Jaud of the River

Chapter 3 Wanderlust

February 2, 2011


Carterhaugh, Scotland








         The Battlements were misting in the early morning. It rose from the the woods and settled like a shifting blanket everywhere. Caleb welcomed it with a relish most of hi sfriends found absurd. Fog in the morning usually brought clouds and clouds meant rain. There goes our holiday they'll complain. He wasn't here on a holiday. This was home to him. When others packed their stuff and went home to their big cities and hot shot careers, He had to prepared the castle to brave the elements and bear down for the harsh winter.





         He ache to see the world. For a moment he'd envied his friend's freedom to pursue whatever desires called them all over the world. While they made their mark in different corners he was anchored here, more than he'd cared to explain. Absentmindly, he fingered the silver leaf he wore ever since he could remember and felt the heat seeped through his fingers and reached his heart. It made his eyes so much sharper. There..by that rosebush a bunny rabbit was munching on grass..up high almost to the top of that ridge, eagles circling.





         "Master Caleb" his steward came running up his face full of concern





         "What bugs you Ian?" he turned around and caught the scent of straw coming in waves fromthe man





         "The foal is a comin', sire" he had a look of a man expecting his first bairn





         "Well, is about bloody time" Caleb took off at a run anticipating a magnificent creature.





         "It be nearly an hours since we turn it and we're having a bit of a hard time getting it to crown just right. Sunshine is tired, sire" he was running full throttle, yet the giant ahead of him took the distance without even breaking a sweat.





         When he entered the stables he was welcomed by the scent of animal and human sweat. Every stable-hand was standing around expectant, awaiting his orders. CValeb washed his hands and put on an apron. The rubber boots his right hand man helped to pull on in order not to dirty his hands. Sanitized and dressed for the ordeal ahead he now turned his attention to bringing the foal into the world.





         "Alright, men. Let's get to it." he crouche down and studied the mare's eyes and noticed her pupils were dilated. Her breath came in gasps as she fought to remain still in front of her master. It was in her character to loose her composure in front of the people who took care of her. "You're both gonna do just fine Doire, you keep calm and we will help you."


His hands felt her protuding stomach lurge once again with the contraction and new that it would just be a matter of minutes. His grooms readied the blankets and towels as he checked her and saw the sack beginning to pour out of her flanks.