"There's the coliseum. The cognacs don't use it for training, but you'll have plenty of room." I explained to her as we passed out of the stable. Stephen joined us, keeping a respectful distance behind us.
"Max." She addressed me shyly, I looked up at her. She stood beside me, looking around the coliseum. Then she looked up at me. "There are no steps..." she said, disappointed.
"I'll give you a lift up." I smiled. She nodded and prepared to face the side of the horse, her right hand tangled in her mane and her left hand resting loosely on her back. I wanted to bend down and help her up, fingers interlaced, but I had a better idea. I straightened up again, gripped her waist in my hands and lifted her off the ground. She yelped in surprise, but didn't panic and climbed up onto the mare's back. She sat up several times to straighten her skirt over her bent knees. Instinctively, I straightened the top hem of her skirt and covered her exposed calf.
"You know how to impress a woman, don't you?" She laughed, looking down at me with a playful smile.
"What are you saying? You're too high, I can't hear you." I said and scratched the mare behind her head. She looked at me for a moment longer and then pulled the mare's reins.
"Have fun. I have to go." I patted the mare on the shoulder and backed away from her heavy hooves. She just nodded and eagerly urged the horse into a trot. I watched after her for a moment longer.
"Help her back with the horse when she's finished and see that no one bothers her." I nodded to Stephen standing obligingly in the aisle and started back.
I must have her. Pressing my hips with her knees with the same enthusiasm as when she mounted that horse. How I envied that animal.
But there was still too much to do. I can have a bit more rest after I deal with all those prisoners my father took over the years.
I met her quite by chance a little after noon, as I was walking into the banquet hall. The servants prepared food daily for the nobles and other distinguished courtiers to dine in company. I too wanted to eat something quickly today, there was a messenger waiting for me who had already been seated. I took my place at the head of the long, sturdy table when I noticed Stephen and the other man greeting each other and taking turns. Stephen walked away and his replacement straddled a few paces behind the bench.
The messenger waited patiently for me to give him permission to begin. But I watched to see if the man to her right would stop leaning over the table and clear my view. All I could see was the top of her head moving imperceptibly as she ate.
After a moment, she stood up, crossed the bench, and turned to leave. Her long hair was brushed to the back of her head, and despite the fact that some people were looking at her through their fingers, she carried her head proudly. She disappeared into the hallway, and with her, my distraction.
"Speak." I prodded the messenger and tried to give him my full attention.