9. Chapter Nine
Chapter nine
"Ithought you had too much to do today?" an amused voice drawls as I approach the stables, still contemplating what to do about Bri.
"Well, hello to you too. I said I'd try to help, and it turns out, this is exactly what I need after my start to the morning. Plus, my meetings got moved, so here I am," I reply, giving Benz a warm smile.
He's leaning on the wooden corner fencepost of the top holding paddock, a deeper frown than usual creasing the weathered face of the gruff horse trainer.
"Something wrong?" I ask, surveying the beautiful Amplifier horses standing close together in the too small space.
They're the wild ones who haven't chosen a rider yet and usually roam free in the lower paddocks.
Seeing so many of them all together like this is breathtaking—powerful muscled bodies, rippling metallic coats, vibrant multi-colored manes and tails and all tall.
You need some serious upper arm strength just to get on one of these creatures.
"I hate asking them to come in for this farce.
" Benz huffs, reaching over the fence to pat the neck of a shimmering, rose-gold mare.
Her bright white mane is blinding when the rays of the sun hit it.
A smile tugs at my lips when she pushes her head closer, enjoying the attention.
She's breathtaking, like all Amplifiers are.
Even after years of being up close to them like this, I'm still in awe of their beauty, intelligence, and abilities.
"It's insulting to treat them like possessions, like they're just plain old work horses," he growls. "Not to mention, it’s utterly pointless showing them off to the visitors when they have Amps in their own realms anyway."
"So why does the King insist we do this every Renewal period?
" I ask, scratching the black forehead of an iridescent bronze horse with soulful eyes.
"Is it the same in Orz when they host?" Every second year, the sprawling, desert-like kingdom on the western point of the island hosts the event.
Only people with a reason to attend get to go, so I have no idea if it's different to what we do when it's in Zel.
"They do, but I've never understood why either realm would willingly share the information, especially when Teyleoss never host, so they never actually have to show anything.”
If there's a story in our history books to explain why the northern kingdom never hosts Renewal week, I've never come across it. Instead, they transport their cane sugar to us in the east or Orz in the west, after all meeting on the southern border and replenishing the magic together.
When we host, Orz brings rock salt to us.
On alternate years, we take giant wagons of our nutrient supplement to them.
If we didn't need to make the Offering together and the trades weren't so essential, I doubt the realms would ever interact.
At least, not until now, with whatever is going on in the soil.
"How many potential new riders are competing in the Trials this year?" Benz asks over his shoulder as he steps into the paddock to start getting the horses ready for the exhibition.
I mentally flick through the report from last year's Ritual.
Only the ones who choose Shields or Endurers are eligible to enter the Trials, and even then, it's only if they want to compete for an Amplifier, since they'd be wasted on anyone who never leaves the realm.
"Of the forty-two who went through the Ritual last year, twenty-six chose Endurer or Shield magic, and two opted out of the Trials, so twenty-four horses, if everyone survives. "
I shudder at the thought of anyone dying in the Trials, but they can be brutal, and accidents happen.
Watching Willa compete after only a year of basic training was the worst thing I've ever had to do.
"I still think it's a ridiculous way to make someone earn their horse," I say, opening the gate to join him.
Benz nods in agreement. "Indeed, but we can't be giving these beauties out to just anyone who wants one, can we?
" He's not wrong. Every kingdom has Amplifiers, so they're not rare exactly, but they're still incredibly precious, twice as fast as regular horses and can travel much further without needing to rest.
It's the power boost they eventually give their chosen rider that apparently makes the risk of the Trials all worthwhile and the bragging rights of being a chosen one that accompanies the privilege.
I roll my eyes at the thought. Once, I wanted my own Amplifier more than anything.
I would not have survived the Trials, though, so planning them and helping Benz is about as close as I get.
"Are you here to help or daydream?" He cuts into my thoughts, and I realize I've been standing with my hand on the gate latch for the last few minutes.
I throw him a playful scowl. "What do you need me to do?"
"Grab the records for me so we can update them.
" He nods toward the leather-bound book balancing on the wide fence post. "Then bring each horse over one at a time, and I'll give them a quick once over before confirming they're interested in attuning with a rider.
Most usually are because they're keen to get out and about.
They're not meant to be contained in paddocks.
Some of the mares will be ruled out, as they'll be carrying foals now. "
I nod, grabbing the thick book and reaching for the woven halter and lead rope hanging on the wall.
"You know better than that, Alyxia." Suddenly, I feel like I'm back at school taking equine care classes all over again. "There's no need for gear. Just because you're a Remedy and can't hear what they're saying doesn't mean they don't understand you perfectly."
He laughs knowingly, and I scowl properly this time.
"They know what we're doing here, so just ask nicely, and they should follow.
" Another reminder of something I'll never experience, having a conversation with a horse.
I can't imagine an ability I'd want more than being able to talk to an animal.
As far as I know, most only talk to the rider they attune with, and the white-haired horse master across the paddock.
Four hours and what feels like a hundred horses later, we've fallen into a steady rhythm.
Benz has silent conversations with them as I update our records with his commentary, then release them into the middle field, where they'll stay until after the exhibition and Trials wrap up.
Then, it will be time for a whole new group of twenty-year-olds to choose their magic—and I'll be going with them.
"Do you think I could take one of the journey horses to the Grotto instead of going in the wagon with the supplies?" The words escape me before I even knew I was going to open my mouth. Where did that come from?
Benz looks at me with raised brows. "I'm sure that could be arranged. Think you're up for it? I don't doubt your ability to care for one. I'd have you here full time if I could. Riding, though…" He pauses. "How long has it been since you so much as sat on a horse?"
I flush, at both the compliment and the pointed question. "Oh, you know, about eight years." Unless you count last night, but I'm not sure that would work in my favor, given how sore my legs are from that one-hour ride.
He huffs. "That's what I thought."
Walking across the emptying corral, I approach a metallic grey stallion with a bright silver mane and tail, highlighted with shimmering streaks of a rich plum purple.
"Hey, handsome. Want to come have a quick chat with the old guy so we can get you out of here?
" He looks amused, and if horses could purr, he would be right now, heavily leaning into me as I roughly scratch my nails up and down his strong neck.
"Who's this beautiful boy?" I call out to Benz, nearing the barrel he's leaning against, making notes about a copper-colored, dark-eyed mare.
"That wild fella is Aven, though if we knew the name of the ancient god of terror, he would've been named for him instead.
" Benz chuckles. "Stubborn, feral, mischievous to the core.
Every time I've put a saddle on him, he fills his belly with air while I'm cinching the girth then lets out the breath so it isn't tight enough to hold anymore.
He hopes I'll go to mount him, the saddle will slide with my weight, and I end up on my ass in the dirt. "
I laugh at the mental picture of this horse playing tricks on the surly trainer, and I swear, Aven chuffs in appreciation. "He looks quite the opposite right now, meek and demure, nuzzling into you like one of the castle kittens."
The stallion stomps his front hoof right next to my boots, and this time, the breath he huffs out almost sounds like he could be muttering, "Rude."
"I pity the rider who ends up with him if they're not up for the challenge then," I say, still laughing.
"Not sure any of last year's crop of twenties will be able to handle him," Benz agrees.
"He'll definitely need a strong hand. He's considering attuning this year, though, if he finds the right person.
He's selective, as is his right." Pausing, Benz cocks his head, as if listening, then he nods and gives me a sly smile.
"Actually, maybe you should take him for a ride.
Get back in the metaphorical saddle so to speak.
You may as well go bareback again, since you didn't seem to need a saddle last night. "
I spin around to face him, mouth gaping.
"Does anything happen around here that you don't know about?
" Then, I realize what he's suggesting, and my disbelief triples.
"I can't ride him. He's an Amplifier. I'm not a Shield or Endurer.
I didn't go through the Trials. And you know damn well my magic is pathetically weak. "
"Oh, please." He waves me off. "It’s up to them and me, what's allowed when it comes to these magnificent beasts, and neither of us care about that shit. Come on, show me you can actually handle that long ride back from the Grotto. It's just a little ride around the paddock."
I glance between Benz and Aven, who nod at each other like a pair of scheming accomplices.
"He's on board with this?" I ask warily, dread and hint of excitement curdling in my stomach.
Benz only gives me the look, the one that lets me know my question is stupid and he's not going to justify it with an answer.
"Fine," I sigh. "If I fall off, you better not laugh.
" Last night was hard enough; riding bareback with an Amplifier is going to hurt.
"Good. Go on then. If you ask nicely, he might even move to stand alongside the fence so you can actually get on. Unless you want me to get the stepping block the kids use?" He grins knowingly.
"Hilarious," I snap, following his suggestion and climbing up the fence rails until I can swing my aching leg over Aven's back.
"Get the gate for us, would you? I have no idea how to steer without a bridle, so I guess we'll be back whenever he decides.
" No saddle and no reins will be interesting.
Thankfully, there's plenty of thick mane to hold onto.
No Amp horse would ever allow a piece of metal in their mouth, even if they don't actually move them when they talk.
Benz rolls his eyes, but I swear, there's a hint of glee hiding behind the snark as he opens the gate and gives my horse a gentle tap.
Well, mine for the next little while, at least. Aven takes pity on me, starting with a brisk walk down the gentlest part of the slope while I tangle my fingers through the wiry hair at his nape and grip tight with my legs so I don't slide right over his head.
As soon as we hit the flat stretch, powerful leg muscles coil in warning before he breaks into a canter.
Muscle memory kicks in, and my thighs tighten instinctively, the dull ache already starting to burn.
Wind tugs my hair into a snarled mess within heartbeats, stealing my tears before they have a chance to fall.
I forgot how much I love this, pure, exhilarating freedom.
A laugh bursts from my lips, real and raw and full.
It's so foreign, my eyes sting. Fun. That's what this is.
Gods, is this what my life could have been if I didn't get the Ritual so wrong?
Would the silvery door have opened for me if I tried it first?
Useless questions I'll never get answers to. Not that it stops me from wondering.
"I wish I'd been brave enough to choose the Shields," I whisper shout, letting the stream of air rip my words away like the pointless truths they are. It's liberating to admit it out loud, even just to myself. I duck down over Aven's neck, trying to avoid a low hanging branch.
One of the thin offshoots lashes my cheek as we thunder past. A line of fire lances across my skin, followed by a stream of warm liquid I wipe away, muttering, "Although I'd settle for actually being a Remedy right now so I could do something to stop this."
I nearly go flying straight off his back when a deep, rumbling voice replies, "Odd. I thought you already were a Remedy?"