The Tower
The horse galloped through the soft dirt across the open plain. The rider looks back, no sign of anyone behind her. She whipped the rains right and left, kicked her heels into the side of the horse. She felt the push and strength of the stallion between her legs.
She didn’t give the horse a chance to give itself a slow halt. She threw her leg over, carrying the weight of her gown and quickly rushed into the stone tower. She threw open the door and rushed up the spiral staircase holding the wax sealed envelope hard in her grasp.
At the last step, before she opened the door, she straightened her long auburn hair and gown to try and look somewhat presentable. She felt her cheeks flush, she wouldn’t be able help that. She knocked three times, paused and knocked two more times.
“Enter.” She heard her aunt say.
She entered through the heavy door and locked it behind her. She saw her beautiful aunt standing by the window and staring out onto the open green fields as far as the eye could see. She curtsied and rushed over to hold out the wax sealed letter.
“I’m sorry. Henry has chosen to fight. She has not left his side.”
The sadden, disappointed expression made her heart melt for her aunt. The whole fight and waiting within the year was a waste. Her aunt took the letter gently, broken the seal and read the few sentences on the page. She sighed and closed her eyes. The pain in her heart ached into her throat. She swallowed the pit that formed to hold back the tears.
“She knows we need her for tonight. Then we shall go to her.” She picked up her skirts and walked passed her niece that was shocked.
“We are at war, we cannot go where the battle is. The men would hang us if they saw what we do.” Her voice cracked with the nervousness of her aunt’s new plan. “Please, auntie, you can’t possibly believe—“
Her aunt spun around with clenched teeth. “We have no other choice!” Fear bled through her eyes. She marched to the door and down the spiral stair case.
