A Woodland Ride: Benedict and Fiona

[Benedict Liatris]

I untied the reins of her mount, then untied my own horse and swung up onto her back. "I'm sorry," I said. "Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to have my family here with me. Has your employer made you feel at home?"

[Fiona d'Anwar]

I took a moment to mount before replying. "My lady has been wonderful to me, even through the loss of Prince August, may he find peace in Terre d'Ange of beyond."

[Benedict Liatris]

"Ah, yes," I said, moving the horse so that we were next to each other, "I had heard of his passing; such a tragic loss." I frowned a moment, before turning the subject back to more pleasant topics. "That is good, it is important to be with people who are kind."

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"Yes, she is very kind and very accommodating towards my class schedule. I have been very lucky in that respect," I replied as our horses began the journey back.

[Benedict Liatris]

"Ah yes, I recall that you were studying at the Academy," I said. "I'm afraid I couldn't bear being cooped up like that, though."

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"Oh it's not too terrible. Though some days when it's warm outside, I have a hard time staying awake," I admitted with a grin.

[Benedict Liatris]

"I fear I am not a very good student," I admitted sheepishly. "My instructors used to rap my knuckles something fierce because I would rather be out than in. Eventually they figured out that being outdoors was the only way they would get me to do anything."

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"They taught you outdoors?" I asked with a surprised smile. "That was rather ingenious of them."

[Benedict Liatris]

"Sometimes," I said. "Often it was too cold, but whenever I could manage it, we went outdoors."

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"Well, I would be far too distracted in the out of doors myself," I said with a laugh.

[Benedict Liatris]

I laughed too. "It's definitely not a tactic for everyone," I said.

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"Glad it works for you though. I am a big proponent of learning," I said with a smile.

[Benedict Liatris]

"You know, I was not," I said, "but now that I am older, I can appreciate what I did learn, and how important it will be for my children to learn."

[Fiona d'Anwar]

I raised a brow. "It is unusual to here a man of your age speaking of children already," I observed.

[Benedict Liatris]

"Oh, I do not mean soon," I replied. "Only that I am my father's heir, so naturally I am expected to provide my own heir."

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"Knowing that one must do something and speaking about it freely are two different things," I said with a smile. "But it is good that you are honest with yourself."

[Benedict Liatris]

"Thank you," I said. "Perhaps it is only not frightening because it is so distant and abstract. When the time comes to choose a bride, perhaps you will see some fear in me." I grinned self-depricatingly.

[Fiona d'Anwar]

I laughed. "A fair point. I had not considered that side."

[Benedict Liatris]

I nodded. "What about you, do you ever think about those aspects of the future?"

[Fiona d'Anwar]

I thought of Milo. "Sometimes. It's not quite so distant for me as it is for you," I replied with a teasing smile.

[Benedict Liatris]

I looked to her. "Do you mean that you are being courted?" I asked.

[Fiona d'Anwar]

I smiled and nodded. "Yes, it is a very recent thing."

[Benedict Liatris]

"I am very happy for you," I said. "Who is your suitor?"

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"Milo de Vittorio. We met quite by chance at the palace one evening," I told Benedict with a smile.

[Benedict Liatris]

"He is a lucky man," I said with a smile. Ahead I could see the houses coming into view. "Vittorio...a foreigner?"

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"He is part Caerdicci," I replied, wondering at Benedict's question. So many D'Angelines wanted pure bloodlines, and I didn't know if my companion was one of them.

[Benedict Liatris]

"Ah," I said. "I see, I was just curious." I could nearly see the stable. "We must be nearly there."

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"A fair enough question," I replied with a smile. "Indeed we are. This has been quite an enjoyable ride."

[Benedict Liatris]

"I am glad you had a good time," I said. "I also have enjoyed this time immensely."

[Fiona d'Anwar]

"I'm glad that I didn't slow you down too much," I said with a teasing smile.