Tree near a stream

Coralie beamed, laughing. "Thank you, monsieur."

her eyes went wide and she nodded, "oh, I know we would impress them all."

Coralie looked down at the lute in her hands. "How was the military?" she frowned a little, "my brother never told me how it is nowadays."

It did Christophe much good to see the young lady smile. "I am glad you have asked me, though," he admitted.

He took some time about answering Coralie's question about the military. "It's a difficult life. It's more of a calling. It is not meant for every man to become a soldier of the realm. We are sent wherever we are ordered to go. We are taught to live off the land. If I needed to I could survive for weeks in this forest, alone, with just the clothes on my back and perhaps a bow and arrow. If I needed I could fashion a weapon from what I find in the woods. It's a very dirty life, the men are not clean. I am one of the rare fastidious ones, I think cleanliness is a trait to be valued in others. And sometimes we must brave all sorts of weather: unrelenting rainstorms, the cruel heat of the sun, the snowstorms that can wipe out more men than lost in combat. It is a lonely life too. It makes it worth it to have something to come back to. I don't, not anymore." he looked away a moment then back at Coralie. He smiled. "And that's all without the actual battle we fight."

Coralie's eyes rose as she listened to Christoph's description of the life a soldier. She could not help but laugh at the thought of dirty soldiers. She pictured her brother, Pierpont, and could see why he had come home so often whenever he could. Though he was her brother and she loved him very much, their mother spoiled him and when he returned home he would often spend hours bathing and even spraying himself with perfumes.

"I see why my brother came home whenever he could," she nodded, giggling a little. "He likes cleanliness also...also he has not been the kind to work hard in the heat and dirt," she laughed faintly, "but he does like to fight, I dare say," she burst into laughter.

Coralie looked up at Chrisoph. "Did you like it though?" She looked at the trees of the forest they sat beside, "did you like learning to live with your surroundings and resources?"

Coralie gave a laugh, "I am often very thankful I am girl...I do not think I could show such bravery.
She suddenly turned around to look toward the forest, where she heard the rustle of leaves. She turned to Christoph, eyes wide, "what do you think that was, monsieur?"

Coralie placed her lute gently on the ground, feeling her heart race as she watched Christoph reach for something at his hip. Yet she stood to her feet and moved beside the tree, stepping over the roots.

There came a rustle of leaves again, and she felt a bit frightened, when a quick flash of orange ran beside the opening of the forest.

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Coralie gave a gasp at the sight of a little fox, sitting beside a tree, looking at the two.
"Do you see, monsieur?" she smiled, looking back at Christoph, "oh, it's darling."

Coralie giggled at the thought of her voice attracting woodland creatures.

"I wonder, monsieur, if that is a compliment, or a bad thing," she laughed. Coralie slowly moved beside Christoph to watch as the little animal ate at the piece of bread.

"Ohhhh, it's so small," she smiled, looking at Christoph. "Where do you think it's mama is?"

Coralie laughed.

She took the piece of bread from Christoph and slowly crouched down beside the little fox. She slowly stuck her hand out and watched it sniff her fingers and begin to nibble at the bread.

"Oh, I wish I could take you with me," she laughed, looking at the fox. Coralie looked at Christoph, "do you like animals, monsieur?" She looked down at the little creature, "most men would try to harm such a little thing like this."

Coralie looked down at the little fox, smiling, yet she sensed the quiet and possible sadness in Christoph's voice.

She looked back to the fox, nibbling quietly. "My mother never allowed me to have an animal," she frowned a little, "she said they were filthy and only meant for boys."

Coralie looked up at Christoph, "I am glad you are such a gentleman," she smiled.

Coralie laughed at the thought of such a cat. "I think I should like to have a cat, or a horse...or even something exotic like a bird and funny animal."

Coralie gave a laugh. "I must admit monsieur...I would have taken you as a gentleman of the hunt."

Coralie shook her head, "my mother said it is improper for ladies to ride."

Coralie looked down at the little fox as Christoph spoke. "I should like a little fox like this," she smiled, "they are so pretty," she giggled a little.

Her eyes rose a little, "have you seen many battles and fights?"

Coralie nodded in agreement, "yes, I have seen quite a few ladies at court who ride,"she looked down at the fox. she felt a moment of sadness, yet shook it away and gave a smile. "I am not sure if I should even be able to stay on a horse," she laughed, "I think I am too small."

Coralie's eyes grew wide and she laughed, "I am certain he should like to see me with such a little friend." She giggled mischieviously, "besides...perhaps I am the wilder animal."

She shook her head, "I could not imagine going to battle...but I suppose after such a time training, one becomes very prepared."

He smiled. "Oh you're not too small to ride a horse, you only need a horse that can suit your size. I can even show you how to ride, if you like."

He laughed at the thought of Coralie walking around court with a small fox in her arms. "If you can find a tame enough animal, perhaps you may have your wish. And in fact I find you more of a wood fairy than an animal."

Thinking about his training, Christophe nodded slowly. "You would think so, but in fact one is never really prepared. Not just for battle, but for the sight of all of it. Seeing your friends fall dead before you, looking into the eyes of a man with your sword thrust inside him, seeing the light go from his eyes as he dies.. the stench of blood that hangs heavy and metallic.. nothing really prepares you for war."

Coralie beamed, nodding, "Oh, yes, I would love to!" She smiled, "I have heard some of the other ladies go riding in the king's hunting excursions...I should like to go someday!"

Coralie laughed, "do you truly think so?" She looked down a moment, giggling, "my nursemaids used to call me a wild child when they complained to my mother."

Her eyes grew wide, "I could never imagine such things...I could never imagine seeing such things," she shook her head.

Coralie's eyes grew die and she clapped her hands together, "Oh, thank you, thank you!!!" She giggled, "perhaps you can teach me to ride like a soldier!" she jested.

Coralie giggled and blushed. She tilted her head to look up at Christophe, "what were you like as a child?"

She nodded in understanding, "of course, monsieur."

There came the yelp and call of an animal off in the forest, and the little fox cub turned around and hurried off in the direction the sound came.

"Goodbye, little one," Coralie laughed, waving.