Alistarr had been out in the little wooded area of the gardens, hiding- once again- from his tutors. He felt it a waste of such a beautiful day to be locked up in some dark musty classroom, just him and his teacher, listening to the man drone on and on about useless boring shite. Most of his lessons, he shared with other children whose families lived or worked within the castle, like math, science, english, and history. Other lessons, however, like the foreign languages, and politics, he was alone for.

He scurried into a tree not a moment too soon, as a couple of servants turned a corner up hhe trail, calling for him. "Master Alistarr! Master Alistarr! ... Ooh, just you wait til your father learns you're skipping your lessons again, boy!" One lady, his Nanny, actually, threatened, as she and the younger maid headed back off towards the castle. Alistarr paled slightly, knowing what would await when he made it back to the castle. It was certainly better, in his opinion, however, to be turned over his father's knee than to endure both spanking and tongue lashing from the woman who'd raised him, for she often went far too hard and long, often times leaving his bottom bruised- not that his parents believed him. His father had been raised by her as well, and never once had a stinging backside last longer than a day.

Alistarr was just about to hop down out of the tree when he heard another commotion, and pressed himself closer to the trunk of the tree. Next he knew, a horse went galloping down the trail, a young squire following behind, beratig the beast for, apparently, tossing him into he pond. He stifled a giggle, watching teen and beast with amusement.