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The sun's rays reached the little boy in dirtied clothes, clutching the piece of day-old bread between his thin fingers.
It was more heated today than the regular days he'd spend scavenging for food or a temporary place to stay.
Today, he spent the day thieving from the baker, and now he's knees tucked into his chest as he chomped on the crumbly bread.
His posture straightened as he heard horses in the distance, it wasn't common to get visitors in this area. The knights and riders huddled around something important, or rather someone.
His eyes settled on the curly redhead with a dress as dark as the midnight skies. The dark horse with white fur around its hooves stepped through the dirt path. The woman rode with her head high, except when she turned to look into his misfortunate eyes.
She ordered for her men to stop as she smirked in his direction before gently removing herself from her horse.
The boy gulped nervously, she looked like she belonged to riches beyond his poor imagination.
She approached him slowly to make sure her dress remained unstained.
Her figure loomed over him as he worriedly fidgeted worried if his staring had set off her temper. Oh, how he hoped to get through the day, his regular routine was nothing to brag about but he was content.
"Boy, what are you doing?" The simple question cleared his fussy thoughts.
"Excuse me?"
"I asked what are you doing along the road all by your lonesome," she tilted her head crossing her arms.
"I am eating this bread that's all... This is all I have," his head drooped down.
"Have you any family boy?"
"No ma'am, it's just me."
She stepped a bit closer before crouching to meet him at eye level, "I'm in a particularly good mood this afternoon, and seeing as you have no reason to refuse, I'm going to make you an offer boy. Why don't you come with me and serve me? In return, I give you riches and all the food are poor stomach desires?" She poked his skinny belly as his eyes widened.
"But why me?" The words curiously left his mouth.
"As I said, I'm in a good mood," she shrugged before standing on her feet and extending her hand, "Now if you choose to accept, take my hand we're a bit off schedule."
His eyes flickered between the town he spent his life scavenging in and the seemingly generous lady before him.
His bread was forgotten and tossed as he grasped onto her hand. She smiled widely leading him back to her steed. She helps him steady on the black beauty before balancing herself.
"Now what is your name boy?"
"The name is George ma'am."
The man shudders from the layer of snow cuddling him from atop. His head pounds loudly as he sits upright looking at the darkening skies.
The memories of his failed capture come flooding back as he grits his teeth.
How could he fail?
How could he disappoint her?
He knows her temper and knows she wouldn't understand nor forgive his mistake so easily.
His fist pounds the snowy ground beneath him.
He forgot one thing; what of his horse?
His whistles fill the forest but not a single answer, so he tries calling out for the horse. It may have run away in fright or because of the weather, but no matter the reason his dear horse is now gone.
That animal was a precious gift from his master.
The night can't possibly reach a new low. This by far ranks as one of the most regrettable days of his life.
But her judgment can mean death for him, he had failed once. What's to stop her from beheading him or torturing him?
His body receives shivers from the fear alone, the icy winds are just a finishing touch.
George stands as he hugs himself pleading for his horse's return once more.
Alas, his pleas aren't answered as he begins trudging back to the castle.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
