The Widow and The Witcher (Complete)

Chapter 6

Geralt was waiting in the stables, hoping that Julia would be prepared to give them a chance. In preparation and anticipation, he had taken two of the horses and saddled them ready for a ride. The estate was vast in size and in the time he had been here had yet to go exploring its secrets. Looking up from checking the shoes on a charming russet mare named Rose he saw Julia walking towards him. Her face looked like she had been crying, however, it also held determination. She walked right up to him and put her arms around his waist snuggling into his chest. Surprised and pleased at her boldness he put his arms around her and held her tight only softening his arms when he felt her pull away slightly. 

Julia looked up at him her eyes sparkling with mirth as she said, "So, I have an apt in the stables, do I?". "Yes Mistress, you are showing me your lands today. All I've seen is the inside of your house and the stables as much as I love horses it not that great a view. I am lead to believe by Tobias that this property is large, and has beautiful sights." he saw a look of pride cross her face as he spoke of her land. "Well, I am bias regading my home Geralt I will have to asked you at the end of the day if you agree with Tobias's praise" 

Julia stepped away from Geralt towards the Mahogany Bay Gelding that was next to the mare, this was her horse Beauty. The Bay nuzzled her hand looking for a treat as she stroked its nose. Slight sadness filled her eyes as she caressed the handsome horse. She had not been riding since before Wilfred's death, this had been something they had done together. "You're a good boy beauty, Sorry I've neglected you" as if acknowledging her apology, the horse whinnied and nudged her shoulder. Laughing Julia looked around and found a piece apple that she saw sitting on a stool and fed it to Beauty.

"So, Beauty, for a boy, that was your choice for his name?" Geralt said teasing her "Well if you're talking about names, I seem to remember your horse all those years ago was named roach, and I'm sure she was a mare. Not sure that's much better" Julia smiled at the memory of their encounter sitting around the fire with her parents. Looking across at Geralt she saw that his eyes had clouded over. Realising what she had said she stepped back towards him touching his arm "I'm sorry Geralt, I wasn't thinking you must miss Roach terribly. I remember how close you were with her, as a 10yr old it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen, second to you saving my father."

Geralt looked at the sweet women in front of him, she seemed to be so playful, and then in a moment could see to the very soul of him. He looked at her thankful for her kindness "well there is nothing I can do about that; I don't even know what Kias did to roach probably sold her off. I was not well enough, in the beginning, to see what they did. So, are you and Beauty going to show us this place, or did you have other plans" He bent down and kissed her on the top of her head causing that now-familiar blush to creep back up her face. Stepping back to her horse, she pulled herself up into Beauty's saddle and with a wink said, "well to start off you are going to have to catch us first." And with that, she kicked her heels into the horse's flank, and it took off at a fast gallop.

Feeling the wind in her hair, and the powerful horse beneath her Julia felt alive. Regretting the time lost with Beauty she pushed him hard enjoying the freedom, she heard the pounding hoof beat of a horse come up behind her and then beside her as Geralt and Rose caught up. They kept up the pace as trees' and green hills, and pastures blurred past them. After 30 mins they slowed down to a walk, Julia was breathing hard exhilarated by the chase and so was beauty. Geralt and Rose breathing hard also seemed ready to slow.

They walked at an easy pace, as Julia showed Geralt the vast acreage. Moving through orchards of Fruit trees and then the open plains where sheep roamed freely. As the day progressed they reaching a river that wound its way through the estate. Stopping at a spot where the embankment was shallow enough for the horses to get a drink they dismounted, and lead the horses to the water. Sitting on the bank Julia breathed in the fresh air and sighed. It had been years since she had just ridden her horse and even more years since she had visited this part of the estate. The tree's that lined the river were beautiful and lush with a mix of willows and gums, and the sound of the bird's noises was like a sweet lullaby, so peaceful.