Serenity Valley Read Free Page B

windows, I intended to give the kitchen staff far more
than they bargained for. Eavesdropping and meddling in affairs not
their own was very rude.
    I began telling my yarn, explaining
how the queen of the horses, Siren, was always my charge at
birthing because no one else liked her. I got this far and my
rapscallion mood quickly turned somber. I truly tried to make light
and take advantage of the situation, but as my voice became shaky
and my eyes filled with tears, I soon felt this whole idea a very
bad one. I could no longer look at Basilea, but looked out into
space while I droned on with my detailed and somewhat grotesque
story. It actually felt good to tell someone about my feelings, so
I did not leave anything out. With tremors in my voice and tears of
sorrow freely flowing, Basilea and other nosy people learned of my
own personal tragedy and triumph, with all the gut-wrenching pain,
then the emotional revival via the birth of the new king of horses.
At the end of my story, I looked at Basilea to find her face
streaked with tears and her linen dress water-spotted in many
places. “I am so very sorry; I have upset you with my silly tale of
woe is me, woe issss meeee.”
    Basilea wiped her eyes and turned to
look at me. “Give me your clothes, sir; I will see to them
myself.”
    “I prefer not to, fair princess, as
they are covered in gore and a foulness that has yet to be
discovered or even described by man.” Well, that sounded more like
it. My mood had started to lighten. Unfortunately, the kitchen
busybodies also fell victim to my tale of emotional tragedy. I
heard several comments to the effect of: “Saddest thing I ever
heard!” and “Poor boy having to go through all that by himself.”
Also, “How sad! An honorable lad that one is!” Comments often were
followed by the distinctive sound of a nose being blown. Well, my
work was complete here, and I needed to get back. With a lighter
heart and the satisfaction of knowing I had more than gotten even
with those out to make trouble for me, I rose and prepared to make
my goodbye speech. I suddenly felt lightheaded, and everything went
black for an instant. I could feel my body swaying from side to
side but could not balance.
    I do not remember falling, only waking
up to the worried look of beautiful Basilea leaning over me. She
was holding my hand with both of her own. For the first time, I
really noticed how unsettling her eyes were. “Gamel, are you awake?
Good sir, are you all right?” she asked when she saw my eyes
open.
    “Am I in Heaven? Surely I am, for I
see two bright emeralds with bright comets dancing upon the edges.
Oh, oh, no please don’t be troubled, my dear princess. Sorrow upon
your face is like a rain cloud that dares to spoil the most
beautiful of all sunsets!” Basilea’s face instantly changed from
concern to a bright smile.
    One of the kitchen hens cackled, “Oh
hell, he’s back; must make this crap up while he sleeps!” Laughter
erupted around a somewhat sizable group.
    I sat up and looked around. “How long
have I been out?”
    “Only about five minutes, good sir,”
Basilea answered.
    “Oh, my goodness, I really need to get
back. The king of all horses may awaken any time you know!” I
slowly stood up and was shocked to realize that my head had been
resting in the fairest lap of Basilea the Beautiful. If I would
have realized this sooner, I would have stayed there longer; much,
much longer! Life can sometimes be filled with such pleasant
surprises. I bent down to retrieve my soiled clothes, but Basilea
waved me away.
    “Your clothes will be cleaned, folded,
and placed in your room. No more debate! If they cannot be cleaned,
then I will make you new ones, good sir.”
    “Unfair, I say, as no mere mortal man
should dare banter with such exotic beauty. Ladies, I bid you
fondest farewell. Fairest princess, be assured that life will
simply be endured and time freely wasted until I am once more in
your fond company.”
    It