The Beauty by The Beauty

Author:The Beauty
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Medieval
Publisher: 0
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

AS JACQUELINE HAD SUSPECTED IT WOULD, IT BEGAN TO rain before midday. The first drops fell heavily, splattering cold against their faces. They bowed their heads against the rising wind and rode onward. Jacqueline did not ask for shelter for 'twas clear there was none on this empty road.

'Twas not long before they were soaked. Indeed, the wind rose with such vigor that 'twas difficult to see much of the road ahead. Lucifer did not falter, though Jacqueline could feel displeasure with the circumstances in the beast's tight gait.

Jacqueline shivered and Angus drew his cloak around her. Enfolding her in the wet wool did little to ease her woes, though the heat of his own body was most welcome. He wrapped his arm around her and she buried her face in his shoulder. She huddled against him and hoped that 'twas not far to Airdfinnan.

They rode in silence for the better part of the day, and 'twas only when the sky darkened that Angus slowed Lucifer. Jacqueline glanced up to find Angus scanning the undergrowth on either side and dared to hope for shelter.

"Is Airdfinnan near?"

"Nay."

"Then what do you seek?"

"A path."

Jacqueline gritted her teeth, for he was clearly not in a mood to share any of his carefully guarded secrets. "A path to what?"

A smile touched his lips fleetingly. "You will see."

He clicked his tongue and urged the steed to one side of the road. There was no discernible path, but once the beast stepped through the first barrier of thickly meshed undergrowth, Jacqueline did see a faint thinning of plants. It looked to have been trodden by many footsteps, though the wild state of the surrounding vegetation hinted that it had been long since any had come this way.

Indeed, Angus dismounted to peer more closely at the ground and guide the horse onward. More than once Jacqueline could not guess whether the way branched left or right. She wondered whether Angus could see the truth either, for he tended to straighten at these places and look, as if seeking a recollection in the shape of the trees.

It seemed the rain halted when they entered the forest, though 'twas only that the canopy of leaves far overhead broke the onslaught. 'Twas a relief nonetheless, and the sound of dripping water echoed from all sides.

The land rose rapidly once they left the main road, and stones quickly intermingled with the dirt underfoot. They ascended with every step, Lucifer needing encouragement from his master when the way was very steep.

Jacqueline watched Angus, impressed by the care he showed in seeing that the steed always had a solid footing. Indeed, the way behind them was precariously steep, and she resolved not to look back. Angus spoke to the destrier constantly, his words so low that Jacqueline could not make them out, though his tone soothed her uncertainties as well. 'Twas no wonder the beast would follow his master wherever he led.

The wind began to buffet them as they climbed, and Jacqueline had glimpses of the brooding sky through the thinning tops of the trees.

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