Post by narumei on Mar 12, 2008 3:26:55 GMT -5
“SLOW DOWN!” Nathaniel didn’t even turn when he heard the shout. The man who had screamed was climbing up out of a ditch in the side of the road, for he had fell into it in an attempt to get out of Nathaniel’s way as he sped down the road. He felt Noah losing his breath so slowed him down to a light canter. When Noah still seemed to be struggling he slowed down again to a trot. He cursed himself for being so foolish and not warming up Noah first, or using an already warmed horse. But when he was running towards the stable all he could think was that he needed to get somewhere and fast, and if speed was what he wanted, Noah was what he needed. But Noah, being a hot-blooded horse, could only run a mile or two at full canter before losing breath. Nathaniel had once pushed him to four miles but that was after a lengthy warm up and good feed.
“Blast!” he exclaimed loudly from atop his mount, causing a group of young maidens to go scurrying off in the other direction. “Damn it all.” Noah snorted and raised his head as if to complain about being pushed so hard, so early. “Sorry, old boy,” Nathaniel said, stroking Noah’s neck, “I’m in such a hurry.” Noah whinnied softly, forgiving Nathaniel immediately. Nathaniel had a habit of talking to Noah, particularly when something bothered him. He knew that Noah couldn’t understand but just talking to someone helped him a lot.
“Why, Noah? Why did I let Papa do that?” Noah turned and looked at Nathaniel sideways, as though to ask, Why are you asking me? “Damn, damn, damn!” He pounded his fist against his thighs, letting the reins go. “I shouldn’t have let him. I shouldn’t have asked her to go. She’ll die in a place like that! Learning how to be a lady, and how to sew, and cook. How horrible. She can’t even stand Math or Science. What am I going to do?” Noah swayed his head, “...why am I asking a horse?” Nathaniel asked himself. He needed to vent his frustration, to throw something or hit something. He swung himself up and over and landed on the dirt road next to Noah. Noah stopped abruptly next to Nathaniel and looked around without interest. Nathaniel grabbed the reins and pulled them over Noahs head and then he started running full pelt along the road with Noah trotting after him. He wanted to run to the end of the world, and more. To not stop until he had forgotten his problems. He stopped after a while and looked around. He was no less frustrated than before, but a lot hotter and sweatier. He wasn’t wearing the proper riding gear, just regular suede pants and a cotton shirt that wasn’t buttoned all the way up. His wasn’t wearing a helmet, but Nathaniel had never fallen off a horse in his life, even when attempting tricks so he wasn’t worried. He saw a wooden fence made of long light brown planks, horizontally set being held up by wooden poles. He walked over to one and kicked it in. He heard the satisfying crunch of the wood breaking beneath his foot. Suddenly something very hard hit him in the back of the head. He jerked with pain and clasped his head tightly. The blow was followed by yelling,
“Hey! You there! Jus’ wha’ in the Sam Hill do you think you’re doin’?” Nathaniel turned to the voice and saw an old man, beet red with rage. When the man saw Nathaniel he turned ashen and put his hands up in front of him, the international sign of peace. “Oh Lord, I’m sorry Lord Bryan, I didna see that it was you!” Nathaniel stooped down and picked up the rock that had hit him in the head.
“You’re aim, Sir, would suggest otherwise. Tell me, do you often throw rocks at people who break fences?” The man stood up tall in defiance,
“Das righ’ I do, Sir, if ‘tis my fence they be breakin’!” he said,
“I am terribly sorry about your fence, I was letting out frustration.” He said to the man
“Ah, you were ridin’ after your sister then, ay?” he said, nodding his head
“How did you know that?” Nathaniel asked.
“Well, there ain’t much up that way of interes’ to a young lad like yourself. ‘sides, most people already know ‘bout your sister.” Seeing Nathaniel’s eyes fill with rage, he added hastily, “Didna mean nothin’ by it, your lordship.” He explained with a small bow, “Jus’ been told by my Mary, who heard from Will Gate, who I think heard from you’re...what was it...’melia I think, your lordship.” Nathaniel groaned in disgust at the man’s grovelling.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Reece Whiltnem, of course, Sir, the wife’s Mary Whiltnem, son named William, for his grandpa, you understand, and-”
“Alright Sir!” Nathaniel cut in, “That will do, I only need your name. When I arrive home I’ll send out men to fix your gate, free of charge of course.”
“Oh thank you, milord. Thank you ever so much. It will make the Mrs ever so pleased.”
“How would it do that when she doesn’t even know what happened?” Nathaniel asked
“Oh, well, she’s a wife, ain’t she, Sir. She be knowin’ everythin’ all the time.” Reece Whiltnem explained. Seeing no need to speak to this man a moment longer, Nathaniel pulled himself onto Noah. “Righ’ fine horse you ‘ave there sir. Was’ ‘is name then?” He went to pat Noah on the neck but Noah pulled away roughly.
“His name is Noah.”
“Ah, righ’ strong that name is. For the bible Noah, I s’pose. Means comfort.” He said, knowingly
“How do you know that?” Nathaniel asked him.
“I’m no’ stupid! ‘Sides, my Mary, got a cousin, Simon, whose wife’s brother, Braden I think his name was...or was it Brendan...” Nathaniel rolled his eyes. “no, I’m sure it was Braden. Anyway, Braden’s son is named Noah. Our fam’ly tree has all the meanin’s wrote down on it, so we ain’t likely to forget.”
“But you’ll forget whether it was Braden or Brendan?” Nathaniel asked, smoothly.
“We gots a large fam’ly, we ‘ave! You see, ‘tall started when my great-great-”
“I’m sorry Mr Whiltnem. But I’m in a rather big rush to see my sister and you are holding me up.”
“Oh, and righ’ sorry ‘bout that I am too. So you’ll be a’sendin’ those men around later on then?”
“Yes Sir, I give you my word.” He said, lightly.
“Oooh, I gots myself the word of Bryan! William won’t believe it.” Nathaniel gave a nod of acknowledgement and continued on at a brisk pace, eager to get away from the man. Nathaniel didn’t realise that someone so uneducated would live so near to the centre of London. Nathaniel himself didn’t live too close, but on the outskirts of the outskirts of London, you could say. He shook is head at the way the man spoke. He could speak fluent French, English and most Latin, but he admittedly had trouble understanding Mr Whiltnem’s words. Strangely enough, speaking to the annoying man had calmed him down, and he was now more focused than before. Although he had calmed down however, he was still very angry with himself and, he thought, Abigail.
“How could she let them?” He resumed talking to Noah. “I mean honestly. Did you see her? No, of course you didn’t. But she was completely stoic. I’ve never seen her like that. She even got dressed properly. And,” He exclaimed, a thought running through his mind, “who is Melia? I’m sure that what he said. How would this Melia person know about Abigail?” He thought for a long time while riding slowly down the road. When realisation finally struck him, he almost fell off Noah. “Melia...he must have mean Amelia! Amelia, Abigail’s personal maid! Who else would know that had the night off last night? There was Bas and Zack and Elise. They are the only ones that would have been able to leave the grounds last night. They all knew about it of course, but Amelia has the closest name.” His eyes crackled with rage, “I’ll fire her for sure. She won’t be able to get a job in any respectable home in London after this.” Then he chuckled, “Maybe she can work with Mr Whiltnem. Oh, Noah, what am I going to do? Will I be able to get her back, do you think?” His frustration rose again inside him and his pushed Noah harder. Noah, energised after the short break burst forwards into another canter, which he kept up until Nathaniel reined him in in front of Lady Maxine’s Academy for Girls. The building was a huge brown sandstone structure, with all the likenesses of a castle. It was set on a vast property with a lake and fields. Everything about it was giant, from the grounds to the building itself. It was three stories tall but wide and long enough to house a whole village, with room to spare. The land was surrounded by a black iron gate, made up of thin poles embedded into rock. The entrance was an archway, with the words “nos of fides, discretio et notitia” carved into it.
“Nos of fides, discretio et notitia...” Nathaniel said to himself slowly. “Latin... early Latin.” He played with the words in his head, translating and finally snorted loudly. “How boring. Couldn’t they think of anything better than “we of faith, distinction and knowledge”?” He rode through the archway, looking about him the whole time. He suddenly spotted the white carriage near the main entrance to the house. He took off with Noah, racing towards it. He got there just in time to see Abigail emerge from the carriage looking decidedly put out, but curious. He saw her look around, and then notice the fence. When she saw the fence, she turned pale and her whole body seemed to lose its life, simply slumping over.
“Walk straight, Abigail,” he heard the lady next to her say. Abigail straightened and walked forwards.
“ABBY!” Nathaniel shouted. Footmen, Abigail, and Maxine turned around in surprise. When he finally reached them, he jumped off a panting Noah and walked towards Abigail. “Abby, come on. You don’t want to stay here. I know you don’t. Put up a fight, Abby! Don’t let them do this.”
“Nathaniel?” she asked, not knowing what to do.
“Abby! I’m sorry, ok? I don’t think this place would be best for you! I didn’t mean it. Come home, Abby”
“Well, I do say! You must be Nathaniel Bryan?” Lady Maxine interrupted.
“Yes, how do you do?” Panic had no effect on the manners that had been drilled into him.
“I’m quite well, thank you. And you?” She asked in return.
“Not so well. I want Abby to come back with me.”
“I’m afraid that isn’t possible. She has been paid for and she must now stay here.”
“You’re making her sound like a slave! If we paid for her, we can have her back!”
“You have no authority, it is your father who made this deal, and you must take it up with him. Meanwhile, Abigail and I are going inside to have tea and sort out paperwork. Aren’t we Abigail, dear?” Abigail didn’t get a chance to say anything before Nathaniel burst in,
“She isn’t your dear! And she isn’t Abigail! She’s Abby! And she’s OUR Abby! I’m not letting them put you in here. Abby,” He turned his head to her, “Look around you. Look at the fences; look at the security, in this place. You’ll die in here. I know you. You need to be able to go where you want and do what you want. It’s who you are. You won’t last. Please, Abby, I need you at home, Papa needs you. Please come home.” Abigail finally looked up. On her right was Lady Maxine, and behind her the Academy. On her left was Nathaniel and the black stallion, Noah. Behind him was the archway. The only pass to her freedom. One single tear rolled down her cheek.
“Nathaniel. You were right. Here is best for me. I am a burden to you, Mother and Father. I’m not Abby anymore. I’m Abigail.” Nathaniel sucked in his breath.
“No! You aren’t! You aren’t a burden, we like you for who you are. You’re Abby!”
“No, I’m not. I’m Abigail Marie Bryan. And I want you to leave.” The hurt in Nathaniel’s eyes was almost too much to bear, and she turned her head away. Nathaniel, realising that he was the one that broke her spirit, did as she asked. He climbed back onto Noah, and, without another word, rode off through the gate, disappearing behind the dust kicked up after him. Abigail watched him go, and then swiftly crumpled into a crying heap on the floor, in the dirt. That was the last time in many years that Abigail would cry.
“Blast!” he exclaimed loudly from atop his mount, causing a group of young maidens to go scurrying off in the other direction. “Damn it all.” Noah snorted and raised his head as if to complain about being pushed so hard, so early. “Sorry, old boy,” Nathaniel said, stroking Noah’s neck, “I’m in such a hurry.” Noah whinnied softly, forgiving Nathaniel immediately. Nathaniel had a habit of talking to Noah, particularly when something bothered him. He knew that Noah couldn’t understand but just talking to someone helped him a lot.
“Why, Noah? Why did I let Papa do that?” Noah turned and looked at Nathaniel sideways, as though to ask, Why are you asking me? “Damn, damn, damn!” He pounded his fist against his thighs, letting the reins go. “I shouldn’t have let him. I shouldn’t have asked her to go. She’ll die in a place like that! Learning how to be a lady, and how to sew, and cook. How horrible. She can’t even stand Math or Science. What am I going to do?” Noah swayed his head, “...why am I asking a horse?” Nathaniel asked himself. He needed to vent his frustration, to throw something or hit something. He swung himself up and over and landed on the dirt road next to Noah. Noah stopped abruptly next to Nathaniel and looked around without interest. Nathaniel grabbed the reins and pulled them over Noahs head and then he started running full pelt along the road with Noah trotting after him. He wanted to run to the end of the world, and more. To not stop until he had forgotten his problems. He stopped after a while and looked around. He was no less frustrated than before, but a lot hotter and sweatier. He wasn’t wearing the proper riding gear, just regular suede pants and a cotton shirt that wasn’t buttoned all the way up. His wasn’t wearing a helmet, but Nathaniel had never fallen off a horse in his life, even when attempting tricks so he wasn’t worried. He saw a wooden fence made of long light brown planks, horizontally set being held up by wooden poles. He walked over to one and kicked it in. He heard the satisfying crunch of the wood breaking beneath his foot. Suddenly something very hard hit him in the back of the head. He jerked with pain and clasped his head tightly. The blow was followed by yelling,
“Hey! You there! Jus’ wha’ in the Sam Hill do you think you’re doin’?” Nathaniel turned to the voice and saw an old man, beet red with rage. When the man saw Nathaniel he turned ashen and put his hands up in front of him, the international sign of peace. “Oh Lord, I’m sorry Lord Bryan, I didna see that it was you!” Nathaniel stooped down and picked up the rock that had hit him in the head.
“You’re aim, Sir, would suggest otherwise. Tell me, do you often throw rocks at people who break fences?” The man stood up tall in defiance,
“Das righ’ I do, Sir, if ‘tis my fence they be breakin’!” he said,
“I am terribly sorry about your fence, I was letting out frustration.” He said to the man
“Ah, you were ridin’ after your sister then, ay?” he said, nodding his head
“How did you know that?” Nathaniel asked.
“Well, there ain’t much up that way of interes’ to a young lad like yourself. ‘sides, most people already know ‘bout your sister.” Seeing Nathaniel’s eyes fill with rage, he added hastily, “Didna mean nothin’ by it, your lordship.” He explained with a small bow, “Jus’ been told by my Mary, who heard from Will Gate, who I think heard from you’re...what was it...’melia I think, your lordship.” Nathaniel groaned in disgust at the man’s grovelling.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Reece Whiltnem, of course, Sir, the wife’s Mary Whiltnem, son named William, for his grandpa, you understand, and-”
“Alright Sir!” Nathaniel cut in, “That will do, I only need your name. When I arrive home I’ll send out men to fix your gate, free of charge of course.”
“Oh thank you, milord. Thank you ever so much. It will make the Mrs ever so pleased.”
“How would it do that when she doesn’t even know what happened?” Nathaniel asked
“Oh, well, she’s a wife, ain’t she, Sir. She be knowin’ everythin’ all the time.” Reece Whiltnem explained. Seeing no need to speak to this man a moment longer, Nathaniel pulled himself onto Noah. “Righ’ fine horse you ‘ave there sir. Was’ ‘is name then?” He went to pat Noah on the neck but Noah pulled away roughly.
“His name is Noah.”
“Ah, righ’ strong that name is. For the bible Noah, I s’pose. Means comfort.” He said, knowingly
“How do you know that?” Nathaniel asked him.
“I’m no’ stupid! ‘Sides, my Mary, got a cousin, Simon, whose wife’s brother, Braden I think his name was...or was it Brendan...” Nathaniel rolled his eyes. “no, I’m sure it was Braden. Anyway, Braden’s son is named Noah. Our fam’ly tree has all the meanin’s wrote down on it, so we ain’t likely to forget.”
“But you’ll forget whether it was Braden or Brendan?” Nathaniel asked, smoothly.
“We gots a large fam’ly, we ‘ave! You see, ‘tall started when my great-great-”
“I’m sorry Mr Whiltnem. But I’m in a rather big rush to see my sister and you are holding me up.”
“Oh, and righ’ sorry ‘bout that I am too. So you’ll be a’sendin’ those men around later on then?”
“Yes Sir, I give you my word.” He said, lightly.
“Oooh, I gots myself the word of Bryan! William won’t believe it.” Nathaniel gave a nod of acknowledgement and continued on at a brisk pace, eager to get away from the man. Nathaniel didn’t realise that someone so uneducated would live so near to the centre of London. Nathaniel himself didn’t live too close, but on the outskirts of the outskirts of London, you could say. He shook is head at the way the man spoke. He could speak fluent French, English and most Latin, but he admittedly had trouble understanding Mr Whiltnem’s words. Strangely enough, speaking to the annoying man had calmed him down, and he was now more focused than before. Although he had calmed down however, he was still very angry with himself and, he thought, Abigail.
“How could she let them?” He resumed talking to Noah. “I mean honestly. Did you see her? No, of course you didn’t. But she was completely stoic. I’ve never seen her like that. She even got dressed properly. And,” He exclaimed, a thought running through his mind, “who is Melia? I’m sure that what he said. How would this Melia person know about Abigail?” He thought for a long time while riding slowly down the road. When realisation finally struck him, he almost fell off Noah. “Melia...he must have mean Amelia! Amelia, Abigail’s personal maid! Who else would know that had the night off last night? There was Bas and Zack and Elise. They are the only ones that would have been able to leave the grounds last night. They all knew about it of course, but Amelia has the closest name.” His eyes crackled with rage, “I’ll fire her for sure. She won’t be able to get a job in any respectable home in London after this.” Then he chuckled, “Maybe she can work with Mr Whiltnem. Oh, Noah, what am I going to do? Will I be able to get her back, do you think?” His frustration rose again inside him and his pushed Noah harder. Noah, energised after the short break burst forwards into another canter, which he kept up until Nathaniel reined him in in front of Lady Maxine’s Academy for Girls. The building was a huge brown sandstone structure, with all the likenesses of a castle. It was set on a vast property with a lake and fields. Everything about it was giant, from the grounds to the building itself. It was three stories tall but wide and long enough to house a whole village, with room to spare. The land was surrounded by a black iron gate, made up of thin poles embedded into rock. The entrance was an archway, with the words “nos of fides, discretio et notitia” carved into it.
“Nos of fides, discretio et notitia...” Nathaniel said to himself slowly. “Latin... early Latin.” He played with the words in his head, translating and finally snorted loudly. “How boring. Couldn’t they think of anything better than “we of faith, distinction and knowledge”?” He rode through the archway, looking about him the whole time. He suddenly spotted the white carriage near the main entrance to the house. He took off with Noah, racing towards it. He got there just in time to see Abigail emerge from the carriage looking decidedly put out, but curious. He saw her look around, and then notice the fence. When she saw the fence, she turned pale and her whole body seemed to lose its life, simply slumping over.
“Walk straight, Abigail,” he heard the lady next to her say. Abigail straightened and walked forwards.
“ABBY!” Nathaniel shouted. Footmen, Abigail, and Maxine turned around in surprise. When he finally reached them, he jumped off a panting Noah and walked towards Abigail. “Abby, come on. You don’t want to stay here. I know you don’t. Put up a fight, Abby! Don’t let them do this.”
“Nathaniel?” she asked, not knowing what to do.
“Abby! I’m sorry, ok? I don’t think this place would be best for you! I didn’t mean it. Come home, Abby”
“Well, I do say! You must be Nathaniel Bryan?” Lady Maxine interrupted.
“Yes, how do you do?” Panic had no effect on the manners that had been drilled into him.
“I’m quite well, thank you. And you?” She asked in return.
“Not so well. I want Abby to come back with me.”
“I’m afraid that isn’t possible. She has been paid for and she must now stay here.”
“You’re making her sound like a slave! If we paid for her, we can have her back!”
“You have no authority, it is your father who made this deal, and you must take it up with him. Meanwhile, Abigail and I are going inside to have tea and sort out paperwork. Aren’t we Abigail, dear?” Abigail didn’t get a chance to say anything before Nathaniel burst in,
“She isn’t your dear! And she isn’t Abigail! She’s Abby! And she’s OUR Abby! I’m not letting them put you in here. Abby,” He turned his head to her, “Look around you. Look at the fences; look at the security, in this place. You’ll die in here. I know you. You need to be able to go where you want and do what you want. It’s who you are. You won’t last. Please, Abby, I need you at home, Papa needs you. Please come home.” Abigail finally looked up. On her right was Lady Maxine, and behind her the Academy. On her left was Nathaniel and the black stallion, Noah. Behind him was the archway. The only pass to her freedom. One single tear rolled down her cheek.
“Nathaniel. You were right. Here is best for me. I am a burden to you, Mother and Father. I’m not Abby anymore. I’m Abigail.” Nathaniel sucked in his breath.
“No! You aren’t! You aren’t a burden, we like you for who you are. You’re Abby!”
“No, I’m not. I’m Abigail Marie Bryan. And I want you to leave.” The hurt in Nathaniel’s eyes was almost too much to bear, and she turned her head away. Nathaniel, realising that he was the one that broke her spirit, did as she asked. He climbed back onto Noah, and, without another word, rode off through the gate, disappearing behind the dust kicked up after him. Abigail watched him go, and then swiftly crumpled into a crying heap on the floor, in the dirt. That was the last time in many years that Abigail would cry.