Chapter 16 Fearful Experiences
Isla Piedras.
The sun had not yet risen over Colina Alba, the hill named for the first rays of sunrise that struck it. But Floriano and Chara could see a dim glow of the sun on the horizon of the sea. The high mountains of the Pegasi were not able to block them this far south. White Stockings had an improvised leather brace around her injured leg, and the humans had used two sizes of barrels as stairs to mount her. They had made every attempt to clear the path and lighten her load for take off.
Floriano thought to her: Are you sure, my lovely Pegasus? I cannot be sure about your leg.
White Stockings: I feel your heartbeat. I know your thoughts. I do not understand why rolled dead plant pieces are so important to bipeds, but you want to fly. I will not fail my rider today. But. you will speak with her first my rider. That is my only condition.
Floriano took a deep breath: Chara, it was not your fault. I am sorry. My position as a rider is very important to me. When you receive a mount, you will understand. I sometimes speak to you harshly. I never mean it. You are a good woman and I was wrong to say what I said.
Chara sadly: Thank you. I will try to do better from now on. I will be more serious.
White Stockings: Good biped. Are you ready?
Floriano softly: Ready Chara?
She tapped his neck softly with her forehead.
Floriano checked the rope holding Chara to him as her arm would not serve her. He leaned forward pulling their bodies closer to the powerful back muscles and the rider patted the neck of his mount firmly and slowly, one, two, three.
Floriano in both his mind and voice: Yes, ready.
White Stockings began running from beside the castle and crossed the field in a curve to increase her speed. She needed as much space as she could find. She entered the stone path that had a very steep slope towards the sea. At the end, the path curved upward sharply toward the sky. The Pegasus ran at full speed over the uneven stones until the end was less than three times her length away. She leaped from the path and her front hooves landed on the stones of a small level platform, and her hind hooves landed on either side of her front legs. Her powerful body was contracted by her large muscles. White Stockings spread her wings fully in an instant and at the same time jumped with all the strength of their four legs. Her head was held in line with her neck and back.
The huge wings flapped so hard that the bipeds felt crushed by the wings when they were straight up in the air. They fell towards the surface of the sea, which was not far away. Six more flaps and the White Stockings was hurtling at full speed in the wrong direction in level flight. She turned so fast that Chara was sure her stomach had popped out and remained in the air behind them. They flew over the sea in a direct line towards the royal castle over the calm sea. She flew low to protect them from the cold autumn winds. When they crossed onto land, they flew lower than usual, only the height of a few men above the terrain. The humans were not wearing the hides of cows nor the fur of sheep as normal, and the Pegasus knew they must be very cold. Bipeds were not well equipped for flying.
Floriano in side their heads: You are magnificent.
White Stockings: Yes, I know.
Chara shouted near his ear: Do you really think I will be a rider?
Floriano shouted: Yes!
Chara with a renewed hope: Really Flori? Do you mean it?
Floriano shouted: Yes, fuckbrain!
Chara felt her heart soar: Thank you Flori!
The girl hugged him tighter. She had loved him almost from the first day they had met. He was all she wanted to be. A brave rider of a Pegasus. She felt his warm back against her and her nipples began to harden. She knew he must feel them through the thin linen shirt.
She thought with embarrassment: No! Goddess! No! There is more than an hour left until we reach the castle. I wish we had died last night! How can I look him in thet eye now?
The remaining flight was a mixture of anxiety and painful chills for the poor young woman. Her embarrassment faded as her body began to surrender to the cold.
Royal chambers.
King Aloisio was thirty-three years old. He ascended to the throne at thirteen after his legendary father had passed in his sleep. Many nobles attempted to control him as regents appointed by his royal court. He was the only son of Reynaldo the Conqueror and a beautiful and important lady from Colinas Gemelas. But he had found men who could help him against the nobles. Men who craved power were all too willing to assist. After twenty executions, the king of fifteen was recognized as a king with full authority. At twenty, he began executing his useful men as well and replacing them at a whim. The kingdom of Costa Lunas had suffered for twenty years under the control of a man with the emotional mind of a thirteen-year-old boy. Those at the bottom had suffered the most as always.
Kerstin woke up with the dawn out of habit. Her body still ached from what had happened last night. Her first experience with a man had been cruel and violent. The king lay beside her on the large bed. She sat up and looked for her dress. Her hand accidentally touched his arm. His arm was very cold. Her grandmother had died last year, and she had kissed her before her parents buried her. She knew what a cold body meant.
She thought: Der König ist tot.
She screamed at the top of her lungs.