Do I have time to lead Lightning to my conspirators? They’d take him to a road and load him. Or do I worry they’ll cut me out of the deal and leave me to take the blame?
She shook her head. No time. No turning back.
She pushed the back gate open. It swung free, slowed at the end of its arc, and picked up speed on its trip back. It crashed into the post. The bang of metal on wood reverberated.
Where to take the thrice-cursed beast?
By now, my absence might be detected.
What to do?
She pushed the gate open and let it bang closed again. On the other side of the field the herd noticed the commotion. Baron, Iestyn’s gelding, whinnied and trotted toward her. Others turned. Not wanting to be left behind, they galloped to catch Baron. Soon the whole herd was on the move.
Falcon slammed the gate shut as Baron reached it. Under a death sentence or not, Iestyn’d kill her if the horses got out.
Baron flattened his ears. A nose wedged between the fence, and the gate didn’t open it. He snorted and went back to grazing. Falcon gave him a consoling pat.
What had Derrin said?
If I found Lightning, Iestyn’d still be demoted for letting him loose.
What if Lightning hadn’t been stolen?
Falcon threw the lead line over Baron’s neck.
Derrin gained from Iestyn’s disgrace. He couldn’t leave Lightning with the geldings—Lightning would be discovered too soon.
What about just letting him out?
Lightning probably wouldn’t go too far. There weren’t any big predators this close to Valya. If Derrin was blamed, he put the Lightning back in the paddock. Or Derrin could be a hero and find Lightning after Iestyn had been eliminated as a threat. Perfect.
She haltered Baron. It took some time to let him out and keep the rest of the herd in. Baron went back to grazing while she was distracted.
Quicker.
Falcon unclipped the lead line. She smacked Baron on the haunch with it. He trotted off a few paces and resumed eating.
Not far enough.
She glanced around. The bells chimed again. Half a cycle gone. Her palms were slick. The guards would pass on their circuit soon.
Her attention fixated on a rock half buried in the ground by a post. Gods help her—was she really considering throwing a rock at Baron? Derrin would.
The stone fit snugly in her palm. Its edges weren’t sharp.
“Sorry.”
She held a breath and cocked her arm back.
Baron squealed, bucked, and broke into a canter. He reached the forest line and stopped. The forage wasn’t as good. Whether looking for more food or wanting to escape the possibility of more rocks, he edged into the woods.
Brush moved at the edge of the clearing. Sunlight glinted off armor. The guard was coming. She needed to follow Baron, but someone had to know she’d left. The guardsmen, Zantin and Jamiro, came into view. They were new to the watch, but Zantin knew who she was. It took some time to convince him that she shouldn’t take a complement of soldiers with her. Zantin made her promise to be back before dark.
When they left, Falcon resumed the thief’s count. Half a cycle gone. She’d have to head back. From here she could circle the paddocks and slip into the merchant’s barn or the barracks. If she’d missed her timing, she’d still be coming from the wrong side of the courtyard to be a suspect. If Iestyn and the stablemaster took a bit longer, he could change to confound any descriptions of the thief and hide the wet shirt.
She turned to face where Baron had walked into the woods. Even knowing where to look, she had trouble seeing his outline against the shadows and interspersed shafts of light. Getting back was more important than forcing the horse further away from the keep.
Now that she wasn’t looking for a nonexistent wagon and accomplices, she could focus on tracking. She dropped to the ground. At least she wasn’t trying to track a runner, the deer-like creature had wings, and its prints could be as far as five horse-lengths apart. The ground was softer than the area around the paddock, but still unlikely to hold prints.
Her hands were scratched and knees raw after a few cycles of crawling on the leaf litter and hoping for signs. Baron plodded along beside her. She sat back on her heels and licked her lips.
There had been hints of a large animal’s passing. A broken twig or a disturbance in the pine needles, but after three suns, her precious clues could mean anything or nothing.
Baron pawed the ground and snorted. Falcon walked to him. A pile of dung sat on the leaves. It could be horse sized. She kicked the pile with her toe and bent to examine it. Small flies buzzed around it. The inside was still damp. Newly hatched maggots crawled through the mass. It could be from Lightning.
Gods, but she was desperate for clues.
Baron whinnied. The shrill sound of a horse calling for a companion answered. Baron’s ears swiveled forward, and he walked deeper into the woods. Falcon followed.
Baron halted and called again. She wasn’t sure if the low rumble she heard was a distant response or wishful thinking. Tail high, Baron trotted, which forced Falcon to jog.
Something was different—not wrong—just different. Falcon slowed to a walk. There were no leaves or pine needles. It was as if the gods themselves had swept the forest clean of clutter. The soft loamy ground gave under her step as if a rain had just fallen when it hadn’t for suns. Baron’s tracks were sharp.
This time the trill of a responding whinny was clear. Falcon turned, trying to place the location of the call. It was as if it the horse were galloping around her without making any other sound.
Falcon dropped to her knees again. The faint hint of dew brushed against her hands as she searched. Why was there dew? It should have burned off cycles ago.
She found a set of hoof prints with a crosshatched sole. Lightning! She widened her search. No boot prints. Someone had released him.
Falcon stood and glanced around. Baron wasn’t in sight. The whisper of the water on the rocks caught her attention. That was wrong. The stream was behind her. Her brow furrowed.
How could she get lost?
She glanced up through the canopy. As long as the sun shone, she’d be able to find her way back to Valya or a main road. She had to find Lightning soon.
She whistled. A shrill whinny and a low-pitched nicker echoed back. Two horses cantered into sight.
She ran to Lightning and threw her arms around his neck. Tears burned her eyes. Lightning was safe. Iestyn was saved.
Why was she sitting down?
Lightning lipped a tear from her cheek. A head pushed into her side and knocked her over as she tried to stand. Lightning stood over her and blew air into her face.
“Stop, Lightning. There’s no time to play.”
He nosed her stomach—looking for treats.
“I don’t have any. But I am sure I can get Cook to give you a whole bucket of roots if you just move.”
With an offended snort, he walked away. Falcon scrambled to her feet in time to see the two animals blend into the shadows of the forest.
Not again.
She sprinted after them. Lightning tossed his head as she held out the halter.
“Iestyn’s in trouble because of you.”
His ears twitched as if he was trying to understand. He pushed her with his head. She took a step to regain her balance. With a snort, he nipped her shoulder.
“Foxedin. That hurt.” She rubbed her arm.
Lightning didn’t bite. She chewed her bottom lip.
What did he want?
His efforts to evade capture were leading them deeper into the forest. They came around a stand of trees and into a clearing.
Reds, blues, yellows, and purples assaulted her senses. The sticky stench of flowers permeated the air. Birds no bigger than her finger hovered over the riotous blooms. Larger birds flittered between trees. Lightning drank from the stream. Baron grazed dropped his head and grazed.
Falcon shook her head. W
here in the name of the gods was she? Had she missed the moment when she died? Nothing this pristine could survive. Why wasn’t it on any of the maps she’d been forced to study?
Time enough to worry about that later. Now she had to find her way back to the forest she knew before dark.
The horses lifted their heads when she whistled, but didn’t come. There was no avoiding it. She’d have to play Lightning’s game. A nearby rock offered support as she stripped off her boots. She’d be thrice-cursed if she was going to walk back to the castle in wet boots. Clothes dried quickly, but shoes raised blisters before they did.
Falcon gasped at the cold water. They were too far from the mountains for the spring to be snow fed. It was another mystery that had to wait. The Retu would arrive far too soon. A cluck and the mostly gently nudge from the tip of her toe at his nose indicated that Falcon wanted Lightning to lift his head. He took another gulp of water and then complied. He let her slide the halter over his nose then tossed his head. A mini-rear and flailing hooves doused her with water.
She shook the water out of her hair and sighed. It had been foolish to let her guard down. Lessons in caution from Lightning were always humbling. He danced downstream. She walked toward him. He pranced away.
“This isn’t play time.”
The breath she blew out sounded not so different from the noise the horse could make. She swiped at the hair covering her face and tried again. Twilight came and went.
Pins lanced her numb feet. Every time she started to dry off, Lightning doused her again. When she wasn’t quick enough—he nipped. He was having a grand time.
“Fine.” She flung the halter on the shore and stomped out after it. “You win.”
Why in the gods’ name was she so stupid? Why didn’t she have treats? Finding him did no good if she couldn’t get him to Valya in time.
Lightning kicked water at her.
“The Retu will kill Iestyn.” She collapsed more than sat down and put her head in her hands.
Water splashed as he walked from the stream. With a groan, he lay down beside her. She turned into his warmth and slid onto his back. Legs spread in front him, he rose. Falcon grabbed a fist full of mane to keep her balance. Lightning whinnied. Baron stopped grazing and whickered. He walked to them.
“Thank you. But I’m not sure where we are. How are we supposed to get back?”
Lightning whickered and walked into the forest.
The first rays of a new day bathed the veghte field as they left the woods. Dawn. Her gut tightened. Had she failed?
“How in the gods’ names did we get here? We’re on the wrong side of Valya.”
Or at least, the opposite side from where she started. Valya was less than half a cycle away. A slight squeeze of Falcon’s legs sent Lightning into a gallop. Something moved at the edge of her vision. She turned to get a better look.
Why was a full complement of the guard riding patrol rather than the usual pairs? Had something happened while she was gone?
Lifting her hand to shade her eyes, she tried to see the guardsmen. There was a piebald chestnut with front stockings in the lead. Its rider was fairly tall and wearing the colors of Arman’s personal guard. That couldn’t be right. Why would Taizu be out?
He couldn’t see her on Lightning. Only Uncle Arman was allowed to ride him. She would pay a heavy penalty for doing so. Visions of Iestyn’s torn back swam before her eyes. Her stomach turned.
One of the guardsmen, Zantin, she guessed, shouted and pointed in her direction. The party paused and then galloped toward her. Too late. She bit her lip. Whatever punishment Uncle Arman imposed for riding Lightning would be milder than the Retu’s for losing him.
She sat back on Lightning, signaling him to halt. When he did, she dismounted. Taizu didn’t wait until his horse stopped before vaulting out of the saddle.
“Taizu, I can explain—”
His bear hug smothered the rest of her excuse. “Thank the gods you’re safe.”
“Of course I am.” She leaned back. “Is that why you’re here?”
He stepped back. “When you didn’t come back by Evetide, we sent out search parties. No one had seen you since just after Nooning.”
“Lightning didn’t want to leave this glen he’d found. Wait, why are you here? Please tell me I’m not too late.”
“The Retu arrived after Evetide,” he said.
“Oh, gods.” It was too late. Her hand reached for Lightning as she bit her lip and closed her eyes.
“The interrogation isn’t scheduled to start until after Nooning.”
Her knees buckled. A sharp nip from Lightning kept her on her feet but didn’t stop the tears. Taizu patted her shoulder. The guardsmen took a step back.
Why was it that men never knew what to do when someone cried? Maybe it was just soldiers, kings, and stable boys that were rendered incompetent; Falcon didn’t have any experience with other men. Renisa don’t cry. She scrubbed her arm over her face. Back to business. She turned to see where Baron was. At the outskirts of the group, Jamiro had looped a rope over Baron’s neck. Good, at least she’d have a horse to ride back.
She saluted Taizu. “As you command.”
“Zantin, ride ahead and let his Majesty know that Falcon and Lightning have been found. Jamiro, lead Baron back. Everyone mount up.”
Did he expect her to walk back? Why was Jamiro leading her horse? Her brow furrowed.
“Mount up, Falcon,” Taizu said.
“But Jamiro—”
“You weren’t riding Baron,” he said.
“But only the King—”
“I think it’s a little late to worry about that, don’t you?”
“Aye,” she said as she dropped her head. Placing her hands on his withers, Falcon leaped onto Lightning’s back. When he was willing to be ridden, Lightning made the process so simple.
Taizu nodded. They moved out at a walk. A few paces later, Zantin spurred his horse and galloped toward Valya. Taizu fell into place beside her. The rest of the guard fanned out around them with Jamiro and Baron in the rear.
Would Uncle Arman, no, the King, deny her the Renisa position because she’d ridden Lightning? Her face flushed. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Lightning was back and the Retu couldn’t hurt Iestyn. The King had already said that the whipping was punishment enough. The Retu had to accept that. Didn’t they?
She glanced at Taizu. His face was tight like he’d eaten something sour. He only wore that expression when he was trying not to laugh or yell at her. Somehow, she didn’t think he found humor in the situation. Lightning turned his head and snapped at her foot. She’d tightened her seat.
“Sorry,” she muttered and stroked his neck.
Taking a deep breath, she forced her muscles to relax. At least those fencing drills Taizu exhausted her with were useful. Ears forward, Lightning arched his neck and pranced.
For the second time a mob clustered in the courtyard. King Armanties pushed through the crowd when he saw her. He stood with his legs apart and hand on his sword hilt as they approached. Falcon swallowed past the lump in her throat. The King wore full regalia. Even his crown was atop his thick black hair. Emerald eyes, without the glimmer that indicated he was amused, bored into her.
Taizu dismounted. She followed suit. The stablemaster scurried over to Lightning. The horse sidestepped at the attempt to halter him. With a small grin, he handed Falcon the halter. When she held it out, Lightning lowered his nose into the restraint. Once the throat latch was fastened, she handed the lead line back to the man.
Horse taken care of, she bowed to the king. Lifting her eyes to meet his, she gasped. The man standing next to the King was scarcely taller than she and the color of the red clay of central Tarishah. While she’d heard tales of the Retu all her life, she’d never seen one. They didn’t allow pictures to be made of them because they believed that carrying away an image of a person lessened his connection with the land. The Retu’s pants were fringed runner hides with
feathers and elaborate beadwork. Woven leather strips formed his breastplate. His dark eyes fastened on Lightning.
“Little brother,” he said in a voice that rumbled like thunder to Lightning.
He rested his forehead against Lightning’s. Soft murmurs in a language Falcon didn’t know spilled past his lips. Lightning nickered. The man turned and looked at her before resuming his conversation with horse. Deft hands stroked Lightning’s ears. Another nicker. The Retu took a step back and bowed. He nodded to the king.
“You may release the boy,” he said.
“See it done,” the king said to Taizu.
“As you command,” Taizu said.
“Falcon,” the king snapped.
She bowed again. “Aye, your Majesty.”
“Report to me in a cycle. Ensure that you bathe and break your fast before then.”
“Aye, Majesty.”
The king’s gaze passed over the spectators, drawing each person into his personal regard. Falcon had seen him do it a number of times but still wasn’t sure how he managed it. Each person there was sure that the king was looking solely at her or him and that his next words were meant for her or his sole benefit. Even with the nervous flutters in her stomach, she recognized the slow twist of jealousy. She would never inspire as much respect as King Armanties did.
“Dismissed.” The king’s voice carried through the courtyard.
He and the Retu ambassador left the stables.
Taizu’s hand fell on her shoulder. “You’d better get to it. It’s going to take most of that cycle to calm Lessan down and convince her that you’re unbruised. Don’t make Arman wait.”
“Aye, Captain General,” she said.
Once he returned her salute, she fled the courtyard.
Falcon’s hand shook as she reached to open the door to King Arman’s sitting room. Fingertips brushed the handle. She pulled her hand back and tucked it under her arm.
Breathe.
Appear calm.
Whatever happened when she opened the door didn’t matter. She’d done her job.
Paths Less Traveled Page 5
