As You Wish
Chapter Five
Yvette slipped her foot from her slipper and dipped her foot into the cool stream water, adjusting to the temperature before pulling off her other slipper and tossing it back to the ground, standing with both feet in the rippling water.
The Basses had closed the bakery early that day due to the festivities that would begin at sunrise and she had taken the opportunity to enjoy her time off by riding Beauty through the open fields, letting the cool breeze rush across her face and wash away the tension from the hectic day.
Bakers had been chosen to provide the baked goods for the festivities and they had all hustled through the kitchen since dawn running into one another as they scampered around placing and removing pies and other goodies from the ovens and the stress of meeting the palaces needs had taken it's toll on all of them. Lance had requested her presence in joining him and Jim as they delivered the items to the palace, but she turned him down, wanting to enjoy the first pleasant day of weather they had had in quite awhile.
Lifting the front of her dress slightly, she bent, reaching between her legs, and grabbed the hem of the back of her dress, pulling it between her legs and holding onto it tightly, avoiding from getting it wet as she stepped further into the stream, tilting her head back and closing her eyes as the sun shone down beaming across her face relaxing her.
She couldn't help but giggle as a small fish slid against the side of her foot tickling her, and carefully pulled her dress over her head, tossing it back to join her slippers, leaving her in her bloomers and corset.
"Not that I as a man do not enjoy the little show you have provided for me, but I do feel it is my duty Miss to inform you that you are not alone."
Startled by the strangely familiar voice she stumbled, falling face down into the water, and quickly got to her knees gasping and coughing through her water filled lungs for air as hands reached her waist helping to lift her to her feet and stumble back to dry land.
"I do apologize to you. I never wished to startle you so badly, but I thought you should be aware of my presence."
"It is ok. I should have checked......"
Wiping the water from her eyes, she stopped mid sentence and placed her hands on her hips as she got her first good look at the man the voice belonged to.
"OH what a joy but to meet you again!" She spoke sarcastically, reaching down for her dress and pulling it over her head to cover herself, not caring of the water that dripped from her underclothes.
"I thought this spot to be too far out to hold an audience, but it seems as though I have been proven wrong. And what does bring an onery man like yourself to such a peaceful haven?"
Joshua laughed, leaning back against the tall oak tree, and folded his arms across his chest as he watched the young maiden stumble as she attempted to put her slippers back upon her feet as she stood.
"I frequent this spot quite often when I am home from my missions. It gives me a feeling of peace and I am able to clear my mind from my long journeys. How is it that you managed to stumble upon this place so far away from civilization?"
She stumbled once more, steadying herself with the palm of her hand against the tree, and placed her slipper upon her foot standing straight to gather her long brown locks in her hands and twist it tightly into a bun, brushing away the droplets of water from her forehead.
"I brought Beauty out for a much needed ride. The fresh air felt so wonderful I ended up here and stopped for a moment to let Beauty drink so that I may take a dip."
The two stood in awkward silence, occasionally stealing a glance at one another, before averting their eyes to anything other than their companies. Yvette chanced stealing another glance at the man, and grinned as his eyes quickly looked away from hers to watch a butterfly as it fluttered from flower to flower next to the stream.
"How does one easily find peace with themselves when they hold such an evil man in high regards?"
Joshua slowly lifted his eyes to her and watched the smirk that spread across her face with an amusing interest.
"You still think the King an evil man?"
She nodded, her brow creasing in slight anger as his own grin spread across his face with the sudden knowledge that she knew not of who he was.
"I believe the man is quite noble and a fearless leader if I do say so. I have served many a mission for him, and found that his interest are but for the best of this country. Perhaps if you stepped outside your shallow little world you would but be able to see the same things as many others do."
"Shallow little world? WHO, sir, do you think you are calling shallow? You know nothing of me and have no rights to speak to a woman in such manner."
She ended, stamping her foot and puffing out her chest for good measure as she folder her arms across it.
"I can see why the king would chose someone such as you to carry on his horrendous missions for him. You are but as arrogant as he."
Joshua laughed, pushing from the tree at the sound of horses approaching and quickly looked to Yvette, speaking before his awaited guest could arrive.
"Once again I do so hate to leave our conversation in air, but I must part. I am however certain that we will meet again."
Yvette rolled her eyes and groaned as he once again brought out the frustration in her and turned her back to him, grabbing Beauty by the reigns.
"I do hope that meeting is of no moment soon."
Whistling for his horse and mounting him as soon as he arrived, Joshua slowly began to ride away and stopped, turning his horse back to her direction.
"Will you be a the festivities?"
Yvette turned to glance over her shoulder to him as she continued to stroke Beauty, and laughed a small sarcastic sound to his question.
"I do not think I will grace my presence to celebrate with one whom became king from bloodline, and not one from honor. No...I shall not be there."
Reaching into his tunic pocket he pulled out an object and trotted over to her, holding it out for her to take.
"Bring this with you to the palace tomorrow night. It will prove you are my guest. I will see to it when you arrive that you are allowed to speak with the man you despise so. Maybe he will find as much humor with you as I."
With a kick of his heels and snap of the reigns the horse turned and ran down the dirt path leaving a cloud of dust as he carried Joshua to meet his nearing guest as she glanced down eyeing the gold piece that sparkled against the sun in the palm of her hand. On one side held the crest of the royal family of the palace while the other side contained writing in symbols foreign to her, yet decoratively beauty to draw the eye in wonder.
With a sigh she shoved the piece deep into her pocket, and smiled as she turned back to her horse stroking the thick mane as she kissed the mare upon her long nose.
"He may make the eyes dance in delight, but the anger doth boil from his words. Do not worry though old girl, one day we shall meet our prince charming and our hearts will jump with glee. For now it is time we head back to our home and get us some much deserved rest."
With a shake of her head and whinny from deep within, Beauty stood still in her path allowing her master to climb upon her back and settle herself to give the call for her mare to ride.
Snapping the reigns Yvette cried out she was yanked from the back of her beast and landed hard against the dirt ground, her body bumping and bruising as she was dragged against the strewn pebbles, while dozens of voices filled her ears with laughter and mumbled talk.
Closing her eyes she tried to block out the pain her body was begining to feel and flung her arms and legs wilding, hoping to strike whomever had suddenly thrown their attack upon her, as Beauty rose her front hoofs from the ground, rearing onto her hind legs, and whinnying as loudly as she could hoping to draw attention from the attack put on her master.
Yvette opened her eyes seeing the back view of two men come into focus and cried out for her beloved horse to run as fast as she could before the two men could strike her. Sensing the fear from her owner she broke into a run and followed the dirt path a short distance before leaving the trail and running through the thick trees of the woods in hopes of someway getting help to her master.
@2004HarmonyProduction/lancesharmony
