Horse Riding

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CHAPTER 22

Looking back now, they had the same eyes body colour even the small black birthmark at the bridge between his head and neck was similar. It was the very same horse.

A pained smile broke out on her lips as she stared at her lovely white stallion.

"Oh my God! It really is you. I thought I'd never see you again, my white beauty. It pained me when I went in search of you and found you not. I thought they had taken you back home and when I asked for long, I was finally told you had been sold out to a different kingdom and ran away before your buyer picked you that was how I met you."

Listening to her, the horse began to calm down and stop its noise to listen more.

"No one ever told me what kingdom that was. Now I know why and understand why till now you refused anyone riding you. You were taken away and it pained you. I understand your pain now. I understand. I am sorry, sorry for not being capable back then and making you suffer so."

As she spoke from her heart, she began to cry. It did pain her because she loved the horse so much but she couldn't find it again.

Watching her cry, somehow replicated the pain in the horse's heart and no longer did he disturb but instead took a step forward to her.

Seeing this, Era eyes widened. She could no longer hold herself back and quickly rushed up to the horse hugging him with everything n her.

"Oh, White beauty, I missed you so much."

Both lady and horse stayed together like that for a while before finally pulling apart to stare at each other.

"Ha…" A small laugh escaped her lips as she pursed her lips close and gently caressed the head of the white horse. "No one would harm you anymore. No one would dare take you away ever again, baby. Come let's go for a nice ride."

With that, she moved to his side and removed the saddle completely, freeing the horse of ts problem and letting it run freely.

Instantly the horse neighed in joy and moved around her for a while before coming to stop in front of her and lowered his head to her.

Era smiled at its gesture of reverence and respect and she too did the same, bowing her head in respect of it.

The next second it neighed again and jumped up, moving his behind in her direction, silently telling her in its own way to get on.

She hesitated for a bit. If it really did not want people riding it then she would not as well but if it was offering, who was she to decline?

With glee in her heart and face, Era moved towards it and got on the horse quickly as it took her for a joyous ride.

Unlike before when she thought she was racing with the horse, that was nothing as compared to this. The white stallion ran with so much gusto and force, giving her the fright.

But as time went on and they kept on going, Era found herself already getting used to it and being free. She spread her hands wide and into the air and screamed her heart out.

Horse riding really was one of her best ways of getting free and being alive.

She was not only glad to get the horseback, but she was glad to do that which she loved and how she loved it.

"Faster, go faster, White beauty," Era voiced out of joy. As though hearing her, it indeed took her faster.

The more they went, the farther away they were from the palace and the danger zone of life.

Soon an hour had passed but the horse did not stop running and it was at this point she noticed they had gotten to another zone. A different terrain.

"Hold on, baby. Calm down, slow down," she said to the horse and patted it on the neck.

Obeying her, it slowed down. From where she was, she could see a group of children just playing on the ground while some were seated under a tree or sleeping.

Her heart broke, her spirit felt weak. Her brows knitted together as she urged the horse to go forward.

When she got to where she was, she highlighted as the children playing all stopped what they were doing to look at her.

"Hey…How are you? What are you all doing here?" Era inquired.

They all had a look of fear in their eyes but no one spoke, instead, some clung together and hid their faces.

She was taken aback by their actions and knew something was wrong. "Hello, why are you here?" She inquired again, this time taking a step closer.

But in the end, she got no response.

She let out a sigh and smiled at them. "It's okay. I won't bite. I am a friend. What are your names?"

After what seemed like ages, one of the children seated under the tree finally stood up and walked over to her.

She looked closely at the young girl. She was looking older than the others and perhaps not more than seven or eight years of age.

Era's heart broke again as she watched the dirty looking child lower her head to her. After some self-push, it would seem she finally spoke.

"My name is Anna."

"Anna, such a nice name for a beautiful girl."

Hearing that praise, the girl looked up and managed a sad smile.

"I love that smile, give me more, Anna. It makes you more beautiful." Immediately the words fell from her lips, the girl's eyes teared up and she soon began to cry silently.

Era was confused. She did not recall saying anything to hurt her, so why then did she now cry?

"Hey, what is wrong? Come here. Do not cry anymore. Tell me, what is wrong?"

"My mother used to tell me that."

Her heart broke for the third time.