Something else she noticed were the odd tattoos that graced King Erick’s right arm. Usually hidden by his clothes, tattoos of odd and fantastical creatures danced from his shoulder down to his forearm, designed in an old and almost tribal style. Each strike of his blade caused the tattoos to appear as if they were actually moving, and for all she knew maybe they were.

Flora didn’t want to interrupt, but she also didn’t want to fall behind schedule. Although, I suppose I had planned on the last barn taking longer, and it couldn’t hurt to watch. It is part of the horse’s training after all. Flora felt hot with guilt, doing the exact thing she told the guards not to do, but at least it was kind of her job.

Both Dante and King Erick seemed locked in on their combat, seeing nothing but each other as they continued to fight. King Erick was vicious, and more than once Dante was caught wheeling his horse away as Erick brought down his sword. Neither of them were using magic, it was a test of steel and horse riding.

There was something in Erick’s eyes that Flora couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t pure anger, frustration, or determination. It seemed like a combination of all three, and it left Flora scared and nervous. Dante looked the way she felt, only causing her to feel worse as Erick came down with another heavy blow.

“Alright, alright!” Dante threw his weapon aside and raised his hands, his grey mare pulling to a stop and panting from the effort of training. Flora noticed with some frustration that the horses had not been spared, bleeding from several cuts around their withers, shoulders, and necks. Training doesn’t really do any good if the animals get stuck in bed rest. Flora tried hard not to let frustration take over.

King Erick pulled his horse Odysseus to a halt, the horse’s sides heaving in time with Erick’s chest as the two caught their breath. Dante didn’t say anything but his quick glance towards Flora caused Erick to turn around. The hard lines of his face shifted from pent up frustration to shock and guilt. He quickly schooled his features before turning back to Dante and speaking to him quietly. Dante got off his horse and quickly took her out of the ring, using the gate on the other side of the arena. The guards caught on and quickly vacated.

Flora’s frustration quickly turned to fear as Erick turned to face her. She felt the color drain from her face as he stalked towards her, Odysseus obediently following behind as Erick gripped the reins. He stopped at the gate and stared her down, all emotion absent as if he locked them away.

“What are you doing here?” His voice was flay, and yet somehow it felt accusatory. Flora tried not to flinch under his stare, his golden horns giving him a menacing look. Flora’s heart raced, and she realized it was from more than one emotion.

“I’m scheduled for horse inspection today.” She couldn’t stop the waver in her voice, and King Erick’s expression softened ever so slightly. Flora wanted to sympathize with him, knowing the weight of everything going on around him, but remembered that he dragged his and Dante’s horses into this, and they were now both injured.

“On top of that we have Spring Inspection tomorrow! Look what you did to Odysseus! Look at yourself!” Flora couldn’t hide her anger as Odysseus hung his head low, still panting from the effort of the combat. Anger flashed in Erick’s eyes before he turned to look at his horse and he froze. It was as if he was only just now seeing the damage, and his whole pasture changed.

“I’m so sorry.” He said quietly, gently stroking the horse’s neck. He was quiet for a long moment, petting Odysseus while blood still trickled down the both of them. Turning to Flora he said “I’ll get Grace and some of the other healers for the horses. Could you please help?” His eyes were filled with guilt and pain, and it was hard for Flora to say no.

“Yes, but give me a moment.” She told him before heading back to see Condor. Not caring for the possible reprimand of leaving her king without permission, she quickly removed the tack from her horse and placed it on a nearby rack. I hadn’t planned on staying this long. She thought with a wince, hoping things would go smoothly once the healers arrived.

Deciding to leave Spot in a safe place she headed back to the arena and found Erick had left, the gate on the other side open from his departure. Flora quickly made her way over and found both King Erick and Dante in a quiet conversation, their horses stalled and happily munching on hay. Unsure of what to do and not wanting to interrupt, she hung back while the two spoke.

A couple of stable boys and farm hands bustled around, avoiding the King and Captain as they took care of the stabled horses. Flora quietly pulled one aside. “Do you know where I could find the stable master of this barn?” She quietly asked. The young boy nodded and lead her to the office located in the middle of the barn. It was much like the one in the royal stables, stuffed with shelves, books, and desks with a small hearth on the far wall.

The stable master was not present, but Flora easily found his log book and took it to read. She was scanning the pages as she headed back down the hall to the King when she heard a woman - Flora summed it was his sister Grace - loudly berating the two men for their foolishness. Looking up from her book Flora saw that it was indeed Grace, her delicate golden horns topped with two times catching the light filtering through the barn windows. Flora also noted two other healers, an older woman and a young man, both working on the horses.

“I hope that girl gives you all the trouble you deserve tomorrow!” Grace was angrily shaking her finger at King Erick, and he meekly dropped his head in his hands in response. Whirling on Dante, Grace began to rip him a new one when she noticed Flora coming from down the aisle. “And here’s the poor girl that has to put up with you two!” She exclaimed, looking up as if the gods themselves were the only ones to save her. Dante gave an embarrassed smile and wave while King Erick glumly looked up.

Flora noted that as the two men pulled on clean shirts, Dante had not even a trace of most of the cuts, save for a scar on his brow. On the other hand, while King Erick’s wounds had all been closed, they were still an angry red indicative of a fresh wound. His sister looked on in dismay, but said nothing.

“I’m fine.” Erick’s voice was rough, and Flora reconsidered being present at that moment.

“Don’t do that.” Grace shot him a withering look.

“I don’t have to, I know that look.” He shot back, which was undercut by his wincing as he pulled a jacket on. Grace only shook her head in frustration before leaving, giving Flora an apologetic glance as she passed. Erick watched her leave with an emotion that Flora couldn’t read. Then he turned to her.

Flora felt herself stiffen as he walked over to her, his movement hindered by the cuts that were still healing. He paused in front of her, and the two stood there for a moment, Erick saying nothing but seeing everything. Flora felt like prey being sized up under his gaze.

“Do you still want to go tomorrow?” Erick asked quietly enough the Flora knew he intended for a private conversation, or as private as they could get in a barn. “You can say no.” He told her, and the sincerity in his eyes made Flora believe it.

“I don’t want to. To say no, that is. I want to go.” Flora lifted her chin and did her best to hide the waver in her voice. She met his gaze with what she hoped was determination. He didn’t say anything, only looked at her. She could almost see the thoughts running through his head as emotions came and went behind his eyes. Eventually he dipped his head, and left the barn.

Flora went about the rest of her day with a cloud over her head. Her thoughts swam with emotions as she thought about everything that tomorrow entailed. She had been able to oversee all three horse barns and even go back to the castle where she had some time to herself. Well, sort of. She had gathered several notes and papers on her calling-card stand by the door, and had read through them. It mostly contained the usual reports from the various barn and stable masters, as well as a few from the farm hands who doubled as wandering veterinarians for the kingdom. By all means everything was running smoothly in her domain, so why did she still feel like a storm was on the horizon?

Flora mulled this over as she made her way to the cow barn once again. At this point, Irene probably expects me to keep doing this job. I doubt she’s still looking for someone when I keep showing up. Flora gritted her teeth and carried on, using the milking duty as a distraction from her own thoughts. Unfortunately for her, it only made things worse.

Neither of the girls seemed too keen on talking this evening, likely from the reprimanding they received by the hands - or really mouth - of Irene. For once, Flora would have liked to listen to their idle chatter.

Flora’s mind kept racing through the many thoughts and anxieties she bore for tomorrow. She found her thoughts kept trailing back to one thing, the fact that she would be completely alone with the King for two weeks. Alone. With him. Something fizzed in her stomach as her heart jumped and then raced. Her emotions began to clamor for dominance, and the whole thing left her feeling sick and dizzy.

It took a moment for Flora to realize someone was standing over her, lost in her thoughts as she was. She quickly looked up and was startled to find Irene standing over her, a look of frustrated discontent written across her face. She snorted at Flora’s shock.

“Have ya’ found someone to milk my cows yet?” Irene crossed her arms over her chest, and at the moment Flora very much did not want to say ‘no.’ She only numbly shook her head and waited for the wrath this woman was sure to unleash. Irene sighed through her nose and closed her eyes before responding.

“Then I will find someone.” She said resolutely, and Flora believed that was that so she returned to her job. “I’m not done with you girl!” Flora flinched and meekly turned back to face Irene. “I’m sure you’ve figured out how hard being a Beast Master is by now. Don’t go making it harder by messing with that boy king of ours, understand?” Irene’s tone was not one to be played with, and Flora vigorously nodded in reply, too dumbstruck to say anything. I suppose I cemented that in myself. She thought with an internal moan. Irene seemed appeased by Flora’s response, giving one tight nod before leaving. Flora sighed and continued to finish her work for the evening.

Quietly packing up to go, Flora made her way back to her rooms where she tucked herself in bed. She had missed dinner, and grabbed just a small roll of bread before retiring to her rooms. Curling up in her bed, Flora found sleep hard to reach, and before long the sun was rising and it was time for her to go to the Spring Inspection.