Chapter 1

Innocence

Even innocence can be tainted

By The Twins

A novel

   Watery gray sunlight slipped across the land as the sun rose, painting the sky a mix of fiery colors. Spring was coming to an end at last. A mild wind carried the scent of summer rain past Rose as she rode her blood bay stallion along the dirt road. Taking a deep breath she smiled.

   "Hey, I think I can see the stables!" Rose exclaimed as she stood up in the stirrups.

The bay snorted in response, his ears pricked towards the familiar sounds. Before his rider could nudge him on he broke out in an easy gallop.

   A young rabbit who was tentatively considering crossing the open ground had to scramble to avoid the flashing hooves. The stallion snorted irritably at the fleeing rabbit making Rose laugh as she sat up. Stretching out her arms she imagined herself flying over the road towards the stable and tavern that were situated on the edge of Way-water .

   Barking madly, a trio of dogs ran out to greet them, running along at a safe distance. As Rose slowed a woman walked out of the stable. The dogs retreated as she whistled sharply.

   "Well well well, what do we have here? What can I do for ya stranger?" She asked using the same tone that she would towards a real stranger.

"Good to see you too, Vickie." Rose laughed as she dismounted. The older woman smiled warmly, wrapping the younger girl in an embrace.

"How have you and Gideon been?" She asked releasing her grip.

"We've been doing good, few scrapes and bruises here and there, but that's what makes things fun." Rose reached over and scratched Gideon's head lovingly. His star peaked out shyly from beneath his bangs.    

"How are things here on the farm?"

"Oh we're always good!" Vickie waved her hand dismissively, "And, we'll be getting a new mule, his name is Charlie."

"Cool, when are you getting him?"

"When someone can find the time to help me move him over." Rose looked at the older woman in concern.

"Something going on in town?"

"Nothing that we ha--"

"Wolves," a new voice cut across Vickie who glared at the new comer, "Winter was hard in the mountains. Now their all coming down here to grab a tasty meal."

Rose turned around slowly, already knowing who had joined them.

   "Your point is what? You have no right to kill them. We’re the ones who move into their territory not the other way around, " Rose snapped, " ,and the last time I checked I was not talking to you."

"Rose, " Vickie said, "don't be so rude."

"Sorry Vickie, "Rose said apologetically, "but it has slipped my mind about how much I owe you for a day in the stable?"

"Seventy-five pence," the knight butted in again.

"Here, "Rose rolled her violet eyes and handed Vickie the money, "See ya in a few."

"Alright bye then, " Vickie smiled and waved good bye to Rose. Grabbing Gideon she chided a couple of slacking stable boys as she passed.

Adjusting her tube top and vest, Rose walked out of the stable onto the cobblestone road that led into town. Buildings closely hugged the street, forming a wall of stone and wood. People passed her by, busy with their own personal business, while housewives shook out rugs and mattresses from the high windows. Coming to a intersection she stopped and waited for an opening. There was a brief pause in the traffic. Rose was not the only one who took advantage of the chance. A young couple pushed past her into the path of an on coming carriage.

“Get out of the way!” The carriage driver shouted angrily, not even trying to slowdown.

The Clydesdale however had no intention of getting its hooves dirty with a pedestrians innards and promptly swerved around the girl. Splashing through a puddle of water as it passed.

“Wonderful.” Rose muttered dryly wringing the dirty water from her hair. “Watch where you’re going next time ya damn lunatic!”

People laughed at the spectacle as if it had been staged for their entertainment. Those who hadn’t seen what just happened looked a bit confused if they cared to know. Way-water was a small enough town that the town’s people didn’t have much of a problem talking to those they met on the streets. Word of certain things could also spread rather quickly through the windows. Especially on Sunday, when most of the housewives were stuck inside doing their weekly cleaning.

“Rose! Wait up!” A breathless voice called out over the crowd. Turning around the red head caught a glimpse of brown hair before she was tackled to the ground.

“Get off me! I can’t breathe,” Rose gasped.

“Aw, but I haven’t seen you in like months.” Black Fever pouted cuddling into her friend’s chest. “I missed these cushy pillows so much, too.”

“I can tell. Now will you please get off me?” Rose giggled.

The Nokia giggled too but rolled off and sprang up to her feet. Leaning down she offered a delicately gloved hand and hoisted the other girl to her feet.

“So where did you disappear to for so long?” Black Fever asked.

“I have a house,” She answered slowly, “I have to take care of it seeing as I don’t have any one to do it for me. Unless of course, you want to help me out?”

Black Fever’s eyes went wide, “No! My hands are full as it is. Father expects me to take his place when he steps down. I wish I could help though maybe I could loan you a maid?”

Rose laughed full heartedly, “Sure, the day I unwillingly leave that house I will.”

“Hm, maybe if we got you a good man you would finally change your mind. Its not good for your health to be running around getting into so many fights and then trying to keep with a house that size all at once.” The nokia chided. “Are you even listening to me?”

Rose’s gaze had drifted away to a place where only her mind would follow.

“Oh I see, your thinking about that cute knight that you’re always hanging around with!”

“Hell no!” Rose grumbled, “What the hell are you thinking?”

“Oh so you were!” Black Fever giggled with delight. “You have to admit, he has the attitude of a stuck up a*s but he is rather cute.”

“He is so full of himself. He thinks he can get anyone he wants just because of his status,” Rose ranted.

“That’s pretty much because he can, sweetie. The ladies in this small town don’t have much for choices so when they see a guy like him it doesn’t matter what his personality is like. They will simply swoon and beg for his attention. And his status doesn’t hurt in the least in their eyes.”

A silence fell over the two girls as they walked towards the market.

“Looks like the market is going to be busy today.” Black Fever murmured, breaking the awkward silence between them.

Rose nodded slowly. “Why are you in town today?” She asked realizing that her friend probably had more important things to be taking care of.

“Oh, I was just running a few errands for my father. He doesn’t like leaving the forest very much anymore. He feels something ominous on the wind!” She laughed lightly, “He’s becoming senile so he feels a lot of things on the wind.”

“Humor him for a moment and say that something was going to happen. What do you think would happen?”

“Well . . . humans would come forth from the shadows and rape our villages and pillage our women!”

Rose stopped and looked at the Nokia for a moment, trying to figure out if she was being serious. Black Fever’s expression was dead serious with an underlying hint of mischief. Rose burst out in unabashed laughter causing many people to stare as they passed by. Black Fever joined in, falling against the other girl as she doubled over.

Together they fell into an ungainly heap of laughing bodies. Only when the sharp pains of taxed stomach muscles threatened to split their sides did they finally pause to take a breath.

~~~