Caballero, a dapple grey gelding, walked through the forest. The morning sun broke though the canopy of the woods making the green leaves shine and appear transparent. Aubrianna closed her eyes and inhaled the cool damp air. The breeze was light and crisp as it playfully pulls strands from the long dark braid that hung down her back. They approached the edge of the forest where it lined the edge of the property around the castle grounds. She had a good mile between her and the large stone structure.

Aubrianna kicked the gelding into gear. He leapt obediently and sprinted from the tree line. They raced across open land, hair and clothes waving behind them. The gatemen saw her coming and quickly lowered the drawl bridge. The clomping of hooves on the wooden bridge signaled to the guards someone had been okayed to enter and approached. The guards sung open the gates to the curtain wall and a blur of red and grey flew past them into the lower bailey.

Veering to the left Aubrianna slowed the horse as they reached the stables. One stable boy took the reins and the other assisted her down from the horse.

?My Lady,? one said bowing after she was securely on her feet. The other stable boy bowed as well and led the horse away.

?Good day to you. Please see to it that Caballero is bathed. I want him to shine for the celebrations. Have one of the town girls braid his mane and adorn it with flowers,? she said as she tugged off the riding gloves.

?Aye my lady,? the stable boy turned and rushed after the horse.

She smiled warmly and turned towards the main house. She walked quickly as she passed the commoners going about their work. The pinging of the blacksmith?s hammer echoed over the hum of the crowds as they bartered for better prices on bread or material. Wagon wheels creaked as they rolled through town pulling horses for sale behind them.

Aubrianna skipped up the front steps. Two guards standing out their shift opened the front doors. After she was through the resonance of them closing filled the large foyer connected to the Great Hall. The fire was still being stoked as the venison for lunch cooked over it. The house servants moved about quickly as they prepared for the festivities. Aubrianna entered the kitchen and snuck quietly up behind Gloria. She quickly reached over the woman?s shoulder and dipped her finger into the white fluff covering a pie.

?Oh!? Gloria jumped and then swatted at Aubrianna?s hand. ?You?ll be the death of me yet. Sneaking up on me like so,? she grumbled. Wiping her hands on her already raspberry stained apron she turned to Aubrianna. ?Where?ve you been? Yer fathers been asking for you.?

Aubrianna was licking off the last bit of raspberry pie from her finger. ?Just out riding,? she said and shrugged as if it was nothing. She reach for the pie again but was swatted away.