Butterflies of Blood

Chapter 9

Jaye sauntered into the stable, the high windows and thatched roof let in only a little light and the whole place smelled of horses and hay. She breathed deeply, taking in a smell that held many memories for her. Then she headed to the counter. A man sat behind it, leaning back with his feet up and a pipe clamped between his teeth. The smell of smoke brought with it more memories, these far less pleasant. Jaye shuddered.

"There she is, little bitch, drag her out," A voice shouted loud in Jaye's head. The smell of smoke and sweat clogged her nose.

Jaye clenched her hands into fists and headed to the counter.

"You o'kay, Miss?" The man asked, his accent extending each vowel as he blew a smoke ring from the pipe.

Jaye ground her teeth and smiled. "Fine, fine," She said tightly.

"Well I'm stable master Hurr. What do ya' want?" The man took his pipe in one hand and stood.

"A horse, strongest you've got, I'll need him to carry a person and supplies." Jaye strode toward the stalls and Hurr hurried after her.

"You think you'll be able to manage and brute like that?" He asked sceptically.

Jaye nodded briefly. "Grew up with them. What've you got?"

"All those fit for sale are in here, mares that side," He nodded to left wall, "Stallions the other."

"Mind if I have a look?" Jaye asked, the smell filled her nose and a child's excitement crept to the edge of her voice.

"No problem, take your time," Hurr said and wandered back to the counter.

Jaye moved down the line of stables, wrapping her arms around her stomach as she went. She flicked a glance over her shoulder and found Hurr safely interested in something else. Jaye squeezed her eyes shut and felt the familiar prickle of tears tug at her eyelids.

A beautiful woman with black hair stood over a child who bore a striking resemblance to her, even so young. She wore a loose wrap dress and sun beat down on dark skin.

"Oh baby, you're alright, he wasn't trying to hurt you," The woman crooned and reached for girl, her smile warm and reassuring.

The child whimpered and one hand reached for the woman but the other closed about a heavy stone. She gave a little cry and swung it with strength no child should possess, smashing it into the woman's skull. Her smile was knocked sideways and she fell limp to the ground, head caved in.

"You have no hold on me," Jaye growled. "Memories are of the past. The. Past," She spat out the last words and opened her eyes. The mental landscape receding and drawing the woman's dead body with it.

Jaye shook out her hands and rolled her shoulders, stretching until her muscles relaxed. Then she continued down the row of horses.

The last stallion in the row was big bay. Jaye leant her elbows on the gate and met the beast's eyes, they looked black in the dim light and shied away from hers. She dropped a lazy hand in front of its face, held there to be sniffed. The horse clopped forward a step and took a tentative snuffle, its tail flicking nervously

"You look big and strong," Jaye drawled. "Feel like going to Sai with me?"

The horse watched her quietly, its ears twitching in time with her voice.

"Okay, it's settled, you, me and the princess are heading off," Jaye said and her eyes slid to the front of the barn where two men had just entered. "Perfect," She crooned quietly and drew up her hood

"I'll take the big bay up the back," Jaye said confidently, striding up to the counter.

Hurr shot an uncertain glance at the men in the doorway, they wore heavy cloaks that hung over bulky builds, most likely armour. He nodded quickly, returning his eyes to Jaye. "Will you be needing a saddle, ma'am?" He said carefully.