9 Under The Red Sky

Two days had passed since the night at Mistwood, I had been taking a stroll in the gardens. It was late afternoon now and the sky had lit up in a deep shade of pink and lilac and I stared up at it remembering the story my father had told me when I was a little girl.

He had taken me out into the hills and as we sat overlooking the valley, the sky had been the same shade as it was today. Holding me on his lap he had told me how when the sky set and rose in such a vast array of colors, It was known as the Red Sky. And it was said that when the Red Sky set or rose – blood had been shed on that day, causing the gods to weep crimson tears and that this was the reason the sky had been red on that day.

Remembering the story, I decided to take Shadow out into the hills. So I went up to change into my riding breeches while the stable boy readied Shadow for the ride.

I wore black breeches with a red corseted waistcoat, I hated wearing skirts while riding so I had my fathers tailor, make me my own breeches when I had turned 16 and each year I went back to the same tailor to get new breeches so that I would never have to ride in a skirt ever again.

I'm grateful to have a mother and father that had always allowed me to make these choices even when other girls my age would never dream of making the choices I did.

Tying my hair up into a high ponytail I skipped downstairs to the stables, mounting Shadow and riding out into the hills. We had reached the hilltop just in time and as I sat down overlooking the valley, the sun touched the horizon; Silhouettes of birds flew home across a sky that was now magenta. And I watched as the last of the suns rays penetrated the sky before giving way to the night sky.

"Beautiful Isn't it?"

I jumped, startled by the voice that had just whispered into my ear. I turned to see Caleb crouching down right behind me, I never even heard him get close.

"You need to stop doing that." I scolded.

This was the third time now that he had shown up out of nowhere without a sound or warning.

He had taken a seat next to me now and he sat staring at the sunset. I looked at him, my heart thumping with each breath I took. He was even more exquisite in this lighting.

Noticing my eyes on him; he looked over at me. His face brooding.

"You shouldn't be out here alone. It isn't safe for a lady." He sat up, his face only inches from mine.

I gulped, nervous about him being so close. I could smell the scent of his body and feeling his calm breath on my skin.

Nervously I stuttered, "I'm not alone, I have Shadow." - Not that he was any help really, seeing that he had allowed Caleb to sneak up on me not once but twice.

"He's not a very good watch dog now is he?" Caleb remarked sarcastically as he relaxed back down onto his elbows.

" Usually he is, he just doesn't see you as a threat I suppose." Caleb chuckled loudly as if what I had said was some kind of joke.

Getting a little agitated I spoke with a slight acidity to my voice, "And what is so funny?"

He looked at me for a while, as if studying my face. He smiled calmly as he laid back onto the grass closing his eyes. "Absolutely nothing Miss Blackwood."

I was about to speak when I heard a rustle in the trees. Caleb darted up, staring into the forest. "What is it?" His expression had gone dark, unblinking he held out his hand to help me up, "You need to leave." I looked in the direction of the forest but I couldn't see anything.

"What's wrong."

hurrying me over to Shadow; he grabbed my waist and effortlessly hoisted me onto the horse.

"I told you. It isn't safe." His voice was stern now and I felt afraid seeing him act this way.

He looked up at me for a moment and smiled. "Don't worry, Just get home safe okay."

I watched, confused as he crouched over and stared Shadow in the face. It was as If he was communicating with the horse, silently sending him a message. He then looked up at me, " Hold on."

"What.." before I could finish my sentence, Shadow had reared up and began galloping faster than he had ever done before. Gripping the reins tightly I held on for dear life as the horse with a mind of his own - got me home.