As the path tightened, we slowed our pace to take a nice walk. Dev was finally calm and listening, respectfull of the mare's comfort zone. We walked silently, enjoying the quietness and calm of the forest, for a few minutes, when we saw someone on the path. The man, alone, was a strange apparition in the wild countryside. Snow had started to fall slowly, peacefully. Seing us, the man didn't make any sudden moves and let us approach.

 

"Hi Luukas." Said Jacob.
Luukas ? I didn't heard this name in my entire life. I stayed silent, observing. Luukas spoke in a deep and calm voice :
"Hi Jacob." He turnt around to watch me. His eyes met mines. He had very clear blue eyes, I could see it even with the distance. His left cheek was red, like he was hurt. "Hello miss. Did we meet ?"
"No, I don't think so." I paused. "My name is Edith, I live in the stable not so far away ..."
"I see. Beatha told me about you."
Beatha again ?! Why the heck did she told everyone about me in this town ?

Jacob must have catch the desperate look on my face, because he smiled to me and said :
"Edith, this is Luukas, Beatha's son. He maintains the stables, and even gives some lessons if you're nice to him." He looked at him. "He's a really good rider."


Luukas smiled, but he seemed lost in his thoughts.
"What are you doing out here ?" I asked
Luukas looked stressed, nervously touching his cheek. With a closer look, he seemed hurt, and that was petty recent. He was almost bleeding.
"I was ... I was searching for something."

I turnt to Jacob, but he also seemed lost. I glimpse a panic look on his face, before he remembered I was there. He smiled like nothing happened, and said to Luukas :
"Hey, we should get you home now. It's about to snow again, and we don't want to find another freezed body in the summer !"
They both laughted. I didn't. Everything was way too mysterious for me.


We got back to home quietly. Both Luukas and Jacob offered me their help with Dev, like they had to apologize for what happened today. I'm not going to lie, I accepted both ! I could use some lessons for Dev, he's still very green.


See you later !