Erin saw that Rarg seemed to come to a decision.
“Do you like riding?”
“Yes, I ride every morning,” said Erin.
“Good, then I will meet you at the stables in thirty minutes.”
“Make that fifteen,” said Erin with a challenging smile.
“Done,” said Rarg, already heading for the door.
Erin was surprised and encouraged by the unexpected dismissal of Lady Tess followed by the invitation to go horseback riding. She thought she had heard that he did not sit a horse well. As she dressed for riding, she knew that this would be her one chance to determine, if even to a small degree, she would be able to have any influence with this future lord. Had it not been for his timely arrival, she would have given away her carefully built timid persona.
She could act the role of a cowering female but never would she have allowed Lady Tess to strike her. Erin had been training in the art of self-defense for the last three years. The trainer was Erin’s handmaiden Ursula’s brother Gordon who was conveniently Erin’s personal guard. Ursula had been assigned to Erin when she arrived on Racine. Ursula from the beginning was very protective of Erin.
Erin had been schooled and trained as any young girl of her rank. However, Ursula secretly gave Erin lessons covering diplomacy and the political history of the COP government. Special attention was given to the history of Racine. Erin received an education equal to any male of her time. One thing was missing, self-defense skills. Ursula suggested that she learn how to defend her honor. Erin liked the idea, so Ursula said that she could get her brother to become her trainer. Erin from the start was made to understand that Ursula’s help had to remain a secret between them. She was told and understood that none of the secret teaching or training was what her father, Lord Omir, or Lady Tess would have wanted for her.
Her mother died at her birth, and her father was pleased to give her care over to amahs. Lord Omir remarried and subsequently had a son, Karl. As Karl grew, there was concern for his health as he was thought to have a weak constitution. Most attributed this to his mother who stifled his every move and devoted her existence to that of her son. Erin grew up a lonely child brought out on special official occasions but was, for the most part, ignored. Her value increased overnight when Lady Tess approached her father with the proposal for a marriage contract between the two families.
This happened when Erin was ten, and Lady Tess had wanted to take her to Racine then, but her father said it was too soon. She was too young to be separated from her family. In fact, he needed time to reacquaint himself with his daughter. She was an awkward thin child, too quiet as far as he could see. But Lord Omir did see an advantage in making Lady Tess wait. Two years was good enough. Any more, he thought, and Lady Tess might look elsewhere.
Within the two years, Lord Omir thought of getting to know his daughter better, but it was just not in him. Whenever he had a thought of seeking her out, something always interfered, either his wife or a gathering for a hunt. The two years passed quickly, and off Erin went to Racine, put under the care of Lady Tess in preparation for her to become wife to the future Lord Omarlo. Though Erin had found it frightening to be going to another planet, her interest had soon been ensnared. There was all of the fanfare of getting ready for the trip. All of a sudden, everyone was interested in her. Many new clothes and accessories were made or brought for her. She was to represent the wealth that was the House of Omir. She had become the center of attraction, and for the first time, her younger brother noticed her, and there was jealousy in his eyes. Then there was the starship that would take her to Racine. She had never been allowed off planet. The trip in itself had been an adventure.
When she arrived on Racine, she was astounded by all of the smiling faces of the people welcoming her. For the first time, it hit her that her life had changed for the better. These people actually welcomed her, and she genuinely smiled back. Here, she belonged. She was somebody and had a place. Erin submitted to Lady Tess. She learned on the first day that it was for the best. She was also introduced to her handmaiden, Ursula. A flyer collision killed Omir’s wife and son two years after Erin had left to live on Racine. Erin did not return home for the funeral but sent her regrets.
Lady Tess was a strict taskmaster who instructed Erin on deportment, dress, and the general running of a Keep. Lady Tess left Erin more than enough free time to pursue her private interest. Erin learned how to ride, something she had not been allowed at home. She loved it as it gave her a way to get out and about. She began to trade clothes with the stable boys and ride about the countryside, stopping and talking with the people. She got to know them, and they got to know her over the six years. She helped bring in crops. She helped deliver baby animals. She also helped in building barns.
Most in the area knew who she was but pretended otherwise because it was what she wanted. They all knew that she was never alone. Gordon, a guard at the Keep, was visibly present and always within earshot of her. Lately though, it had gotten harder to sneak off for a ride about the country. Lady Tess had begun to demand more of her time.
Erin therefore, was more than ready for the ride that Rarg had suggested. They both arrived at the stables at the same time from different directions. Rarg instructed their bodyguards to wait at the stables for their return. Neither saw Gordon leave the Keep while they waited for their horses to be saddled. They were silent for the moment with each other, both preferring to hold their thoughts until they had gained the freedom of the outdoors.
“Where are you two going?” asked Rolag. Rolag Baines had attached himself to Rarg as a friend two years ago on Urus. Rolag was two years Rarg’s senior. When neither chose to speak, he said, “Riding? I am sure you won’t mind if one more joins your group outing. I was about to go for a ride by myself, but that is no longer necessary.”
“Yes. I do mind,” said Rarg with a yawn. “But then again, I am sure I cannot stop you from joining us.”
“Why, no you can’t,” laughed Rolag. “Why should you want to? Saddle up a horse for me, boy, and make it one with a good strong temperament.” The stable boy made no move until he caught a look and a nod from Erin. It happened so quick and unobtrusively, but Rarg saw it.
As they trotted out of the Keep’s gates, Rarg leaned over and whispered to Erin to set the pace and the direction. With that said, Erin grinned and took off, galloping down the road. Rarg, prepared, was soon following her. Rolag’s horse took off after them, catching him totally off guard. In no time, Rolag landed on the hard road as his horse continued on. Those who were watching bent over with laughter, even Gordon who followed at a discreet distance.
When Rolag’s horse galloped past them, they each pulled in their own mounts to a slower pace. Erin noted that Rarg was an excellent rider. They too burst into laughter as they realized what the horse without its rider meant. Rarg had suspected Rolag had been given the most spirited horse in the stables. That was why he had suggested Erin set the pace. He knew she was a superb rider and would be up to the challenge.
Erin stopped long enough to say, “I hope your friend was not seriously hurt. I would have given anything to see the look on his face when he hit the ground.” Then she broke out into more laughter. Rarg had no comment. He hoped he was hurt, after all, Rolag was sent by Lord Marlis to keep tabs on him.
“Where is she? What do you mean they went for a ride?” asked Lady Tess, talking to Ursula. Tess was in a fine state. She had expected the audience between Rarg and Erin to last only a few minutes, ending with him disgusted at her stuttering. She had planned to walk in and save him, dismiss the girl, and then ask him for a moment of his time; instead, she was informed that they have left the Keep.
“What an unorthodox thing to do. Since his arrival, he has gone out of his way to ignore Erin. Out of the blue, he sends me a message that he wants to meet with her. He then changes his mind and decides to ride off with her, at a gallop, over the countryside and him being a poor rider from what I saw on the day of his arrival.
“What could the boy be thinking, surely not of Erin’s reputation? He can’t treat a daughter of a ruling house and his future wife like some common girl. Then there is Erin, and where was her mind? She should have known