The Day Comes To A Close

Despite his aching rib cage, Edwin managed to finish cleaning and caring for the horses before the sun vanished over the horizon. It was not the first time he worked hard labor in a bruised and beaten state and he was sure it would not be the last. He mopped his brow as he finished his work and gave a quick goodbye to each of his equine companions. With a sigh, he closed up the stable gates and headed off on a long walk through the orchards to the servant quarters. The walk was uneventful and actually peaceful, for which he was very glad.

As he neared the building for the male servants, he saw some of the other workers returning from the orchards. They gave him a funny look as he passed by and he realized that word of his impending reprimand must have gotten around. Edwin thought he saw some pity in their gaze, but it was overpowered by the relief that it was him and not them. Honestly, he couldn't fault the others for that; he would be thinking the same thing in their position. He began to look around for Master Harding in order to get the punishment over with when he heard his name being called. In contrast to the harsh tones of the knights and his master's voices, this one was soft and pleasant

"Edwin!" The voice from behind him got closer. Edwin turned around to see the smiling face of Anna, a young woman from the scullery who worked as one of the kitchen maids. Like Edwin, she had grown up working on the Allister Estate and the two had been close to one another since childhood. Her amber hair was tied up in a bun and she wore a plain white dress, stained black and brown from her cleaning duties. As too was her face, grimy and dirty with various greases and soot. Yet, her shining smile and bright blue eyes made even the most disgusting stains seem alluring.

"Ah." Edwin said as she approached him. "Good evening, Anna."

"Same to you, Edwin." She gave him a quick curtsey as she responded. "How have you been? I've not seen you in days."

"I..." Edwin began, but closed his mouth instead. He was about to tell her about his experience at the stable, but decided not to worry her. "I've been busy. The stables always need my attention, especially with the knights around."

"I can only imagine. I'm very sorry that I have not come to visit you at the stables lately. I am afraid the knights eat so much and so often that I am kept quite busy as well." She looked him up and down quickly. "I do hope they are not working you too hard. You look ready to collapse."

"Hmm." Edwin replied, somewhat preoccupied. He took this opportunity to look her body over as well. He couldn't help himself; Anna had blossomed into a very beautiful woman and it still shocked him that his childhood companion was now sporting the most enticing pair of breasts he had ever laid eyes upon. He felt guilty looking upon her so lustfully, but the sight of her pert and full bosom stretching out her dress was too much for him to avoid. The sweat from the day's work made areas that were not blackened with grime partly translucent and he could almost make out the areola and nipple on her right breast.

"Is something a matter?" Anna asked quizzically. She looked down at her dress. "You've been staring at my dress quite intently." Edwin quickly straightened and regain his composure.

"Just that it is so dirty." He came up with a quick lie. "I hope you are not being overworked as well."

"Yes, sorry. I wish I could have cleaned up first." She said shyly, blushing a bit.

"It's fine, Anna. The dirt brings out the blue in your eyes." Edwin remarked. This caused the girl's blush to deepen for a moment and she played with the hem of her dress subconsciously.

"Do you really think so?" She asked. "Because I..."

"Stablehand!" Master Harding's gruff voice erupted from Edwin's right side. The young man sighed and eyeballed the man from the corner of his eye. "You are to quit fraternizing with the other servants and come to my side immediately! And you should attend to your remaining duties too, scullery maid."

"Sorry, I have to go." Edwin said simply. "Stable matters."

"I understand." Anna said. "I hope I will not have to wait the better part of a week to see you again, Edwin." She took off for the Allister's expansive home to continue her work in the kitchen. He watched her leave for a second before heading over to the very angry Master Harding.

"Come with me." He snorted and led Edwin away from the servants quarters. It didn't take long for Edwin to realize in horror that Master Harding was taking him to the guest house, where the knights were temporarily taking up lodging. As they approached the building, he saw the whole assembly of knights waiting outside, watching him with pointed interest. Edwin felt a knot form in his stomach.

"Well, well." Sir Engeram said from his place out in front of the other knights. "Hello again, Stable Boy." Edwin did his best to ignore him, but Sir Engeram was also doing his best to get in Edwin's face. "I heard some funny things about you from the other servants. Sounds like your whore of a mother never knew who exactly your father was. I guess she was too busy giving her body out to every piece of shit Jadhi peasant worker she could get to stick it in her." He awaited to see if Edwin would react, but the young man stayed as stone-faced as he could. These insults were nothing new to him. "No? Well, since she spent so much time in the stables, maybe she just let the studs there mount her. Is that why you like the horses so much, Stable Boy? You're part horse cause some stallion knocked up your mum?" Edwin tried his best to maintain his composure. "Maybe I should shove your face in more horse shit; it will remind you of where you came from."