I do not go back to bed after that.
Instead, I decide to get an early start on chores, venturing out to where the stables are at. I keep my distance from the river though, seeing that now the thin ice is becoming more solid.
My cloak drags along the frozen grass gently, and I wrap it around myself, taking careful steps. The horses let out their soft neighs in greeting, pawing at the ground.
I greet them cheerfully, petting each of their noses, as one by one, I clean out their stalls, and place fresh dry hay, filling up their oat buckets, and then struggling with giving them water as well.
I'm sweating by the time I'm finished, but I don't take off my cloak, instead shoving the sleeves of my shirt up, and pouring cold water on them slowly to cool off. I sit on a pile of hay in front of the stables, watching as they horses walk around in their stables. Once they're finished eating, I'll let them out in their corrals so they can run around for a bit.
