The dining room is lined with tapestries created to illustrate all sorts of stories. The smell of roasted meat drifts throughout the humongous room. Varisha's father and mother are already seated opposite each other at the large oak table. She curtsies to both of her parents. With delicacy she takes her seat to the right of her brother at the other end. Today there is no company to entertain, a small comfort to Varisha.
"You forgot to curtsey to your brother," Varisha's mother calmly states.
"I am sorry for the mistake, Queen Tantia. Do you wish for me to correct my failure to curtsey?" Varisha humbly replies.
"No, that will not be necessary. Just remember to curtsey next time, and make sure you do not make that mistake in front of company."
The Queen picks up a small golden bell and rings it to signal the beginning of dinner. The servants walk in from one side of the room and pass out the food. Varisha does not pay much attention to the food. She does not enjoy any of the food the castle has to offer. The conversation is all that can hold her attention. There is talk about some of the Queen's jewelry coming up missing while they were away.
As the dinner comes to an end, Varisha requests and is granted the permission to go out to the stables. Varisha changes quickly into her riding clothes and quietly, before she is caught, slips out the kitchen door. Varisha has no desire to wear a dress.
The royal stable contains over 350 horses with room for more. With anticipation Varisha approaches the pasture. Varisha makes a whistle like a nightingale. A white stallion picks up its head and flicks an ear at her. Standing perfectly still, Varisha waits. Like a burst of thunder the stallion springs into action. He charges through the pasture and is by the fence before Varisha has time to blink.
"Hello, my friend. How are you this morning?" Varisha asks as she slips the horse a carrot. "I had a visitor in my room who left something behind. I wonder if you and me could find out where my visitor is hiding?" Grasping the stallion's mane, she lightly lands on his back. They take off over the pasture and sail over the fence nearby.
