Ebony Wings: Chapter 13

'''Chapter 13 '''

'''Theresa '''

“Wake up Gothic boy!” Theresa shook him awake. “You missed breakfast.”

Christopher groaned. “Come of us didn’t get a goodnight sleep last night.”

She frowned at him. “What did you do? Get drunk?”

“I don’t drink Princess, thank you very much.” He sat up and stretched. “I’m an insomniac; I have trouble sleeping at night. Laid down in bed till 4 in the morning after the sing along.”

“You have insomnia? I didn’t know that.”

“There’s a lot of things you don’t know about me Princess.” He got to his feet.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I would like too.” She said.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Pardon?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pardon. Not what? Not huh? Pardon.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I said.” Theresa felt her cheeks flush again. “I would like to know more about you.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Her words stunned him at first but he composed himself and his sarcastic smirk was back.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I’d like that too Theresa.” He pulled his current t-shirt off his head and put on a new one. “Well I’m heading off.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Where are you going?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Sword-fighting. Supposed to be there after breakfast.” Christopher grabbed his sword.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Wait! Aren’t you at least going to take a bath?” She called after him.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He stopped at the door to smirk at her. “I’m going to get sweaty all over again so why bathe?” And then he left. <p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;border-style:none;padding:0cm;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Theresa rolled her eyes. “Boys.” <p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;">'''<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher '''

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“You’re late.” Lucian folded his arms but his tone was jokingly.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Sorry, didn’t get much sleep last night. Insomniac.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher saw Lucian stiffen up, but only for a moment then he returned to his original composure.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Come on, let’s get you geared up.” Lucian stepped into the tent beside the arena, when he walked back out he had two edgeless sword with him.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Here.” He threw one to Christopher, he caught it awkwardly.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Alright strike at me.” Lucian ordered.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“What?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Strike at me with the sword.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Just like that?” Christopher asked.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Just like that.” Lucian agreed.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher shrugged, brandishing the sword in two hands. It was awkward in his hands. It was awkward in his hands, he had no idea what do with it or how to hold it.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucian gestured for him to hurry up, Christopher sighed and struck.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucian parried the strike, knocking the blade away by the sending the force of Christopher’s swing downward. Then he swung the blade Christopher’s feet, knocking him to the ground.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Come on, get up.” Lucian ushered. “If you fall get up quickly, if not your enemy can quickly finish you off.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher got to his feet, ignoring the sharp pain in his back.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Strike me again.” Lucian ordered.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher took a deep breath and swung again.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucian did the exact same thing as he did before. The adrenalin had kicked in for Christopher, quickening his sense of time and making him react faster.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher kicked Lucian’s blade away but he didn’t stop there; Christopher struck with the blade.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucian got his blade up in time to block it. “Good, good!” He pushed forward with his blade, his strength superior. Christopher didn’t have a choice but to jump back.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucian struck forward; Christopher managed to block the blade.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Your blade arm is trapped but you have your other arm don’t you?” Lucian exclaimed at him.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher’s body followed the instruction; he shoved Lucian away with his left hand.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Good, good!” Lucian grinned, he lunged forward.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher couldn’t overpower Lucian when it came to strength but he knew that when it came to fighting larger and stronger opponents; it came down to using their strength against them.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He hit the edge of Lucian’s blade away, pushing the force in another direction. Lucian still had his open fist though so he struck hard with his fist, connecting with Christopher’s jaw.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher yelped in pain for a millisecond, completely vulnerable. That was all Lucian needed.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The white-blond haired boy lunged forward and smacked Christopher down with the flat of his blade.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“You’re not bad, for someone who had never touched a blade before.” Lucian commented.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Thanks.” Christopher replied, the effort painful because of his jaw. Bruised probably.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Does it hurt?” Lucian asked.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Yeah it does.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The boy with the black eyes smiled. “Then don’t get hit next time. Come on up.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher stared at the dirt for a bit before standing up.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Technically Lucian was right. Christopher had already been hit once, now he knew the pain of it so he should try not to get hit again.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">How did a child learn not to touch a burning kettle? Or not push each other around in the playground? <p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;border-style:none;padding:0cm;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pain, by far, was the best teacher. <p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sore was not enough of a word to describe how Christopher felt. In pain was a good one, defeated, agonising, wincing; all of those fit too.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lucian disappeared like a ripple again after the practise session. He said to come back every other day.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher wasn’t psychic but he guessed that he would start dreading the lessons soon enough.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He didn’t return to his room yet, he was still too high on the adrenalin to rest. So he decided to walk, his feet usually had a destination in mind. Despite the limp on his right leg, his feet moved without pausing.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">They eventually led him to the stables.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“You have weird tastes don’t you?” He looked down at his own feet. Unfortunately they didn’t reply, forcing him to be in wonder of their infinite wisdom.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He sighed and entered it anyway.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The stable was a large wooden and brick house (Hut? Cabin? Shack?). It smelled of…horse treats and hay, the latter covered the floor. There were a few more than a dozen stalls for the horse; a couple of those horses were winged.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Florescent lights hung for the ceiling and fans swung on the roofs to cool down the horses in the heat.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not an amazing sight by any means, but it was interesting.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The most interesting sight by far was the girl tending to one of the horses. Her attire was far from exceptional, jeans and a yellow tank top but her physical appearance was supermodel worthy.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dark brown hair tied into a ponytail, flawless skin; not a pimple or imperfection in sight, her skin was the colour of bronze; the perfect tan a perfect figure that was complimented by her clothes. She looked mature, probably around 20 years old.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher picked up his fallen jaw and shook his head to regain his composure. However she turned around before he could sneak away, her green eyes studied him. “Hello, are you new here?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“No, I mean yes!” Christopher pinched himself out of it, unfortunately he pinched one of his bruises which made him yelp.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“You okay?” She asked. “You’re covered in bruises.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Yeah, rough time at the arena.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Oh okay.” She turned to her right. “Hun do we have anymore nectar?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I think so.” A gruff voice replied.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Can you bring some? There’s a boy here that’s injured.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Nectar? Like the thing flowers make?” Christopher asked quizzically.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The girl smiled. “You’ll see.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Another person stepped into the stables from one of the other rooms. Unlike the girl, he was less appealing.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He was tall, like seriously, he was probably 8 feet tall. His raven coloured hair was pulled back, slick as if he used motor oil as hair gel. His eyes were grey and twinkling with humour.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">His skin was sunburnt brown and his hands large; he could probably crush Christopher’s head with them. In them was a cup filled with some sort of liquid.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Hello there.” He handed the glass to Christopher. “Here, this is for your wounds.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher took the glass “This is Nectar? Is it like a health potion?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He smiled. “Sort of. Try it.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher shrugged, honestly right now, if someone had given him a glass of water and said that it was the water from the fountain of youth; he would believe it.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He took a deep breath and put the cup to his lips.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">It tasted like ores, but the consistency was as if it had been blended with ice. The drink itself however was not cold, it warmed his entire body; the heat took away some of the pain.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He dropped the glass from his lips, sighing in relief.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bubbletea that was what it was. A drink back at home where they blended different things with ice to make it. Oreo twist, which was Christopher favourite kind of bubbletea.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Thanks.” Christopher handed the glass back to the older boy. He stole a glance to his arm, he saw that the bruises had disappeared.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“No problem!” The boy exclaimed. “Now I believe introductions are in order, I am Aaron, son of Hephaestus.” He introduced, he wrap an arm around the girl’s shoulders. “And this is my beloved, Cecelia; daughter of Aphrodite.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“You’re married?” Christopher raised an eyebrow.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“No, that’s the eventual outcome isn’t it?” Aaron smiled broadly, he kissed Cecelia on the cheek and headed back to the room where he came from.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Anyway, what’s your name?” Cecelia asked.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I’m Christopher. Unclaimed.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Oh.” Cecelia’s ears pricked up at the realisation. “You’re the kid that broke Jeremy’s nose.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“The one and only.” Christopher boasted.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Well then as one of Amanda’s sisters, let me apologise for my sisters actions.” Cecelia apologised. “I wish to let you know that not all child of Aphrodite are evil.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Don’t worry; you don’t have to tell me that.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“So.” Cecelia put her hands together. “What brings you to the stables?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I was just…wandering, somehow ended up here.” Christopher replied.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Ah okay. Sorry to ask this, but because of the fact that you’re unclaimed you don’t really have a schedule do you?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“No not really.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Do you have any activities that you’ve planned into your schedule?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Other than sword-fighting no.” Christopher replied.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cecelia smiled. “Then I have proposition for you, how about you take horse-riding lessons?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher turned to the closest horse near him. It gave out a sound somewhere between an irritant snort and a neigh.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“No thank you.” He said.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Aww, come they’re harmless.” Cecelia negotiated. “Mostly.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“I’m fine, don’t worry. I’ll take part in canoeing or something.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Alright, I’ll make you a deal.” Cecelia said. “You take one ride with my mare. If you don’t like it I’ll stop bugging you, but if you do I’ll teach you personally for horse riding class.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“It’s not wise to turn down a lady Christopher.” Aaron stepped back into the room. “Remember that.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher sighed. “Alright then, where is the little bugger?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cecelia smiled. “Perfect, come on.” She gestured for Christopher to follow her.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Christopher this is my mare, Arcadia.” Cecelia put her hand on the head of one of the horses. The horse itself was the colour of red-bricks, giving it a dull sort of red colour.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Hi there?” Christopher stood in front of it awkwardly.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">She opened the stall door and let Arcadia out. “Hun, help him up will you?”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aaron stepped forward and helped Christopher on the horse. Cecelia talked to her mare and then told Christopher how to instruct her to stop and go.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cecelia put her horse out to the stable entrance. “Don’t go too far okay? Especially not in the forest.”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Yeah okay.” Christopher adjusted himself on the saddle.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“All you have to do is to tell Arcadia to stop and go, she’s an intelligent horse; she’ll do the rest.” Cecelia smiled at him.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher sighed; he couldn’t believe that he was doing this.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Go off when you want to.” Cecelia ordered.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He was reluctant to push off. What if he fell? Or Arcadia decided that she didn’t really like him? <p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;border-style:none;padding:0cm;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher looked down to Cecelia; she gave him a supportive smile. He sighed on last time before pushing off. <p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The feeling was amazing. The winds in his hair, the adrenalin that was pumping through his veins even though he wasn’t the one running, the sound of Arcadia’s hooves as they bounced off the ground, the feeling of the powerful muscles of Arcadia as she whizzed past everything.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Soon enough the cabins were distances away from them and Christopher could help the laugh that came from his lips.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">He lost count on how far he went or how much time had passed but when he pulled on the reins; the camp was almost a spec in a distance.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher made Arcadia turn around, the horse let out breath and neighed.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Alright girl, everything you’ve got.” He told the horse and they pushed off.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sound of pure joy expelled from his lips as Arcadia pushed her limits and went faster than she had gone before.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">His was body was down closer to hers so they could go faster. He felt powerful, as if he was drawing in strength from Arcadia as well, sharing her strength and speed.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">They reached the stables in probably half the time that it took to get away from it.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“How was it?” Cecelia asked.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher stepped off the horse, not waiting for Aaron’s help so he slipped and fell but first when he hit the floor.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Too amazing to even stand huh?” Aaron held out his hand and Christopher took it.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“She’s a magnificent creature! I take back anything I said before.” Christopher replied, grinning; still high of the adrenalin.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“So I’m guessing that’s a yes on the horse-riding lessons?” Cecelia asked.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Yeah!”

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cecelia smiled. “Well then, come here on Wednesdays and Fridays. Now if you’ll excuse me I have a horse I have to return.” Cecelia grabbed Arcadia’s reins and led her back into the stables; Christopher had to tear his eyes away from Cecelia’s beauty.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Amazing isn’t she?” Aaron asked.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Yeah.” Christopher replied. “She’s something alright.” He honestly expected Aaron to punch him for staring at his girlfriend.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Instead the gentle giant patted him on the shoulder. “Alright Aladdin, we’ll see you around.” He started walking away. “Oh and it’s okay to stare. She’s a child of Aphrodite, it comes with the territory.” Aaron teased.

<p style="margin:12pt0cm;line-height:16.5pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">“You aren’t afraid someone’s going to take her away from you?”

<span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10.5pt;line-height:16.5pt;">“They can try, but greater men have tried and all have failed. Love is not a fragile thing Christopher.” Aaron waved goodbye before disappearing into the stables.

<p style="text-align:center;">Ebony Wings Main Page

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<span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10.5pt;line-height:16.5pt;"> For the stronger the Light; the thicker the shadows that fall.  18:10, April 20, 2014 (UTC)