I must really be a deity, a demigod, someone with unexplainable super natural powers. But I still can’t remember anything about my life. I knew that I have powers but I couldn’t control the lightning that comes from somewhere within my core. I couldn’t control it the night of the horrible thunder storm, or last night in front of the Apolluon vampires. I didn’t know how to make it start, or how to make it stop. It just seemed to happen when I felt threatened.
Revealing what happened to Evan, Bethany, and Nikolas would mean having to admit that I had snuck out last night. They were way too protective of me, and would flip out. Worst of all I would never be able to slip them again, and sneak away to meet Gerald. Meeting Gerald was very important to me.
Although he was a mortal – wow – now I was classifying people as mortals and immortals. I guess I really accepted what was happening to me. Anyway, since Gerald was a mortal and knew nothing of my true existence of being an empress and all, I still believed that our connection may help jog my memory a bit, I hoped. I just had a feeling. I allowed myself to hope even if Thaddeus sees hoping as a weakness. He was clearly a strange man, and a powerless one.
I didn’t know how long I was in the bathroom, but once I returned to my room, Sun Paw already had my riding clothes laid out across the freshly made bed. After I was dressed, Sun Paw informed me that breakfast would be served momentarily. I had to act quickly. I didn't bother putting on a hat or gloves, and never gave a thought to my parasol. Those accessories would only provoke questions. I quietly walked down the never ending stair case, praying that I wouldn't trip on the hem of my dress or run into anyone. When I finally got to the door, the house cat, a Siamese named Argos, popped out from nowhere, and nearly scared me half to death. He stood firmly in front of the door meowing at maximum volume. It was as if the stealthy feline was deliberately trying to prevent me from leaving.
“Shoo Argos, shoo” I hissed in a whisper, waving Argos away. Argos slowly walked up to me, purred around the hem of my dress, and bolted up the stairs. Anxious and not breathing, I wrapped my hand around the large door knob, and slowly opened the front door. I heard footsteps approaching the top of the staircase along with some more meowing from Argos, and almost slammed the door shut. Argos had sold me out, rotten, spoiled cat.
It was a do or die moment. With one quick movement I slipped out. I hope that I did so unnoticed. I quietly pulled the door behind me, not allowing it to close completely so that I could slip back in. The air was thick and opaque making the four mansions on the street barely visible. I lifted the latch of the gates once I surveyed the block. I couldn’t make out a soul through the early morning fog. It was still quite early therefore, the street was vacant. I forced the heavy gates open, and eased through the narrow opening, sprinting as fast as I could in the direction of the Bergnum Estate.
My dress was twisting around my ankles along with a whirlpool of dirt, so I cinched the fabric at my hips, which raised the hem a bit. By doing that, it enabled me to widen my stride. I also didn’t want to return with the evidence of dirt on my skirt. I slowed down as I approached the Bergnum’s mansion, and turned around to make sure that I hadn't been seen, or followed. I could see the balconies of the Capius Estate from where I stood. I saw no one. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Once inside the Bergnum’s gates, I pulled out the little envelope with my note enclosed from the cuff of my sleeve, and knocked on the door using the large lion's head shaped knocker. Within a few seconds, a tall, watery eyed, middleaged man answered the door. The wiry man seemed to recognize me immediately although his foul expression led me to believe that he wasn’t pleased by my presence.
“Good day Miss Tieron.” He said in a raspy even tone.
“Yes, uh... good morning sir.” I said nervously. I had forgotten that Tieron was my real last name. My hand was shaking and I couldn't will it to stop.
The teary eyed man in the tuxedo and tails continued to stare at me as if he was preparing to slam the door in my face. “If you are here to see Master Gerald, he is out for his morning ride, and won't be returning for another hour.” He stated quite matteroffact.
“No... I uh don’t wish to see Gerald, uh...,” I stammered. “Could you make sure that he gets this?” I mumbled, thrusting the note at the butler.
He snatched it, and asked if that would be all. I immediately said yes and fled. I halfwalked and halfjogged all the way back to the house. Fortunately, I didn't run into anyone. If I had, I would simply have lied about my whereabouts. I would’ve said that I went for a quick walk to clear my head. I stopped running as I got close to the Capius house, so that I could slow down my breathing. If I appeared out of breath, then my morning walk excuse wouldn't float.
My jaw dropped as the realization of something that I hadn’t considered before was staring me in the face. I had purposely left the gates open about an inch or two so that I could slip back in. Someone must have noticed that it had been left opened, and closed them. I tried to raise the heavy latch but it wouldn’t budge. The gates rattled loudly but the latch felt like it was bolted down, and couldn’t be lifted from the outside. You would need to be on the inside in order to slide it all the way up.
Don’t panic, I thought to myself.
I looked around, and knew that I had to think fast. I cursed the fact that I couldn’t climb over these enormous gates in this ridiculous dress. Maybe I should try the entrance gates at the rear of grounds that enclosed the garden. I wouldn’t allow myself to think that the gates at the edge of the garden may also be locked. I wouldn’t consider this tragic ending to my perfectly planned outing. Before I made the trek to the rear of the house, I tried the gate again. My attempt was futile.
I walked briskly to the back of the house, through the dry dirt walkway between the Capius’ abundant garden and the Bergnum’s beautifully landscaped grounds. I couldn’t see into the Capius’ garden due to the dense foliage that formed its own gate against the wrought iron bars of the actual gate. It was the same with the Bergnum’s grounds. Tall, fortress like hedges enclosed the perimeter of their property, keeping nosy peepers intrigued with all that took place on the inside.
Unexpectedly, I spotted Bethany exiting the barn which was located a few yards away from the house and garden, but not enclosed within the estates gates. A tall and very attractive young man, who I guessed to be the stable hand, followed her out of the barn with a beautiful mahogany mare in tow. I pretended to be exiting the rear entrance gates, and walked over to them.
“Are you ready?” Bethany asked, sounding jubilant.
“Uh…” I was at a loss for words. I had forgotten both Bethany’s and Sun Paw’s mention of a ‘morning ride’. As it turns out, Bethany did mean a horse.
When I first walked up to the mahogany mare, I detected some apprehension from her as well. She stood tall and confident, an absolutely stunning animal, and I was a trembling mess. Maybe she sensed my fear of riding her. Perhaps, she sensed a stranger. The stable hand stepped back as I approached the horse. She seemed to tense up when I held my hand out to pet her. I stopped abruptly when she whinnied – disconcertingly shaking her glossy jet black mane at me as if to say ‘You are not worthy’. She eyed me carefully with liquid mocha eyes, as I tried to appear cool and collected. I didn’t think I was fooling anyone, especially not the horse.
The sun was beaming, and leaving black spots in my vision if I dared to stare it in the face. The dry air was already relatively warm, which wasn’t unusual for this time of day at this time of the year, early fall. The residents of Nickel City, all of Nevada actually, were accustomed to sweating the day through from dawn into dusk. But sweating in a corset wasn’t a joking matter. I would do just about anything for a tshirt and a pair of jeans right about now.
The stable hand was watching me intently on the other side of the horse. He had the same smooth bronze complexion that Sun Paw and Moon Rose's had, and I wondered if he was their brother. If he was, I assumed he must be a few years older. He wore a traditional Native American tunic styled shirt over a pair of beaded cowhide leggings and moccasins. He walked around the front of the horse, and released the mare to me by handing me the reins.
All the while, Bethany mounted her horse, side saddle. The full skirt of her riding habit was delicately draped to one side of the horse. She nodded. She wanted me to get on my horse. I’d never ridden a horse before and didn’t have the faintest idea how to get on.
“Night Wind takes excellent care of Gypsy,” Bethany said motioning to the mare. “And Topaz, my horse, and the other horses, as well.” Bethany said looking at the stable hand. Night Wind nodded to me. “He’s Moon Rose’s and Sun Paw’s older brother.” Bethany watched Night Wind quickly walk back into the barn. Once he was out of sight, I whispered just loud enough so that only Bethany would hear.
“Beth, I’m not getting on this horse, ok.”
“Certainly you are. Now mount her before we lose the coolest part of the morning.” Bethany ordered, lightly, but had her serious face on, pursed lips topped with furrowed eyebrows. I wasn’t so sure that putting up a fight would change her mind. But I had to try something.
“Please show me how to get on, or at least help me to.” I insisted, thoroughly embarrassed as I noticed Night Wind peering at me from the wooden doors of the barn. He had a perplexed look on his face, as if baffled as to why I still hadn’t mounted my own horse.
“He’s staring.” I said, as I let my eyes direct Bethany to Night Wind.
“You already know how to get on.” Bethany assured.
“I don’t,” I said gruffly under my breath.
Night Wind strode towards me, his long bone straight hair, which shone like onyx and hung on both sides of his chiseled face, was caught in the early morning breeze which made it look like a cape. His intense copper toned eyes never left mine.
“I will help you. Give me your hand, Miss Cordelia,” Night Wind said, patiently. His heavy Paiute accent was thick and rough, yet his voice was like silk.
He stood next to Gypsy, his shoulders broad, staring at me. Then he stretched out with his long muscular arm like a sword. Still quite self–conscious, I looked at Night Wind timidly, whose eyes were serene, then at Bethany who nodded her approval.
“Sure.” I said, with some hesitation as my hand instinctively reached up for my medallion. When I placed my hand in his, and placed my foot into the stirrup, Night Wind lifted me up onto the horse. I didn’t feel safe as I sat on Gypsy sidesaddle. The position felt awkward, as if I could just slide off. I immediately felt scared as I looked down at Night Wind, and then onto the dirt road behind me that led into the lush and yellowy–green valley which stretched out beside the forest of pines.
Night Wind handed me the reins. Then it happened. My fear dissipated, and it all came back like a forgotten memory or an old dream. It felt as familiar as sitting on a bike. I held the reins with one hand, and leaned over towards Gypsy's head, and tenderly stroked her lustrous jet black mane. She remembered me, raising her neck, and letting me know that she had missed me. We were old friends. I trusted her, and she trusted me. I sat up squarely, and distributed my weight evenly on her. I slid the reins in the direction that I wanted to go, and nudged her firmly with my right leg.
Gypsy trotted slowly passed Bethany who had the widest smile I'd ever seen on her pretty face. She nodded her approval once more. With another nudge of my leg Gypsy transitioned into a canter. With one final nudge, we were galloping through the beckoning valley, and entering the forest.
“Yaah! Yaah!” I shouted. Gypsy and I were one, jumping and negotiating the rugged terrain, skirting pine trees at a full gallop. Riding Gypsy was like second nature. I've never felt so free and in such control. The gentle wind blowing across my face was invigorating as was the view of the Sierras above.
I forgot all about Bethany. I had no idea how far behind she was. It didn’t matter. Gypsy and I were the only two in the world right now.
“You’re doing good, girl.”
We rode for a little while longer, and stopped when we reached Old Oak, the only oak tree in a forest densely populated with pines, which stood guard at the south end and entrance of the forest beside the lake.
Gypsy could have gone the distance but she relied on me not to exhaust her. We slowed down to a halt. I stroked her chestnut, velvet smooth coat, and she calmed considerably. My Gypsy was happy to be reacquainted with me again. We stood in the shade of the hefty branches of Old Oak.
“I knew it was only a matter of time before the old Cordelia would grace us with her presence,” Bethany said, laughing and slowing down to a stop next to Gypsy and I. Bethany smiled knowingly, as she remained seated on her horse.
“You looked wonderful riding. You’ve always loved riding. We’re all grateful to Poseidon, for creating such a magnificent creature. Gypsy is an exceptional Arabian mare with excellent breeding, as is my stallion, Topaz,” she praised, as she stroked the gray toned coat of her horse.
I marveled at the mighty god of the sea’s superb contribution to the world. Gypsy was an extraordinary animal, and she was mine. I remembered what I had written about her in the diary. I felt that fondness now as I stroked her.
“Does this mean that it’s all coming back?” I asked, feeling so alive, like I could live forever as long as I was in the company of Gypsy. I really loved this horse. The bond wasn’t immediate, but it had surfaced. I remembered when my father gave me Gypsy. I was five. It was a birthday gift. The best one I ever got, and I remembered.
“Slowly, yet surely,” Bethany said, beaming from ear to ear. Finally I thought. I think this was the happiest Bethany’s been since I returned. This was the Bethany I knew.
I was unaware when the tears came, but tasted the saltiness of them as they streamed down my face. At last, it was happening. I was remembering something. I wish I could’ve made a connection this strong with the Ischeros family. Bethany nodded when she noticed my tears. That’s when I noticed hers. We locked eyes for a moment. Two close friends sharing a profound secret. We both got off of our horses, and pulled them to the edge of the lake to drink.