What a wonderful day for a ride, she thought. The sun was out; a gentle breeze stirred her skirts slightly. They were a little dusty, but she much preferred riding in a cart than a carriage on a day such as this. It was such a small sacrifice to pay for such a glorious experience. Tilting her head, she gazed up at the blue sky, at the soft clouds that stretched themselves lazily across it, stray wisps getting away from the mass much like the few strands of hair that blew into her face. She giggled lightly, brushing them behind her ear.

The only thing that threw a shadow over her sunny countenance was the gossip that she had recieved not too long ago. She had heard rumors that were unsettling. Rumors of deaths uncalled for. And it made her frown.

“Did you hear about poor Billy? Strung up, the poor dear. Some are of a mind that it was unjustly done, too. I knew the boy, and I must say, I cannot imagine that sweet thing murdering anyone.” She had turned to her neighbour, and he stared back with a kind of hopelessness. Nodding her approval at the reaction, she continued, “I know. It’s absurd! I’m sure there must have been some kind of accident. The wrong place at the wrong time, if you know what I mean.” And then she gasped, with a terrible look of sudden understanding, “You don’t think he was conspired against, do you?” Her companion merely lowered his head, and she patted his arm affectionately, trying to comfort him with, “It’s very sad, dear. I know. But I’m sure there was some reason for it all. . .”

She trailed off into thought, sparing a glance at passersby. They returned her look with idle interest, some choosing to follow her as she passed. She smiled a bit. They all wanted a ride on this fine, fine day. Well, she might very well give them one, as soon as she reached her destination. She was a kindly woman, and she had no trouble at all sharing what she had.

Which included the latest news, of course.

“And you’ve heard about Jay, I’m sure? Found dead in his own pool?” she murmured, shaking her head when her companion looked wearily up again. “It’s terrible, really. No law whatsoever! People are simply killing each other with no thought, no reason, no sense! I swear, I’m getting out of this neighbourhood as soon as I can manage it.” This last bit was whispered lowly, so as not to offend anyone else within earshot.

She sighed softly when the cart finally stopped, taking the proferred hand and stepping lightly onto the dirt road. Lifting her skirts, she climbed the wooden steps to her vantage point without hesitation, a bounce in her step and a sparkle in her eye.

The view was so much better from up here! A pair of birds flew overhead, turning and diving in their joy, the sunlight glinting off their black feathers.

“. . .willful commission of crimes. . .”

She tossed her head a bit, her hair starting to scratch around her neck. It didn’t help much, but as she looked out to the hills beyond, she decided that it didn’t really matter. The day was simply too beautiful.

“. . .fraud. . .”

She decided then that, if this were to be her last day on earth, it would be enough. Right here, right now, everything was perfect.

“. . .sentenced this day to be hung by the neck. . .”

Yes. It was a most beautiful day.