Horse Charmer

by Angelia Almos

  "Right, I'm afraid we can't stay for breakfast."

  "Oh." Marelda stopped kneading the dough.

  "I wanted to thank you for your hospitality. I'm anxious to return home and share what I've learned with my father and the other advisors. Luki told me that if we leave now we might reach Castle Karah tonight if we push hard. I hope you understand."

  "Of course."

  Cassia knew she'd hurt the other woman's feelings, but had no idea what to say to make up for it. "Perhaps, the next time I travel this way, I may call on you and your family?"

  "That would be lovely," Marelda said with a real smile. "I understand. You must be homesick. I hope the girls didn't keep you up late." She pulled a couple of items out of the cupboard.

  "Not at all, it was a pleasant night, especially since I didn't have to sleep on the ground."

  "For you." Marelda handed her a bundle wrapped in cloth. "Breakfast for the road."

  "I couldn't possibly."

  "I insist. Safe journey, My Lady."

  "Thank you, Marelda." She bowed her head. "Your hospitality has been most gracious and lovely. I look forward to visiting as soon as I may."

  Marelda smiled again as she went back to kneading her dough. Cassia ducked out and nearly ran into Alrik who still stood on the porch.

  "You're leaving," Alrik said.

  "Yes," she said. "Thank you for your hospitality."

  Alrik nodded, but didn't say anything. Cassia stepped off the porch as Luki brought his horse and Kali out of the barn. She hurried over and before she forgot she leaned over and quickly laced up her riding boots. Well, as quickly as she could. Riding boots were not designed to be laced in a hurry.

  "Luki," Alrik called from the porch, "if I might have a word with you."

  Luki groaned softly beside Cassia as she rose back up.

  "How long do you think you'll need?" she asked.

  "Several hours if it's anything like the last conversation."

  "What?" Cassia said in horror. "We don't have the time. It's going to take us nearly all day to climb the mountain."

  He shrugged and his lips lifted. She had a bad suspicion he might draw it out so they couldn't go up the mountain.

  "Catch up with me."

  Luki spun around on her. "What? No, you will wait for me."

  Cassia shook her head. The pull to get up the mountain was getting worse. She had to go up today. She couldn't explain why.

  "No," Luki repeated.

  Cassia thrust Dall's reins back to Luki. She swung Kali's reins over her neck and leapt up in a smooth movement. Luki grabbed Kali's bridle.

  "No," he said again.

  "We don't have time," she whispered as both Pakelika and Alrik were watching them. "This will give you an excuse to not prolong your conversation. Tell them I went ahead and you're to catch up."

  "Cassia," Luki whispered back, reluctantly releasing the bridle. "Wait for me."

  "Come with haste," she said as Kali danced around him toward the trail to Karah. Cassia waved as she passed the house and Kali stayed on the trail until they were out of sight of the homestead.

  Luki needs to be able to track us.

  I will not lose him. Kali assured her, slipping into a smooth lope and turning off the trail to head back toward the mountain. It didn't take long for them to reach the rickety trail.

  How does Julyan get supplies? Cassia asked in curiosity. A wagon could never travel this thin trail.

  There might be other ways into his territory.

  Kali lengthened her stride and quickly began to cover the distance. Cassia leaned low over her neck. The trail started to incline and before long, Kali was leaping and climbing up a steep ravine. The ravine seemed to go on forever, but Kali didn't slow her pace until the sun was directly overhead. Cassia glanced back down the trail to see if she could spot Luki behind them, but didn't see any movement below.

  Kali picked her way slowly for a short time as she regained her breath and strength. We should wait here.

  Why?

  Luki's horse will not be able to catch me at this speed.

  Cassia hesitated. She didn't want to leave Luki, but she also didn't want to wait. The closer she got to Julyan's territory the more urgency she felt. Cassia pulled the map out of her waist pouch and frowned over the paper trying to judge the distance. That was the problem with most maps. They never specified the length of time the different portions took.

  We can't wait. I don't know how much longer it will take us to reach Julyan's. Daeshawna said it was a long journey.

  Then we don't wait.

  Cassia was surprised by Kali's quick agreement, but she didn't say anything. Once, Kali's breath had evened out she began trotting and then loping up the ravine again. The sun was signaling late afternoon when the ravine came to an end and Kali clambered out of the tiny trail onto the top of the rocky hillside.

  Kali skidded to a stop. A large log and stone lodge sat amongst the trees. Kali edged back out of sight near the trailhead behind a small grove of trees.

  Did anyone see us? Cassia asked. They both looked around. Not a soul to be seen. Where is everyone?

  We'll wait here for Luki.

  Cassia shoved down her irritation. Waiting was probably the wisest course of action. Cassia chewed on her lip as she glanced about the clearing and listened. The house looked vacant and she had a brief hitch of panic as she wondered if they were even at the right place. What if Julyan no longer lived here?

  She strained harder to hear or see anyone, and after a time she thought she detected some sort of noise coming from behind the lodge, but she couldn't be certain as it was very faint to her human ears.

  Kali pricked her ears. We've been discovered.

  The sound of dogs barking finally registered and the noise grew louder as they raced closer.

  We can't wait for Luki any longer.

  You go. Kali trotted up to the lodge. I will take care of them.

  Cassia slid off Kali and ran up the steps to the lodge's main door, but turned and hesitated. She couldn't leave Kali alone to face a pack of dogs and who knew what humans.

  Go! Kali didn't even turn to look at her as she issued the order.

  Cassia obeyed and opened the heavy creaking door to gain entrance into the unknown. She glanced uneasily around the great hall. Again, not a soul to be seen. She didn't know if Julyan was inside or outside confronting Kali.

  The large staircase attracted her attention and she hurried to it. A portrait hung at the top of the stairs, beckoning her closer. The thick walls masked the sound of the dogs and Cassia could barely hear them barking. Looking at the staircase, she forced back the fear trying to take over. It was one thing to be brave with Kali by her side, but quite another when she was alone.

  About halfway up the stairs, she slowed and worked on steadying her breathing. She was starting to hyperventilate. What did she think she was doing? She wasn't an investigator or a guard. She should have headed straight to Karah and told Eb what she'd learned and feared. Let the Karahan Royal Guard deal with confronting Julyan to find out what part he'd played in the murder of her father.

  She reached the top of the stairs and edged closer to stand beneath the massive portrait. A flash of memory assaulted her as she stared at the picture of the tall and mysterious man. She was about three years old and in a meadow just outside of Castle Karah. Her father and this man each sat on a horse as she walked, unafraid, down the hill into a band of milling horses. She selected the pretty white one, as the man had requested, and asked the mare to follow her. The man smiled when she returned with the nervous mare following obediently behind her.

  The memory faded, but she now knew where and when she had met Julyan. Cassia turned away from the portrait and the same man stood at the end of the hall smiling at her.

  "Princess Cassia," Julyan said, bowing his head formally, "a delight to see you."

  Cassia shoved away the urge to flee though her escape route down the stairs beckoned to her.
/>   "I've been waiting for you," Julyan said.

  "Waiting for me?" Cassia finally managed to croak over her mounting fear.

  Julyan stepped back and motioned her to a room at the end of the hall with double doors. Without waiting to see what she would do, he turned and headed toward the room. Cassia stared longingly at the stairs, but reaching inside herself, she squared her shoulders and followed him. She'd come for answers. It was time she started acting like a princess and not a scared little girl.

  Cassia stepped into the room behind him. It was lit by the large windows looking out behind the lodge over a large hill and meadow with a camp that she hadn't realized was there. Looking down at the camp, she was captivated by the sheer number of tents and the people milling around. Julyan waved an arm. The lamps flared to life. She jumped in surprise and turned back to Julyan uneasily.

  "I knew as soon as I'd heard the wedding hadn't occurred that you were coming to me," Julyan said. "Robet promised me you would come and train with me before you fulfilled your courtly duties."

  Cassia was so shocked by what he said that she couldn't think of anything to say back. Her father had never said anything to her about Julyan.

  "That's not why I've come," she said, getting angry and taking hold of the anger to hold her courage.

  "It's not?" he asked in idle curiosity.

  "No, I came to ask why you had my father killed."

  The lodge door banged open downstairs and Cassia jumped at the sharp and echoing noise. Hooves thundered up the stairs and Kali burst into the room and slid to a stop besides Cassia. Warmth and courage filled her.

  The guards have been taken care of.

  Julyan stared at Kali in amazement. He stepped closer and Kali pinned her ears at him and curled her lip.

  "Old One, welcome." Julyan bowed deeply. "I am honored by your presence."

  Kali unpinned her ears and pricked them toward him in curiosity.

  Julyan looked back to Cassia. "I had nothing to do with your father's death."

  "I should just take your word," she said, jerking her thoughts back to what she'd asked and away from the odd way he had greeted Kali.

  He speaks the truth.

  "How do you know?" she asked, forgetting to speak in her mind.

  I can tell when a human lies. He is not lying. Kali shook her head in a horse shrug.

  "But they said --" Cassia said.

  "Rumors abound." Julyan interrupted her, his eyes shifting to Kali. "I've heard the rumors you speak of and I give you my word of honor that I was in no way involved. Your father and I were friends."

  He speaks the truth. Kali paused as if searching for the words. He mourns for your father.

  Cassia deflated. She trusted Kali's judgment more than her own. All this way and everything she'd done, for nothing.

  "If you didn't order it…" Cassia trailed off.

  "A king always has enemies plotting against him."

  His gentle voice reminded her of the way he had greeted Kali and suddenly Cassia had to know how he knew her.

  "What did you mean, old one?" she asked.

  "The mare hasn't told you. She's of a very ancient breed. They rarely come down off their mountain." He stepped closer to get a better look at Kali. "However did you find her?"

  "She was in a herd brought to Karah."

  "An Old One can't be captured," he said with a frown, "unless she chose to be."

  I was looking for you. We will speak of this later without prying ears.

  Cassia was about to protest, but nodded instead. Julyan might not have killed her father, but that didn't make him a friend.

  "I hope you didn't kill the dogs," he said to Kali.

  Kali raised her head and snorted. They will be fine. Their injuries are mild.

  "She says they're fine except for a few injuries," Cassia said, translating. Then she wondered if she had to. Could he understand Kali as well?

  "Thank you," Julyan said with a small bow to Kali. "You communicate with her very well despite your lack of training."

  She wasn't sure what to make of his comment as he looked from her to Kali.

  "But perhaps you've already been training," Julyan continued.

  "What did you mean when you said I was to come to you and train?"

  "To enhance your skills as a Horse Charmer along with your other abilities."

  "What other abilities?"

  He gave her an enigmatic smile. "No one has only one Talent, though one may be more dominant than the others. You have," he eyed her intently, "a lot of potential. Potential that will need to be nurtured to its full capability. Raw talent can only take you so far."

  Cassia frowned. "Where am I going?"

  "There's plenty of time to discuss the ramifications of your gifts later."

  Luki and Dall have arrived. Kali said.

  The door below banged open again and several raised male voices echoed up the stairs.

  "We have more company," Julyan said, looking over her shoulder.

  "My escort." She turned to head down to Luki.

  Luki rushed up the stairs and down the hallway toward her before she'd even had a chance to go one step. A human guard followed behind him, but stopped and nodded to Julyan.

  "Luki," Cassia said, rushing to reassure him. "May I present Julyan of the Talent Guild." She lowered her voice as he drew up next to her. "I'm fine. He wasn't involved."

  Luki shot her a look of disbelief, but lowered his sword so the blade lay against his leg.

  "Julyan," Cassia said in relief. "This is Luki, my escort and friend."

  Julyan smirked. "I'll let my people know we haven't been invaded." He saluted and walked casually past them to meet his guard at the top of the stairs.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Cassia stood uneasily next to Luki as Julyan spoke to his guard. Tension and anger radiated off of Luki though his body remained impassive and still. An unwelcome urge to apologize to him came over her. It didn't take any deep thought to know he was steaming over her confronting Julyan without his assistance.

  Kali swished her tail in irritation at the confinement of the room.

  Are you all right? Cassia asked in concern.

  I dislike walls.

  Cassia looked around the room. It was larger than her bedroom with massive windows dominating the wall that faced out and only a few chairs and a desk against the wall. It had more open space than any room she had ever seen. But she wasn't a horse used to wide open spaces. Do you need to go outside?

  I will remain with you for now.

  Cassia sighed in relief. Despite her bravado she wasn't certain she wanted to speak with Julyan without Kali present.

  Julyan turned back to them with a charming smile. "The cook will have dinner ready shortly." He beckoned for them to follow him out of the room and down the stairs. "Until then, the Old One would probably be more comfortable in our stables."

  Luki snatched Cassia's hand, slowing her steps so Julyan walked ahead of them.

  "That was extremely dangerous," Luki whispered roughly.

  "I'm well," she tried to assure him.

  His eyes narrowed, but he was prevented from responding as Kali clambered down the stairs and thudded to the bottom. Julyan pushed the large door open and gestured for Kali to precede him. Cassia followed, with Luki at her side, to where he'd left his own horse at the steps to the porch.

  None of the injured dogs were about, but the yard wasn't empty. A few of Julyan's people, mostly likely Talents, were busy at their tasks. She noticed the stable for the first time on the other side of the clearing from the lodge. A square building with pens on each side, it was smaller than she expected. She guessed the barn didn't house any horses. Kali walked to a water trough in front of the small pen to the left of the stable and dropped her head to drink her fill.

  "You're traveling with Princess Cassia?" Julyan asked.

  Cassia glanced back to see Julyan evaluating Luki openly.

  Luki pulled his horse's reins over h
is neck before turning to respond. "I'm escorting her home."

  "Took a detour," Julyan said with a snide smile.

  Luki's temper rose, judging by how tightly he held his reins. She wasn't sure why Julyan was baiting Luki, but she didn't like it.

  "You know why I came," she said. "Luki is an excellent escort."

  "I'm sure he is." Julyan bowed his head. "I wonder what your father would have thought of you traveling alone with this man."

  "My father trusted Luki."

  "Hmm," Julyan said. "Different levels of trust for different activities."

  Her own temper began to rise above irritation. "I trust Luki."

  Julyan nodded as if in agreement, but Cassia wasn't fooled by the patronizing gesture. "I'll leave you two to bed your horses down. We have much to discuss at dinner."

  Luki walked Dall into the small pen without looking at Cassia. She followed slowly, touching Kali's neck as they entered the pen. Cassia pulled the gate shut. One of Julyan's men, he had to be a Talent, brought hay over and busied himself putting it in the feeding container and making sure the gate was latched.

  Luki fumed as he groomed his horse. Cassia was getting a little tired of the dirty looks he kept shooting her, but she refrained from saying anything as the Talent remained close to the pen appearing to do other chores. It wasn't as if she didn't have other things to keep her occupied besides Luki's irritation.

  Kali? What's an Old One?

  Kali was quiet for a moment. An Old One is an ancient breed. We rarely interact with humans. We only come down from our mountain when we feel it is necessary.

  Julyan knows who you are.

  He has never met one of us before, Kali said in assurance. But he has heard rumors from the Outsiders.

  A chill crossed her back at the familiar name. Outsiders?

  They sometimes come onto our mountain.

  Do they hurt you?

  Of course not, the Outsiders are harmless.

  Cassia filed the information away for later. You still haven't told me what being an Old One means.

  I suppose you could equate it with being a Talent. We have abilities normal horses don't.

  What abilities?

  Speed, endurance, intelligence…Kali trailed off.