~Avalon Stables~

The black Friesian stallion was coaxed through the training and orders until both Knight and Penn were dappled and coated with sweat. Knight eventually was set loose to have his ownership over the exercise field even as Penn herself peeled off the first layer of clothing to leave her in the white camisole and riding breeches.

Lake blue eyes closed as her hands rose to smooth through soaked strands of gold. Her head was tipped back to soak in the rays of the moon as the night air kissed and cooled the heat from her flesh. Her lips parted in a sigh as in that moment the ethereal presence of Penn’s truth as an entity of pagan claim seemed so visible.

The stables she knew were easily coming to construction and soon enough it would be more then just Knight that she would be busy with training. It would be toward the end of spring the new lot of brood mares would be picked over for Knight’s approval and for the proper breeding bloodlines. Penn knew that once she had her breeding stock established then she would be able to open the stables for boarding and training. The possibility of classes even came to mind.

In the moon light she remembered the nights of chivalry that had more to do with a gun. Those were the long forgotten times where a Druid had all say in the world. A time where truth and honor were interwoven with the virtue and vows of the knights was what Penn was used to.

Penn did not believe that chivalry was dead but she was starting to believe that more and more it was fading as greed and desire overtook that which she was accustomed to.

She smiled to herself as she remembered the Darkest Night where she had spoken in secret to Arthur of the true honor he possessed even as she had attempted to reveal to him the betrayal he would come to know.

The vision of Lancelot and Guinevere in the arms of each other, forged from the first moment as lovers that could not be separated. Once Penn would have believed that Honor was above all and everything, and Arthur’s willingness to forgive his sworn and his sword brother had earned her respect.

Now looking back upon it all she had to wonder on the truth of love to conquer all. She could not deny that the lovers had made all attempts to deny the temptation for the sake of Arthur but love would ever have its whim and way.

No matter the stories spoken in secret she had never been the lover of any. The Friesian pawed at the earth as he huffed out a breath to the fissured breeze as it left his sweat soaked flank to be cooled and he pushed his head against Penn’s arm.

The grin grew as lake blue eyes opened and she shook her head in response to the Friesian’s equine manner of courtship. Her fingers laced through the black mane to pull the beast closer in a shared comfort.

“I know. I never would need one in shining armor when I will always have my own Black Knight.”

The words no matter their intention could never have so much promise…the times were certainly changing if Penn could be lead astray by one in Black rather then those of the shining armor.