Kindred Spirit Lodge Presents

From Thief to Stable-hand


by Kaie
2004

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Morning came all to soon for the former thief and Kaie reluctantly slipped from the warmth of bed, dressing quietly so she didn’t wake the slumbering Lady Alison. She winced as once again the contact of her pants reminded her of the previous nights punishment.  Determined to make amends to all she hurried to make her way to the stables, sending a wistful glance back to the bed and wanting to crawl right back under the covers until the Lady awoke.

She stopped herself short at the window and turned, purposely and determinedly walking through the doors, down the hall, and down to the back door. This was a new way for her, avoiding the shadows, but it felt right. She found Killian also up and wake and greeted her with a friendly hug and heartfelt thanks for asking Caitlin to show some, well a lot, of mercy in her punishment. She was grateful for the warm hug she received in return and even more grateful when Killian gently guided her in the direction of food and suggested she eat up before starting her day. Her stomach loudly reminded her that she was too nervous the evening before to eat anything while awaiting her fate. She even managed a grin, coupled with a very deep blush, when Killian teased her about the volume of her reactions to Lady Alison's healing touch the night before.

Nibbling a fresh loaf of nutbread and pockets bulging with apples, she entered the stables and found them empty but for the horses. ‘Hmm, Lord Nessa might be having a morning meal. Best not touch too much, she may be picky about what she wants me into around here.’

She took the apples and made her offering, one for Caitlin’s brave steed for so kindly carrying her during her flight. The other was for Ikarias’s mount, with a heartfelt thank you for the part she played in saving some, alright alright a lot, of Kaie’s hide.

She glanced inside the stall that held the one horse who had snorted so disapprovingly at her the previous day. There she found two eyes staring with quite a bit of disdain at a pile of fresh manure still steaming in the morning air. She spied a shovel hanging on a nearby wall, and rolled up her sleeves. She guessed that no matter what other duties Lord Nessa might give her later, this was certainly one thing she would doing a lot of for the next month. She didn’t need to wait to be told that one. As she entered the first stall and began her work, a few of the horses fidgeted nervously, not use to her strange presence in their shelter.

Kaie had always been at home with horses and knew just how to calm them. She certainly didn’t need one of them to panic and cause a ruckus. That was really not the way she wanted to start her morning off when Lord Nessa arrived.

She began her song softly at first, singing was a natural gift she had never shared with anyone other then her father. She sang often at night during her years on the run, always alone but it comforted her. She mused over sharing her gift later inside the Lodge’s Great Hall but shrugged away the thought as quickly as it came, "who would want to hear some silly thief singing?"

For now she sang about the sea, a song she had learned from a few sailors when she roamed the ports. This one was one of the few clean songs she learned there, and she smiled at that thought. It was a simple song, for those who felt the call of the sea deep inside.

As her voice lifted naturally, it carried through the open doors and greeted those members of the Lodge who were up and about in the early morning sun. The horses were drawn into the spell of her voice and calmed themselves, allowing her to enter each stall as she cleaned them thoroughly. She found herself singing on, the happiness she felt spilling out of her with each note. She never realized she was sharing her song with others and so she sang sweetly to the wind…

To my Lady I give myself, my heart and my soul,
Her love holds me safely, with her I stand true,
Her legends are many, many tales oft are told,
Of danger and intrigue, across the deep blue

Away,…. Away…. to the sea I will go
Her love it will guide me, wherever I roam

Away…… Away…… to the sea will I go
For my love is the ocean, with her I am home.

Her passion is high, a jealous lover is she,
Many storms has she conjured, bringing dangers from deep
Yet with morning comes calm, gently rocking with me,
Those she has called too, their hearts will she keep

Away,…..away….. to the sea I will go
Her love it will guide me wherever I roam

Away…….Away…..to the sea will I go
For my love is the ocean, with her I am home.

When at last I am finished, never more to roam,
They’ll slip me gently with’n her, down into the deep
Her embrace it will hold me, for now I am home
Safe with my Lady, at last I will sleep.

Away………away…..to the sea I will go
Her love it will guide me wherever I roam

Away…… Away…..to the sea will I go
For my love is the ocean, with her I am home.

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The End - 'From Thief to Stable-hand' - by Kaie

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