Horse Charmer (20 page)

"Maconahay, my brothers," Cassia said under her breath.

Maconahay tensed, not wanting to leave her, but he backed away and ducked back into the grand hall. She just hoped he was able to get them out without resistance from the Vesperan guard.

Erich motioned for the guard closest to him to follow Maconahay.

"I don't think so," Cassia said. Luki shifted forward to block any oncoming attacks. "Everyone stays here until my people are out of the castle."

"You do not command me," Erich said.

Kali clip-clopped closer. Three of Erich's guards focused on the horse while the single one stayed by his king's side. Cassia pushed the command to go after Maconahay to Bailintin and he trotted out of the hallway. That only left three horses guarding the doorway. Not what she wanted, but Maconahay would have to move swiftly. Bailintin was large enough to carry Maconahay and her two brothers with ease to safety.

"Father." Torr stepped back.

Erich narrowed his eyes at his son. "This won't be forgotten."

Eb moved uneasily behind her. "Your Highness, your mother?"

"Take her through the banquet and gather the rest of the guards and send the Karahans home."

Erich heard her. "My wife will remain with me."

"No, she won't."

She could tell he was thinking about ordering his men to prevent the advisors and her mother from leaving, but his lips suddenly curved and his mouth shut. It wasn't too hard to figure out he had realized she and Luki would be outnumbered once the others ducked back into the banquet hall.

Kali quivered where she stood.

Wait.
Cassia commanded.

Erich snapped a finger and two of his guards stepped around him toward Cassia. Luki pushed her back a step and raised his sword to block them.

"That isn't necessary," Cassia whispered, her eyes rising to meet Kali's.

Kali moved faster than a blink. She spun and kicked out. Her hooves hit the two guards on their chests, smashing them into the wall. She didn't slow as she continued her spin and launched herself forward. The remaining two guards whirled to face the coming threat. Luki jumped forward, distracting them. One of the guards raised his sword to block Luki's blow and that was all Kali needed to fly by them and spin behind Cassia.

She swung onto Kali's back. The second guard braced himself in front of Erich while Luki battled the first one. Cassia waited for a brief break in the fight and then Kali inserted herself between them, pushing the other guard back with her snapping teeth. Luki jumped up behind Cassia.

"This isn't over!" Erich yelled as Kali bolted down the hallway to join Rae and Dall.

Cassia was too focused on making sure the horses were doing what they were supposed to do to pay attention to Erich. The front hall was in complete chaos as the Karahans rushed out the door. The Vesperan guards were making no move to stop the Karahans from leaving, more concerned with the few horses shying away from them in the hallway. The horses had done what she'd hoped and kept everything in such chaos that no one really understood what had just happened.

Kali slid to a stop beside Dall and Luki slipped into his saddle.

"Princess?" Luki said, gesturing to the open door with his sword.

"One minute." Cassia closed her eyes and focused on Bailintin.

Maconahay's steed was out in the yard and he had her brothers. She sighed in relief and nodded to Luki to head out the main door.

"We have to go!" Luki said as the horses trotted out the grand door.

Cassia hesitated, not wanting to leave anyone behind. She didn't know if her handmaidens had gotten out, or her mother, or the advisors.

"Cassia, we have to go now!"

Kali listened to Luki and bolted out the front gate, which either had remained open or had been opened for the vast exodus of Karahans. She saw several citizens look up and their eyes go wide as they watched their princess race out on horseback.

Cassia slowly became aware of an unnatural trembling making its way up her fingers as Kali galloped out of the front gate into the village in front of the castle.

Kali?

Just hold on.

I can't. My fingers won't work.

Kali's frustration washed over her and Kali leaned into Dall. Cassia got the distinct impression Kali was speaking with Dall as he slowed.

"Cassia?" Luki questioned, assuming she had slowed his horse.

The trembling was working its way up her arms. "Something's wrong."

"What?" Luki raised his sword back up and glanced around looking for the threat.

"With me," Cassia whispered.

She had lost all feeling in her hands and she gripped more firmly with her legs as the horses moved off the main road to a stand of trees.

You need to ride with Luki. You're weak.

I don't understand.

You used too much energy back there.

I felt fine. I didn't feel like this when I conversed with you or at Julyan's.

That was nothing compared to what you did back there. I can hear your heart. It's beating too slowly.

But Kali --

Enough! Get on Dall. I will lead us to safety.

"Luki," Cassia whispered. "I need to ride with you."

How did she explain when she didn't understand why her body was falling asleep in pieces?

Luki glanced over his shoulder in confusion, but didn't object as she reached to sit behind him.

In front, you will fall off.

Cassia blushed slightly and then shifted forward. Luki quickly thrust his sword into it's sheath and reached for her, pulling her hard up against his chest.

Kali moved back into a ground-eating canter and headed for the line of people vacating Vespera.

Her eyes grew heavy. "I'm going to fall asleep."

"What?" Luki whispered roughly in her ear.

"Kali says." Cassia paused as she struggled to keep her thoughts in order. She had to warn him before she succumbed to the warmth. "I used too much energy and I can't stop it."

Luki wrapped one arm more securely around her, anchoring her tight against him. "You'll be safe with me. Sleep, my princess."

Cassia had every intention of nodding, but exhaustion claimed her.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Cassia groaned as her entire body throbbed awake. Everything hurt. She sucked in her breath and tried to stop the movement as sharp pains racked her chest.

"Princess?" a soft voice whispered.

She first thought it was Luki, but then realized the voice was female. The motion of the carriage crept into her consciousness. Nausea rolled in her stomach.

Cassia lurched for the door, swinging it open. Hooking an arm around the door frame, she kept herself from falling out. Hands firmly held onto her shoulders, but no one attempted to pull her back in. The fresh air blew in as her head swam. Someone yelled for the carriage to stop and she banged against the frame as it halted. Her vision rolled in a sickening circle.

You're awake.
Kali's calm cool voice moved through her.

What happened?

Your body needed to rest after all the power you harnessed. You can only channel so much before you'll burn yourself out.

I didn't realize I could burn myself out.

Kali was quiet and a horse clip-clopped up to the door.
Everyone has physical limits, no matter how gifted.

Cassia glanced up at Kali as the mare nuzzled her face and considered what Kali was trying to tell her.

I was controlling too many horses at once?

Yes. Giving a suggestion is very different from making a command. You didn't just give one command, but command after command, changing the situation to best fit our needs. I was surprised you lasted as long as you did.

She had a horrified vision of fainting in the hallway leaving Luki to defend her from Erich and his guards. Luki could have been killed.
Did everyone get out?

No one was stopped and no one was chased.

"Princess?"

"Ula?" She turned her head.

Sure enough her handmaiden's worried expression matched the clutch of hands at her shoulders, keeping her from falling on her face. "Are you well?"

The other carriages were stopping. She was beginning to draw a crowd. As always, Ula's primary concern would be her mistress maintaining her dignity.

"Yes." Cassia forced the word out even though her lungs still hurt.
How long
will I feel like this?

I wish I could say. I've never heard of anyone doing what you did. Julyan might know.

She raised herself up and Ula's hands loosened. The sun began to set in the Vesperan woods. The rocks, trees, and leaves graying as the final rays disappeared. She carefully stepped out of the carriage and wrapped her fingers into Kali's mane.

Ula clucked in disapproval.

Cassia shook off the queasiness. "I'll ride."

"Princess!" Ula objected.

"The fresh air will do me good."

"What about a saddle and bridle?" Ula continued as Yaffa, the younger handmaiden, leaned out the door beside her.

Cassia gave them a smile as she moved to mount, but she hesitated, taking stock of her legs, not sure she'd actually be able to make the jump.

"Let me," a soft voice said behind her.

She turned, too tired for her own good, she hadn't heard Luki approach. He leaned down and with one swift movement she was astride Kali. A sense of rightness flowed through her as her body adjusted to Kali's.

"You sure?" Luki asked quietly, his worried eyes matched his tone.

"I won't fall," she said just as quietly.

He gave a jerky nod and jumped back onto his own horse.

"How long was I asleep?" she asked Ula, trying to clear the fogginess from her brain. She thought they were still in the Vesperan woods, but what if she'd been asleep for more than a day.

"Nearly four hours, mistress." Ula wrung her hands, still not getting back into the carriage, her objection to Cassia riding clear on her face.

"I'm well." She assured her and Kali strode away in a brisk walk up the road.

Slowly the caravan came back to life. Each carriage began to move forward by command of its driver. Luki rode beside her and nodded to Maconahay who was riding up quick from the back to overtake them. Before she knew it she was sandwiched between the two men. She relaxed allowing Kali's motion to soothe the aches in her body.

"You sure this is a good idea?" Maconahay mumbled.

She ignored his question and focused on what concerned her more. "Was anyone hurt?"

"No," Maconahay said. "For whatever reason King Erich didn't order his guards to interfere with the evacuation. Thankfully most of the Karahans had already gone after your disappearance. There were only a few noble families left."

She looked at him to thank him for his assistance and noticed the pins on his collar. "You got your captain's pins back."

"Yes," Maconahay said with a wary expression.

"You deserve them. Eb reinstated you?"

"Yes." Maconahay nodded with a small relieved smile.

"Good. My brothers?"

"They're in the carriage with Mistress Witen." Maconahay gestured to the carriage behind her own. "Queen Sarahann and Advisor Eb are in the lead carriage."

She was too tired to think about talking with her mother. But she needed to check in on her brothers. "I should speak with Tully and Faolan; make sure they're all right."

"I can stop the carriage so you can ride with them."

Cassia shuddered. "I'd rather not."

"I'll bring them to you." He rode Bailintin over to the boys' carriage. Jerking his chin to the driver to keep the carriage in motion, he leaned over and opened the door.

After a moment, he swung Tully in front of him and pulled Faolan on behind him. Kali picked up a trot to draw alongside Bailintin far enough away from the carriages to give them privacy while still within the circle of guards.

Tully lunged for her as soon as he was close enough. She gripped Kali's sides with her knees as his weight shifted her until he was balanced securely on her lap. His urgency surprised her and she wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"I apologize," Cassia whispered into Tully's ear. "I never meant to worry you." She looked back at Faolan and reached a hand out. He grasped her fingers, but didn't try to climb onto Kali with her.

Tully nodded against her chest. "I thought something terrible had happened to you."

"Mother yelled a lot," Faolan said, his voice just a fraction calmer than Tully's. "We were stuck in our room for days."

"I didn't think through what my vanishing would mean to you boys." Kali moved closer to Faolan so she didn't have to reach as far. She tried to think of the right words to sooth him. "I should have. I'm sorry."

Tully wrinkled his nose as he looked up at her. "You already said that."

Smiling, she brushed the hair back from his forehead. "I can tell you again if it will make you feel better."

"Why did you leave?" Faolan asked.

Cassia looked away from him to gather her thoughts and Maconahay raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "It's complicated. I wish I had an answer that would explain everything simply."

"She was making sure Karah didn't fall prey to Vesperan trickery," Luki said next to her.

Cassia threw him a startled glance, but he was looking at Faolan not her.

"What trickery?" Faolan frowned at Luki.

"King Erich forged father's signature on the treaty." She sighed. What could she tell them so they would understand? "The wedding was a part of the treaty."

"You couldn't marry Torr," Faolan said, grasping what she was saying.

"Yes. I knew I needed help from father's advisors, but I couldn't let the Vesperans know why I was leaving."

"So you ran away," Tully said with a smile. "Did you have an adventure?"

Cassia laughed and hugged Tully closer. "Yes, I had a master adventure. Obstacles at every turn."

"But you weren't hurt?" Faolan's concerned frown returned.

"Do I look hurt?" Cassia countered. Faolan shook his head. "There you go."

The road was getting harder to navigate as dusk turned to full night. The caravan didn't show any sign of slowing.

Cassia shifted her gaze to Maconahay and gestured to the dark scenery. "It's dark."

Maconahay understood what she was really asking. "We want to get as far from the castle as possible before we make camp."

****

The rest of the journey back to Castle Karah was uneventful. The majority of the Karahan guards rode in the back for fear of a rear ambush by Vesperan forces. Her fatigue passed by the next day and Cassia felt back to normal physically, but mentally was a whole different matter. She could still communicate with Kali, but noticed a marked absence of the other horses in her mind. Kali's strength soothed her throughout the journey home and slowly her horse charming senses returned in full.

At the first sight of Castle Karah, tears of relief filled her eyes. The flags on top of the turrets danced in the breeze as if welcoming them home. The caravan picked up its pace as they neared the massive gate. Once safely within the walls, the advisors and Karahan nobility filtered into the castle to discuss what had happened.

Cassia hung back and stayed in the stable area. She should have gone in with them. She'd declared herself Queen of Karah. But she delayed by brushing Kali with a soft brush.

Luki had separated from her as soon as they entered the castle gates, helping the stable lads unhitch the wagons and turn the horses out.

She needed to speak to him before he left.

You don't know he is leaving
, Kali reminded her.

I don't know he's staying either.
Cassia looked over her shoulder again. No sign of him.

He will not leave.

Her fingers stopped untangling Kali's mane as a horrified thought struck her.
Will you leave?

Kali's confusion reflected back through her.
Why would I leave?

She knew so little about Kali, why she'd come from Sky Mountain and what her real purpose was. Cassia had been so consumed with her father's murder she hadn't pursued why the mare had sought her out.
I don't know why you came or when you're leaving.

Kali sighed with her entire body. The way only a horse could.
I came for you as soon as I felt your presence. I won't be leaving.

But why?

Kali turned her head and blinked.
The herds are diminishing. We became concerned and I was sent to investigate. I felt you as soon as I reached the lowlands. My task was then to find you.

She was just as confused as she'd been before. "You still haven't told me why you came to me."

Kali swished her tail in irritation.
You are a Horse Charmer and I am an Old One. A Charmer should never be without a guide.

Cassia dropped the brush down into the box with a frown and crossed her arms.
You said that Luki even Pakelika has charming abilities. Dall and Ward aren't Old Ones. Why would you come to me?

They have a touch. You are a Charmer and your gift is strong.

I nearly got myself killed with my gift.

I would never have allowed that to happen.

She hoped Kali was correct. She never wanted to lose control of herself as she had.
I still don't understand why you came looking for me.

When I felt your presence there was nothing else for me to do.
Kali stomped her foot.
I do not know how to explain it to you in another way. It is what it is.

Kali's irritation was clear, but she didn't think the mare was telling her everything about why she was there. Cassia chewed on her lip. She'd accept Kali's answer for now. Glancing back over her shoulder at the castle rising high above her, she knew she wouldn't be able to delay going in much longer.

Finally Luki walked around the barn leading Dall. His lips curved into a grin when he saw her waiting for him and he opened the gate to the corral to let Dall loose in with Kali.

"Everyone settled?" Cassia asked.

"As settled as they can be. Lots of horses to temporarily house until the lords and ladies head home to their manors."

She nodded as if she cared. She didn't really. What she cared about was whether he'd be leaving now that he'd seen her safely home. Her mind flashed to their almost-kiss and her cheeks heated at the intensity of the memory.

"When are you leaving?" She kept her gaze locked on Kali since the blush wasn't dissipating.

"It depends."

"Depends?" Cassia finally glanced up at him and his familiar lopsided smile. "On what?"

He stepped closer and leaned against the fence next to her. His eyes traced over Kali before returning back to her. "On what you want me to do, Your Highness."