Dew settled into a rhythm during the next few days. She woke to Efa coming into her room, sometimes so early the servants would not yet be awake. They would hold each other until a maid brought the day’s first meal. Then, Dew’s other ladies would join them in helping Dew dress. Her clothes were not very complicated but Anest took to Efa’s lessons on curly hair with interest. 

Rhyddid did not seem to mind not joining her for her meals. He never demanded otherwise. Perhaps, he would once they officially wed. 

The morning activities were held in the sitting room with snacks. Neidr showed Dew their tools for embroidering. She brought in leather and furs for Dew to try and fashion something to her liking. 

Efa would sit with them, sketching the scene and mending her own dresses. 

At midday, they ate in the sitting room, gearing up for adventure. Dew liked the stables quite a bit and Efa never minded having new models for her sketches. 

The stablemaster seemed surprised by Dew’s appearance during the afternoons, curious about everything. She brushed the glani and watched the stablehands feed the steeds. She watched, intrigued, as they pranced around in the field and played together. 

Her Fae tongue was still very poor, but Neidr gladly served as a translator. An odd friendship blossomed between Dew and Pawl. He smiled on her third day in the stables and presented an interesting proposition. 

“He believes your Koli to be an excellent match with the male called Lendoch,” Neidr translated. “Any of the fine soldiers would be happy to know their steed came from the queen’s mount.” 

Dew frowned and glanced between the two mounts. Lendoch appeared very interested in Koli, but Koli ignored the stallion in favor of a treat from Dew. 

She very much doubted a soldier would want their steed to be attached to a human queen’s mount.

“Koli is well fit,” she began, “but she lacks the physique of some of the others. Pawl said yesterday that she was just entering her prime. I understand that being my glanus would make an esteemed foal by name alone.” 

A solid answer that did not betray her doubts. 

Neidr translated and Pawl frowned at Dew. He said a few things to Neidr, words familiar to Dew but the full sentence lost on her.

“Koli being the mother would be enough to bring esteem.”

Dew struggled with her thoughts for a moment. She doubted Pawl spoke true. He might have meant it, but others might not see it the same way. She also wanted to be offering sound advice to Pawl. It would be terrible to have a mating fail because of her words. Though, Dew knew nothing about breeding horses and, most certainly, not the glani.

“Esteem should derive from the traits, not the owner. What does Koli have that… Noxclaw,” an older glanus, still in her prime and battle worthy, “does not?” 

Pawl nodded, a genuine grin forming. He waved Dew to follow and brought Noxclaw out for observation. 

“Noxclaw is strong, yes. She is well mannered, in excellent health, and trained. Her patterns are pleasing to the eyes. She has good strength in her legs. Not the fastest runner, but capable of her general’s weight.” Neidr glanced at Dew. 

“And Koli is shorter than her and has no patterns. She is in good health and well-trained. She is a bit of an attention seeker.” Dew tapped her chin as she tried to dig up more reasons to not choose her mount. “I am a light rider for Koli, so I cannot judge properly if she would be a good runner for a scout or able to hold a soldier’s weight well,” Dew argued. “Noxclaw sounds like she would serve as a better mother for a battle-born foal.”

Pawl nodded as Neidr translated. 

“He appreciated your observation of detail. What are your thoughts on Lendoch?” They returned to the chosen stallion. 

The afternoon flew by discussing traits and mating pairs. By supper, Dew and Pawl agreed to mate Lendoch and Noxclaw. It would be an interesting operation. Pawl insisted she return to discuss the possibility of pairing a few more glani. Dew gladly accepted. 

Efa showed Dew her sketches from their time in the stables. They talked during supper, enjoying each other’s company as the other senior members of the table ignored them. 

Rhyddid did not begrudge them their time or attempt to divert Dew’s attention. She caught him staring at several points and in interest of being engaged, lifted Efa’s sketchbook for his gaze. He nodded in approval at the quick scenes of Dew and Pawl, the stablehand sitting on the hay, and Lendoch trying to gain Koli’s attention. 

“You mated two glani?” Rhyddid asked after a sip of his wine. His questions caught the attention of several other members who piped down to listen. 

“Lendoch and Noxclaw,” Dew confirmed and returned the sketchbook to Efa. “Stablemaster Pawl approved of the selection and Noxclaw’s general relented.” 

“I am glad you have taken such an interest,” he settled into his chair, turning to more comfortably keep his gaze on her. “You must keep me apprised of the progress.”

“I will,” Dew promised. “He has asked me to return to discuss a few more selections.” 

“Good,” Rhyddid nodded. 

One of the other nobles grumbled something under his breath. Rhyddid’s head snapped towards him, a glower replacing his good mood. The noble slunk a bit in his chair. 

“I do not believe I have heard what you named yours, Rhyddid?” The second his name slipped from her tongue, his eyes were back on her.

“Aster.” With his attention back to her, the noble could straighten himself and Rhyddid’s temper fled. 

Dew caught the noble’s eye before returning to Rhyddid. The Fae’s face flashed in wonder at her intervention. Dew was more surprised it worked so easily. 

“A good name,” she complimented. “Would you be opposed to riding with me again? I do not believe we finished the trail before we returned.” 

He blinked in momentary thought and slowly nodded. 

“I will have time after midday.” He glanced passed her to where Efa picked at her plate. 

“Cothi or Anest will keep Efa company,” Dew quickly explained. “They enjoy quiet companionship and Efa would have a chance to sketch the forests some more.”

They kept her company today and neither appeared bored. Cothi brought her own sketchbook and Anest, a book of poems to read.  

Efa glanced up from her plate and nodded. She couldn’t always be around her sister and it would be good for her to manage her own spot in court, not just as the queen’s sister and lady, but as an individual. She took an interest in the curiosities of the world. Surely, art would be treasured among the Fae.

“I have a gift for Efa,” Rhyddid surprised Dew with the admittance. “I will leave it with you in the morning.”

“Thank you,” Dew spoke for her sister and returned to the remnants of supper.