As I stepped into the cisterns water, I breathed a sigh of relief. Coming across this place was always a delight after spending time in the dungeons, being chased and attacked by all manner of things. I walked straight over to the offerings box, and placed a few books and fruits from the surface in there, before closing it up again securely. Apparently Lovely wasn't in the mood for company today, or else she'd have made herself known by now.
The water swirling around my legs was, as always, warm and wonderfully scented. Cal had already made himself at home on his favourite bench. Spindle and Briar were both looking around, taking in every single thing they could see in this enormous cavern. Satisfied with what they saw, they finally chose a bench each and lay down. I loved these benches. Each one was easily big enough for two Coursers to lie down together, or one to sprawl happily, as Cal was currently demonstrating.
Spindle's head was already dropping, she had been flagging in the last few chambers and clearly needed a good rest. Briar turned to me, and looked me seriously in the eyes. "We're safe here?"
"You have my word." I replied.
She nodded, content with that promise, and then lay down next to spindle and got into a clearly well practised position. Top to tail, each of their heads resting on the others back, they were asleep before I could even slide my saddlebag off. I chuckled under my breath. I thought that Cal was asleep too, but as I got settled on my own bench, Cal said "Ti, tell me a story?"
I chuckled a little louder this time. A few weeks back Cal had been ill, and I made up a story to tell him. Ever since, he wanted me to tell him a story whenever we stopped for a rest. He said that I was a great storyteller, but I'm not sure I believe him.
"Sure thing Cal, once upon a time.." I cast about in my mind for any idea that I could turn into a story, and bizarrely my mind shoved an old memory at me. It'll do.
"Once upon a time, there was a little Courser. He heard that a big show was coming to town soon, so he saved up every coin he managed to earn, in order to get tickets. He got there, and there were so many wondrous things to see. But the thing that drew his eye was the Jousting Lanes. The biggest Heraldics the Courser had ever seen were tilting at each other, lances sewn to the coverings they wore. It was brutal, seeing them crash together, but it was also beautiful. The little Courser decided that he too would become a world famous jouster, and he decided that he would approach the winning Heraldic and ask him for advice." I trailed off, thinking about that fateful day and my eyes stung with unshed tears.
Cal was almost asleep. He murmured "What did the Heraldic say?"
I didn't reply, lost in the memories of that day. That gigantic, brutal Heraldic, dark coat shimmering with opal, an intricate crown marking stretching across his head. He had turned his head to look at me, and had decided that I was nothing worth his time. He had pushed past me, knocking me into the dirt, and his words had stayed with me all this time. Found wanting, pathetic Courser. A tear rolled down my cheek. Cal's soft breathing filled my ears, and I focused on him. On the happiness I had built within my life. "Nothing worth thinking about, dear Cal. Nothing worth thinking about."