Unusual feeling

We moved at a steady pace on the smooth ground between the trees and the riverbank. Birds chirped and smaller animals could be heard shuffling through the underbrush nearby. As the precious sunlight became overrun with grey clouds, I could smell the crisp scent of an incoming storm on the wind.

Caliban held the reins with one hand at my right side and I got the sense he was leaning away from me as much as we could. The colder it got the more I wished he against my back completely if only to steal some of his warmth. With the silence between us it became increasingly difficult to think of anything except for him.

And food.

After an hour of riding in silence the growling of my stomach began to sound like I was smuggling a pack of wild animals. The ache of hunger was an unusual feeling for me especially when it was this strong.

The privilege of growing up in a palace as a king's youngest daughter ensured I had food and drink at every whim. My mind went back to picnics in the gardens with