Kaija: Queen of Stone

5

By the time we cleaned the other rooms, the sun was amid the sky, beaming onto our backs from the windows. Each room was darker than the last. There was one room near Baria's that we did not touch. Qia did not say a word as we passed it but I noticed her body tensed when we had.

Qia squealed, giddy. "We get to go to the stables now that the dirty work is done." I thought that the stables would bring more dirty work.

"What is at the stables?" I asked.

"Rohell."

"Rohell?"

She nodded. "She is a mare," she explained. I raised a brow. "A horse."

In the depths of my mind, I remembered what a horse was. A noble creature with black eyes and a long snout. I remembered they were tall and muscular.

We walked out of the castle and toward the stables. The breeze was chilly yet the air felt heavy. Being outside again was relieving. I missed the sun.

It was odd to see the stony pathway once but we did not take it. Instead, we diverged to the right, walking a dirt path. In the distance was a small looming cottage. "What is that?"

She looked at where I was, pointing. "Oh that is where Jonga and Hona live."

"They don't live in the castle?"

"Baria permits servants to live in their quarters in the cellar," she explained. "Warriors such as Hona and Jonga are permitted to live in the barracks."

"How many warriors fall under Baria?"

"Just Hona and Jonga," she answered. "I never knew why but she seemed to favor them more."

I wondered why too. I stared at the cottage.

"Is that the barracks?"

"No," she stated. "Baria treats Hona and Jonga differently. She wanted the two of them closer to her so she had a cottage built."

Coming around the bend of the dirt pathway, I saw the stables. It was white like the ceilings in the castle. An overhanging awning sheltered the horses within. Stones lined a new path, inviting us in. We entered under the archway, hearing the brays of the creatures. I smiled, noticing a brown horse in front of me. Behind me, Qia situated Tiroa on a bench then joined my side.

"Aren't they majestic?" she bidded.

I nodded. "They are interesting creatures."

She made her way to the left, passing an array of horses. "Rohell," she called out.

Near the end of the stables stood a tall, black horse with a scar on her lip. She brayed, stomping her foot as Qia approached. Qia held out her hands as Rohell shot her head into her arms. Qia laughed, petting her nose.

"Isn't she beautiful?" she asked, looking between us.

I smiled, keeping my distance.

"Well come on," she encouraged. "Rohell won't hurt you."

I stepped forward, noticing she was watching me. Her black eyes never left mine as I stood beside Qia. I expected her to act out, but nothing happened.

Qia leaned over, grabbing a brush from atop a stool. She began to brush her string-like mane.

"How long have you had her?"

Qia blinked, her face shifting in sadness. "She isn't mine," she revealed. "Rohell belongs to Baria." There was an aura of sadness circling around her.

"I'm sorry."

She sighed, shoulders slumping. "I visit her as much as I am able and love her as much as I am allowed."