In the early morning hours after a long night lost to her thoughts and words of recent conversation, Rian headed for the stables. Dressed in light leather riding attire as her armor would no longer clasp about her growing figure. She had been conflicted between her duty to her title, duty to her name, and duty to herself, all with the angst of recent shift in her nightmares. In all of the weight of expectation she needed a change of scenery. Somewhere she could simply pause and think more clearly.
Hefting the saddle and cinching the straps she set about preparing Duke for their last minute journey. She wasn’t even entirely sure where the road would lead, just that it was out of the city for a time. Given her brother’s frustration, Cornelius and Rook having not been reachable, and not wanting to impose on Kenric, she was on her own. It was likely for the best that she was alone.
Rian took a brief moment pulling Duke’s face to her own and pressing her brow to the much larger creature and running a hand along his long cheeks. There were no words said. None were needed between her and her long time companion as she steeled herself to do what was needed. A foot into a stirrup, a bounced step to pull herself into the saddle, a nudged heal and guided the two along the canals to leave the city.
Words of previous conversations filled her thoughts. More recent words ringing loudest in her mind:
"Life is a choice that you must make. How you live it. What you do in it. Yes there will be consequences. Every action will bring about a reaction. Use these experiences to grow strong. Just make sure they are what -you- choose. Don't let others choose your life for you.” The male voice played out in her mind as if he still sat across from her.
"As for making everyone happy? Over rated. I would focus on making yourself happy. You are the one person you are guaranteed to live with for the rest of your life."
Upon escaping the city gates, her heals nudged harder to Duke’s side and her grip tightened on the horn of the saddle. He knew just what she asked and took to bolt along the road. At each fork she let simple instinct guide her turns.
(( @theron-valteric @kenricanchors for mentions ))
