Horse Charmer

Horse Charmer - Chapter Two - Part One

It had been two long days since the Royalty had arrived with the message shattering Cassia's world. She stared out the window of the boys' nursery over the castle walls to the small but prosperous village. It barely resembled its old self. All of the buildings remained the same, but tents and caravan wagons had turned the village into a town. The walks were flooded with people as they went about their business or clustered together to learn the latest news. The mourning flags flapped in the breeze. The village was a constant reminder of what had just happened.

Cassia had spent the last two days in the main hall with hardly any time for herself. She'd greeted more village elders and visiting dignitaries than she'd seen before in her entire sixteen years. All had come to express their condolences and reassurances.

She hated it. She hated their smiles, their tears, and most of all she hated them telling her how sorry they were. If she could have hidden away in the barn the entire time, she would have. But Sarahann wouldn't allow it. Cassia would be the sovereign ruler of Karah as soon as an official coronation could be arranged, but her duties wouldn't wait until then.

"This is dumb." Faolan tossed his book across the nursery.

"Prince Faolan," Mistress Witen scolded. The boys' governess exuded the same elegance Sarahann came by naturally. The type of elegance Cassia had yet to master. Witen's silver hair was braided in a crown on top of her head in the latest style and complemented the simple dress she wore. "Throwing an object is not kingly."

Faolan's brown eyes began to tear and Cassia stepped forward to comfort him.

Witen shook her head at Cassia and kneeled down in front of Faolan. "It's imperative you grieve, Prince Faolan. No one will find fault, least of all your father, but you must grieve appropriately. Throwing things, yelling at your subjects, those are not proper ways to grieve."

Gordain snorted and leapt up from his chair in disgust. "We don't need to be lectured on our behavior, Mistress Witen."

"Gordain," Cassia reprimanded him, surprised at how much he had sounded like their mother.

Gordain turned to glare at Cassia. While she'd been stuck in the Hall, the boys had been stuck in the Nursery. Tempers threatened to explode any moment.

A movement outside the window caught Cassia's attention. She spun to see if it was what she'd been waiting for. Sarahann had sent her up here to check on her brothers, but she'd known the real reason she'd been sent away. The young page hadn't been very discreet in whispering to Sarahann and there was only one thing that would have caused her mother to disperse the Hall for a rest when so many still waited for an audience. Her father's body had arrived.

She leaned against the cool pane and stared down at the road. The wagon rolled through the village. Her father's guards led the way on their horses at a quick trot. As the wagon pulled into the courtyard, she could make out the shape of his body covered by several blankets.

She swallowed a cry and focused on her breathing. In, out, in, out. Her mother walked through the courtyard to the wagon. She was met by the Captain of the Guard. Cassia shuddered and shook her head.

"No," she whispered.

"Princess?" Witen asked, coming over to her.

Cassia shrugged off her hand. Witen hesitated before trying to embrace her. Cassia shoved her away and bolted from the room.

"Princess Cassia!" Witen called out. "Gordain, go after her!"

Cassia picked up her skirts and raced down the hallway. Her brother was fast, but she was faster. By the time she'd wound her way through the maze of hallways and made it to the kitchen's service stairway she'd lost him. She'd only gone down one flight of stairs before tears blinded her and she couldn't see where she was stepping. She tripped and nearly tumbled headfirst down the next flight. An arm wrapped around her waist, yanking her back to the landing.

She pushed her hair out of her face and wiped at her eyes, but the tears continued to flow.

"Princess Cassia." Luki turned her to face him. "Let me escort you to your room."

She hiccupped a soft sob, shaking her head. "No, thank you." She took another deep breath. "Did you see?"

"See what, Your Highness?" He stepped respectfully back and clasped his hands behind him.

"The wagon," Cassia said, smoothing at her skirt. She frowned at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm staying here."

She brushed at her eyes again and glanced around. She was on the landing above the kitchen in the servants' quarters.

"Oh." She flushed and took a deep breath. She didn't want to think about it, but the image of the wagon flashed in her mind and the tears began flowing again. She couldn't believe he was gone.

"I was on my way down to the stables, Your Highness." He offered his arm. "Would you like to accompany me?"

She took it with relief. "Thank you."

Luki flashed a quick grin before leading her down the stairs and out the servants' entrance to the yard. She glanced fearfully around, but the yard was packed full of wagons and carriages from those who had come to visit. She couldn't see her father's wagon. Luki led her to the stable.

"I owe you an apology." Cassia thought of how kind he was being in the face of her rudeness.

"For what?" He glanced down at her in surprise.

"When I asked what you were doing here, I didn't mean the question as it sounded. You usually leave the day after you deliver a herd. I was surprised you hadn't left yet."

He shrugged. "With all the wagons and carriages coming in, your stable master asked me to stay on and help with the extra horses. Too many horses and not enough space."

"I hadn't thought about that."

"You've been busy," he said as they reached the first makeshift corral. He leaned against the pole holding the rope. "You haven't been out here much."

"I've tried." Cassia gave a small smile and touched the closest horse to her. "Sarahann's kept me busy."