Chapter 16

Adela looked at her. Her eyes shone. For a moment, she was tempted to go and inform him herself, but the next moment she regretted it because he was very likely to recognize her.

"Yes, go, and also tell him he does not need to be there tomorrow waiting for us. We will do just fine on our own. Meanwhile, I will go find my mother to tell her that we will go for a horse-ride tomorrow."

When Agnes left, Adela ran to the window overlooking the stable. No one was out there. She stayed there watching until she saw Agnes moving to the stables. A touch of Agnes's voice reached her ears when she called Stefan. Soon Stefan made his appearance, and the heart in her chest started beating loudly. She kept looking at them while they were chatting, and after a while, she saw Stefan returning to the stable and Agnes returning home.

For a moment, Adela stared at the stable.

"If all goes well, you will become mine whether you like it or not," she whispered and walked away from the window to find her mother.

Surprisingly, she was not sitting in front of the window with Emily. "Maybe it is better that way," she thought. She was not intended to take Emily with her, and she would undoubtedly be upset if she heard Adela saying about planning to go for a walk and didn't ask her to accompany her.

She went to check if she was in her room. The door was closed. She knocked.

"Who is this?" heard her mother asking.

"It is me mother, Adela."

"Come in."

Adela entered the room. Margaret was lying down. She was not used to it at such a time, and Adela worried about her.

"Mother, are you okay?"

"Yes, my child, I am fine. Why are you asking?"

"Because you are lying down."

"Oh! For that. I felt a little tired, and I decided to lie down for a while until your father came home for lunch. What did you want to tell me?

"I wanted to inform you that tomorrow I will take two horses from the stable. I will go for a horse-ride with Agnes. Summer is coming to an end and I will not have another chance. You know that my father allows me to go riding only in summer when the weather is good."

"Hmm, okay. You can go. Too bad your sister is afraid of horses and does not know how to ride. I think she would love to come with you.

"Yes, right. I forgot about that!" thought Adela. "So there is no question to get upset if she happens to find out."

Her mother's voice took her out of her thoughts. "Be careful and don't be late, please."

"Yes, mother, don't worry."

When Adela returned to her room, she found Agnes waiting for her.

"I settled the matter with the horses. In dawn will be ready for us and he agreed not to be there."

"Very well. I also settled the issue with the mother. I got her permission and said to me not be late."

"I assume you didn't tell her that there is a possibility we will never return! Did you?" Agnes asked her seriously and was very anxious about the whole thing.

Adela at first glared at her but then smiled.

"Come on, my little Agnes," she said sweetly. "Don't worry. Everything is going to be okay."

"I do hope so."

"Will you come to wake me up tomorrow morning?"

"What else can I do? As I already said, I cannot leave you alone. So, yes I will come."

The next day, at dawn, Agnes woke up Adela as she promised her. She also brought her clean water, and Adela got up cheerfully and started washing up her face and hands.

Agnes approached her and started to speak, choosing her words very carefully.

"Last night…, ee… I thought of something very important I believe, ee… which we had completely forgotten to talk about yesterday… ee…, and I wondered if hopefully you thought the same thing."

Adela stopped the washing and signed deep down.

"For God, Agnes! Stop mincing your words clear. Just tell me what the matter is." she protested and continued washing.

"Okay then, listen. Have you thought that, if all goes well, and actually we find that witch, and she gives you what you want, you will have to pay it somehow, right?"

Adela stopped washing her face and looked at Agnes, stunned. That was something she hadn't considered at all. It had not crossed her mind.

"Oh, my God, Agnes! You have right! I hadn't think about that. Not at all. And now?"

"Me neither. It flashed in my mind last night when I lay down. What we are you going to do? What will you give her? I don't have money or anything valued." Agnes seemed upset and somewhat disappointed because she had no way to offer her help. Adela went to her and caught Agne's hand in hers.

"No, Agnes. I would never ask you for money even thought you had any. Never! But thank you, because with your words you gave me an idea!"

"Really?" Agnes looked at her in wonder mixed with surprise.

"Yes. I do have something valuable. Jewelries. I will choose two or three and I will take them with us."

"Oh, that is a great idea, Adela! I don't think she will deny such a payment. Okay then, the problem is solved. So, let me help you get dressed. We have to go."

The two horses were waiting for them all set, and Adela felt relieved Stefan was not there. He obeyed orders and didn't show up.

The two girls got near to the horses. They caressed them; it was mostly a touch of recognition, and in the end, they treated them sweet, red apples. Agnes kept the rest of the supplies she had prepared in the saddle backpack.

They rode the horses with the help of a small wooden ladder and moved out from the house's limit to the open space.

The horses were left in a run, and the sense of freedom that the two girls felt was refreshing. The wind hit them in the face and swept away their hair into a crazy twirl dance of messy hair. It would take hours to untangle it.

Riding the two beautiful, brown, purebred horses with a black tail and black mane, it was the absolute sense of freedom.

The horses were perfectly groomed, brushed to shine, and well-fed. It was apparent that Stefan did a fantastic job.

Adela urged her horse to approach Agnes. "We need to head west," she told her as she got closer.

"Yes, I remember that. So, let's go!"

They galloped across the green meadow and entered the forest. Now the horses could not run anymore.

Although the sun had already risen, the tall trees created an umbrella of shade above them, hiding it.

From time to time, a few sunbeams managed to escape from the tight shackles passing through the foliage of the trees, creating soft, pleasant lighting. A cold breeze blew, and the girls shivered. They thought they should have taken their cloaks, but now it was too late.

They were moving for some time, but there was no sign approaching their destination. The only living creature the two girls met was a few small animals, terrified to death, scattered to hide into nearby bushes.

Adela began to get frustrated, and Agnes noticed.

"Don't lose your courage and faith, Adela. We still have time. Do you want us to make a stop for a while? To eat something and let the horses rest? Here is the perfect place because of the little creek.

The horses can drink some water as well."

Adela thought for a while. She didn't want to lose their time making a stop, but she decided not to be selfish and accept Agnes's proposal.

"Okay. Let's make a stop for a while." Adela said, climbing down from her horse.

After tying their horses to low branches near the creek, the two girls sat down under a tree. Only after the first bite, Adela realize how hungry she was. Both girls ate with a great appetite and drank some water. When the horses finished their graze and drank water as well, they continued on their way. Always west.