Daughter of Ice and Fire

Twenty-Seven

The sun was setting, long fingers of purple and red stretching across the sky. A slight chill began to settle over the land, a harbinger of the cooler months that were just around the corner. The leaves had begun showing hints of orange and red, adding color to the previously lush green landscape. Crickets chirped and whirred while the first geese could be seen winging their way south.

Gauthier saw none of it. He sat on the horse, one arm resting on the pommel of his saddle, and stared down at the man in front of him.

"I swear, sir, I had no idea." The man was shaking violently, sweat trickling down his brow. His farmer's hat went around and around in his hands as he shifted constantly from one foot to the other.

Gauthier swung off his horse. "Show me," he barked, heading towards the barn. The man nodded several times and took off at almost a run. Gauthier followed, taking in the newly turned soil, the even rows clear of weeds, and the obvious health of the crops planted there. His practiced eye noted that they seemed at complete odds with the decrepit state of the farmhouse and barn. Just as he had overheard, something had happened to improve the farmer's crops but hadn't trickled down to the actual buildings. Yet.

The farmer disappeared into the barn and Gauthier followed, tying his horse to a fence post. Entering, he stopped, momentarily surprised by the interior. Well-lit and clean, it smelled of fresh hay and horses, with no scent of dung or rot. Looking down, he was again surprised. Fresh rushes covered the floor with no sign of rodents or insects scurrying out of the way. Frowning, he stepped to the first stall and gazed at the horse inside.

The horse was a beauty, as far as workhorses went. Slightly taller than he was, the coat was completely black with a mane and tail to match. The thick legs supported a sturdy, heavyset body and he could see the muscles rippling in its flanks and neck. It lowered its head at the farmer's approach, snuffling as it looked for a treat.

"This is Adum and that's Ryna." The farmer indicated the horse in the neighboring stall, a twin to this one. "Not their original names I'm sure. But the man I bought them from didn't tell me their names." The man quickly moved away as Gauthier approached the horse, his nervousness clearly visible.

Gauthier ignored him as he slid his hand along Adum's broad forehead and down its nose. When the horse dipped, he grasped the ear, gazing at the large ink blot intently.

"This didn't concern you?" he asked, letting go of the horse and turning to the farmer as he pointed to the ear.

"Please understand, sir. The man who sold them to me said he had won them in a game of chance. But he said he had been a fool and never bothered to check the ownership before he took possession." The words tumbled out and it was obvious the man was terrified.

"Yet you still bought them? Even knowing that ownership might be in question?" Gauthier's voice held a hint of menace and the man took an involuntary step back.

"He offered them at a fair price. To be honest, I needed horses. If I hadn't bought them, I would have lost the farm. The horses saved it. Along with my family."

Gauthier growled. The marks in the ears didn't indicate who the horses belonged to. But he wasn't stupid. He could see the stain that had been used to cover up whatever lay underneath. These two horses just happened to match the description of the two that had been pulling the slave wagon before they disappeared. He wasn't sure who had blotted out what he strongly suspected were the King's marks, nor did he care. However, he wasn't about to let the farmer know that. Sharpening his gaze, he let his hand travel to the knife hanging at his side.

"What's going to happen to me?" the man asked nervously, watching Gauthier's hand as if it was some deadly snake poised to strike.

"Nothing, if you answer my questions honestly and do as I say." Gauthier pulled the knife and idly began picking at his fingernails. The man's eyes widened as the color drained from his face.