Kahriah waved to Grelda and Marell as they exited the carriage and trotted the new mount to her and Lohmen’s house.

“Lohmen? Come on out…I have something for you.” She called to the house, unsure if he was home.

“You’re back! How was Onny?” came Lohmen’s reply. Grelda and Marell waved as they went back to their house.

The door cracked open, and the painter stuck his head out. A smile worked his way across his face as he took in the site of Kahriah on the brown and white horse. Bernock had given her a few pointers on the ride home and, with a little tug of the reins, Kahriah brought the horse about to provide Lohmen the full profile.

“Well, this is something. You bought a horse?”

“Not exactly.” She slipped off the horse, pulled a folded piece of paper from her robe, and handed it to her husband. He took it with a puzzled but playful look on his face.

“Seller: 0113D7...Mount name: unnamed…price: Five hundred and twenty-five. Five-twenty-five Kahriah?!” he exclaimed as she rolled her eyes and motioned for him to continue.

“Inclusions: Saddle, saddlebags, bridle, reins, leather travel bag. Terms: payment in full. Buyer…” he cocked his head to the side. “Did you buy ME a horse?”

“I did,” she said proudly. “Flip it over.” On the back was Kahriah’s handwriting.

To Lo,

My knight in painted armour,

Kahriah.

Lohmen swallowed a lump in his throat and moved in to give her an embrace. He knew what this meant from her. This horse, Tolo, was a way for him to continue his work and be there for her. And soon, them. A gift of deep love and understanding.

“Thank you,” was all he could muster.

"Happy firstday, Lohmen." She replied. “So, you’re a horseman now. What are you going to name her?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never named a horse before.” He looked back down at the note. “To Lo.” He read aloud again. “I’m going to call her “Tolo.”

“That’s pretty good, painter.” She kissed him and left the embrace. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to head inside. Why don’t you spend some time with Tolo and then come in.”

He walked Tolo around their house to the back to give her and her bags an inspection.

“You’re a good girl,” Lohmen said as he ran his hands along her mane and rubbed her neck. Kahriah had now been responsible for his second love at first sight. The brown and white spotted horse whinnied as her new owner showered her with pats and scratches. When Tolo had been tied up behind their house, Lohmen turned his attention to the tackle she came with.

“What else have we got here?” He asked Tolo while rummaging through the various inclusions from the bill of sale. Saddlebags hung from either side of the suitable-looking seat. In one of them, he found a bit of rope. The other was empty. Tucked under the cantle was a rolled-up soft, leather bag containing what appeared to be the previous owner’s laundry. The boots strapped to the bag looked a perfect fit, so he plopped on the ground and pulled them on.

Can hardly wear painter’s shoes when riding, can I?

He looked down at his feet and imagined himself a knight in the cavalry.

“Did she steal you?” He asked Tolo. Fishing further in the bag, his fingers met something that gave him pause. Clutching it tightly in his hand, he pulled it out. He tossed the bag in the saddle and raced into the house. Kahriah was standing in the kitchen unloading her herb basket as she turned to see his face brimming with excitement.

“Kahriah, you won’t believe what I found in one of the bags.” He exclaimed, holding out a closed right hand.

“What?” she asked, looking at the secret wrapped in fingers. Lohmen slowly opened his hand and watched Kahriah’s eyes widen with surprise and bewilderment.

“You know what. This is probably a sign of things beyond my grasp.” She grabbed the simple bronze ring from his hand and knelt on one knee.

“Lohmen Dreisler, will you join me as one till the end of our days?”

“Kahriah, I think I’m supposed to do that.” He argued playfully.

“You know I’m not one for tradition. This is as close as you’ll get. I suppose that’s a no then?” She moved to get up with a wry look on her face.

“No, no, no,” he said as she raised an eyebrow. “Yes, I mean. Yes. I will join you as one till the end of our days.” They laughed as she slid the ring on his finger. He pulled her up, and the newly betrothed kissed.

“Well, that’s a new one. Not sure how I’ll explain it to the bookbinders!”

“Lo, don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.” She offered as consolation.

“Kahriah, I don’t care who knows. WE’RE TO BE WED!” he screamed so Grelda could hear. “Shall we consummate our impending union?” He asked suggestively but thankfully to Kahriah, more quietly.

“I’ve just ridden all day. I’m exhausted!” she laughed and gave him another kiss before returning to her herbs.

“I’m a lucky man, Kahriah. Thank you.” He said as he smiled at her, even though she had her back to him. “I’m going to go get Tolo set up outback. See you in bed.” As he stepped out the back door, he thumbed his new jewellery.

Lohmen practically danced out of the house. He’d dropped everything when he found the ring. For four months, since the night they had met, Lohmen had wanted to marry Kahriah. He’d asked that night and again six weeks later when they found out she was with child. Kahriah had consistently declined, saying it wasn’t Lohmen; it was the institution she disagreed with. But even she couldn’t ignore the chance finding of a ring.

Lohmen had forgotten about the rest of the inclusions, so he rejoined Tolo in the back and finished his rummaging.

The boots from the bag were already on his feet, but there was more. With his arm up to his shoulder, he pulled out the rest of the bag’s contents. He tucked a pair of heavy gloves into the saddlebags for riding. Then a sizable, deep hood that would cover his entire upper body.

This’ll serve well if it starts to rain.

Folded, he stashed it into a saddlebag as well. Next came a small notebook. Flipping its pages revealed them to be completely blank. Lohmen figured he’d be able to sketch ideas for his paintings. He folded Tolo’s bill of sale into the back of the notebook and slid it into the saddlebag beside the hood. A simple but finely made shirt came out next. Holding it up against his chest, it looked to be a good fit, though out of style, so he threw it over his shoulder to bring inside. Next came a fancy belt with intricate, if not unsettling, embellishments. He threw it around his waist, and the fit was perfect, just like the boots. Finally, he fished out a red pendant with a fine leather string from the bottom.

Ugly thing. Who’d wear such an object?

He threw the pendant back into the empty bag and rejoined Kahriah in the house. Tossing it in a corner, the bag landed softly near a chair. The only sound was a soft click of a muffled pendant hitting a loose floorboard.