She took another deep breath.
This time the hand that reached for the door was steadier.
Taizu nodded but did not announce her. Arman and the Retu ambassador sat on a sofa near the unlit fireplace. They stood.
She curtseyed. “Majesty.”
“I believe we were lax on protocol at our last meeting.” His eyes sparkled. “Ambassador Wanahton, may I introduce my Renisa, Falcon.”
Wanahton inclined his head in a greeting between equals. “Well met, Princess.”
“I—”
“The Retu can be trusted,” Arman said.
She blew out a breath. “It’s an honor, Ambassador Wanahton.”
Arman put his hand on her shoulder. “Where were you last eve?”
“A stable boy thought he might’ve seen Lightning in the gelding field. Baron and I retraced Lightning’s path. But when I found him, he refused to be caught.” She turned to Wanahton. “I apologize for riding him.”
He waved a hand. “Lightning allowed it.”
Words spilled out of her. She wanted them to understand that Iestyn wasn’t a thief. “The stablemaster lied to Taizu. It took closer to three bells to shoe Shorty. Lightning wasn’t stolen. I’m pretty sure Derrin let him out, but I can’t prove it yet. He hates Iestyn and covets his position.” She blew out a breath. “I just can’t figure out why the stablemaster was helping Derrin cover up the truth.”
Wanahton’s eyes went to where the stables would have been if he could see through the wall. His gaze became unfocused, and he cocked his head as if listening to something she couldn’t hear. After a moment, he nodded.
“Lightning says it was the boy with the straw colored hair and the clean clothes.”
“Lightning told you it was Derrin?” she asked.
“Aye.”
“How?”
“Falcon.” The rumble in Arman’s voice warned her she was going too far.
Wanahton smiled. “The herd is sacred. Magic runs between the Retu and the herd. Some of us speak with the horses.”
“Why didn’t I know about this?”
“Your father, King Steadmund, outlawed magic in Tarishah. While he governed us with our consent, we did not know how others would view the magic restrictions. It is better that what we can do is not widely known.”
Arman shrugged at her glare. “Now you know why I wanted you to find the horse and not the thief. Lightning could exonerate Iestyn.”
“Shouldn’t Derrin be given to Justice?” she asked.
Arman shook his head. “Without any other proof, how would we justify the charges? No action will be taken against Derrin, but he’ll be watched.”
“Before return to Tarishah I wanted to offer you a boon for your services.” Wanahton smiled at her. She liked how the corners of his eyes crinkled when he did. “Would you like to breed your mare to Lightning?”
She swallowed. “You honor me.” She glanced at Arman. “I know the mare that the King wishes to use his breeding right on. She’d be a better choice.”
“This will not affect the King’s rights.”
“I don’t understand. The contract says Lightning can only be bred once a season.”
“The right to breed a Retu stud is our gift to dispense as we wish, and Lightning likes your mare.”
“Thank you,” she said.
Looking over the top of Falcon’s head, he said to Arman, “She looks like her mother.”
“I know.” Something wistful caught in his voice. Arman stretched a hand out. “It’s always a pleasure.”
Wanahton grasped it above the elbow. When they released the grip, he bowed. “It has been my honor, your Majesties.”
The small man left. Taizu followed as his escort.
“You did a good job, Falcon,” Arman said once they were gone.
“But I didn’t bring Derrin to Justice.” Falcon chewed on her bottom lip.
“It’s a hard lesson. Vindicating an innocent man is more important than catching the thief. Justice isn’t always just. Dismissed.”
She turned to leave but stopped. “One more question?”
“Of course.” Arman crossed his arms over his chest.
“Why make me the Renisa now? I would have tried to clear Iestyn without it.”
His laugh warmed her. “You have been my Renisa since you were fourteen. I thought it was time to it official. Now take some time off before I find something for you to do.”
The joy of freeing Iestyn and becoming Arman’s Renisa was short lived. Ryna’s betrothed came to collect her. For some reason, she’d refused the escape plan Falcon presented. Falcon watched as the Tamarack carriages pulled away. With Ryna’s departure, it was only a fortnight before Falcon had to leave the only place she considered home. Arman had decided that it was time for her to start princess training.
“Come on, Falcon,” Iestyn said. “It’s a beautiful sun. We could go swimming.”
Ever since his release they’d been sneaking out to Lightning’s glen.
She smiled. “Thanks for wasting your leave watching me moon after Ryna’s coach.”
“That’s what friends are for.” He shrugged and pointed Baron toward the glen. “Should we race, or are you too afraid that I’ll beat you?”
Her voice called him back before he could prod Baron into a gallop. “Iestyn.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be going soon, too.”
“I know,” he said quietly. “I start a new training series with Taizu once he returns from escorting you to Sea Haven. Before he kills me, I think we should enjoy what time we have left.”
Grinning, Falcon said, “Should I give you a head start again?”
Justin rolled his eyes. “As if I need one.”
Breaths later, they galloped through the fields.
About the Author
I’m a mommy, lawyer and writer. I’ve been making up stories all my life. I never thought, “I want to be a writer when I grow up.” I didn’t think I could. I wish I had. It would have saved me a lot of time and closet writing. But, now that I know, there’s no stopping the stories from flowing out of me.
I write about characters that interest me, and I hope will interest you too. I write all sorts of fantasies, from epic to urban and everywhere in between, with strong romantic elements.
Fantasies with characters that live…and love.
Website: http://falconsfables.com
Blog: http://nancydimauro.blogspot.com/
Paths Less Traveled Page 6
