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TRADERS:

Nomad Fang who travel freely from the free states to the Kingdom of Veridian. These hold no loyalty to each side. They are sometimes known as Nomads, or Freemen.

Archives of History.

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[SILVER RAYNE WILLIAMS]

This was ridiculous!

How was a girl supposed to live like this? Needless to say, I was expected to work!

I frowned at my reflection in the mirror, pushing my glasses back up my nose.

The guards' uniform seemed to swallow me whole. Like the overalls Lord Graydon had so generously given, these were at least twice my size.

I patted down the wrinkles that lined that oversized jacket, but that didn't do a sliver of any good. I frowned as the feather that jutted out from the helmet that matched the uniform fell in front of my face.

I blew it off, giving me a full view of my appearance once again.

The more I stared at my reflection, the more I hated it.

I turned slightly to the left, almost crying when I realized these trousers did not compliment my ass! Damn it, I looked like a runt in this thing.

I fussed around the changing room in frustration, screaming inaudibly at my reflection before shutting my eyes, and taking out a deep breath.

I got this. I GOT THIS.

It was only two weeks. God, it was two whole weeks!

I hoped he didn't plan another horse wash in these God-forsaken two weeks or I was going to throw myself out the highest window.

Ew, my hands still smelled like a horse.

My face formed a disgusted look, lowered my hands from my nose and wiped them at the back of the pants.

Giving myself one last pep talk, I finally walked out of the stalls.

Walking further out, I moved through the door and to the outside where the sun was shining and a horse neighed.

I stared at the figure of Lord Graydon a few feet away, calming the horse, turning around as he straightened the saddle.

My eyebrows arched at this movement

Was he going somewhere then?

Shoot, were we going somewhere?

We, because my punishment included being at his, as I quote "beck and call," for two whole frickin weeks.

His gaze suddenly snapped my way and I pretended I hadn't paused, gingerly walking toward him.

Amusement was quite evident in his eyes as he watched me The friction of these large pants as I walked was alarmingly loud.

I blew the feather away from my face, standing before him like a large penguin.

He folded his arms, eyes narrowing down on me.

"Yes," He nodded looking me over, "As I imagined. It quite suits you." he grinned.

"Ha, real funny," I grunted back, as he chuckled, moving closer toward me.

I froze when I felt his cold fingers beneath my chin, tightening the straps of my helmet.

"There. Now that head of yours is safe," he gleamed, knocking on the metal with a wide grin.

One of my eyes twitched in irritation, a firm frown plastered on my lips. This only seemed to amuse him more, whilst I patted out other wrinkles on my jacket.

"Let us get a move on now, we can't be late," he finally stated with a deep sigh walking toward the horse.

I stood frozen in place thank you, not willing to take a step closer.

"Can't be late?" I echoed, "f-for what?"

"There is a garden party on the Royal grounds," he informed, without sparing me a look, tightening the reigns once more, "it's further out to the north of the Fang Court."

My gaze trailed northwards momentarily, before snapping back to him still unconvinced and highly suspicious as something told me this conversation was not going to end in a way I would particularly enjoy.

"A small party, for the Lord's Selects. I am informed I am required to be there. It is the beginnings of the race of the Kings hand."

I hummed at this, still suspicious.

"Up you go: we can not wait another moment," he finally sighed, turning to me.

And there it was. There it fricking was.

"Up where? Lord. Graydon." I gritted, eyes wide.

His smile widened, moving closer to me, "Now Silver-"

"I am not, not riding that death trap!" I hissed.

I was gravely serious about this. Panic was engulfing me. Washing that beast was one thing, riding its evil back was another.

"Deathtrap? This is a horse that has been ridden by the King Himself."

"It hates me!" I argued.

"You share an unlikely bond, true but nothing that can't be repaired," he grinned, amusement still heavy in his eyes.

"No, no, no-"

"Must I remind you, you don't truly have a say in this?" he huffed, taking a step closer.

His lips were pursed shut, but somewhere in there, I was certain he was hiding a good laugh.

I shut my eyes at this, feeling my ears burn, before snapping my eyes open.

"My Lord," I began gently.

His eyebrows drew together, but I could tell he was curious to see what I was about to say.

"Perhaps there's a car we can use?" I suggested.

"Nonsense. It's hot and the horse is already saddled. Needless to say, there won't be any cars that could travel the route we're headed. Let's go," he huffed, turning around.

"Please! Lord Graydon!" I begged and caused him to stop in his tracks. I stared at his back for a hopeful second.

He then got on the horse and it neighed softly, his grip on the reigns professional as he steadied her. I looked up at him in despair.

"The garden party is that way," he started, after steadying her.

His eyes darkened on me, "You are under punishment, Silver, you will have to be by my side until your term is served."

Term? Oh yeah, Military. I forgot.

"You may walk if you please, it is an hour's trip by foot, and half that time by horse. It is your choice."

He paused at this, and I stared up at him for a moment, my eyebrows arched.

The horse suddenly moved and I stepped back, thinking he was going to leave without me but he merely moved her near me, stretching out a hand.

"But- if you'll ride with me. I'll make sure you won't fall." he calmly stated.

My eyebrows drew together at this statement, not completely sold.

"You can trust me," he added.

"I don't trust fang," I blurted before I could control myself. It had been a knee-jerk remark.

And I regretted uttering it out loud the moment I said it. Who cares that I don't trust Fang? Certainly not my Regional Lord who basically owned my ass.

He retracted his hand at this, both hands on the reign now as he looked into the distance to the north.

For a moment, I thought he was about to ride away.

"Perhaps that is something else your punishment will teach you. Are you willing to learn?" he asked, once again offering his hand.

I stared at it for a moment, then back into his hazel eyes.

I did not want to board the horses but I could not walk alone across these fields of trees. Who knows what could happen?

Letting out a loose breath, I succumbed, reaching for him.

He helped me up the horse and the damn thing wouldn't stand still when I got on.

"Oh god, I'm going to fall!" I yelled, moving forward to hold whatever I could. My glasses slipped slightly to which I re-secured

"Easy! Easy!" Lord Graydon hushed.

I was unsure if he was referring to me or the bloody beast we had stupidly mounted.

His hand calmly caressed the side of her neck and she finally stilled, whilst I was leaning forward, grabbing onto her mane for dear life.

"As for you," Lord Graydon huffed, leaning forward, his back brushing mine as he pried my fingers off the horse's mane, an arm wrapping around my waist. He gently dragged me back toward him, into a straight posture against him.

"You need to relax, Silver," he breathed, right above my ear, my heart ramming within me for a moment.

His arms slipped away from my waist, around me as he fisted the reigns once more.

"Are you calm?" he asked, waiting for a reply.

"Me or the horse?" I huffed, throwing a disgusted look down at the beast.

"All the same but preferably whichever is capable of replying." he grinned and my mouth dropped open, but before I could say anything, we were off with a loud.

"Hiyaah!" from Lord Graydon. The sounds of the rein smacking in the wind-

Oh, the bloody wind was beating my face off as we began a full gallop in the direction north.

My eyes were wide and all I could think of was not falling off this bloody thing. One hand reached for the metal hat on my head, keeping it on for heaven's sake. All this bouncing made my head hurt.

"I'm going to be sick!" I stretched.

"Do not even think of it," Lord Graydon stated, "I would rather you don't. This outfit will not be disgraced by your vomit."

I rolled my eyes at this as we sped through the court, and passed the gates into the open fields, moving faster and faster in the wind.

"I'm going to throw up!" I grunted against the howling wind.

"Silver-"

"I will-" I heaved, a hand slapping against my mouth.

"Hold!" he yelled, drawing the reigns and the pace decreased, from a gallop to a manageable trot and then a pause.

I managed to breathe after this, blinking rapidly in the breeze my shoulder falling as I took in the luscious green around us.

"Alright?" Lord Graydon asked.

I raised a finger, feeling nauseous for a moment, but the feeling soon subsided.

"Better yet," I managed to reply.

"Are you sure?" he remarked, "if you need to get down, you could."

He let me have a moment before I replied.

"I've seen better days, far, far better days, but I'll live." I finally managed.

He seemed to study me for a moment, before whipping the reigns again, this time keeping the horse at minimum speed, a simple trot to be honest.

Silence loomed between us, and I let it last for a moment.

"Thank you," I stated, pursing my lips for a moment.

"We will take longer than what was accounted for to finally arrive, but I guess you're welcome, " he huffed, glancing down at me, momentarily.

I nodded, letting out a loose breath after retightening my helmet strap.

"Do you truly hate horses?" he finally asked breaking the second silence.

"Well, I don't not hate them," I replied.

"Ah." He nodded, and I could feel his grin widen, "What is it that scares you about them? Is it the same as we fang? Is because we're all beasts to your kind."

"Far from that, my lord." I huffed, side-glancing his way, knowing where he was trying to go with this.

"I simply hate that they have to be around us."

"Oh- so you wish for them to be free? To run in the wild unchained?" he gleamed.

"I wish them to be anywhere but under me," I grumbled as the horse snorted at my reply.

My eyes narrowed at it. Who even likes horses? Truly they were uncomfortable to ride on, to be honest.

Lord Graydon chuckled at my remark, tightening his hold around the reigns.

I could not believe I was riding on a horse and this damn close to a fang.

I tried to straighten my back away from leaning against his lean chest, my lips pursing softly, watching the trees in the distance.

"The Prince." Lord Graydon began and my heart immediately skipped a beat.

"You never told me why he visited you last night." he started.

My eyes widened as I leaned forwards slightly.

Lord Graydon did not know the extent to which I disobeyed him. He had told me he did not wish for the prince to know that a human girl from his region had gone against his direct orders and attended the ball.

It would stain his reputation he said.

I convinced myself I was saving him the worry by keeping this secret.

Telling him now that the prince knew of me was not wise. Perhaps I was just panicking but every bit of common sense bid me lie-

"Or is it something that should be held secret?" he asked again, answering his own question, "If it's is private I will intrude on matters of the Crown outside my jurisdiction."

"Uh- it was about Vella." I pursed my lips. I did not want him to think it was anything of me. I'm sure my sister would forgive me this once for using her name.

"But yes," I cleared my throat trying to not sound too nervous, " It is probably best I do not go into details. I have a duty to my King as much as I have to my Regional Lord." I stated, swallowing dryly.

There was a silence that passed between us which did me no good. I could not see his face. I did not know if he truly believed me.

"Well, Lord Hunter was certainly right. His nephew is certainly a man of great.... mystery."

That stale saltwater gaze flashed into my mind. Mystery? More like Horror.

I nodded, my clenched fists relaxing slightly.

"My lord," I began after a few moments, gazing forwards-

"Mm?" he hummed, closer than I had accounted for-

"I-Is there a way to fast-track my punishments perhaps?" I asked.

It had just occurred to me that I had promised to see Vella today. I promise to visit her every day.

"There certainly is not. It's not a life sentence, Silver. It is a punishment of two weeks. I have been exceedingly kind." he remarked, his tone becoming a bit stern.

"I do not mean to cut short the term of punishment," I huffed, "I mean a few minutes free from the day? I promised Vella I would visit."

He readjusted the reigns and I glanced at our contact as his hand lightly brushed my side.

"You are certainly a handful, Silver Rayne Williams," he grumbled.

I pursed my lips at this, biting my tongue from reminding him it was he that suggested this punishment.

"I will give you a few minutes off throughout the day." He sighed, and a small smile wedged against my lips, "But that day is not today."

I was about to protest but he tightened the reigns increasing our speed.

"Lord Graydon!" I screeched as he raced toward the north.

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