Im new at this

CHAPTER 2

Okay....so this is it...chapter two...let me know what you think....Its still really raw.


Chapter 2

Tanik awoke as the sun began to rise; throwing its golden rays on his face. “Oh no, I have to be at the stables.” He rushed to dress for the day and his mind began to worry. “What would they say if I’m late!” He ran out into the hall; long limbs carrying him with ease. He could smell the freshly baked rolls and sizzling pork. His stomach grumbled in protest and he changed his direction. He sped to the kitchen almost colliding with Mena. “Watch where your going silly boy!” she smiled at him showing the age lines in her face. “Morning, I need the morning meal on the go. I wouldn’t want to be late.” He smiled back at her, charm oozing out of him. She pulled fresh biscuits from their basket and handed him a piece of pork. He hugged her and ran off in the direction he had come. He ate his breakfast on the way and met John at the bottom of the stairs. John didn’t seem to be angry “there ye are boy!” Next to John stood a small boy caked in dirt. “This here is…Oh whats yer name again.” The boy opened his mouth to speak showing many missing teeth “Davyd sir.” “Davyd” starting where he had left off “and he is going to show ye yer daily chores. The mister needs to see me, but I don’t want ye slaking off just cause I ain’t here to crack the whip.” The boys sounded in unison “Yes sir.” John gave them a nod and headed up the stairs.
“Hello Davyd, I’m Tanik” the boy simply nodded acknowledging Taniks introduction. Davyd headed for the first empty stall and Tanik followed. The small boy placed his dirty hand on the latch to the stall “Shovel out the dirty straw, place it behind the castle then put new straw in. Yer gonna do this fer all the stalls, de ye understand?” Tanik nodded and the boy continued. “I’m gone be washing the horses, I’ll be back to check on ye in a bit.” Tanik found it odd to be taking directions from a small boy, but followed the instructions none the less. He used a pitchfork to transfer the putrid smelling straw into the wheel barrow and out behind the castle. The closer he came to the dump spot the worse it smelled. Flies hovered thick like fog and Tanik swatted them from his face. He then filled the stall with fresh hay and continued on to the next. Hours passed and the boy returned “Are ye done yet?” Tanik almost laughed, the boy was covered in water; his skin taking on the color of mud. “I just need to throw fresh straw in this last stall.” He finished the stall with the boy standing there watching and turned to accept his next assignment. “John is in the courtyard and wants to speak with ye. When he’s done with ye, I’ll show ye how to brush the horses.” Tanik nooded and wiped the sweat from his face and at the same time smearing dirt on his forehead. His hair was damp from sweat and clung to his neck. He walked out of the vast stables into the sun and shilded his eyes from the blinding light.
He strode across the courtyard to John and two horses. John was brushing a brown mare and next to the mare stood Midnight. Tanik stepped forward and coughed. “You wanted to see me sir?” John stepped around the horse to stand before Tanik. “It seems that Lord Darren Sr. would like you to be a sparring partner fer his son every Friday. Now I don’t like the idea, but I ain’t about to argue with Lord Darren.” Tanik shifted his weight a little surprised by the news and knowing not what to say. “Now I don’t want ye to think yer gettin special treatment. I’ll be expecting ye to work twice as hard on Thursday to make up for ye being gone on Friday. If ye get yerself all bruised and beaten from sparring don’t spect me to take pity on ye.” Tanik smiled “Yes sir.” Johns face showed his displeasure with the whole situation “I’m be heading off to the blacksmith, Ye go brush up the horses and when yer done with that I want ye to oil the masters and the little miss’s. When yer done with that I want ye and that boy to wash the carriage, ye understand?” Tanik felt a bit overwhelmed by the list of tasks he had been given “Yes sir.” John climbed onto the horse and grimaced in pain. “Now hand me that there horses reigns. Then be off with ye!” Tanik handed him the reigns of Midnight and then headed back to the stables.
As he reached the stables he met Davyd at the opening. He stood holding the reigns to an old grey horse and a brush. Tanik watched as Davyd leaned over and pulled a stool towards the horse. He stepped onto it and began to brush the horse. “Do ye see how its done? Tanik stepped closer and nodded; Davyd jumped down from the stool and pulled the stool aside. “Now ye do it.” Tanik stepped closer to the horse and took the brush from Davyd’s hand. He began to brush the horse and felt the horse’s movements as it took each breath in and out. “Ye seem to have the idea. Im gonna go finish washing the heorses then I’m gonna sweep the stables.” Tanik took no note of the boys words, he was entranced by the smooth coat of the horse. He worked fervertly brushing the horses; talking to them as he worked.
Time went by quickly and it seemed as though only a moment had passed when Davyd returned “Tanik its time to eat.” “Alright, I will be right up.” Davyd ran off, but Tanik stayed behind to finish brushing the brown mare he had been working on when Davyd showed up. He finished and walked the horse to its stall. It nuzzled his hand as he locked the stool door and he smiled, patting its head. His feet kicked up clouds of dirt as he strolled over to the stairs, in no rush to leave the horses alone. The stables made him feel at home and the horses were his new friends. He made his way up the stone stairs and as he passed the curve in the stone wall he noticed a rush of gold run past the opening. His eyes widened and he quickened his pace. He reached the kitchen as Mena was handing Eira a bowl of soup. “Ah Tanik, I wondered when ye would make it up here to eat.” He took a seat on the stool across from Eira “Well I was finishing up my work.” “ Well whats john got ye doin?” She placed a bowl of soup in front of Tanik. “ Well ive just been doing chres, for now im just a glorified stableboy. I just finished brushing some of the horses, that was fun. They are such beautiful creatures.” Eira looked up from her soup, intrigued by what Tanik had said. “Ohhh, brushing the horses, that does sound enjoyable.” Davyd got up from the table and went to put his bowel in the water “John wont want a girl running around the stables, ye’ll just be getting in the way.” And then he left to the stables. Eiras face swelled up with sadness and Mena came over to console her. Tanik looked over at her “John’ll be bringing back Midnight in a bit, I don’t see how he can stop you from brushing your own horse.” Eira looked up and smiled”That’s right! She’s my horse and I want to brush her! Will you show me how Tanik?” her eyes were full of such sweet innocence how could he say no. “Sure I will, but you’ll have to wiat till I’ve finished my chores.” He smiled at her and waited for her response. “Oh I’ll wait, when should I come by the stables” “Well I don’t know exactly when I’ll finish but come by at dusk.” She smiled at him and he finished up his soup. “I better be off, I have to finish up my chores” he flashed a smile of excitement at her and ran off to the stables.

As soon as they could no longer hear his footsteps Mena laughed “That boy is sweet on ye!” Eira looked over to Mena “Oh really, then why does he pick on me?” Mena laughed again and then hugged Eira “ Believe me lass, he’s sweet on ye.” Eira blushed a crimson red and wandered off to contemplate what had just transpiered. She headed out to the garden and sat on one of the stone benches. Mena started cleaning the dirty dishes and looked out on the garden, allowing her thoughts to wander.
Eira tended to her garden, she looked up and smiled. Mena was watching her from the kitchen window. Eira tugged at the weeds, her dress moist with sweet. The afternoon sun had been beating down on her while she worked. She stood up and dusted her skirts off. The air was cooling as the sun fell lower in the sky. She moved toward a dark brown basked, lifting it up, she strolled over to a tomato plant. One arm supported the basket; the handle sat a few inches below her elbow. With her free arm she reached out to pluck a ripened tomato. Her touch was soft and loving as she placed the tomato in her basket. She collected about a dozen more and then moved onto the cabbages. She knealt, her skirt flowing out around her, and with the same grace that she had plucked the tomatoes with, she dug the cabbages out. Dirt covered her fingers and logged beneath her fingernails. She placed three cabbages in the basket and then reached a little farther to pluck carrots from the ground. As soon as she had collected a basket full of vegetables she stood and headed to the kitchen. She held the heavy basket in both hands and skipped down the rows of plants and vegetables. Mena met her at the doorsill “ Thank ye for plucking me some fresh vegetables.” Eiara smiled and passed the basket over to Mena “Your welcome, Oh look its almost dusk.” Excitement raced in her green eyes and she ran off down the hall. She lifted fabric in her hands, pulling the hem of her skirt higher off the floor, allowing her to run faster.

Tanik dipped his hand and scrubbing brush into the soapy water again. He squatted facing the dirty old black carriage. It was caked in dirt and grime. As he scrubbed away the dirt gold swirls appearead lining the bottom of the carriage. He worked his way up the side of it, uncovering more gold detail. The swirls made their way around the carriage door and down the other side. Tanik dipped his dirty hand in the soapy water again. It was freezing cold and he was damp from splashing water on his tunic. He could hear Davyd splashing water and scrubbing on the opposite side of the carriage. Heavy footsteps rang out from the stables as the sun dipped lower in the sky. “BOY” Tanik spun around and Davyd ran to his side at the sound of John’s voice. John pointed a long yellow nail and aged finer at Tanik “Not ye” Tanik nodded and returned to his work. Davyd stepped forward “Yes sir” “Its time fer ye to go home. I don’ want yer mum comin up here yellin cause you done gone home after dark.” Davyd’s face changed from exhaustion to relief “Yes Sir” he dropped his scrubbing brush into the bucked and headed for home. John coughed and turned toward Tanik “Finish up here boy, then ye can come fer the evening meal. Im headin there now.” This time Tanik only turned his head “Yes sir.” Johns loud footsteps faded into silence and Tanik picked up the speed of his work. He was tired, dirty, and hungry. Not only that but his tunic was damp from sweat and water. He made his way to the back of the carriage and continued to work fervently.

Eira made her way down the stable stairs and to the stable opening, but stopped as she reached it. Tanik stood scrubbing the carriage with his back turned toward her. She watched as his muscles contacted as he moved. She felt a twinge of excitement and turned away as she blushed. She turned back and made her presence known “Hello Tanik.” Tanik shuffled nervously and almost dropped his brush “Oh hello, Eira” He placed his brush in the bucket and turned toward her. “Can I brush Midnight now?” her face filled with excitement. “Oh well yes, just let me clean these buckets up.” Tanik hurried to dump the water out and place them in the stables with the brushed. He grabbed a dry brush and handed it to Eira “ Hold this while I get Midnight.” She turned the brush over in her hand and ran her fingers across the coarse bristles. Tanik lead Midnight to the opening of the stables and Eira stepped forward. Tanik grabbed a stool “I DON’T NEED THAT!” her eyes took on a deeper green as she protested. “Okay pipsqueak” he laughed causing his hair to fall over his sky blue eyes. Her eyes flared with anger and Tanik took note. “Im just joking!” She tured toward the horse and began to brush back and forth. The horse whinned and Tanik stepped behind her “No, Like this.” He grabbed her hand as he stood behind her and showed her how to brush the horse. Her soft porcelain hand stood out against the solid black horse. He loved the touch of her smooth skin beneath his coarse hand. His body seemed to tense and harden from her touch. Warmth washed over her body and her pulse raced with excitement.
The moment was soon broken as Tanik backed away from her. She was sad that he moved away, but did not let it show. She continued to brush Midnight as he sat on a close stool. She felt his eyes looking her up and down. At first she was embarrassed at the thought, but then she became comfortable with the idea. He sat there watching her every move and still felt the excited by the thought of his body against hers. He longed for her touch, but felt ashamed about the feeling. He stood up and stepped toward her “We should be heading up for supper.” She quickly turned “Oh yes, I’m late for the evening meal with mum and father” “I’ll put Midnight away you go eat with your family.” She hugged him briefly “Thank you” and then disappeared up the stairs.
He usered Midnight back to her stall and sat back down on the stool. He stared at the dirty cobblestone floor and allowed his mind tot think back to touching Eira’s soft skin. The thought made him feel warm a feeling he just wasn’t used to yet. Just the thought of her made him happy. Her long silky hair, her mystical green eyes offset by her stark white skin. He couldn’t wait to be near her again, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by his moaning stomach. He ascended from the stool and made his way to the kitchen and strolled in and was surprised to see the kitchen empty. He reached for a biscut in a bowl at the center of the massive dark wood table. He sat on the nearest stool and ate the cold biscut.
The door to the dining room opened, allowing light and laugheter to fill up the kitchen only for a moment. “There ye are boy! I knew you would be showing up sometime. Just let me put this away and ill fix ye a plate.” Tanik nodded and watched as Mena placed dirty dishes in a bucked of water. Her long muslin skirts rustled as she waked toward the hearth. “Miss Eira seems quite happy tonight. How did everything go in the stables?” Tanik looked up and blushed “Uh, It went well” his voiced cracked as he spoke. Mena handed him a plate of venison and smiled. Tanik smiled back and then kept his head down as he ate. “WHOA BOY DE YE STINK!” Ye can tell yer a stablehand.” Tanik sat there and took in his own appearance. His hands were dirty, his clothing was damp, he was covered in dirt, and he stunk like manure. “Oh well yes, I should wash up” Mena laughed “I don’t see why…Tomorrow ye will smell and look just as bad.” “Oh, well yes, I hadn’t thought of that.” He finished up his food and headed to his room. Exhaustion overwhelmed him and his limb felt heavy as lead. His eyes were droopy and he could barely keep them open. He laid on his palate and quickly fell fast asleep.

Days went by and Tanik saw little of Eira. He was busy working and seemed to have little time to do anything else other than eating and sleeping. His life had completely changed, but he had little time to dwell. They were busy as bees in the stable. John was trying to fast track a lot of Tanik’s apprenticeship, because he would be leaving the stables in Taniks hands when he escorted the master to Caer. This meant Tanik would be in charge of the stables for quite some time and he didn’t know if he was ready for such responsiblilty. Tanik felt a bit overwhelmed by it all.

Tanik awoke in the dark and began preparing to spend his day at the stables. He had his leg in his workpants when all of a sudden he remembered what day it was. It was Friday and today was his first day sparring with Darron. Not only did this mean he did not have to work today, but that he could sleep past dawn. He leaned back on his palate and fell fast asleep. Sun shown down on his and birds chirped. Tanik wiped his eyes and focused on his hands. He was filthy! He stunk like manure and he was a bit ashamed at his overall appearance. He had a few hours before he was expected to meet Darron to train. Tanik grabbed a clean tunic and pants. He ran off down the hall, down the stables stairs, and out into the forrest. He passed through the meadow and down the path he had met Eira on the other day. This time when he met the fork in the path he went to the right. He sped down the dirt path and found himself before a massive lake hidden in the forest. He placed his clean clothes on a moss covered rock and made his way closer to the water. He threw off his tunic, exposing his muscular physic. He dropped his pants on top of the tunic and dove in. The water was cool and refreshing. He swam a waterfall. The water cascaded down the side of a mountain and into the lake. He scrubbed away the dirt on his skin and hair. He floated lazily in the water, staring up at the clear blue sky and the canopy of trees surrounding the lake.
The sun grew higher in the sky and noon was near. Tanik reluctantly climbed out of the lake and picked up his dirty clothes. He dipped them in the water and scrubbed. He laid them on a rock nearby and then dressed in the clean clothes. He made sure not to slip on the green mossy rocks and grabbed his wet cloths and rung them out. He gave one last glance at the green-blue water and headed off to the castle. He reached the fork in the road and collided into Eira. His sopping wet clothes in caught in between them. “Watch where your going!” Eira pushed off of him and stood back. She crossed her arms and waited for an apology. “I’m sorry.” Tanik didn’t wait for a response to his apology, but ran off in the other direction. He quickened his pace as he reached the meadow and reached the castle walls. He threw his wet clothes over a bench in the garden and then rushed into the kitchen.
“Whoa. Slow down boy, Aren’t you going to eat.” Tanik skidded to a halt. “Oh well yes, I am rather hungry.” Tanik smiled and sat on the closest stool as Mena brought him a warm bowl of soup. Tanik smiled and thanked her for the food. The meat was tender and the potato’s were soft. The soup was warm and filling. He ate it quickly and then ran off through the dining room door. He passed by a massive hearth and long wooden table. Intricate paintings hung on the walls and many of the family’s most prized possessions were located in this room. He passed through the dining hall and into the entry hall then down the hall, past massive stairs to an entry with double doors. Before he opened the door he brushed his hair behind his ears and straightened his tunic, he then lifted the latch and entered the room.
He was greeted by rows of weapons; swords, bows, arrows, and daggers. Darron stood at the other end of the hall with his brother and an older man that Tanik did not know. He made his way over to the three of them and was greeted as he came closer to them. “Ah there you are! I was wondering when you would be around. Tanik I think you remember my brother and this is my instructor Thomas.” Darron shook Tanik’s hand and then Tanik shook hands with the other two men. They were each dressed in ornately colored tunics bearing the house crest on their chests and had beautifully polished swords strapped to their hips. Darron turned to his brother and they began sparring while Thomas gave Tanik an old sword and instructed him in proper stance. The entire room was filled with the sound of metal hitting metal. Thomas spent most of the afternoon training Tanik the basics and Darron spared with his brother. The sun began to fall from the sky and the men decided to call it quits. “Well Tanik I’m sure you will be ready to spar with me in no time.” Tanik nodded to Darron and laid his sword and scabbard on one of the many wooden rows. They all exited the hall to eat super; Tanik headed off down a hall and backtracked his way to the kitchen as the others made their way to the dining hall.
Dinner went smoothly and quietly, no one was in much of a mood for talking. Tomorrow was the day before the Mater and Eira left for Caer. Dinner seemed to take hours and after he was done he made his way to his quarters. John walked along with him, but neither spoke. John seemed tired and run down and Tanik was still trying to remember everything he had learned throughout the day. They both retired to their palates and fell fast asleep, knowing that the next day would be full of chaos.


Tanik rushed to the kitchen for the morning meal. It was a day before the masters departure and there was a lot to be done. He came into the kitchen and saw that Mena was in a rare mood this morning. “Oh Tanik dear. Yer a bvreath offresh aif this morning. The house is in such chaos! I can’t believe little miss is off to the big city. It seems only a day agao young Coffyn went off to a new life.” Tanik filled a plate with food and laughed as he sat down “Oh Mena, you arnt worried are you? You make this seem as though she is never coming back.” She gave him a fierce glare “Of course Im worried, she’s too young and she’s never been to the city.” “She’ll be fine, Im sure, but if you don’t stop this your going to worry yourself sick.” Inwardly he was worried as well and wondered if she ould come back a changed girl. They both fell silent and finished what they had been doing. Tanik finished his morning meal and Mena scurried about doing chores.
When Tanik left the kitchen Mena was heading off down the opposite hall. He started his morning chores as soon as he reached the stables. He fed the horses and cleaning out the stalls. He took out the horses for exersize, this was one of his favorite tasks. He loved spending time with the horses and he was building a great relationship with them. His day moved along as normal and soon it was time for the midday meal. He made him way to the kitchen, but was stopped at the stairs. “Boy!” Tanik turned to see John slowly making his way toward him “Yes sir?” “Boy I need ye to collect the misses’ and misters trunks and load em on the carriage.” John stepped past Tanik and made his way up the stairs “Now sir?” Tanik questioned as he followed. “ Ye can do it after the meal.” “Yes sir.”
The meal went along uneventfully, Mena was still worrying nonstop and the meal was eaten in silence. John left to the stables when he finished his meal. Tanik made his way down the opposite hall and up stone stairs. He had not been in this part of the castle in many years. His memory was a bit fuzzy, but he did remember whos room was whose. The hall was lit with sunlight until he turned a corner and headed down a long torch lit corridor. Soon he reached Eira’s chamber door. Without a second thought he pulled the latch and entered. The trunk sat at the far side of the room and he made his way toward it. He bent to pick it up when all of the sudden the door opened and Eira skipped in. “What are you doing in my chambers?” Tanik whipped around and blushed “I…I am here to take your trunk to the carriage.” She smiled “Oh”, she found that she liked catching him off guard. Tanik just turnd back to the worn black trunk and began to lift it. “Are you going to miss me while I’m gone?” She strolled over to him, brushing her hair away from her face. Tanik almost dropped the trunk “Well..I..yes…” and Eira giggled. He placed the massive trunk back on the floor; feeling a newfound confidence. “How about you little miss? Will you miss me?” This time Eira was caught off guard, but she tried not to show it. “Of course” she batted her eyes and giggled as she had seen other girls do before. Tanik stepped toward her “Oh really. What will you miss about me?” he smiled as she shifted uneasily. Her face began to turn pink “I don’t know! Maybe you picking on me!” He laughed and she smiled. “ Oh really” he took another step toward her and then started to tickle her like he had as a boy. “Oh no…stop…stop..” she laughed and smiled, but after a few moments it became awkward. “Well I should be off doing my chores” Tanik picked the trunk back up and headed for the door. “Oh let me help” Eira rushed to open the door to let him out. They smiled at each other and he headed down the hall. Eira closed the door and leaned against it. After a moment she floated over to the window seat, at least she felt as though she was floating. A sudden sadness fell over her as she realized she would be leaving for Caer the next day. She sat at her window seat and daydreamed about his toned physic and rough tanned skin. She found that the thoughts excited her and hormones flooded through her. She indulged them with daydreams and the thought brought butterflies to her stomach. Feeling as light as a feather she left her perch at the window and wandered her way to the garden. Her pace was slow and steady, not rushed as she normally could be found running about the castle. She passed Mena in the kitchen without a second look and headed out into the greenery. She ran her fingers across the cool green leaves, but felt nothing. Colorful birds flew across the blue palate of the sky, but she saw nothing. She only saw him and she was entranced by him. Little did she know that he was entranced by her.

posted by My life @ 3:33 PM