Leaning forward, I gently press my heel into Polo's flank, whooping with joy, "Faster Polo, faster. Yes, Ha ha!" I was sure that there was a wild grin on my face. The wind rushed to meet my dust and sped over my skin sending tingling sensations throughout my body. If I could bottle up this exhilaration and keep it all to myself, I would.
We slowed down to a trot and I brushed my hand through Polo's mane, "Are you exhausted, already? It seems you're starting to grow old." He turned his neck around and nickered as if to tell me 'You try carrying a half-crazed man and running at breakneck speed through the wilderness'.
"Oh, come on, you enjoyed it too. Besides, I've got to keep you in shape lest you be mistaken for a mere hackney." Polo tossed his head until I dismounted and stood in front of him to stroke his nose. He was one proud steed, no doubt, and rightfully so. He was sleek, his coat glimmered in the sunlight, his build muscular, and his mane a silky black. He was a courser, fast, and made for riding.
I did not know if I should be ashamed of having a horse as my only friend, but polo has proved to be of great company. He doesn't judge. I sat amidst the foliage, reveling in the sun, the crisp breath of air, and a few final moments of peace, before I enter the turbulent world, that is the capital city. It would be a new kind of excitement. Today was my first day of working at Universitas Verville alongside the great minds of the kingdom of Verville.
To say that I was disappointed would be downplaying my dispiritedness, lethargy, and contradicting fervent desire to kick something. The introductory speeches were only old men showing off, while they pointedly insulted each other. And moreover, it was just some drivel about the founding of the Universitas. it was hard to hold myself back from clicking my tongue and letting my lips twist out of displeasure.
I opened the clasp of my pack and closed it, opened it and closed it, opened it and closed, failing for umpteenth time to start unpacking. The building was beautiful at least and the stables were comfortable for Polo. Hopefully tomorrow, I will have found something more interesting. Removing my cravat, I stood looking out the window of my room overlooking a dense copse of trees. The faint light in the thicket caught my eye.
A lantern? I wondered. Perhaps I should go see whoever is there. The sun has just sunk below the horizon after all. I smiled. Some wandering always does me some good. I put on a coat over my shirt and took a lantern of my own. I hurried down the stairs to the trees. I could see my window from here and wondered if could have just climbed down the window. A trial for another day I supposed and turned to the searching for the light. Branches ushered me in, casting shadows and letting slivers of moonlight fall on my face. And what I witnessed at the center left me transfixed and unable to take my eyes off it.
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and then Add to home screen.