“Come with me. I’m going to pack a few things and then we’re going to the city.” said Luke as he began to walk towards the small farmhouse. 

“I’m sorry, said Hallie. 

“For what?”, asked Luke.

“Getting you kicked out…” she whispered.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. My brother is just not a big fan of education or learning. He is more of the manly type. He loves the farm, enjoys practicing with his sword and bow and plans to get married and have a huge family. I am the total opposite. I love learning and planned to go back to the city anyway. I was only staying with him temporarily since I’m on summer break. I was set to leave a week from now, so most of my stuff is already packed.” Luke replied nonchalantly. “Besides, it's not like he’d kick me out forever anyway. In a few months, he’ll be asking me to come visit again.”

“Yeah, but I still feel bad… “ said Hallie

“Well, don’t,” Luke says with a smile. “Come help me pack up some food. We’re going to want something to eat on the ride.” said Luke. “Hey, do you mind helping me put together a few sandwiches while I finish packing my bag?”

“I can make them on my own if you show me where the supplies are?”, Hallie offered. After all, this is the least I can do, since I got him kicked out. Besides I need something to keep myself busy while he packs

“Okay”, Luke said. The look in her eyes told him that she needed something to keep herself busy as she processed everything he just told her. Pulling out the sandwich materials, he says, “Make however many you want plus 2 or 3 for me. We’ll be on the road for 5 or 6 hours.”

Okay, Hallie thought to herself. I am making sandwiches. Just like at work. Bread, Meat, Cheese, Lettuce, Sauce and Bread. Then Repeat. She quickly finished making the sandwiches and packed them into the paper bag Luke had given her. 

Despite the fact that she had already finished the sandwiches, Luke was nowhere in sight. Avoiding the crisis she was sure to have if she contemplated the loss of her home, she decided to look around a bit as she waited for Luke to finish packing. She walked around the large room that held the kitchen, dining, and living rooms, pausing to look at the intricate carvings of animals she had never seen before and family photos littering the walls and shelves throughout the room. 

She stopped at one particular carving. It was made of a beautifully colored piece of wood and unlike most of the others, this one was painted to portray the creature in all of its glory. The creature was standing up on its hind legs. It had huge wings, easily the size of its body and was painted in the most gorgeous blues and grays that Hallie had ever seen. 

“It is one of my favorites as well. When I saw the Deoque standing there, I just knew I had to carve it. I drew a quick sketch to remember it and began working on it as soon as I got home. I worked on it for a month, because I wanted every detail to be perfect. They were my mom’s favorite animals and I gave the carving to her a few years ago.” said Luke. 

“It is absolutely gorgeous! Did you carve all of these?” asked Hallie

“Not even close. My dad carved the majority of these. And my brother made a few of his own. That is the one thing we have in common… Anyway, we better get going if we are going to make it before nightfall. Did you make all of the sandwiches?”

“Yes, they’re right here.” Hallie said as she walked over to the counter and picked up the bag. 

“Good then, follow me,” said Luke.

They walk outside toward the enormous barn behind the house. The barn was massive, easily 2 or 3 times the size of the small house. As they walk inside the smell of hay, and animals permeate their noses. To Luke it was a familiar fragrance, one that always reminded him of home, no matter where he was. For Hallie, it was new and unfamiliar and yet comfortable and homey at the same time. She suspected that she could have become accustomed to life on a farm. 

“Hey boy. How are you doing?” Luke said to his horse. “Pine here doesn’t bite… most of the time.” 

Pine was a gorgeous stallion. Although Hallie had never been this close to a horse before, she used to always enjoy looking at pictures, reading books and watching movies with them. She always saw them as elegant and sophisticated creatures and Pine seemed to be the embodiment of this. He was an amazing chocolate brown with white socks on all of his feet and a star of white in the center of his forehead. 

Hallie reached her hand out and Pine gingerly sniffed it before once again resuming his rigid posture. “Does that mean he doesn’t like me?”

“Nope, it just means he is disappointed that you didn’t offer him a snack!” Luke grinned. “There are some carrots in the bag by the door, you can feed him 2 or 3 while I groom him and get him saddled up.” 

Hallie grabbed 3 of the best carrots she could find and walked up to Pine. She offered her hand, and this time with a carrot in it. Pine bit off the end of the carrot she was holding, chewed it thoughtfully and then grabbed the rest of the carrot from her hand. She fed the others to him in much the same way and after giving him the carrots, he bent his head down to be rubbed. 

“Told you. Food is the way to this big guy’s heart any day. He’s saddled up and ready though. I’ll give you a boost. He’s kinda tall.” Luke said.

“Yeah, ummm… how exactly do I ride him? I have never ridden a horse before.” Hallie mumbled. 

“Oh. Sorry, I thought you knew how to ride. Most people in the kingdom nowadays know how to ride. Don’t worry about it, it’s really easy. I just want you to stay in the front part of the saddle and I’ll hop on behind you. I’ll be able to make sure you don’t fall off once I’m in the saddle too.” Luke said. “I promise, you’ll be fine.”