Horse Charmer (11 page)

CHAPTER TEN

Cassia crouched behind the railing alongside the inn. The soldiers appeared to have moved farther down the street, but she wasn't sure there weren't any slowly going through the buildings between her and the barn. She hoped Luki would honor her request and keep the soldiers from coming up behind her, but she wouldn't be surprised if he didn't.

A soft scuffle slid behind her and she nearly jumped, but held herself still as Luki kneeled beside her.

"This isn't obvious at all," Luki said. "You never gave me the chance to answer."

"We ran out of time," she said surprised he'd followed her.

He evaluated the street. "They're camping here. We rode all night to reach the town."

"Are they really looking for me?"

"Yes." He took her arm. "Where are you going?"

"Karah."

"Why didn't you get your carriage to take you?"

She glared at his sarcastic tone "That wasn't possible."

"But why run away, Cassia?" He drew her back from the railing as two soldiers came a little too close for comfort. "Why stop Vespera and Karah from entering into wedded bliss? Why create such chaos?"

"I ran away. I didn't realize they would think I was kidnapped. I'm trying to make things better."

"There were other options available to you," he whispered softly his tone no longer sarcastic.

"I couldn't marry him. Running away was the only way I could stop the wedding."

"Ever thought about saying no, you know, when the friar asks you if you will have this man as thy wedded husband?"

She laughed. "Sure, I'll say no I don't want to marry Torr on Vespera's battlement in front of hundreds of people. That would go over well."

Luki scanned the road, now empty of soldiers. She followed his gaze.

"Now or never," he mumbled, taking a firm grip on her arm and walking quickly along the building and across the road to the barn.

Miraculously not a single shout rang out. She didn't look back though she wanted to. Several new horses were tied up outside the barn. Soldiers' horses. Luki drew her into the building glancing around for the barn owner.

"Wait here." He moved deeper into the interior and Cassia edged into the shadows beside the door.

There are no soldiers here.

She took a breath of relief.

I will meet you behind the barn.

Cassia felt a moment of confusion as to why Kali would be behind the barn, but nodded to no one in particular before moving away from the door and toward the tack room. She glanced in, but hung back. The barn owner was inside speaking with Luki. Her bridle was hanging on a hook next to the door.

You do not need it.

She smiled at Kali's comment. She might not need the bridle, but she didn't want to explain the lack of gear to any travelers or even Luki. She had a lot to tell him if he was going to be traveling with them. Luki stepped out and Cassia drew back behind a post as Luki and the barn owner walked out to the front of the barn.

She eased into the tack room and slipped the bridle off the hook. Reaching in to her pouch, she withdrew four small coins and set them on the desk beside the door. She didn't want the man reporting her to the constable. She peeked out the tack room and saw Luki give a covert glance as if searching for her, but he didn't draw any attention to her as she slid out the door and made her way to the back of the barn. Luki and the barn owner stepped outside.

She let herself out the back door, sliding through the crack to keep from opening the huge door. Kali waited on the other side. Cassia hugged her and relief washed over her. In an instant she swung onto the mare's back, ready to run off, but a niggle of guilt kept her from signaling Kali to bolt. Instead, they moved stealthily off toward the woods a short distance from the barn.

She dipped below the mane and neck to make it appear Kali was a wandering horse and thankfully no one noticed them as they melted into the trees. She pulled Kali up and turned to wait for Luki.

Almost ready to head out without him, he finally appeared, cantering easily down the road past the barn parallel to the woods. They fell into step shadowing him, Kali kicking up her heels to keep pace. Once the town was out of sight, Cassia edged her out of the woods.

Luki trotted up to her. "I hoped you hadn't tried to leave me. I'd hate to track you down, again."

She shrugged as if she didn't care. "We'll need to go around the town to head back to Karah. How did you get away from the guards?"

"The captain believes he's on your tail and doesn't need my assistance anymore."

"Is he?"

"Not even close," he said with a smile. "Shall we go, Your Highness?"

She narrowed her eyes at him as his horse set off.

He is concerned for you.

"How can you tell?" she whispered as Kali trotted off after him. It would take some time to loop around the town.

His smell.

"Interesting," Cassia said.

"What?"

"Nothing." She shook her head and they continued their loop around the town.

Once they were safely past, she was a little more comfortable as Kali slowed to a brisk walk. Luki kept shooting her looks and finally she couldn't take it anymore.

"What?"

"I don't understand why you couldn't have just refused him."

"It doesn't work that way," she said with a sigh. "I can't just say no."

"Why?"

"Because the marriage was arranged. It's the way things are done. A contract is a contract."

"All true, but you have a mind of your own and a will of your own as you've demonstrated. Don't you think telling Queen Sarahann you don't want to marry him would be easier?"

"The answer is right in front of you. Queen Sarahann. You can't say no when your queen commands you to do something. Marrying him or not isn't a matter of what I want."

"You're the next in line to the throne. You can't tell me you don't have a voice."

"A princess doesn't choose whom she marries. Her kingdom does."

Luki reined his horse to a stop and Kali followed suit, reaching over to munch on tree leaves.

"You said your father told you that you couldn't go through with the marriage," he said. "Why didn't you tell Queen Sarahann?"

"Who says I didn't?" she said in frustration. "She dismissed me."

He sat quietly as he stared at her. "Running away wasn't the answer. I don't think you realize what you've started."

"I've made a mess of things," she stated simply.

"You could say that," he said, his voice rising when she refused to look at him.

"I couldn't marry him," she insisted. She was justified in her decision, but the repercussions of what she had done wouldn't be easily fixed. She stole strength from Kali. "I could have started a war."

"You're getting a little ahead of yourself. There hasn't been a war yet. The official story is you've been kidnapped by those who don't want Vespera and Karah to become one great kingdom."

"One great kingdom," Cassia said as Kali moved away from the tree and headed back down the trail.

"You do know the reason for joining Karah and Vespera," he said, his horse keeping pace with Kali.

She shot him a look of irritation. "You think I'm a dunce?"

"No, Princess, I think you're highly intelligent." He held up a hand in defense. "But I also think you're highly emotional."

"Emotional? I can show you emotional."

"You always do."

She frowned after him as he urged his horse back into an easy canter. Kali needed no urging to stretch her legs and they rode in silence for a while. They didn't speak again until they came upon a stream and Kali finally stopped to take a drink. Cassia took the opportunity to slide off and stretch her sore muscles. She moved to the other side of Kali so she could stretch without him staring at her.

"Karah and Vespera would be an unmatched power," Luki said.

"You can't let it go, can you?"

"You said it yourself, Princess," he drawled. "Your father was killed for a reason. Don't you want to figure out the reason?"

"I know the reason."

"Do you?"

She frowned at him over Kali's back. He was right. She didn't really know why her father had been killed. Just as there were multiple rumors about her disappearance there were also multiple rumors about her father's death. And there was no evidence to point to any one thing.

"He didn't sign the treaty," she said. "But his signature was on the parchment."

"What?"

She sighed. "His signature was forged. The treaty is false."

"You're accusing King Erich of forging the treaty," Luki demanded, though his tone didn't discount the truth of her words.

She hesitated, but when it came down to it that is what she knew to be true. "Yes, King Erich forged my father's signature and presented the treaty as real to us."

"Are you saying King Erich had your father killed?"

"No." She shook her head. "I don't know who killed him, yet."

But she had her suspicions. Right now Erich wasn't the one on the top of her list, but Julyan.

"We need to keep going." Luki checked his girth and swung up onto his horse.

Cassia had no girth to check, but she adjusted her bag slung over her shoulder before jumping up onto Kali's back.

"I can carry your sack for you." He reached his hand out.

"Thank you, but I'd rather hang onto it."

"So, you don't have to marry Prince Torr?"

"No, if I can prove the treaty's been forged then the alliance would be nullified."

"It would be a lot more than nullified."

"Don't remind me."

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Kali slowed as the trail to Julyan's territory came into sight. Luki reined his horse up and glanced at Cassia in question.

"You want to make camp?" Luki asked.

She judged the sun's position and narrowed her eyes at him in irritation. "I'm not that weak."

"Then why are we slowing down?"

She didn't answer at first. She was going over everything she'd learned about Julyan. She wanted to meet the man face to face.

She pointed out the break in the woods. "That's the trail to the Talent Guild."

"I know. Why would we go there? What haven't you told me?"

"Erich's circulated the opinion that Julyan was responsible for killing my father."

Luki turned his horse to block Kali. "And you think it's a good idea to saunter on up to the man who might have killed your father and confront him?"

Cassia hesitated. She'd told him her father had come to her, but she hadn't given him the entire story. She was still holding things back. She wanted to confide in him and, truth be told, the small infatuation she'd always felt towards him was coming back to fluster her. She'd never felt completely comfortable with him with the butterflies dancing in her stomach, but she could trust him.

"I need to know if he did," Cassia said. "My father was meeting one of Julyan's friends when he was killed."

"How do you know that?"

"He told me. I had a second dream last night."

"You didn't mention this earlier."

She looked down the trail and then back at him. "I needed some time to think about it."

His eyes narrowed. "What did he say?"

"He talked more about Julyan this time and he showed me even more clearly he didn't sign the treaty."

"Explain?"

"He showed me his last meeting with Erich. What's funny is he was considering signing the treaty the way it was, but he never got the chance."

"Why didn't he sign it that night if he was going to sign it anyway?"

"Something Erich said about Julyan bothered him and he wanted to verify his suspicion before he signed the treaty."

"If he was going to sign the treaty anyway why are you running away from Vespera?" Luki pointed out.

"Because he didn't sign the treaty and Erich forged his signature. The question is why and when."

"Because your father was dead and Vespera needs Karah to survive."

"Why, though?" Cassia asked as Kali shifted uneasily under her.

The horses.

"The horses," Luki said along with Kali.

"What do horses have to do with it?"

Both Karah and Vespera had wranglers who brought in the wild horse herds to be culled.

"Look around." He motioned to the mountains looming over them and the mountains in the distance behind them. Long rolling hills sat in front of them. "The horses prefer the rolling hills of grass. The few herds that roamed on Vesperan lands have been culled to heavily. They don't have enough to continue breeding healthy horses. Erich needs those horses just as your father did. Things are changing. A mounted cavalry has a better chance of winning than a foot platoon. Goods can be sent quicker and more efficiently with the help of horses, allowing a tradesman or farmer to make more money. The future of the kingdoms is hinging on the horses right now and there aren't enough of them for everyone to share."

She stared at him in wonder. She'd had no idea he was political, but he would have to know what was going on with the horses because wrangling was his livelihood. She'd underestimated him. Kali would also know what was going on with the horses. Why the wranglers were reporting smaller and fewer herds, but how could she ask her without Luki knowing. She wasn't ready to tell him she was talking with a horse.

She had to focus. Kali had said she didn't have to actually speak out loud to converse with her.
Where…are…the…horses?

Where they have always been.

Well, that didn't help at all.
Where…did…you…come…from?

Kali turned her head so her ears pricked to a far off peak behind Julyan's territory.
Sky
Mountain
.

Cassia followed Kali's look in confusion. The faraway peak. She wasn't sure whose territory the peak fell under, but since it was past Julyan's everyone would probably consider it his.

Luki had just said the herds stayed in the lowlands.

"Do you go into Julyan's territory to get horses?" she asked.

He shook his head. "Too dangerous."

"Why?"

He hesitated. "Julyan has unnatural powers." He stopped, trying to gather his thoughts. "He's very clear that he doesn't want trespassers and he always knows when someone's entered his domain."

She hunched her shoulders at the phrase 'unnatural powers.' That's how others would generally think of her if they knew the true extent of her abilities.

And they haven't reached full bloom yet.

Great…that…is…helpful.

Kali snorted in response.
Luki has Charmer abilities.

What?
Cassia looked at Luki. By the way he talked about Julyan you'd never think he was a Talent.

He's not a Talent of the Guild. His abilities are minor compared to yours so he would easily escape any notice from all except for the horses of course.

Does…he…know?

No, he does what he does. Almost all wranglers have a touch of the ability or they wouldn't be able to do it. Those with more than a touch are highly sought after because they know where the herds are and don't have to hunt as long
.

And Luki… is one of…those
.

Yes. Rider coming.
Kali swiveled her head to face the new threat just as Dall heard the same thing.

"Someone's coming," Cassia said.

"Hanging out at the foot of Julyan's territory is never a good idea." Luki took a firmer grip on his reins with one hand while resting his other on the short sword strapped to his saddle.

A lone rider emerged from the trees and brought his horse to a halt. They stared at each other for a moment. The rider raised his arm in an odd greeting. Luki's stiff posture relaxed and he returned the greeting.

"Relax." He urged his horse forward to meet the rider. "It's just Alrik."

Kali trotted after Dall.

"And who's Alrik?" Cassia asked.

"Sorry," he said with a half smile. "A horse wrangler I know."

She wasn't completely reassured. They had crossed the border into Karahan territory and if this Alrik ever came into the castle he might recognize her.

"Greetings!" Alrik called, reaching over for a quick handshake with Luki. He moved on his horse with the same sort of ease that Luki did, but the lines on his face and graying hair showed him to be wrangler of many years. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"Business." Luki gestured to her. "May I present --"

She interrupted him. "Lady Kaia. A pleasure to meet you, sir."

Luki raised an eyebrow, but masked his surprise.

"My Lady." Alrik bowed his head in respect. "What type of business brings you to my area of the woods? Most wranglers avoid these parts."

"You know I do," Luki said, taking in the subtle warning in Alrik's voice. "I would never consider poaching."

Alrik was quiet as he examined Luki's sincerity and then turned back to Cassia. "Luki doesn't usually travel with a companion."

She tried to judge his odd tone, but Kali distracted her with a deep rumble.

Many horses just past the edge of the woods. He's guarding something.

"I didn't realize horse wranglers had permanent territories," Cassia said in her best regal voice.

"Most don't," Alrik acknowledged.

Luki interrupted the verbal sparring. "Lady Kaia's father commissioned a study to see why the horse numbers are dropping. I'm showing her the lands where the horses are roaming and used to roam."

The boy can lie,
Kali said in admiration.

"And who is Lady Kaia's father?" Alrik asked.

"My father is an advisor to the King of Karah," Cassia said and then corrected herself. "Now the queen."

"Yes," Alrik said. "I heard about King Robet. Not a good omen for us."

"You make the king's death sound personal?" Cassia asked.

"King Robet supported the wranglers and our views," Alrik said. "Other kingdoms aren't so open and refuse to follow our advice even when we tell them the herds can't survive their dictates."

Luki nodded in acknowledgement.

Another rider coming
.

Cassia looked past Alrik as a second rider emerged from the trees. This rider hung back in the cover of the trees.

"We have company." Luki motioned to the second rider.

Alrik sighed. "I told her to stay put." He turned and gestured for the rider to come up. "Curiosity can be a dangerous thing for those so young."

As the rider grew closer, Cassia could tell it was a girl about her age and felt a slight affinity for the girl in pants. Not many girls braved the ridicule of wearing men's clothing. At least not in her world. Cassia looked down at her own custom riding pants. Well, she supposed a lady might wear these if going on a long riding journey to see the various herds.

"My daughter, Fayline," Alrik said as the pretty brunette with large green eyes reached them. "She doesn't always listen to her father."

Fayline ducked her chin, but didn't apologize for disobeying him.

"Lady Kaia." Alrik gestured to Cassia. "And you remember Wrangler Luki."

"Yes, I remember Luki," Fayline said with an impish smile.

A jolt of jealousy flashed through her and she wondered if she'd ever had the same expression of admiration when she looked at him. His handsome face probably opened many doors an average horse wrangler would find closed.

"Fayline." Luki bowed his head.

Cassia noted a slight coolness in his tone. Kali sneezed, interrupting her thoughts. The mare was greatly amused by the follies of humans.

"Lady Kaia," Fayline said as if suddenly remembering her manners.

"Miss Fayline," Cassia said with a smile and nod.

"You must join us for dinner," Alrik said as he turned his horse.

"We still have some distance to go today," Luki said.

"Please do Luki," Fayline said, "and Lady Kaia."

Cassia smiled slightly at being an afterthought. "Thank you, Wrangler Alrik. We would love to stay for dinner."

Luki shot her a look of surprise, but didn't verbally object.

What are you thinking?

We…can not just pass by…Julyan.

Alrik led them toward the line of trees. "You're more than welcome to stay the night with us. Darkness falls quickly in the mountains."