by Bri Clark
“As you wish. However, I have a request of my own. I will go and send for some proper replacements. When I return, will you try to ride him?”
Henry almost answered for me, but I beat him to the answer.
“I will try, but I make no promises.”
Abbass smiled. “That is all I am asking.” He gestured for Shae to come forward and take the reins from the guard.
“I think Marie should take them. I’ll coach her,” she offered instead. I was sure she added that last part for Henry more than anyone else. Aware of my movements, I turned toward Berg and extended my hand for the guard to hand over his reins. Instead, the highbrowed stallion whipped his head back ripping the reins from the guard’s hand and settling them in my palm. I rubbed his neck and patted his nose, cooing to him softly in our special tongue. Aware of our spectators, I was careful to keep myself calm. Berg seemed more in tune to my emotions than Henry was.
Abbass watched us briefly, before he escorted his guards away. After he left, Berg pulled his head back gently and just looked at me. Shae started to giggle. I looked at her, waiting for her to share the comedy. “I think he is waiting for you to tell him what to do, to lead him. That’s what you do. You lead them with the reins and when you are riding you guide them with your body weight and your legs.”
I looked back at Berg and grabbed the reins. I knew exactly where I wanted to lead him. Henry was so tall, Berg didn’t even have to lower his head. Henry held his hand out and produced a lump of sugar. Berg licked it up without hesitation. While he nibbled, Henry whispered to him and rubbed his mane. While I marveled at the apparent easy manner Henry had with Berg, Shae answered my unspoken thoughts.
“He is taking his cue from you. He senses your mood so to speak,” she explained. Henry and I let our eyes meet and shared a silent laugh at her comment. “Wise move, Henry, stealing some sugar lumps from breakfast.” Shae winked before she began explaining how to ride a horse. I was listening to Shae, she was giving me instructions about riding and leading, so I wasn’t paying attention to what Henry said to Berg until I heard my name. Henry was thanking Berg for protecting me that night in the stables. He warned him I had never ridden before and to be careful with me, not to harm me. I hadn’t realized I was smiling until I noticed Shae had quit talking and was listening, along with Collin. Henry finished. He shrugged his shoulders and avoided our eyes.
“No, Henry that is exactly right. They may not be able to understand you but all great equestrians talk to horses like that,” she complimented him.
“The odd thing is that I would almost believe he understood every word you said,” Collin added, speaking for the first time. He rubbed his chin as Henry did when he was contemplating something.
“I think you should take Berg back over there. If Abbass sees him, all calm with me that might set him off,” Henry suggested. Shae and Collin shook their heads in agreement.
We returned Berg just as I sensed Abbass approaching. I knew he wanted me to try to ride Berg, and I suspected I should be nervous, but I wasn’t. Trusting in the two-ton animal was easy. Abbass approached a too quickly making Berg nervous he backed up pulling me with him. Abbass stopped where he was.
“I have handlers on their way. They will arrive shortly, as promised. They are coming from Cairo. Now if you will honor me by riding this magnificent creature.” He motioned to the saddle the guard had been holding. Collin walked over picking it up and handed it to Shae. She approached Berg with caution. Berg began tapping his hoof and eyeing Shae. She stopped and glared at Abbass.
“This horse has never been broken! Has he? Never had a saddle on his back,” she announced. I quickly understood her meaning. Berg was a wild stallion hunted down and captured by Abbass. No one had ever probably been on his back, much less a saddle.
“You are correct in your observation. No one has ever been as close to the horse as safely as Mrs. Rathbone, so you can understand my curiosity.” I sensed Henry; he was nervous but I could tell its root was about Abbass, not Berg. I looked at Berg and I sensed his turmoil. His anxious eyes looked at me then the saddle.
“I don’t need a saddle, I announced. I held the reins in my hand and walked around to Berg’s side. I hesitated, realizing what I was about to do. Now I could have easily jumped on Berg’s back but that wouldn’t be normal. I looked at Shae for assistance but she was still processing that I was about to ride a wild stallion bareback for the first time.
Henry and Abbass moved simultaneously towards me. In the same instant Berg bent his front legs down allowing me to mount him. This halted Abbass and Henry in their tracks. Crystal blue eyes glared at equally irritated black eyes as they each backed away.
I held on to the reins with one hand and swung one leg over Berg’s large back. Standing back up was a little bumpy, but I could tell Berg was doing his best. I leaned forward whispering praise in his ear. I heard Shae cheering me on in the background. We stood there while everyone watched us.
“Remember, Doll, you have to lead him,” she reminded me. I pulled the reins to the left and held on for dear life with my legs; my free hand had a fist of Bergs hair in a death grip. He didn’t seem to mind. We walked around the corral, slow and easy. I heard all their gasps as we passed by the first time, second and even third.
“Truly amazing,” Abbass muttered.
“Her or the horse?” Shae offered.
“Both,” Henry and Abbass announced in unison, glancing at each other with a glare before their eyes returned to us.
I sensed Berg was bored with the circling in the coral. “How do I go faster?” I asked Shae. I sensed her alarm. She hesitated looking at Henry.
“Squeeze your legs tighter then let go and shift your weight forward.” Abbass yelled, igniting three livid sets of eyes. I did as he instructed feeling the pace quicken beneath me. The movement was exhilarating, the feel of my hair blowing and the up and down rhythm was wonderful. We circled a few times each one faster and faster, before it went out of control.
On about our fifth rotation, Berg went into a full-blown gallop then jumped the coral with as I held on and screamed for dear life. I could hear the others yelling behind me.
We landed with ease as I looked up from where I had my face hidden in Berg’s mane, I saw Henry disappear. We were shooting across the compound the trees passing in a blur. He was abnormally fast. I could feel Berg’s excitement. I understood all too well what it was like to be able to let go and have the world fade into a blur around you.
I giggled as he galloped faster and faster darting in and around trees with ease. Berg eventually slowed to a trot. I concluded we were on the outskirts of the compound. I could see a tall block wall with wire running along the top of it. He stopped in front of a small, run down shed. I slid off, releasing the reins.
I had no need to worry about him running away. I approached the shed, stretching my sore legs and back as I walked. As I drew closer, I saw a small door with a black square beside it. Before I could get a closer look, I sensed Berg grow tense then I heard someone approaching. He stamped his foot, shaking his head motioning me to mount. I ran over and jumped on his back.
The minute my legs wrapped around him, we were off. He was at a full gallop in a matter of seconds. We rode in the opposite direction. I didn’t know where we were going I didn’t feel the need to lead him. He obviously knew what he was doing and more importantly, I trusted him. We passed through a small grove of trees revealing a clearing with a small pond in it. I swung down off Berg, figuring he needed a drink. He immediately buried his head in the stream.
A few feet from him, I began skipping stones I found on the bank. Not realizing I even knew how to skip rocks I tried to remember where I learned, but Berg’s head lifted, his ears twitching. I sensed someone approaching.
It was Henry. I relaxed and Berg continued to drink again. Henry galloped up on his own horse. He jerked the reins back, bringing the horse to a sudden stop in front of where I stood. I couldn’t help but drink him in.
He was the picture of an ancient warrior riding up on a white stallion. He rode it bareback as well. Showoff, I thought. He jumped off elegantly running up to me picking me up in a bear hug and spinning us around. I erupted into a fit of giggles. He kissed me on the lips and I was sure I would come away bruised.
“What was that for?” I asked, panting.
He threw his head back and laughed. “That was because I am relieved you are safe.”
“Why wouldn’t I be safe? I thought you believed I would be okay with Berg?’ I questioned his sudden lack of confidence.
“Oh you have no idea how much I trust Berg.” He began rubbing circles on Berg’s neck, whispering thanks and praise into Berg’s ear.
“All right, what is going on Henry?”
“Berg, quite literally might have saved all our lives when he took off with you. Shae, Collin, and I ran after you. I thought Abbass was going to come as well then I heard shouts coming from behind us, and I saw Abbass and some of his guards arguing and then ran off. We ran to the stables to get some horses, one of his guards was there waiting. While Collin and Shae saddled their mares, I asked him where Abbass was. He said that the handlers, who were traveling from Cairo, were ambushed. Abbass is with his personal guards investigating. All the guests were ordered to their rooms for the rest of the night. Except for us of course, we had to come find you.” I gawked at Berg. He lifted his head from his drinking, nuzzled my cheek, and then went to nibble on some grass.
“You are truly the most enchanting creature I have ever encountered,” Henry said as he pulled me against him.
“Where are Shae and Collin?” I asked.
“I suggested we split up, I knew I could find you, but didn’t want to have to explain how when the trail ran in a different direction,” he answered.
“Shouldn’t we find them? If Abbass is cautious enough to put his guests on lock down then maybe the same people who attacked somehow made it into the compound.” Fear for my new friends engulfed me. Berg was beside me in an instant. Henry’s horse had wandered off to a patch of grass. Henry interlocked his fingers and held them out as if to give me a boost.
“Are you serious?” I said mockingly. I grabbed hold of Berg mane and swung my body up onto his back, laughing at Henry the whole time. Henry grabbed his horse’s neck and swung up too.
“I didn’t know you knew how to ride,” I pointed out.
“I didn’t know you knew how to ride, either,” he mocked.
“So where do we start? What direction were Shae and Collin…” I couldn’t finish. Berg was galloping away with Henry and his horse close on his heels. He caught up in no time.
“I don’t think we will have to look long.” He quit talking after that, our galloping making it impossible. When we headed back in the direction Berg and I had originally came, we found Shae and Collin within minutes. Collin and Henry insisted we get the horses back to the stables and back to the main house. I noticed that on the ride back Berg went slower than we had before. Allowing the other horses to keep up I assumed, but he did lead. They all seemed to fall in behind him. A true leader.
By the time we made it back to the stables Berg had a fresh bale of hay awaiting him. I hugged his neck and thanked him for protecting me yet again. Shae and Collin dismounted and guards took the reins to tend to their horses. We walked the short distance to the house with an armed escort ordered by Abbass. We separated from Shae and Collin after we made it in the house the guards escorting each of us to our rooms before leaving.
Chapter Twenty Six
Marie
In their suite at the compound
As soon as we were in the privacy of our room, I embraced Henry. We heard guards run by under our window below the balcony. He sat me down but didn’t release me.
“Henry, I’ve been dying to tell you something ever since you found Berg and me,” I exclaimed.
“What, love?’
“Berg took me to a rundown shack on the south end of the estate near the wall that surrounds the perimeter. I didn’t get to look at it, someone came before I could get close. However, I did notice a black box mounted next to the door. A control panel maybe,” I speculated.
“Are you serious? That has to be the smartest horse alive. I guess I need to go check it out.” He unwrapped his arms from around my waist and headed for the closet. I moved, blocking his path.
“What do you mean you have to check it out? There are guards everywhere. And even if you do make it all the way to the south wall, I’m confident they’re going to be patrolling the perimeter heavily.” He didn’t respond. He rubbed his chin instead. It was an attractive habit.
“What do you suggest we do then?” he asked.
I ran my hands up his chest as I spoke, interlocking them behind his neck. “I suggest we clean up, cuddle, and wait for Hagar. Ask her what she knows about the shed. We’ll most likely be eating dinner in our rooms.”
“All right, love. I’m game.” We walked hand in hand toward the closet. We didn’t have to wait long for Hagar. She brought our dinner within the hour. As we sat at the little table in our suite, I invited her to join us, but she refused. I asked her if she was in danger, her response was a snort. She told me to go ahead and ask what I wanted. She could tell what I was getting at. I could feel Henry’s amusement, but he just ate his dinner in silence.
I told her about the old shed. She thought to herself before she answered. She said she knew what shed I spoke of, but hadn’t been that far from the house in years. She didn’t remember there being a black box on it or a door. She said it was an old well house. Then she added that she overheard some other servants noticing the guards always came and went from the south.
Henry and I sat, hardly eating, trying to brainstorm and figure out what the purpose of the shed could be. We started bouncing ideas off each other while Hagar cleaned up. We were entirely comfortable with her. When I said underground base, she stopped and then started speaking so fast I almost couldn’t understand. She said legend was that Abbass’s estate sat above a series of underground tunnels the pharaohs had excavated long ago, to which they retreated when enemies attacked.
Our eyes locked, I kissed Hagar on the cheek, and Henry picked her up in a bear hug. When he sat her down, she swatted at his arm, scolding him. I could see traces of color on her cheeks. She told us she had to go; the servants were to report to their quarters right after dinner. She took all our dishes and left. We bid her good night and plotted our next move. We had one night before the ball. Our goal was to get whatever it was Abbass had and leave right afterwards. Maybe his office was underground somewhere.
Neither one of us could sleep. We had all this new information, a plan, and we had to just sit in our room and wait. After my fifth lap around the suite, Henry came up with an idea.
“We have something I haven’t trained you on yet. Something you’ll need to know for tomorrow.” I could sense his mirth and wondered what it could be.
“What could you have not possibly trained me on?’ I countered. He proceeded to shove the couch, two tables, and a chair sitting in the middle of the room against the wall, making a large open space. He stood up straight and extended his hand out for me to join him. I crossed my arms, planted me feet in place, and waited for an answer.
“The waltz,” he stated simply, and my mouth dropped.
I completely forgot I didn’t know how to dance. I could ride a horse, collect intelligence information without a bat of my eye, but I couldn't waltz. This newfound weakness began to make me nervous, considering we’d be going to a ball soon. Henry, feeling my apprehension, attempted to comfort me. “It’ll be okay, Love. As fast as you learn and as graceful as you are, you’ll be a pro before the dawn. Now, get over here so I can have you in my arms.” He smiled impishly.
“Well when you put it that way, how can I refuse?” I sashayed over to his waiting arms, and he spent the rest of the night teaching me to dance.
The next day dragged. We ate breakfast in our room. Ha
gar served us as usual. She was a blessing and kept us up to date with the little info that she knew. She never asked why we wanted to know so much. She never questioned what our intentions were with the information she gave us. It reminded me a lot of Elias; he was respectful like that.
Hagar came to get us around lunchtime to tell us we were going to eat in the dining hall. I was happy to be out of the suite. I was beyond cabin fever now. The other guests were all seated when we arrived. We joined Shae and Collin. I could sense Shae was irritated, but I couldn’t figure out the cause. She greeted Henry and me with a forced smile. She wasn’t her usual buoyant self. I slid my chair closer to her.
“What’s wrong, Shae?” I asked, concerned.
“Oh, it’s nothing, Doll. I just hate being all cooped up; it puts me in a mood.”
“Are you scared because of the guards running around?” I asked.
“No, just cabin fever. I’ll be fine. How are you?" she asked, turning the attention away from her.
“I’m fine. I’ve just been feeling claustrophobic, too. Maybe since we’re dining in here they’ll allow us to roam around some,” I said, hopeful. I wanted to get to that cabin.
