Kitabı oku: «Revelation by Elohim. The Mystery of Diana de’Poitier», sayfa 4

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Hunting

Hunting?! Diana was surprised.

She was not a fan of the kind of hunting that was done at court. When an unfortunate animal is driven into a trap from all sides and simply deprived of its opportunity to escape. She thought it was a disgusting, unfair murder!

Whether it was, when she went hunting with her father a long time ago. Nobody drove the beast. The hunter and the beast were equal. And the one who turns out to be better was decided only by who turns out to be more cunning, more agile, well, or faster. If the beast, then he will not be caught, if the hunter, then the prey will be his. This is the only hunt she respected.

Such a hunter earned her respect. And Heinrich was just such a hunter. He did not recognize any other hunt. He needed a fair fight! In such a hunt, the beast and the hunter were on equal terms. The hunters themselves could be injured by the beast, or they could even die.

Diana remembered that she did not have a suitable horse for hunting and told Henry about it.

Sheer trifle, said Heinrich, taking her hand.

Come on, honey.

He walked, with his brisk step, dragging her along and heading towards the stables.

Approaching the royal stables, he paused and waved his hand theatrically to indicate the horses in the stalls.

Choose whichever one you like, he said.

Hunt tomorrow morning. I leave you while you make your choice.

Take your time, he added.

And kissing her hand, he departed, with the same quick, confident gait.

She entered the stable accompanied by the old groom. And her heart sank with delight. Never before had she seen so many magnificent, purebred beauties of various stripes and breeds. Her heart was beating with joy so that she heard his pounding in her ears. She walked along the stall. But, the horses were one better than the other. She walked around, as if spellbound and could not make a choice. Suddenly she stopped, seeing a smoky handsome man. The stallion was with thin, long legs and a thin, outlined graceful head, with a powerful and at the same time graceful chest. He pricked up his pointed ears at the sight of Diana and widened his nostrils, frowning unkindly. Arrogantly, as if looking down at her, snorting disdainfully. Like telling her to get away. She gasped at his beauty. She turned, like a small child, at the sight of the desired toy to the old groom.

Saddle this one! She exclaimed, almost clapping her hands in delight.

The old man served in the royal stable as a groom for many years, almost all his life. And as often happens with old faithful servants, he could afford what other servants could not even imagine. For example, protest this lady. He furrowed his brows in displeasure.

No way. The old man answered not quite.

Poitier furrowed her eyebrows. Trying to make her look as strict as possible and giving herself a special menacingness, she stamped her foot.

Didn’t you hear what you were ordered?! Or are you deaf?!

His Highness the Prince has ordered you to saddle any horse I please!

I tell you saddle this one! And don’t argue with me! Diana was indignant.

But it seems that the old servant of the royal stable did not want to surrender without a fight.

I tell you madam, you can’t saddle this. He sighed, trying to get rid of her like an annoying fly.

This time, her eyebrows moved even more on the bridge of her nose. The old man, seeing that the lady was not going to retreat, sighed.

It is impossible, madam, because this is a stallion of His Highness Prince Henry. He only hunts on it and drives. The old man tried the last try.

Okay, I understand. Irritated, Poitiers added. Trying to pretend not to lose this battle to the malevolent old groom.

Okay, then I’ll pick another horse to hunt, she didn’t quit.

Now saddle this one. I want to ride it now

But the old man was clearly not going to surrender.

Not as bad as it gets, madam.

He is not accustomed to the female saddle.

With malice and undisguised malice, he added as if he had already won this difficult battle. She shot him with narrowed eyes like arrows and added with even greater malice in her voice.

And you saddle man! Gloomy, she sang.

What are you talking about, madam! The old man was taken aback.

This is how!

Would you like to ride like a man?!

Not decent, after all, God have mercy on you, madam! As if he didn’t believe her, the unfortunate groom cried out.

Yes, and you will die, you madam, by God! It’s a gray devil, not a stallion! Only his Highness the Prince is dealing with him! After all, this devil does not admit anyone else.

You will die, and then I will answer. The old man lamented. Trying with the last bit of strength to reason with Poitiers.

Saddle up! Told you! Poitiers screamed, losing her temper and making a formidable face.

Rejoicing in my soul that such a difficult battle with the groom will end in her favor. The old man finally gave up and went to get the saddle.

And where did you come from on my head. The old man muttered under his breath, putting the saddle on the handsome gray man.

Kill you!

Oh, kill yourself!

Answer me.

The groom whined.

The stallion was, indeed, too big and powerful for a woman, but Poitiers did not stop it.She sat down in the men’s saddle and took the reins in her hands. The stallion nervously walked from side to side, rustling with displeasure and menacingly flaring his nostrils, exhaling air like a fire-breathing dragon. He reared up from such an unheard-of impudence of a stranger. He reared up once more, trying to get rid of her. But, by the way, Poitiers was an excellent rider and he did not succeed. Then he rushed forward like a bullet through the fields adjacent to the stables. The stallion simply carried it. She did not control him at all, and he did not obey her at all, no matter how hard she tried to pull on the reins.

He was strong, and seemed not to feel it, or rather did not want to obey her. Diana tried to stop him, but he did not obey her. She grabbed the horse with her legs, pressing against him and grabbing his scruff, trying to stay on the galloping horse. She realized that her idea was stupid. But, it was too late to think about it. All she could do now was try not to break her neck. Hoping that soon he will run over and stop himself. Scolding himself in their hearts for not listening to the old man.

Finally, breathing freedom and a quick run, the smoky one calmed down and stopped. Diana congratulated herself on being still alive and not breaking her neck. She patted the animal on the neck, and he shook his head, snorting contentedly. Surprised, it seems that she is still here.

Well, finally!

That’s great! She spoke to the stallion. Stroking his smooth neck.

You almost killed me bastard!

She patted him again, giving him the pre-cooked sugar cube. The stallion snorted, but did not refuse the delicacy, and, snorting more favorably, allowed her to remain on horseback. It took some time, she enjoyed the ride. The stallion calmed down, as if having tested her for strength with his frantic run, no longer tried to throw her off. He instantly understood her every touch and all her commands. A light touch of the foot was enough, it was enough, it was easy to pull on the reins and he immediately understood everything, not trying to obey anymore. He seemed to like Poitiers in the end, and he snorted contentedly when she stroked his neck. It was undoubtedly a magnificent and intelligent animal. She was so carried away by the ride that she did not notice how Heinrich appeared from somewhere, riding a red stallion. Undoubtedly, just as gorgeous, but still inferior in everything, smoky. Heinrich soon caught up with her. Its smoky scent smelled its master and neighed happily, welcoming him. Heinrich rode up close to her.

Diana dear. Heinrich smiled.

You seem to have taken my stallion, he said.

She put on an innocent smile.

I really couldn’t resist.

I hope you will forgive me? She said. Making an innocent face and portraying a cute angel.

You ride in a men’s saddle, too. He added, grinning.

This is not terribly decent.

Don’t you know?

His eyes flashed mischievously and his smile widened.

Looking at him conspiratorially, she continues to portray the same innocent simplicity. She answered in a whisper.

But, you won’t tell anyone, will you?

He was still smiling. Delno shook his head.

I, no. My dear, Diana. I won’t tell anyone.

I assure you you can rely on me.

But as you can imagine, my dear Diana. He continued.

Smoky, you can’t hunt, alas.

I would give it to you, don’t hesitate.

But I’m afraid. The whole yard will hardly accept your ride in a man’s saddle with delight.

So, alas, madam.

You will need to choose another horse.

She pouted.

Heinrich is it my fault that the most magnificent stallion in the entire stable is yours.

He laughed heartily. Adding already seriously.

It was not reprehensible, you could be injured.

She smiled at him again with the smile of an angel.

Let’s go, my dear Diana.

I know which horse is right for you.

He said, guiding his horse towards the stables in the distance.

She followed him. Arriving at the stables, Heinrich deftly jumped off the saddle and held out his hand to her. She, too, gracefully jumped off the horse.

Heinrich led her to the stall where the mare stood, which Heinrich, as he put it, looked after her.

It was a red, not tall horse, which would be more suitable for quiet riding, children. Diana went out. The mare was unremarkable. Her legs were not at all as graceful, long and thin as those of her more purebred, thoroughbred chicks. Seeing her upset. Heinrich hastened to praise the animal.

Oh my dear! This is an absolutely wonderful horse! Believe me.

She is accustomed to the female saddle.

And the most important thing.

She has a great, calm disposition.

You will see. You will be delighted.

Diana was about to burst into tears of resentment.

Oh yes, monsieur!

She has a calm disposition like a cow.

Only she noticed. Heinrich pretended not to hear her. She was completely upset. Like an offended child. She cast an envious glance at the smoky stallion stuck its muzzle out of the stall. The stallion snorted contemptuously. As if he were saying that she had made a bad choice. She sighed resignedly, looking at Heinrich reproachfully. Heinrich, without letting her say another word. As if afraid that if she spoke, she would convince him. Somewhere, quickly rushed. Trying not to look into her now, such unhappy eyes. Knowing that he could not resist her. I decided to retire. In order not to change your mind. The old man informed him that Madame had left on his smoky stallion. Henry, knowing the nature of his horse, cursed everything in the world, allowing Madame de Poitiers to choose a horse on her own.

His heart fell somewhere in the abyss from fear that something could happen to her. Therefore, now, he was no longer going to make such a mistake. Having chosen, for Diana, the most humble horse that he could find in the stable. He said that he was not waiting for the pedestrian business and said goodbye to her, kissing her hand.

Telling her.

See you tomorrow, my dear, Diana.

Quickly, he walked away without changing his mind.

Early the next morning. The courtiers gathered to hunt. The men were in a state of some kind of nervous excitement, the women were full of their magnificent riding costumes, adorned with jewelry and gilded embroidery.

Diana sat on her ginger mare. She was dressed in a riding suit, the color of a gorgeous dark green pool or a deep lake in the woods. The riding suit was made of fine velvet.

The top of the suit was embroidered with fine emeralds and gold thread. The image was complemented by a wonderful headdress with magnificent feathers to match the suit and gloves of the same color. In the ears sparkled beautiful earrings with the purest emeralds, complementing the whole image. The hair was beautifully collected in a hairdo and only a few black curls fell on the sides, from which the emeralds on Poitiers’ earrings sparkled even more. Poitiers, like a fabulous forest nymph, sparkled in the sun, the color of green forest lakes. She was still sulking at Heinrich for the stupid horse that he slipped into her. The mare had a really calm disposition, as Heinrich put it. So Poitiers is a horse that always reached for the juicy leaves of every bush they passed by, definitely resembled a cow. Diana saw Heinrich. It was as if he had been replaced! He radiated nervous energy. I could not at all resist in one place. He spoke loudly and joked with other men. Tossing like a whirlwind between them on his magnificent stallion from side to side and swinging in different directions with his arms, like wings, and swinging his legs, as if he was going to run somewhere. His stallion was just as excited. He whinnied nervously, flaring his nostrils, and with impatience now and then, rearing up. Both of them, as if they could not wait for the wild pursuit of the unfortunate prey. The ladies now and then threw their meaningful glances at him. He was dressed in a magnificent hunting suit that was hardly embroidered in gold, which was strange for his rank as a prince. Heinrich preferred to dress more like a soldier than like a prince, and he hated all these ruffles and embroidery. His hunting boots gleamed with purity and gilded spurs. And his whole appearance was rather formidable. His stallion was adorned with an elegant blanket and sparkled in the sun, not yielding to the owner. But, the eyes sparkled most of all in both!

Heinrich was just great! And more like a corsair on his handsome, smoky horse breathing fire. Poitiers was amazed at such a striking change in him! After all, Henry was usually a rather calm young man. And he was so strikingly different now! He looked like some incredibly charming robber who thundered with his, as it turned out, a rather loud voice. Since he usually spoke calmly and quietly. Diana could not even imagine that his voice could thunder like thunder, shaking everything around! And flashing eyes like lightning. He saw her in the crowd and smiled at her, greeting her and blowing a kiss to her, ignoring the surrounding crowd, embarrassing her with this. Arousing the envious glances of many ladies. Diana lifted her chin arrogantly up, pretending not to notice the women looking at her enviously. Delano snorted as if an annoying fly were flying over her. The sound of a bugle rang out. The dogs howled happily when they recognized the hunt signal! Heinrich jerked off first, as if there was a miracle spring in his stallion. All the others rushed after him. Horses, people and dogs all mixed up in a noisy crowd, hounds and people urging their horses on. Diana was in the last ranks, among the laggards. Her calm, as Heinrich put it, a mare. It seemed that she did not know at all what a gallop was and was not going to learn it even now. Finally, she lagged behind and completely from the whole crowd, chipping all her legs on the sides of the stubborn animal. Poitiers, at the end, exhausted, urging her red horse on, gave up completely. She finally realized that this case was useless. The horse was not going to run! Behind some kind of crowd. She lowered the reins, realizing that she would no longer catch up with anyone. She gave the mare freedom, and she wasted no time in vain, reached for the first bush that came, began to lazily chew the leaves. Poitiers sighed.

You are not a horse! She spoke.

You’re just a cow!

What a fool put you in the stable!

You really belong in the barn! She scolded her redhead.

But, the animal seemed completely indifferent to such accusations.

Horses are running! If you didn’t know. Diana continued.

But, redhead, as if accepting that she is a cow. She reached for a portion of the leaves again, lazily chewing on the treat.

Ah, Diana sighed. Hearing the sound of the hunt receding. The noise of the bugle, the barking of dogs and the neighing of horses became quieter and quieter. She realized that she could not catch up with them, sighed again, looking around. Everywhere there was the scent of the forest, the buzzing of all kinds of bugs and bumblebees, the chirping of forest birds in different ways. A squirrel flashed in the branches of a tree, sitting on a trunk and with curiosity began to examine the uninvited guests. She lowered the reins, giving free rein to her mare to go wherever she pleases, and delighting admiring the surrounding beauty, enjoying the fresh air. Her redhead walked forward, feeling freedom.

Poitiers didn’t care to guide her.

She wandered this way through the forest for a while. Her horse went out into a small meadow covered with greenery and flowers. The mare stopped and began gnawing at the nearest bush.

Suddenly Diana heard a dull thud and the crunch of breaking branches on the other side of the forest. A moment later, a huge boar suddenly jumped out from there. The monster was huge with bloodshot eyes and large yellow fangs. A piece of a broken dart was stuck in his side, the beast was wounded. Poitiers, as if hypnotized, could not take her eyes off the monster, frozen in place. Her horse stopped chewing, staring blankly at the boar. Perhaps, if Diana had gotten a more agile animal, and not this red mare, then most likely she would have given dry. But, unfortunately, her mare turned out to be thinking for a long time. Diana herself froze in place, doing nothing. So they stood her and her horse. Foolishly staring at the huge boar opposite, and not the one, not the other, did not think to run. The boar froze only for a moment, seeing them, but in the next instant, with a belligerent wheeze and pressing his fangs closer to the ground, he was about to rush at both. But, he was prevented by a terrible crash and crash in the bushes nearby. The boar turned sharply at the noise. The noise finally brought Diana out of her mortal stupor. Heinrich flew out to the edge of the forest all the way, on his smoky one. Smoky was covered in foam and leaves. Smokey’s eyes burned with red fire, his nostrils widened, he snorted menacingly. Heinrich, like his stallion, was also covered in leaves. His eyes, like those of his horse, burned with the same fire.

It all happened so quickly that she didn’t have time to recover. Heinrich jumped out of the saddle at full gallop, jumping straight onto the back of the monster. A dagger blade flashed in the sunlight. And both of them, Heinrich and the boar, rolled head over heels over the leaves and the ground in a deadly ball. The boar roared terribly, and a moment later, issuing a monstrous howl, the monster trembled and froze. Heinrich was not visible, he was under the boar. They both did not move. Diana finally woke up completely. Her heart sank and beat so desperately that it became difficult to breathe.

God! He is dead! A nightmarish thought flashed through.

She quickly jumped from the saddle down to the ground.

Her redhead also woke up, and smelling the smell of blood in horror, she whinnied, rearing up and rushing as fast as she could. Poitiers ran to the boar trying to make out Heinrich. Her heart was pounding wildly, tap dancing in her chest. Heinrich was crushed by the carcass of a wild boar. But, here he began to stir and, throwing aside the carcass of the boar, which he was crushed by, lay down next to the boar, leaning his elbows on its carcass, as if on the back of a chair. She watched his actions, dumbfounded.

And he!

He was smiling!

All stained with the blood of a defeated animal, mixed with foliage and earth. He smiled at her. Anger seized her.

Are you crazy?! She cried out, unable to contain herself.

Do you always attack wild animals with your bare hands?!

You really hoped to strangle him?!

The monster almost killed you! She finished, annoyed.

He laughed loudly and abruptly, catching a breath that still hadn’t come back to normal after a deadly hug with a boar.

Are you madam? He parried, cheerfully.

Always stay in place like a statue? And do not try to escape when you see a wounded, and I want to note, an extremely dangerous wild boar.

Or did you intend to greet him kindly? He finished, clearly enjoying their conversation.

And continuing to smile contentedly, he looked at her confused look. He continued almost seriously, but with the same note of sarcasm.

I guess I should have waited for him to charge you?

She was taken aback. Not finding what to answer him. Indeed, it was true; it was incredibly stupid that she did not rush away from this monster as soon as she noticed him. And if Heinrich had not appeared so on time. The boar would no doubt rush at her. Not finding anything to say to him, she just flapped her eyelashes. She looked so confused that he could not resist and laughed heartily. And then she noticed that his leg was bleeding.

Oh my God! She screamed.

You are injured!

She sat down beside him to help and, trying to examine his wound, eyes full of sympathy, compassion and fear.

Nonsense, he waved it off.

Scratch. Diana, you shouldn’t be so worried. He smiled sweetly at her.

Everything heals very quickly on me.

You need to be bandaged! You will lose a lot of blood! Poitiers did not agree with him.

She already wanted to put her words into action. Suddenly there was a noise and crackling nearby in the bush. And in the next instant, riders of a man and a woman, as well as their dogs, flew into the clearing. Seeing the defeated boar, and next to him the wounded Henry, the men rushed to the prince in a hurry to help. In the next instant, they tightened and bandaged his wound. Women sitting side by side on their horses and groaned. Continuing to cast loving glances towards the prince.

Ah! Poor thing!

He looks badly injured! They whispered.

The whole crowd pushed Poitiers aside. She watched in silence. The men made something like a stretcher for Henry. They lamented about how close they were to the boar, and a little more and the prey would be in their hands. Talking about how Heinrich beat everyone up again and took the loot. Heinrich reassured them. Saying that they might be lucky next time they hunt. But, clearly not going to give in to anyone next time. And suddenly, he said loudly, looking for Diana with his eyes among the crowd.

No gentlemen!

I wouldn’t have been able to catch him myself if it weren’t for Madame de Poitiers!

She’s a great hunter!

The beast runs towards it!

Saying this. He looked at her slyly and mischievously, smiling broadly at her. All heads turned towards her. Looking with curiosity. As if to say. Is that really true?! She shot him an angry look and answered coldly.

Complete nonsense.

I ended up here by accident.

But, Henry was completely amused, despite his wound, continued.

Gentlemen, don’t believe her!

Madame de Poitiers is just being shy!

She pursed her lips, casting an almost angry look in his direction. Hoping that he will finally calm down. He winked at her cheerfully, continuing to arrive in good spirits.

What nonsense is he talking! Diana thought irritably, turning away from him in order to end this conversation. And so, this whole honest company. Horses, people, dogs, the carcass of a wild boar, prey, undoubtedly, Heinrich and he himself, leading, like a Caesar, all this noisy company, moved through the forest, heading back to the palace. He was carried by men, like a Roman emperor on an improvised stretcher, since he himself could not ride on horseback because of a wound on his leg, which was ripped apart, like a sharp blade by boar fangs almost to the very thigh.

He was pale from blood loss, but he didn’t seem to care at all. He was having fun and joking. The men laughed loudly at his jokes, and the ladies giggled coquettishly. He himself swung his arms in different directions, as well as his one leg, since his other leg was not able to tap the first. Poitiers gave way to the horse, as her mare had fled somewhere. She rode a little further away from him. Heinrich now and then turned his head, looking for her in the crowd, and when he found, he smiled good-naturedly at her.

In the evening, all this society gathered for a feast on the occasion of a successful hunt. And, in spite of his wounded leg, Heinrich rejoiced heartily. His prey, already well-done, was greeted with noisy and stormy exclamations, praising the hunter for courage and dexterity. The courtiers were noisy and merry. When enough wine had been drunk, they began to play a sweet and reckless game, blind man’s buff. They put on a black silk bandage over their eyes and circled.

And the one who had his eyes closed with a blindfold had to catch with his eyes closed one of the fleeing. If it was an attractive lady, then there were many willing gentlemen to fall into her hands.

If it was an attractive man, then the lady who liked him should not have bothered to fall into his arms, pretending that she was trying to run away.

And for some reason many of the ladies ran so badly that they very quickly found themselves in the clutches of the players. The bottom line was that no one really ran away from anyone, but sooner found himself in the arms of the one who turned out to be nice to him. A kiss was considered a win, but one kiss, as a rule, did not end anything. Heinrich was sitting at the table, watching the game. Putting his wounded leg on a small velvet stool. Poitiers remained in the same place, not participating in the fun. He looked at her.

Not playing? He asked.

No, she answered, bored.

What not? Heinrich continued.

You might have some fun.

The corners of her lips floated up like the wings of a butterfly.

I don’t see a decent player there. She answered, still smiling.

He laughed.

Yes, but I think a lot of people would love to fall into your wonderful hands. He continued their dialogue.

She raised her eyebrows. She looked at him intently and carefully and answered.

You seem to be worried that you can’t play? She sang.

Oh, I think you would have caught a dozen of the nicest ladies at a time.

Those who didn’t get caught would obviously be upset. She finished, purring the words sarcastically like a big cat. Smiling at him with just the corner of her lips.

He smiled back at her.

How angry you are, though! He answered with a grin.

Ah, my dear Diana.

What do I care about these pet cats. He smiled at her with a grin.

Either you! Another thing!

Try to eat someone for lunch or dinner.

Unfortunate victims! He added.

And do not suspect that the prey. He sighed.

And the bigger the game, the better for you. He continued.

Obviously hinting at the king and her relationship with him.

Poitiers said nothing, slowly rose from the table. Letting him know that he was leaving and grimaced picturesquely, replied.

I’m not hungry today.