Chapter 25
CHAPTER 25
B y late afternoon, the fine ebony horses had carried Neve and Eleksi far enough north to allow her a measure of relief.
A rosy sun drifted toward the mountaintops, layering a hazy pink light over the emerald wilderness.
At a creek where they halted for a drink, Eleksi stooped to check his horse’s hoof.
“Ah, that’s what I thought,” he said with a grimace while poking the horse’s steel shoe, which had loosened. “Needs to be reshod.”
Neve stroked her own mount’s gleaming neck. “Is that painful for the horse?”
“No. A little uncomfortable perhaps, and will slow us down.” He released the hoof and the horse rested it tentatively on the ground. “At the next settlement, we’ll seek a farrier. Shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one, for nobody can get anywhere in these remote parts without riding on horseback.”
“By then, dusk will have fallen. Perhaps we can also find an inn?”
Eleksi gave a thoughtful nod. “If I scout the settlement first, that should be fine.”
Dark circles had reappeared under his eyes. Neve dearly hoped they could sleep in beds that night, for his sake as much as her own.
The winding trail joined with several others to form a road to the next village. On the outskirts, they pulled their horses to a stop, surveying the sleepy little collection of cottages and sheds. Windows glowed with yellow light as fires were lit to combat the biting chill of the impending evening.
“The stables,” said Eleksi, pointing at a series of thatched-roof sheds nestled at the edge of the settlement. “They’ll be able to help us. But you should stay in the tree line while I speak to them, just in case.”
Neve waited among the creaking birch trees as Eleksi directed his horse downhill. She patted her horse’s mane and tried to attune herself to the whispers of the trees. Their dialect was different in this part of the kingdom—the sorceress could perceive the urgency in their murmurings, but not the meaning.
“We’re in luck,” said Eleksi when he returned on his horse. “A farrier lives farther up the road a little way and he’s happy to tend to travelers passing by. A small farm with a blue gate.”
“Very good,” replied Neve, gently tugging her reins to follow him back to the dirt road. “I’ll not need to show my face in the village until after sundown, when surely no one will pay me any attention.”
“Can’t be sure of that. Beautiful women attract attention everywhere they go. But we shouldn’t have too much trouble getting rooms at the inn. The stablehand said they always have plenty of space.”
Neve privately noted his implication they wouldn’t be sharing a room, and also noted the flash of disappointment that passed through her as a result.
“Or, we could share,” went on Eleksi in a light tone. “In case there’s trouble.”
She looked across at him. His face broke into a sly smile, his teeth pearly in the dying light of the day.
“I agree that’s a good idea,” she said. “In case of trouble.”
Butterflies filled Neve’s stomach, rising through her chest.
To break some of the tension, she squinted at him. “So, not only do you like me, but you think I’m beautiful?”
She expected him to make a clever remark or roll his eyes, but instead his expression became serious.
“Sometimes, when I look at you, it almost hurts. I know you weren’t put on this earth to torture me with your beauty, but it sure feels like it. You have a face men write ballads about.”
Neve tried not to squirm. “You jest.”
“I don’t.”
“One day my skin will wrinkle and any comeliness will fade.”
“Is that what you believe?” Eleksi shook his head, incredulous. “You will never not be beautiful, because you are you. Age means nothing.”
She smiled, imagining Eleksi as an older man. His jet-black hair would be striking with threads of white, and his chiseled features would become even more finely honed with age.
But then her heart grew heavy with melancholy. Would they live to see an old age, let alone know each other that long? Perhaps the same thought occurred to Eleksi, because his mood perceptibly shifted as well.
They arrived at the farm with the blue gate, where they dismounted and walked the horses inside by the reins. Firelight warmed the windows of the cottage and birds chattered in the trees, settling in for the evening.
In the indigo dusk, a lone figure forked hay into a stable down past the side of the cottage. Beyond the stables lay a barn, a neat apple orchard, and a pond full of lily pads. An alabaster moon peeked over the treetops.
“Hey there!” called the man when he caught sight of them. “What can I do for ye?”
He leaned his pitchfork against the stable and dusted his hands while Neve and Eleksi approached with their horses in tow.
“Good evening,” said Eleksi, inclining his head. “We seek a farrier. The stables said we might find such a man at the farm with the blue gate.”
“And so ye have.” He shook Eleksi’s hand and beamed at Neve. His graying hair was disheveled from work, his stout body was garbed in overalls, and his cheeks shone red like the apples growing in his orchard. His eyes moved to the steeds. “Trouble afoot?”
He roared with laughter, causing Neve’s horse to whinny in alarm.
“Afoot, you see?” He looked expectantly from a stoic Eleksi to a hooded Neve, then waved his hand. “Never ye mind. My wife always said my jests are no good, gods rest her soul. What seems to be the trouble?”
Eleksi patted the rump of his horse. “We need a new shoe, if you’re able?”
“Of course I am. I might get ye to hold the lantern for me, so I’ve light to see, but it’s a simple enough job. Won’t take a few minutes and you’ll be on ye way.” He beckoned. “Come to the shed. You can feed and water the both of ‘em while you’re here.”
“Thank you,” replied Eleksi as he and Neve trailed the man inside. “We’re much obliged.”
“I’m Clayton, by the way.”
Eleksi didn’t miss a beat. “I’m Gren and this is my companion, Elise.”
“Nice to meet you both.”
The man reshod the horse’s hoof with the swift efficiency of an expert, cradling the gelding’s leg and squatting while hammering the nails into place.
“Where are ye off to, then?” asked Clayton as he worked.
“North, to Weirtown,” replied Eleksi. “Visiting my father.”
“Long journey. You bunking down for the night?”
“We thought we’d find lodging in the village this evening.”
Clayton checked the finished hoof one last time before releasing the horse’s leg and straightening up.
“Well, now, I’ve a guest room set up in the old barn. I downsized the property when my wife passed and turned the barn into lodgings. To make some extra copper, see.”
“That’s wise,” commented Eleksi.
“Aye.” He tapped his temple. “That’s me. I’ve no desire to sell up and move to the city. Couldn’t handle the noise and fuss, personally. So, how about it? A room for the night?”
Eleksi and Neve shared a silent look. She knew he was making the same calculations as her. If they stayed at the farm, they wouldn’t have to make their presence known to anyone in the village, thus reducing their risk of exposure. The horses would be safe, too.
The sorceress inclined her head.
“We’ll stay.” Eleksi took coins from inside his cloak and passed them to Clayton, whose bristly gray eyebrows flew up.
“That’s generous of you, young Gren.” He slipped the coins into the front pocket of his overalls. “I’ll show ye to your lodgings.”
Neve had been more than happy to stay in the most basic of dwellings, having slept on the ground the previous night, and was surprised to find the barn had been converted into welcoming and comfortable rustic accommodations. She removed her cloak while Clayton started the fire and Eleksi lit candles. Soon, the room was ablaze with warmth and light.
The barn was divided into two floors. The ground floor had a lounge and a pair of squashy purple armchairs around the hearth, a table and chairs, and a washroom behind a curtain. Up a wooden ladder was the bedroom, built into the barn ceiling.
“Would you like supper?” asked Clayton, clapping his hands together. “I don’t have much, but I can fry some sausages to have with tomatoes from the garden and fresh bread?”
Neve had been going to decline, not wanting to take food from the man, but at the mention of supper, her stomach growled.
Clayton guffawed. “I’ll take that as a yes. You two get comfortable and I’ll bring out a tray for ye to enjoy by the hearth. I do hope you’ll join me for breakfast in the kitchen tomorrow, as well. Can I get you anything else?”
Eleksi cleared his throat, his face serious. “Neigh.”
There was a pause.
Clayton slapped his knee and laughed uproariously. “Good one, lad, good one. Ah, I knew you had it in ye.”
“We’re so grateful for your hospitality,” said Neve. “It’s more than we could’ve hoped for.”
He held up his hands. “No, no, not at all. I’m well pleased you came by. Now, I’ll give some privacy to the lovebirds, eh?”
The old man winked and backed out of the barn, while Neve’s face flushed deeply.