FSE

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Chapter 1...

Jennifer woke to the nagging of her mother. "you sleep like royalty, child, and for gods sake we are not royal." she scolded. she sat up, and swung her feet over the edge of the bad. "hurry up and get dressed, It's fixin to rain, and you'll be tending the horses in it if your not quick Jen." her mother warned. Jennifer looked out the window, and sure enough, dark clouds loomed only a ways off. she quickened her pace as she donned her cloths, and made for the kitchen. She stumbled into to the kitchen still pulling on her shirt. "have some decency Jennifer," her father scolded, as she sat down, settling her shirt. Her mother joined them at the table, and set a bowl of oatmeal in front of her daughter. Jenna looked out the window, fascinated by the dark clouds in the distance. "you gonna eat that or not," her father asked. "yes, father" she responded, picking up her spoon and quickly shoveling the oatmeal into her mouth. "manners child," her mother cried. She slowed her pace, holding back a complaint. Her parent's were always short with her. She did the work they asked without fail, but they never tired of finding something wrong about her. Every mourning, she could expect the same routine. Jennifer continued eating as hastily as she figured she could get away with. She wasn't so much afraid of the weather. She actually liked storms. The library in the neighboring town, ten miles away, was throwing out some of their old books, and she wouldn't miss that for the world. even with the looming storm, she fully intended to walk cross country to get there and see what she could pilfer. Up until she was 8, there had been an old woman in their town, who had many books, and had taught her to read. The poor woman was accused of being a witch, and had been burned at the stake for it. That was 4 years ago, and Jenna had never forgotten the love for reading the old woman gave her. the woman never gave her name, but Jenna could still see her face when she thought about her. Smiling a little to herself, she finished her meal, and pushed her chair away from the table. She hurried to the door and was accosted again by her fathers voice as she had her hand on the pull. "don't you come back in, till your chores are done. She rolled her eyes, but thought it wise to take her poncho, and sandals. She didn't think she'd need them, but she figured it'd be no burden to take them anyway. After closing the door behind her, Jenna stopped again to admire the dark clouds ahead. The weather had been more gloomy lately, even more so than it usual was this time of year. Many had said it was a bad omen, that trouble was brewing. Jenna usually didn't much more than a passing though to such notions, saving tales of dark time's and battle for her imagination. She tucked her sandals in her belt, and tossed the poncho over her shoulder, as she set out to the stable. Their farm was set in the middle of the fields they harvested, and this time of year, not much but grass grew all around. Under the dark blanket of clouds, the gently waving grass, and the distant the distant trees all seemed but shades of the same grayish blue color. Perhaps the dreary look would dishearten others, but despite the impeding cold and rain, there was little drag in Jenna's walk, as she approached the stables. The family had two big draft horses, and a pony. The Drafts were both mares, and were used for pulling wagons, plows and logs. The pony was a stout little gelding, who for the most part, was there to keep the drafts in line. He was occasionally used to pull a light thing or two, and her father rode him from time to time though. He had a bit of an attitude around her father, not that she blamed him. In her care though, the pony practically did as told by word. Jenna had that effect on animals, and hence, was made to care for them. She didn't really mind though, as the horses were much better companions than her parents. most of the her peers, had good parents, and at times, she dreamed of what it would be like. She shrugged, and abandoned the thought when the pony whined in greeting to her. "Hey Beckley," she greeted, walking over and standing at the door to his stall. He reached his head out, and nuzzled her shoulder. She smiled, and petted his neck for a while. He was a local breed, and tan in color, with a blond mane and tail. Beckley nickered a little as thunder echoed in the distance. "yeah, gonna be a storm today beck," Jenna replied, laying her hand on his forehead. Jenna opened the door and led the pony out. he didn't wear a halter, but a handful of his mane was all Jenna ever needed, if that. Even with the storm looming, he followed her out into the paddock. As she closed the gate behind her, she reassured him it'd be alright, before heading back to muck out his stall. Many girls considered manual labor an imposition. Jenna never minded working with animals, even cleaning up after them. The animals didn't mean anything by doing their business, nor did they have an alternative. Even the less enjoyable tasks still gave her excuse for her to be out of the house. As she pushed the wheelbarrow across the yard, to the muck pit, the rain started to fall. She dumped the barrow, and hurried it back to the barn. after she had replaced the barrow, she hopped up the ladder, into the hayloft, to pitch new hey down into the stalls below. She listened for a moment, to the sound of the rain on the shingles. Something about being off the ground and out of the rain, gave her a warm, comforting feeling. She hummed a little tune of her own as she went about the task at hand. After she was done cleaning the stalls, and feeding the animals, she was free for the rest of the day. Often, she would just walk into the woods, or into town, and explore until dark. The night had never frightened her, which made her again unique. It was very much an acquired trait. she was rarely welcome around home, and learned to practically live on her own, very early on. She fantasized often of running away, and making her own life, but she could never bring herself to take the risk. She really didn't have any particular skill she could use to earn her keep. She could drift from odd job to odd job, and figure it out from there. She propped the pitchfork back up against the rafter in the corner, and hopped back down onto the straw. sighing she dismissed that notion as well, and picked herself up. The rain was coming down hard now, and she was sure Beckley was anxious to get back to the shelter of his stall. Their two drafts were on loan to a friend, while they waited for the seed to arrive at market. The last few days had been slow because of this. Jenna usually enlisted beck as her assistant in herding the two gentle giants around. In their absence, she even had a few spare hours to ride him around a bit. She never dared borrow a saddle, lest her parents skin her alive. Just as well, she had as much fun riding bareback, and Beckley wasn't fond of saddles either. Outside of the house, Jenna actually enjoyed life. she nimbly ran across the yard, to the paddock fence, vaulting it, landing, and continuing her run almost interrupted towards the pony. He had been watching her and stood still, lowering his head as she barreled towards him. She jumped again, just short of the pony, landing on her stomach on his back, and swinging herself around, bringing herself to a sitting position. Beckley looked back and nickered as she petted his neck. "Stalls are clean." she said to him. He broke playfully into a trot headed for the gate. He stopped next to the gate, and pivoted his hind around, bringing Jenna within arms reach of the latch. "I have to open it?" Jenna asked, mocking an indignant tone. "Fine." she pouted, leaning over and lifting the bolt. beck promptly pushed the gate open with his nose, and continued his trot towards the stable. He slowed to a walk after he had gotten past the overhang, and came to a stop in his stall. Jenna hopped off his back, and patted his neck, Smiling. He was her best friend, even though he wasn't human. The air smelled of wet horse, and the unique smell of fall. "Gonna go get some books today." she said very quietly to him, glancing over he shoulder. The pony murrred a little, knowing she was talking to him, but not what she was talking about in the least. Jenna spent a while in the stable, before she considered setting out on her half-day journey into town. The town was about four hours away, walking. she figured she could make it into town poke around for an hour, and get back just before the sun set. It wouldn't be the first time she had done it, but she would have to be very careful coming home. Her father didn't approve of her daydreaming, let alone, the idea of her being able to read. They had one book in the house, and it was a religious text. Even though she didn't really buy into the local beliefs, she had read all the way through the book multiple times. The lack of material was reason enough to bring home almost anything. She knew she couldn't hide anything in the house, but she had a favorite spot for keeping trinkets and what-not that she collected. It was out at the corner of the pasture, in a collection of rocks, and she was quite sure her parents did not know about it. Anxious to make good time, Jenna closed the stall door, and bid farewell to the pony, who seemed content to stay in for the day. The rain hadn't let up any as she donned the fine fabric tent that was her parka. It had been her mothers, and had been given to her when a new one took its place. If she was mindful of the conditions, she would stay decently dry under it. With a quick look back, to make sure all was clear, Jenna slipped around the corner of the stable, and excitedly skipped down the dirt path that led to the road. Despite the risk she took by running off, she couldn't be more enthusiastic. Though her journey into town would be four hours at least, Jenna could never be bored by time to think. Her imagination entertained her all the way, Making the trip seem to pass in a wink.