Books of Bayern 1 - The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Author:Shannon Hale
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Ages 10 and up
ISBN: 9781408812006
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2003-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

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Chapter 13

The next afternoon, Ani awaited Geric’s visit, her ears so attuned to the distant sounds of hooves on cobbled streets that she did not hear Jok calling after her until he stood by her side. She tore grass for him and plucked loose feathers from his tail, setting aside the quills for the bundle Tatto would collect later that week. Perhaps, she thought, the king or prince himself will use the quills I gather here, and again she wondered what the prince might be like, though she found it not half so interesting as thinking about what Geric was like.

00She was planning to tell Geric. Enna had believed, and so might others. Geric could help her with Falada. And if he had the prince’s ear, perhaps he could convince him of her identity. She tripped on that thought. Is that what she wanted? To marry this prince and live the rest of her life with Geric standing as the silent guard at her husband’s side? No, no, there must be a better solution than that.

00When he finally came, Ani waited by the tree and watched his approach. Geric was tall, and he rode his mare with a height and ease that made Ani feel proud. She often thought of him as a boy, the way he teased her and chased the geese and got excited over the desserts he brought with dinner. But just then he did not look silly at all—in fact, she thought, in fact, quite handsome. She smiled at him, but when he neared, she could see that his expression was troubled.

00“What’s wrong?”

00“Nothing.” Geric wiped his forehead as though trying to dismiss unpleasant thoughts. “Nothing that should disturb this autumn peace.” And he tried to smile.

00They walked beside the stream. Geric did not want to talk about the events that shaped his mood, saying only that there was ill gossip at the palace. He looked back to where his horse stood grazing and cursed himself, realizing that he had forgotten to bring dinner from the kitchens.

00“Don’t mind for me,” said Ani.

00But he was angry with himself and talked little, and Ani’s inclination to confess secrets began to harden in the mood. Soon they sat by a hushed bit of stream, watching the yellow leaves of the autumn birches plate the surface of the water. Ani looked across the stream, contemplating fording its shallow cold to hunt out late walnuts. Conrad used to bring back pockets full, and the thought woke her stomach to mumble a complaint.

00“I’m sorry,” said Geric. “I came here today to escape the gloom, and I’ve brought it with me.”

00“Let’s distract ourselves somehow. I heard that when the princess arrived she rode a fine mount. Can you tell me about her horse?” My horse. Falada. The story Enna knew was in her throat, eager.

00Geric sighed. “The white stallion. Not well. I think they’ll kill him.”

00“What?”

00“So I’ve heard.”

00“But, kill him? No, surely not kill him.”

00“Yes, I think so. I understand the princess thinks it’s best, has said from her arrival that he was a dangerous creature.

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