was all she said on that before the subject was changing again, Sara wishing aloud that her family wouldn’t be angry with her for coming to stay with Emilios instead. “I’m sure they’ll forgive you, even if it takes a little time,” she replied, her smile returning as she glanced over at her sister-in-law. “After all, Emilios and Achilleas are your family too. You shouldn’t have to pick a side.”
If only it really was that simple, but the messy situation Irakles had placed his family in by opening favoring his mistress over his wife blurred a lot of lines. Though the Leventi had their own share of secrets and baggage, she was only just starting to see she had married into a family with just as much, if not more. Sometimes she envied commoners, that they shouldn’t have to deal with such pettiness and drama, but there was little that could be done for it now beyond offering what condolence and comfort she could.
“I would also be happy for that too,” she responded with a gentle warmth in her tone. “You are welcome in the palati whenever you’d like. My days are often very busy now, but whenever I’m not running around like crazy, I would be happy for more time spent together.”
She grinned at Theodora’s words. ”That’s true. You do outrank him as the queen.” Even her brother would have to listen to the Queen, acting King or not. He could hardly tell her no, although Sara was sure to hear of it later. ”I would love that very much. I can’t say that I will be any good at it, but I’m sure I can’t be too terrible if you’re there to teach me.”
She turned her head, enjoying the sun and breeze on her face. It was a nice day, a lovely day in fact. The conversation rolled on like the clouds above, slow and easy -- surprisingly easy. She was truly surprised by how easy it was to find a comfortable rhythm of conversation with Theodora. The Queen was not at all what she had expected, possessing both beauty and kindness in equal measure. It would be difficult to sway the girl’s loyalty, easily won through the simple acts of kindness that she’d been shown.
Sara always thought to see the best in people, and that was sometimes not in her favor. Her hope was that they truly would become friends, and having an ally in the queen was sure to be helpful in some way. Keeping in the good graces of the royalty was not the worst idea, if she were completely honest with herself. ”Perhaps I’ll enlist Imma and we’ll come visit you together. We could go to the Agora and pretend like the world just doesn’t exist for a while.” She grinned again at the idea. It would be good to forget the troubles in their respective lives even for a little while.
The wind tugged at her hair, and Jaidee gave another shake of her head. She could tell the mare was restless, wanting to go further -- faster -- but time was quickly getting away from them. The thought shot through her, and she sat up, squinting at the sky above as she tried to gauge how much time had passed.
”I…” Sara began, suddenly sounding nervous. Hades in a handbasket. She had forgotten that she was supposed to be meeting Alastor in just a little while. ”I forgot that I’m needed elsewhere.” She admitted to the Queen sheepishly. ”But I would love to ride with you again sometime.”
There were a few other pleasantries exchanged, but then the girl was off -- quickly headed towards the stables. Jaidee enjoyed the faster pace, but would surely pout once she saw that the destination was back home again.
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She grinned at Theodora’s words. ”That’s true. You do outrank him as the queen.” Even her brother would have to listen to the Queen, acting King or not. He could hardly tell her no, although Sara was sure to hear of it later. ”I would love that very much. I can’t say that I will be any good at it, but I’m sure I can’t be too terrible if you’re there to teach me.”
She turned her head, enjoying the sun and breeze on her face. It was a nice day, a lovely day in fact. The conversation rolled on like the clouds above, slow and easy -- surprisingly easy. She was truly surprised by how easy it was to find a comfortable rhythm of conversation with Theodora. The Queen was not at all what she had expected, possessing both beauty and kindness in equal measure. It would be difficult to sway the girl’s loyalty, easily won through the simple acts of kindness that she’d been shown.
Sara always thought to see the best in people, and that was sometimes not in her favor. Her hope was that they truly would become friends, and having an ally in the queen was sure to be helpful in some way. Keeping in the good graces of the royalty was not the worst idea, if she were completely honest with herself. ”Perhaps I’ll enlist Imma and we’ll come visit you together. We could go to the Agora and pretend like the world just doesn’t exist for a while.” She grinned again at the idea. It would be good to forget the troubles in their respective lives even for a little while.
The wind tugged at her hair, and Jaidee gave another shake of her head. She could tell the mare was restless, wanting to go further -- faster -- but time was quickly getting away from them. The thought shot through her, and she sat up, squinting at the sky above as she tried to gauge how much time had passed.
”I…” Sara began, suddenly sounding nervous. Hades in a handbasket. She had forgotten that she was supposed to be meeting Alastor in just a little while. ”I forgot that I’m needed elsewhere.” She admitted to the Queen sheepishly. ”But I would love to ride with you again sometime.”
There were a few other pleasantries exchanged, but then the girl was off -- quickly headed towards the stables. Jaidee enjoyed the faster pace, but would surely pout once she saw that the destination was back home again.
She grinned at Theodora’s words. ”That’s true. You do outrank him as the queen.” Even her brother would have to listen to the Queen, acting King or not. He could hardly tell her no, although Sara was sure to hear of it later. ”I would love that very much. I can’t say that I will be any good at it, but I’m sure I can’t be too terrible if you’re there to teach me.”
She turned her head, enjoying the sun and breeze on her face. It was a nice day, a lovely day in fact. The conversation rolled on like the clouds above, slow and easy -- surprisingly easy. She was truly surprised by how easy it was to find a comfortable rhythm of conversation with Theodora. The Queen was not at all what she had expected, possessing both beauty and kindness in equal measure. It would be difficult to sway the girl’s loyalty, easily won through the simple acts of kindness that she’d been shown.
Sara always thought to see the best in people, and that was sometimes not in her favor. Her hope was that they truly would become friends, and having an ally in the queen was sure to be helpful in some way. Keeping in the good graces of the royalty was not the worst idea, if she were completely honest with herself. ”Perhaps I’ll enlist Imma and we’ll come visit you together. We could go to the Agora and pretend like the world just doesn’t exist for a while.” She grinned again at the idea. It would be good to forget the troubles in their respective lives even for a little while.
The wind tugged at her hair, and Jaidee gave another shake of her head. She could tell the mare was restless, wanting to go further -- faster -- but time was quickly getting away from them. The thought shot through her, and she sat up, squinting at the sky above as she tried to gauge how much time had passed.
”I…” Sara began, suddenly sounding nervous. Hades in a handbasket. She had forgotten that she was supposed to be meeting Alastor in just a little while. ”I forgot that I’m needed elsewhere.” She admitted to the Queen sheepishly. ”But I would love to ride with you again sometime.”
There were a few other pleasantries exchanged, but then the girl was off -- quickly headed towards the stables. Jaidee enjoyed the faster pace, but would surely pout once she saw that the destination was back home again.
