Chapter 32: Ox Head

With the feeling of concern for the horse's well being, I protested the idea of letting me ride with Slaido.

The two of us were much more heavy than the girls. And there was no way that there was a horse that would be able to carry the both of us.

Slaido smiled at me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, telling me that there was nothing to worry about. I would ride with him, no discussion.

I sighed and followed along without saying a word.

After we entered the stable, I understood why Slaido was not worried about the weight distribution. In front of us were two horses.

The smaller, but still very big, horse that was saddled up for the girls was a dark brown gelding who was called May Sun.

The other horse, however, was without a doubt the biggest horse that I had ever seen.

It was a huge black steed with bright brown eyes and feet that would put an elephant to shame. Although intimidating at first glance due to it's size, it appeared to be very docile.

Slaido told me that the steed was called Ox Head, and that it was Camouflage's battlemount.

It was the horse that carried the both of them from the Medical Corps HQ to the Southern Docks of the Empty Quarter.

I had no idea how far that was, but it must have been a longer ride than the climb up the Spiral Road.

I reached out with my hand, and stroked the massive steed's neck.

He breathed through his nose in acceptance and I gave the steed a hug. I was barely able to wrap my arms around his thick neck. So I scratched his cheeks which the horse seemed to enjoy a lot.

Slaido smiled and helped me to mount the huge creature. Valaea and Dya had mounted May Sun already. And rode out of the entrance into the darkness.

It was astounding how quickly the sun set over here. It was also a lot colder and it would get even colder when we reached the top of the mountain.

With a fluid motion Slaido wrapped the both of us in a thick black cloak, which enveloped me almost completely. I looked down, and saw that we were almost invisible now.

The giant horse started to walk slowly and Slaido asked me not to talk to much. There could be someone, or something, searching for us.

The guards had informed him that there had been a sighting of a figure in the vicinity. I was not in the mood to talk anyway, so I held my peace.

The combination of the slow rocking of the horse and the alcohol in my blood made me feel drowsy.

I was dozing off slowly, figuring out in my head if it was wine before beer, or beer before wine that was the wrong combination.

I was sound asleep before I came to the conclusion.

Before disappearing into the world of dreams I heard Slaido chuckle and he pulled me closer against his chest, making sure that I would stay put.

When I openened my eyes I was no longer on a horse. I was lying in a small bed in a small room. The room smelled of old wood and hay.

The mattress I was lying upon was comfortable, although a bit harder than the one in the Guest's Bedroom.

I did not mind that, though. It was not in my interest to get used to the luxuries of the Castle.

The blanket I was lying under was very thick, and I ran my hands along my body. To my embarrasment I felt that I was wearing underwear again.

I sighed audibly and rolled on my side; my private parts are not really a private thing anymore anyway. I tried to make a list of people who have not seen my genitals yet.

It was a very short list, only Camouflage and Val at this point.

I closed my eyes in order to get back to sleep. Everyone else must be sleeping as well. My attempt at sleeping was disturbed by a soft knocking on my door.

''Heiro, can I come in?''

It was Dya.

I whispered that she could come in. She entered and I gazed upon her majestic form.

She still had her hair in braids, and she was wearing a short night gown. She looked sleepy and walked over to the bed.

I invited her into my bed and she crawled against me. My hands started to trail her side and she kissed me on the lips.

She whispered that Slaido and Valaea were being noisy in the other bedroom. I asked her if they were being intimate.

Dya giggled and told me that she really hopes that they are.

Her brazenness made me blush and I could feel that she was very warm. Her hand found my underwear and she trailed my buttocks gently.

''You were almost comatose when we arrived here, hihi.

Slaido carried you to the bed, I brushed your teeth. When Valaea found out that you were not wearing underwear, she was hard pressed not to scream out loud.

It is funny how a woman who has seen so many naked men can still be such a prude, hihi.''

The Princess hugged against me, and I moved my hand under her skirt; she was wearing underwear as well.

I was not in the mood to get too intimate. And Dya noticed that there was something bugging me. I pulled her closer against me and asked her why she pretended to be someone else this morning.

Dya groaned softly, knowing that this question was going to be asked at some point. She was very sincere in her response:

''I wanted to know how you would respond to me had I not been a Princess, but a simple servant girl.''

Her insecurity was making my heart melt. I kissed her deeply and looked into her big, beautiful eyes.

''Had you been a pauper lying in the gutter, I would have fallen for you anyway.''

This made her smile and she started to kiss me intensely. The bed appeared to be very squeeky, which made me laugh.

Dya assured me that my bedroom was not attached to the main bedroom. So Slaido and Valaea could not hear us, provided that we were not too active.

Knowing full well of what kind of activity she was talking about, I used the subject to ask why Val was making such a fuss about the two of us making love.

Dya stopped kissing me and told me what I needed to hear.